Why is it always Catholics?

Question

People are always asking questions about Catholics. I've been in Catholic school for a long time, but before that, I was in a Baptist school. Sure, there are differences, but sometimes it seems as though people think Catholics are aliens from some distant planet outside the Milky Way. And people seem to have such contempt for them. Really, they're not as strict, cold, and strange as people paint them.

I'm agnostic, but having been around Catholics, I can fairly say that they are just as accepting, loving, and down-to-Earth as any other person.

Why do people think they're so strange?

Perhaps I should be more clear. I am not asking what flaws others find in Catholicism. Some need to read the question more carefully.

Oh, and since this error is being made, I want to point it out.

Catholics ARE Christians.

If you are talking about people who believe in Christ, but are not Catholic, they are Protestants. (Well, some people argue Anglicans are their own thing entirely, but for the purposes of this question, I'm sure most will find "Protestant" just fine.)

=)

Gosh, this prejudice astounds me.

I was also raised Catholic, and I also left the Church. But I am not so blind to its goods, just like the goods of any other religion. To see some people simply spit on the Church makes me wonder how brainwashed they have been to think that they have the right to trample on another's beliefs and on other people. This is what followers of God do? Grow up.

Answer 1

Good question. Kinda looks like I have to answer this one point by point to your responders.

To Thomas - by definition, a cult is a group that seeks to cut their people OFF. No outside contact. Catholicism is nothing of the sort. We are all over the place. Serving the needy in every country.

To Line Dancer - You really need to read up on what it means to be Jewish. The apostles were all Jewish. If you went to synagog with a Jewish friend, then went to mass with a Catholic friend, you would find the service to be exceedingly similar.

Let's take, infant baptism. Jesus was taken to temple and circumcised as a tiny baby. Given to God, according to the Hebrew custom, shortly after his birth. St. Paul states in the NT that circumcision is not required to be Christian. But there was still a need to consecrate children. Infant baptism. Then confirmation when one reaches the age of reason.

To Regina - PEOPLE are judgemental. Not Catholics. Not Protestants. Not Muslims, Buddhists or Hindus. PEOPLE.

To Phantom: Sorry my friend. America is primarily Catholic. The second largest denomination is lapsed Catholics. Since all branches of Protestantism vary so greatly in belief, you really can't lump them all together.

To Themato: Um, they protest the pope. They are Protestant.

To CM: you should try reading the some of the early christian writings. You'll find you are very very wrong.


To Jill: Again, you are so wrong. Clearly you weren't paying attention in class.

To Chez: America was not founded by Protestants. It was founded by Catholics. Haven't you heard? The Franciscans landed first so there is this huge movement to change Thanksgiving. Take a look at the names of places in America. They are all Catholic names. San Antonio. San Francisco. Santa Barbara. Yadda Yadda.

Dear Fenian: You are so correct. There is this massive wave of Protestants who have researched church history and come to realize the Catholic Church IS the church founded by Christ. Scott Hahn, Leonard Klein, oh shoot. Who's that Baptist minister that even owned his own church and brought half his congregation with him?

Answer 2

I think they are just jealous that we Catholics will have a lot more fun in heaven!

Check out the Simpsons Catholic vs Protestant Heaven:

http://custosfidei.blogspot.com/2006/10/simpsons-catholic-heaven-vs-protestant.html

Also, a lot of people tend to look at the things about the Catholic Church that are different from other Christian denominations, instead of seeing what is similar. Plus, a good amount of protestant understanding of Catholicism is based on prejudice (not all of course... I grew up in Virginia with Falwell and Robertson... all I heard was how wrong I was to be Catholic).

I find it sad when people have to base their spirituality on being superior to another group (whether it's protestants over Catholics or Catholics over Protestants). I'm Catholic because when I finally did begin to develop a personal relationship with Christ, I could not help notice in the Bible just how much referred to the sacraments. But then again, I never read the Bible as a fundamentalist and could therefore see how the experience of the early community was reflected, even if not directly, in the New Testament.

Answer 3

I'm a Christian believer. I was born and raised Catholic and even went to Catholic school for 8 years. But even after many years going to church and catechism, it wasn't until I was born again, 3 years ago, that my walk as a believer in Christ really took meaning. I will always value the education and initial guidance the Catholic Church provided for me but I do not see myself as Catholic. My relationship is most important with God our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Once a Catholic and now proud to be truly Christian.

Answer 4

“President of JPII fan club” correctly quotes Archbishop Sheen’s assessment that most people hate what THEY define the Catholic Church to be and not what it really is. This is caused by being judgmental over something where you are uninformed. “Shirly T” explains that the cause if being uninformed is because they “received poor information from poorly catechized Catholics and ex Catholics”.

I would have to agree with them both (or all three if you include Sheen). Look at how many people are answering under the authority of “I was a Catholic” or “I went to Catholic school for x years” as if that qualifies them to make corrections to the Catechism. I know that they never read the Catechism or they would understand that what they are accusing Catholics of is sinful to Catholics too. I question how often they attended Mass to learn their faith. I question how often they picked up the Bible and read it when they were Catholics. It’s always been there for them and Catholics have Bible Studies too.

Essentially, they left something that they never participated in out of their own laziness and went somewhere where someone would tell them what to believe so they wouldn’t have to investigate it and learn for themselves. Then based on the fact that they heard it from someone else, it must be true so that makes me and expert authority on the subject. They claim that they are now at a church “where they are being fed.”

This is true. But what are they being fed? If you want to have a relationship with God, regardless of denomination, then you need to “cut your own food and do your own chewing” as opposed to “being fed” something tat someone else chewed for you.

But it sounds like you already know this and you are asking the question for confirmation of it.

Answer 5

Pastor Billy says: wings I salute you and pray that this experience doesn't cause you to lose all faith. My name is a parody on poorly trained Protestant preaching. Normally the reason Catholics and Catholicism is attacked is because of insecurity and propaganda that has been spread around since the Protestant reformation. The truth of it is this, Catholicism can exist without Protestantism but Protestantism is lost without Catholicism. What do I mean by that? Well Protestantism is a breakaway from Catholicism and without protesting Catholicism Protestantism is non-existent. The entire origin of Protestantism is to protest Catholicism. I understand some Protestants like to think they are "reforming" or "returning" something to the original church but in all truth you cannot reform a thing by leaving it.

The demonising of Catholicism by many non-Catholics is required so as to present their version of truth as ... the one truth. Besides with over 1.2 billion Catholics in the world (more than half of all Christians, 3/4 if you include the Eastern Orthodox) you have to place them somewhere if your particular group wants to claim to be the Christian Church of antiquity.

Answer 6

Never have come across this as I was raised catholic in a very catholic town (NY) so I am surprised by this. We have our religion, but roman catholics are generally pretty relaxed about religion and get along with most groups. We don't really preach to others or try to convert anyone.

I'm not very religious myself, but again, that isn't really a problem with my family.

Answer 7

I think another person has already pointed this out, but the USA is historically a protestant and anti-catholic society. That being said, many American Christians are banking their entire futures and salvation on the necessity that the Catholic Church is in error. At the slightest hint that the Catholic Church is based on truth and the Spirit, some christians have no choice but to become defensive, lash out, and be downright hostile.

Answer 8

There are a lot of people who have received poor information from poorly catechized Catholics and ex Catholics. Just because a person has had 12 years of Catholic School, and they have made no effort to extend their knowledge and understanding after they finish those 12 years, that does not make them an expert on the Catholic faith.

Answer 9

as a catholic it seems to be the norm,say your catholic to some protestants and they look at you as if you have several heads..........

the main reason being the large amount of anti catholicism and protestant propaganda such as the chick tracts even to the extent of people publishing a catholic bible that is anti catholic. most of these problems are from misconceptions and poor research.

from history we see how the protestant propaganda had constantly embelished the truth to make catholics look bad,such accounts like the inquisition and crusades which are nothing like the often painted picture protestants have of them. you can find some good accurate accounts from www.catholiceducation.org

i think if protestants who have problems with catholicism knew the trruth about catholicism they would either become catholic or atleast be more tolerant. as christians we should all atleast aim for tolerance despite our differences. we all have something very powerfull in common and that is jesus christ,lets focus on that more.

Answer 10

I think many who have not been around Catholic individuals much think their beliefs are a bit odd. Certainly they are far more highly ritualized and stylized than Protestant Christianity. At least people are asking, and not making assumptions, so I think that's a good thing. The more people understand about each other, the better we all get along, as a rule.