When did the whole anti-Catholic and anti-Catholicism movement develop in America?

Question

And why is it still so alive and rampant in this day and age?

Answer 1

Are you sure the people saying these things are Christians?

There are plenty of wolves in sheep's clothing.

I can't judge who is a Christian and who isn't, but they certainly don't sound like Christians.

"You shall know them by their fruit"

Dangerously ignorant....

(I get a dozen e-mails a week from such "Christian" imbeciles.)

Even Atheists and other non Christians know that Catholicism is a part of Christianity and that Catholics are Christians. In fact the Catholic Church is the first Christian Church while Fundamental/Evangelical Protestantism and everything else branched off of the Catholic Church. If anything some people show their ignorance and lack of understanding when they say things like that.

These answers show ignorance in Christ's Church and an uncharitable attitude towards Christ's faithful. It shows that there is very much hatred against the Church which was created by Christ and the disciples in favor of man-made beliefs and practices. It shows a lack of fear for God and His commandments that one would bear false witness against His Church. May we all pray for God's mercy for those so lost in hatred, so that they may find love and charity

Catholic-bashing is almost a sport around this Forum, and you're right about one group of people who spew hatred and nonsense about Catholics. They've been taught a bunch of nonsense about the Church, and they refuse to go beyond that.

In some cases, the person simply hates Catholics and Catholicism, and they refuse to listen to anything you have to say. They're right, you're wrong, and that's the end of it, as far as they're concerned. These are the same people who say that Catholics aren't "real" Christians -- as if they have the right to judge others!

Then there are those people who've been taught a bunch of nonsense about the Church and want to know what the real story is. I will explain why we believe what we believe to them until my fingers just about fall off because they are willing to find out the truth for themselves.

If people were willing to listen to those of us who've studied our faith and know why the Church teaches what it does, the Catholic-bashing could be cut down to almost nothing. But some people can't get past their prejudice to learn the truth. . .and those are the ones I feel sorry for.

This is a quote from Bishop Fulton Sheen that I love.

"There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church—which is, of course, quite a different thing. These millions can hardly be blamed for hating Catholics because Catholics “adore statues;” because they “put the Blessed Mother on the same level with God;” because they “say indulgence is a permission to commit sin;” because the Pope “is a Fascist;” because the Church “is the defender of Capitalism.” If the Church taught or believed any one of these things, it should be hated, but the fact is that the Church does not believe nor teach any one of them. It follows then that the hatred of the millions is directed against error and not against truth. As a matter of fact, if we Catholics believed all of the untruths and lies which were said against the Church, we probably would hate the Church a thousand times more than they do.

If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hates. My reason for doing this would be, that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, He must still be hated as He was when He was on earth in the flesh. If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world. Look for the Church that is hated by the world, as Christ was hated by the world. Look for the Church which is accused of being behind the times, as Our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned. Look for the Church which men sneer at as socially inferior, as they sneered at Our Lord because He came from Nazareth. Look for the Church which is accused of having a devil, as Our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils. Look for the Church which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible, as Pilate rejected Christ because he called Himself the Truth. Look for the Church which amid the confusion of conflicting opinions, its members love as they love Christ, and respect its voice as the very voice of its Founder, and the suspicion will grow, that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world, then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly, it is other-worldly. Since it is other-worldly, it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ Himself. ... the Catholic Church is the only Church existing today which goes back to the time of Christ. History is so very clear on this point, it is curious how many miss its obviousness..."

--Bishop Fulton Sheen

Pastor Billy says: read some Chesterton sometime. .G.K. Chesterton wrote Protestantism would be empty if not for all the isms of the world (capitalism, nationalism, communism, materialism, modernism, indifferent-ism, denominationalism) with the exception of Catholicism I am of course paraphrasing him but you get the point. Protestantism doesn't exist without something else to prop it up and it is not so much what it is as much as what it is not. To be Protestant is to not be Catholic hence Protestantism does not exist without Catholicism whereas Catholicism does not require Protestantism for survival. I heard it said the largest denomination is actual ex-Catholics and where do you think they end up? For the most part the majority of Protestants are either ex-Catholics or descendants of ex-Catholics.

I rest my case, pray for them for they know not what they do.

To Ja'aj ,it is precisely because you are Catholic that you are fully Christian don't downplay the community you belong to as it is the same one which Christ established and was lead by the apostles no other can make the same claim. When non-catholics talk on traditions of men they are talking in reality of themselves. Protestantism is the best example of following the "traditions of men." Virtually every Protestant church, denomination, sect and cult can be traced to some human founder(s) within the past 500 years. Whether it is Luther, Calvin, King Henry VIII, Wesley, Knox, Joseph Smith (Mormon), Russell (JW), Eddy (Christian Scientist) or any number cropping up to this very day, all Protestants follow the "traditions of men." Some, such as Lutherans, use the very name of their founder in their denomination name. Others closely identify with their founders, such as those who call themselves "Calvinists." All approach the Bible and interpret it in accordance with the "traditions of men" they have inherited

God bless!

Answer 2

That's a good question, I'm not sure there is a simple answer, but it has been around for quite awhile. Many people don't realize this (because of the emphasis taught in history classes), but the KKK was pretty much founded on anti-Catholic bigotry. Even in the 1920's, that was there emphasis, even more so than white supremacy. The Fundamentalist movement was pretty much anti-Catholic from the beginning too, I believe that started in the mid-1800's.

Why is it still alive, mostly because of ignorance. It's like any bigotry. It doesn't mean that all people that are anti-Catholic are bad people, just mislead, they've been given false information about what the Church believes and why. Also, that lack of historical understanding of the Church, which was founded by Christ and where we got the Bible and what it means.

Answer 3

I spoke out against Bush when he was President, but I still labeled myself American. I didn't want to move to another country just because I sometimes disagreed with the President. Similarily, I'm not going to leave the church or stop being Catholic just because I sometimes disagree with the Pope. I once talked to a priest about some of the issues I had with the Catholic church; and he said that he'd rather have me continue to worship in the church even though I don't believe in all the teachings; rather than leave the church just because I disagree on a few teachings. Besides, the Catholic Church has been wrong before; as in the case of Galileo. Just because I'm Catholic doesn't mean that I blindly accept everything the Pope says as the literal word of God. Perhaps someday the Vatican will change its view on birth control, just as it changed its view on Galileo, the salvation of the Jewish people, limbo, evolution, and many other teachings that have been modified over the years.

Answer 4

Basically, it goes back to the Puritan roots of the early colonists (who were blissfully unaware that, elsewhere in America in what would become the southwestern states, the Church had had thriving missions long before). Anti-Catholicism reached a peak in the 19th century with the waves of Catholic immigrants from Ireland and Italy, much to the consternation even of the relatively few French Catholics who were already here. Those who had hoped to establish a Christian (Protestant) country, and later those who believed this had been the case until the immigrants showed up -- very much in a "there goes the neighborhood/not in my backyard" mentality -- were openly and often viciously anti-Catholic, and very rarely censured for it.

You really need to read the book, "Anti-Catholicism in America: The Last Acceptable Prejudice" by Mark Massa, SJ. It's quite well-done. Amazon link is below.

Answer 5

I believe the anti-Catholic movement began at the time the first settlers came to America. The reason it has flourished is basically why any hatred flourishes through ignorance, misinformation, and intolerance. People are generally afraid of what they considered foreign or different . The Catholic Church has also been known not to back down and could be considered being aggressive by those who believe these people are not kosher with American feelings. It flourished in the 1830's and 1840's with churches set on fire and the Know-Nothings running Fillmore as President in 1856. James G. Blaine's Rum Romanism,and Rebellion speech just before the 1884 election probably cost him the election. Popery was considered a threat with Al Smith and John F. Kennedy but Kennedy was able to explain the role of his Catholic beliefs better and there was less friction. During the Civil War the US refused to recognize any Vatican ambassadorship which would be changed finally under Reagan. Today with all the scandals and the so-called celibacy of questionable priests anti-Catholicism grows rampant and this time it is the utmost importance that people have a deep committment and personal relationship with God and being to consider that our priests are not gods but humans and they falter and all people of all religions can look to the Divine Healer by falling into the loving and merciful hands of God. It is those people who are so intent on people's differences instead of looking at the similiarities we all possess that we stoke the embers of prejudice to create a ring of hell fire of self-righteous ignorance and hatred which will only being division and not for the unity , freedom and the good will of humanity for all who embrace it. America has always been rooted in WASP philosophy but some things have changed but Catholics must strive to follow the narrow road and stand for what is right as the bastion of faith it is supposed to be and not compromise itself for a mere opportunity of acceptance . We must watch ourselves because with every thread of wrong that is thrust upon us by the media the air of hypocrisy will wield its ugly head and will give another hat in the ring of anti-Catholic sentiment settle in our land again. You know it is sad because all catholic means is universal and is not that we are to strive for a universal faith , hope, and love in the hearts of all people.?

Answer 6

Sweetie, you know I love you, right? Your religion is strickly your business. I can tell you what I am annoyed with The Church about. I am NOT annoyed with it's individual members; unless of course, they are members of the group I'm about to cite....
I don't know that there IS an anti-catholicism movement, in America or anywhere else. The Catholic Church has enemies, she always has had them. Her stance that only THE CHURCH has the key to Heaven would not make her any friends in some quarters. Personally, I resent her claim to have been founded by Peter. Peter is my favorite character from the Bible. I believe this man lived. (I feel some of the people and events are compillations, used to illiustrate.) Peter is very real to me. I cannot believe the Roman Catholic Church is what Peter had in mind. I do not believe the Pope is walking in the shoes of that fisherman.
My problem is this:
There have been a rash of reports of child abuse, from all parts of the country; MANY of them from here; in Phoenix. Parishioners are speaking out, against their Priests, and in defense of their children. This is as it should be. This is LONG overdue. These people have been told, time and time and time again to close their mouths; to say nothing. They have been bribed; they have been threatened. They have obviously had enough; despite both threat of excommunication, and bribes of everything from a place in the Church for their children to a place in Heaven.
The Vatican has ignored the fact that some of their Priests are criminals! They have instructed the local Bishops and other officals to not speak, and to aquire the silence of the parishioners; whatever the violence done to their respective consciences. The Church would rather sweep under the rug that a few (Very few, overall )Priests are FAR from desireable. The Church has directed that these Priests be transferred to other parishes, unsuspecting parishes! With no warning as to the nature of the man they are visting on the new flock. This is reprehensible. And it is not only vile, it is un-Christian.
I am left to assume that the church values it's reputation above that of the life of a child! These men were trusted! They were their people's conduit to their GOD! This is unforgivable. Certainly until it is acknowledged! HOW DARE the CHURCH look the other way?? How dare it pretend this isn't happening? HASN'T happened for YEARS. PROBABLY CENTURIES??? The Jesus Christ I know DOES NOT condone child molestation! He would not look the other way while a child is being abused. I am left to wonder...Do these Priests BELIEVE in what they preach? How can they fear God, and behave as they do? OR.. Do they really believe that a final hasty mea culpa will exonnerate them? Either way, the arrogance is appalling! I do not hold every member of the Catholic Church responsible. How could anyone? Their parishioners are the victims. I do not blame every Priest. There are THOUSANDS of Priests. The vast majority of them do wonderful work everywhere they are. They have earned the trust and respect of their communities, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. But, "The Holy Roman Catholic Church"? No. Too much. "Holier Than Thou" looks bad on a hypocrite.
It is GOD who is to be worshiped; NOT the Catholic Church. Because someone wears the robes of the Catholic Church does not make him a man of God. The Catholic Church is there for itself; God has very little to do with it, anymore...

Answer 7

Re: "alive and rampant today":
Because The Holy Roman Catholic Church continues to set itself above the laws we all live by. It invites contempt because it shows contempt for those who do not follow the edicts of Mother Church. This is no way to "convert" anyone...
Re: "When..."
I would say about the same time our forefathers landed here...This country was founded on religious freedom... the "freedom" they were seeking was from the Catholic Church. In general, I think it was about the same time that the "officials" of the Holy Roman Church began to confuse Mother Church with God. The religion is fine, the people running it are out of control.
"Today" may possibly be because the "church: chooses to shield criminals. Pedophiles, be they Catholic Priests or any other animal, are criminals. The "Church" protects them; apparently under the mistaken belief that this is the way to "protect" the image of the "Church". Most of us see it as the "Church" believing it's Priests are above or exempt from the laws of mere man...crimes against children are despicable; particularly in a "man of God".... No one is mad at the rank and file Catholics; they ARE mad at the "Church", and her officials....with good reason.

Answer 8

Because Jesus said that the world would always hate his Church.

Answer 9

My guess would be when the first settlers arrived here to escape from religious persecution.

Answer 10

I am not anti-catholic at all. But quite simply many catholic beliefs are not supported Biblically. For one the assumption of Mary. This is no where in the Bible.