Catholics, how has anti-Catholicism affected you in your life?

Question

Everday thanks for your story and by the way its monstrance

Thank you everyone for sharing with me especially you Michelle thank you for beginning so detailed and open about what can be so personal. ;) think I'm fallen for u.

Adoptive I to have experienced a postive to anti-catholicism it has only help make me stronger in my faith. I have lost some dear friendships but in the process I did not back away from the fight anti-catholics bring to the faith in Jesus Christ. I used the alias of Pastor Billy with light humor and it helps. The non-catholics and anti-catholic who give Catholics little respect enter into discuss after seeing how silly I make them appear. This is not say my arguments are not intellectual but I find many non-Catholics to be extremely closed-minded if you aren't willing to sing their tune or beat to their drum.

Anti-catholicism is a disease reform Church members and secular atheist educators must be freed from.

I strongly endorse support for the catholicleague with the hope they can be the next By na Brit

"I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us.
I would like an abundance of peace.
I would like full vessels of charity.
I would like rich treasures of mercy.
I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.
I would like Jesus to be present.
I would like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us.
I would like the friends of Heaven to be gathered around us from all parts."
I would like myself to be a rent payer to the Lord, that I should never suffer distress, that he would bestow a good blessing upon me.

St Brigid of Ireland

-- Saint Brigid

Answer 1

As a teacher, I've connected to many parents that, if they ask, are happy to hear that I'm Catholic. Being new to the school I'm at right now, I took a year sabbatical, one parent was excited. She said that she had prayed for me all summer because she was hesitant about pulling her son out of his old school and enrolling him in our gifted program. I told her that my decision to go back to teaching was based on prayer and discerment of God's vocation for me. Although she is a Protestant, we have many great converstions about the power of God in our lives.
A common encounter is when the local evangelicals knock on doors. I always tell them that I appreciate them in their efforts to spread the Word and that I'm a practicing Catholic. More often than not, I get this response: Oh that's great that you go to Church but do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? Have you been saved?
I think it upsets me because they make the presumption that I don't have a spiritual life, only living through rituals. What most people miss, including many Catholics, our Church's rituals are scriptually based and every action during the Mass has much significance. (I get especially steamed about the people that categorize us as the "stand up/sit down/kneel" robots.)
Basically, it comes down to education. It's a hard bill to fill but we need certificated catechists teaching all ages. I think that there isn't enough participation in adult formation because there are a lot of adults that don't understand and feel overwhelmed jumping right into a bible study or course.
I try to read as much about apologetics as much as I can... There are so many that say they are Catholic but don't agree with the Church. I don't think they understand what a contradiction that statement holds. I always try to be gentle in my explanations and not make them feel inadequate with sharing answers.
Although I don't particularly like the scrutiny, I try to remember this: "Blessed are you when they insult you and utter every kind of slander against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven...."
Mon :-)

Answer 2

Thank you Pastor Billy, can I get an amen! ;)

How has it affected my life? Primarily the loss of my family, not my parents or sisters but everyone else, all aunts, uncles, cousins. My parents were deeply affected by this conversion of mine but they realized it was me as me or not at all. Does it matter? After seven years the pain isn't as acute as it was before.

I lost "friends" who I had known since kindergarten because of my conversion...again the hate of the Catholic church premanted more than I knew amongst those faithful Christians. They're heart is in the right place--at least that is my way of dealing with it--but they are incorrect in just about everything. You can see alot of the bigots here on YA, very similiar to my friends and extended family.

I lost a job immediately after my conversion. The man who ran the engineering company was a old family friend and he couldn't stand it. He would start every day with a prayer for me to return 'home'. Little did he understand that I WAS Home! After months of dealing with snide barbs, asides, whatnot the morale of the little company was being affected--we all loved each other so much and they felt that I entered into a cult. *sigh* I was fired for very minor reason but we all knew the real reason and I was very hurt. I could have harmed him and his company; took him to the cleaners for discrimination however I chose to take the Catholic route and learn a few virtues.

This firing led me to go to medical school something I would not have ever done if I wasn't forced out of my 'cocoon'. So there are more blessings than not.

I find that the ignorance of people to be shameful. I used to be one..... The lessons learned in my personal life and here on YA has made me love everything that is offered more. The Eucharist as so many of us have said is everything. I would gladly die fighting for it. As many of our Catholic brethren have done in the past.

In te, Domine, speravi. Non confundar in aeternam (In Thee, O Lord, have I put my hope. Let me never be confounded). [Psalm 30:2]

Answer 3

Maybe this is some twisted logic -

I was raised Catholic but for years I did not attend church. Anti-Catholicism made me look more closely at the traditions and teaching of the Catholic Church. Strange as it may seem, this investigation showed me that the Catholic Church is the best place for me.

I must honestly say I have never felt any discrimination or mistreatment because I am Catholic.

Answer 4

It hasn't affected my faith at all - in fact, it is because of the hatred that I am even stronger in my faith and beliefs. As another poster said, I would suffer anything rather than give up the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

Answer 5

I have seen friendships damaged when people have found out that I am Catholic. I have been called names and have been accused of being bigoted and a nonbeliever because of my faith.

We used to have perpetual Eucharistic adoration at our church, but someone entered the chapel and stole the consecrated host from the monstrence.

Answer 6

I have been Catholic all my life and seeing the anti-Catholic movement out there makes me wonder at the stupidity of people sometimes. It tests my Christian virtues of love and hospitality at times.

I have had relationships end and people not see me or my faith but what their bibliolatry churches tell them to see. But in the end I try to just say Lord help them and forgive them in their misguidance of hatred. This the last prejudices still accepted by society, anti Catholic and anti Muslim.

Answer 7

As far as I am concerned it has little effect on my Catholic faith and yes I have been insulted by many and even told that I am not a true Christian, even that I am going to Hell along with the Pope,all this matters little to me,I would much rather endure all this than give up my Holy Eucharist,which means everything to me.

Answer 8

Get her or him " Catholicism and Fundamentalism" by ability of Karl Keating. maximum anti-Catholic fabric is a plagurism of lorraine's unscholarly e book spoke of as "Roman Catholicism". Karl exhibits this e book's poor scholarship and multiple blunders. maximum anti-Catholic fabric steals from Lorraines e book with out bothering to envision if what Lorraine is asserting is unquestionably genuine. One occasion of anti-Catholic fabric that blindly copies Lorraines defective fabric is Jack Chick. multiple funds has been made by ability of those charlotans who sell anti-Catholic fabric. It doesnt seem to hassle them no count if their accusations are genuine or no longer.

Answer 9

It has made me sad to think of all those with closed and hardened hearts yet at the same time, I trust in Jesus and His Divine Mercy and he can reach the most hardened of hearts.

Answer 10

It has made me fear what could happen in the USA if the fundamentalists continue to organize.