For anti-Catholic fundamentalists: we get that you hate the Church, but how do you feel about us?

Question

I must be out of my mind to ask this.

Nevertheless, I'm opening this up to the few but vocal fundamentalist Christian folks who make a point to zero in on any question that has to do with Catholicism -- especially questions about certain beliefs and practices -- and pour out condemnatory rhetoric.

Honestly, why do this? WE GET IT, and so does everyone else, even (perhaps especially) non-Christians. You have serious issues with Catholicism. I can respect that, especially as a former Baptist. I defend my faith, yes, but I don't seek out questions on teachings I disagree with to spout off my opinion and slam those who believe them -- though there's certainly no lack of opportunity to do so here.

If you must rehash the same objections to Catholicism over and over, would it be asking too much to temper that with a bit of Christian concern for our souls once in a while? Or have you written all of us off as hopelessly lost?

The floor is yours, brothers and sisters.

Answer 1

Blessings Granny

Do not trouble yourself, my Sister, with Catholic bashers. As you know I am an Evangelical and most would say I am a Fundamentalist and I would not argue the point as I am trying to get myself together to finish my degree at Liberty University.

Here is my take on the subject for what it is worth (you know what they say about opinions). First of all as others here have noted, Christianity has become extremely diverse. The Reformation was the second major split in Christianity the first being when the Eastern Orthodox split from Rome was the great schism of 1054.

On 31 October 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses On the Power of Indulgences to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. His intention was to reform the Church but of course it lead to the split that has given us today’s splintering of the Church. This was something Luther himself felt would occur but deemed the risk necessary.

In America, explicit anti-Catholicism was a staple of conservative Protestantism. Americans alarmed at the influx of Irish and Italian immigrants took solace in Reformation descriptions of the Pope as the Whore of Babylon.

Eventually most American Protestants left anti-Catholicism behind, and from the 1950s on, Billy Graham led many Evangelicals toward a greater tolerance.

Today those positions are truly marginal. Although some conservative Protestants still refer to "Christians" and "Catholics" separately (as do some Catholics), the anti-Catholic position is shared by only "a tiny, tiny portion of Evangelicals."

So pay no attention to the few but vocal fundamentalist Christian folks who make it a point to zero in on any question that has to do with Catholicism. They, like the atheists that lurk around here, do so only to promote themselves and not the Glory of God. Amen.

Your Brother in Christ

Answer 2

Hello,
A little off the topic but:
For some of the answerers:
Who can say which is the true faith? Ok, Luther split with Rome 500 years ago but now there are hundreds of non catholic denominations last count. How does one sort that mess out to know who is the right faith? Could they not be mistaken and heritical also? Such numbers show that Christians outside Catholicism may not know what they are talking about and can agree on nothing scriptural. Leaders of most churches are not stupid and have better theological education than most... who is correct then?

Michael

Answer 3

I think on this board we have more way out people than society as a whole.

A part of the problem is polarization. At the time of the Reformation there were some real abuses. It caused Luther to put an emphasis on faith not works and Catholics therefore point out works in response. It appears to Protestants that Catholics think they get to Heaven on works alone, and a lot of Catholics think Protestant believe that as long as they have faith they can pretty darn well do what they please. Both views are not accurate.

Abraham had faith. God did not say,"Abraham" and he said, "yes, Lord," and then God threw down a Bible or Baltimore Cathechism to him and he said, "Here, catch.' His faith is what saved him.

We Catholics believe our faith in Jesus Christ is what saves us but we believe that good works increase the life of faith and is a manifestation of our faith. Works are mentioned many many times throughout the New Testament, for heavens sake.

We know and Protestants know that the Devil believes.

Where we do differ is in "once saved always saved." We are in total agreement with the Church of Christ on that issue. We believe that a person can fall from grace and needs to seek reconciliation with God and his Church. A Protestant will say he will be sorry and ask God for forgiveness not tell a priest. Well it cuts both ways. When we confess to a priest, his absolution is CONDITIONAL. Forgiveness depends solely on something God alone knows, our sincere sorrow for our sin and our intention to try and not commit the same sin again. Now that doesn't mean we won't. I know with my temper boy o boy do I have a struggle. But at least I have a sincere intention and I keep working on it. My faith in our Lord Jesus Christ means I know he loves me and will take into consideration my best efforts.

Also we pray to our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, just like Protestants. However, we have all those great friends in Heaven called saints and we can ask them to pray for us too. Isn't that wonderful!

Now Protestants vary on an issue. Some believe that when a person dies they are dead until the resurrection but we know that Jesus told the good thief on the cross, "This day you will be with me in paradise." So we have faith that people who have gone before us are in Heaven enjoying the Beatific Vision of God and they are able to remember us to the Great and Holy Throne of God.

Answer 4

When people have been corrected over and over yet continue to spew hate, those folk don't just hate the misrepresentations of their ancestral Catholic faith,which all Protestant groups,including Baptists and Babdists,derive from,they hate us and no matter how they say they lament their damning us they actually get great thrills and ego boosts from their "Papist Hate". Pray for them for they know not what they do.

Answer 5

I am Catholic. All religion is flawed because we as humans are imperfect. I don't think anyone has the right to criticize any other religion although we all are guilty of it, perhaps because we want to be understood and we want to make sure everyone is going to heaven. Just lead by example and resist the temptation to criticize things that you don't think are right. If you can have an intellegent conversation with someone and voice your opinions and reasons then go for it.

THanks and God Bless.

Answer 6

Beautiful, Granny. I await the outcome....

:)


Ok, PIT - you say your info comes from facts...what facts? Where did you get these facts, and what are they? You've really explained nothing.

Answer 7

My Grandmother and Grandfather were catholic and I loved them.

Answer 8

Most of my family are Catholics and I love them all very much. It makes me very concerned about all people in the Catholic religion. I don't hate any Catholics, not at all. There are great people in all religions, but that doesn't make the religion right. It is not the people's fault that they have been taught some wrong doctrines.

I sometimes come off as mean and rude and uncaring. I know that. My wife gets onto me all the time about it, and I try I really do. God hasn't blessed me with a lot of tact or patience just yet. So, my heart is in the right place, I just sometimes don't get that across very well.

Most of my information comes from facts about the Catholic church.

I know many former Catholics who are ex-priests and ex-nuns. So, unless all of them have told me the same lies, at different times, without knowing what the others have said...well...that would be quite a coincidence.

The Catholic church hardly follows the Bible. They add many numerous man-made teaching and doctrines that contradict the Bible. This is fact, and many of my Catholic friends and family members agree. But they choose to ignore it for what reason I don't know. The Catholic religion is full of heresy, and it has a lot of people worshipping in a false religion, a lot of good people that honestly believe the stuff they are being fed.

Answer 9

Good question..........just waiting to see what answers you will receive.

Peace be with you.