If you did...what kind of response did you get? (Please don't answer if you're not Catholic)
2007-09-04 17:41:43 · 16 answers · asked by Deenie 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I haven't, myself (although I have had some very good discussions with a priest, who clarified certain doctrines for me). But I've witnessed the closest thing to a debate, in an RCIA class. A woman attended who was a fundamentalist, apparently responding to the open invitation to anyone who wanted to know more about the Catholic faith. Her Bible knowledge was formidable, and in one session she began firing off verses to the priest; "...but Ephesians so-and-so clearly states this, how does that fit with..?". She was clearly confrontational. Time after time, he came back with solid answers and the Scripture to back them up, very graciously and with gentle humor -- until she finally conceded "well, I guess that does make a certain sort of sense".
I still see her every now and then. At Mass.
2007-09-05 02:58:22 · answer #1 · answered by Clare † 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have disagreed with a certain priest in the past, but I would not think of openly challenging him, especially in front of other people.
It is unlikely that course of action would lead to any fruitful outcome. If a priest is professing un/non-Catholic Doctrine, it would be better for the dissenter to contact the head of the Arch Diocese.
2007-09-06 12:01:06 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our priests are there to guide us in the truth, not to debate with. Do you have a degree in theology? If not, it would be a pretty one-sided "debate". However, any time I have had questions about the Catholic faith, my dedicated and knowledgeable pastors have been glad to take the time to explain anything I did not fully understand.
2007-09-05 00:50:55 · answer #3 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
was raised as a catholic and mostly received vague general answers to my questions. no priest ever was mean or said i was going to hell or anything, but never got anything too profound or useful either. Not a catholic now. I don't see how you could debate the religion if you are currently one because you'd believe in it. Or maybe you just mean debate the finer points?
2007-09-05 00:48:57 · answer #4 · answered by Neoholbach 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hello,
Sure I did. They gave an attentive response and took the time to hear my point of view then explained what they thought. It was all done on an intelligent level like a university debate and I learned a great deal.
Cheers,
Michael Kelly
2007-09-05 00:49:53 · answer #5 · answered by Michael Kelly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Our whole congregation tried to have a debate with the priest but he told us mass debating was a sin.
2007-09-05 00:48:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Several times when I was younger and, surprisingly the two priests I had the debates with actually agreed with me.
Told me most doctrines had to be taken on "faith", but the two most important commandments to focus on is to love God and to love thy neighbor as yourself.
2007-09-05 00:49:02 · answer #7 · answered by chansenfam@sbcglobal.net 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would never debate with a priest or otherwise I would go visit the Boogie Man.
2007-09-05 00:44:55 · answer #8 · answered by VegasPapi 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
What if you are an ex Catholic?
Hey I kinda answered, didn't I?
2007-09-05 00:44:09 · answer #9 · answered by SC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, but I have debated fundamentalist and evangelical "ministers" and tore them to shreds. Admittedly, I had a distinct advantage of having the Truth on my side.
2007-09-06 13:29:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋