Why do Evangelical Christians have such a "thing" against Catholics?

Question

I find so much blatant HATRED for Catholics on these Q&A boards... I just think that ALL Christians, regardless of their denominations, should pray for each other, lift each other up, encourage each other - hatred is a tool of Satan, ment to separate us from the love of Christ.

Wow, as the answers are pouring in... the HATRED is becoming more evident... and the misconceptions about the Catholic Church keep rolling on in... I have always based my Catholic faith on what I've learned in the Bible, NEVER prayed to saints, placed my redeption ONLY on Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. My Church has been a place that I have turned to during the most difficult times in my life for comfort and guidence - I'm not going to waste any more time explaining my faith to so-called "Christians" on this Q&A board who are unwilling to embrace me as their Christian sister. Shame on you. Think about that one.

PS - If one more person says that they don't think of Catholics as being "real" Christians... I'm gonna throw up.

The Catholic Church was the first organized Christian church. We worship Christ - uh - HELLO - doesn't that make us... well... Christians?

Answer 1

I see posts that disagree with Catholic doctrine and practice, and I sincerely hope that it hasn't escalated to hatred. I see what, to me, is an inappropriate attitude of superiority from each of these groups, when in truth, neither has room to throw stones. I suppose that you would classify me in the Evangelical Christian category, although I see no reason for rancor toward Catholics. As far as I am concerned, Catholics name the name of Jesus Christ, and are, by definition, Christian -- like me, although I do not practice my faith exactly as they do. I do not understand this "all Catholics" or "all Evangelicals" or "all fundies" stereotyping any more than I understand "all whites" or "all African Americans, or "all men" or "all women."
I agree with you that all Christians should pray for and encourage one another. I think that God is far more interested in whether we demonstrate love toward him and toward one another than in whether either of us understands every point of doctrine perfectly. It appears to me that no one church understands or practices the teachings of Scripture perfectly. If one perceives that another's doctrine is flawed, pray for them, and that truth, God's intended meaning in the matter, be revealed [either to them or to you (or both), whichever needs alignment with God's will and way]. Heaven may reveal some huge surprises to those who have railed against one another here. As I recall, causing divsion between brothers (for the sake of this discussion, in the spiritual sense) is among the issues that God considers abominations. This is serious stuff to God, and we should take it every bit as seriously as he does. He calls us to love one another. Why do we wonder that unbelievers are confused? Jesus said that the world will know us by our love for one another, and yet, is that what we have demonstrated before them? May we all come to the "stature the fullness of Christ."

Answer 2

I have been a catholic my whole life and I have been seriously studying the bible for the last 2 years. I am also saddened to hear some preachers on my favorite Christian radio station differentiate Catholicism from Christianity. I think we have some traditions that aren't confirmed in the bible (Mary worship, prayer to the saints, etc...). But in the end we are Christians.

I think the key word you pointed out is HATRED. Everything I've read in the Bible points towards God's love for us and His expectation that we love eachother. That is the yardstick I believe we should use for all our discussions. We Christians are to love everyone, family, friends, neighbors, strangers, people of other faiths, and even people with no faith.

I think Bob Marley had it right, "When you get down and quarrel every day. You're saying prayers to the Devil I say"

Answer 3

Because, as is typical of extreme believers, they think that they're specific 'way' is the correct one and anyone that deviates at all from that is just plain wrong. Take for instance, the Catholics. Many Christians believe they are wrong because they believe that when you become properly baptized you have to do it consciously and willingly - not when you are a baby. The Mormons think their way is the only way. So does Jehovah Witness. So do many other sects. It's the reason why I can't take any of them seriously. They don't realize how much power they would have if they would let go of their petty differences and unite but that's what happens in religion - there can only be one 'true' way and everyone else is wrong.

Answer 4

I agree. Unfortunately many Evangelicals refuse to acknowledge that Catholics are even Christian, despite the fact that the Catholic Church was the only game in town for the first 1000 years of Christianity.

In fairness, Catholicism's persecution of reformed groups in Europe as well as the Church's insistence for so many years that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church probably had a lot to do with that hostility. But we are making strides in ecumenism, if only people would let go of prejudices!

Answer 5

Hi, I was a catholic before and I think this "thing" you say is not a hatred for catholics but the errors in the catholic teachings.

I remember when I started reading the bible (In catholic church they never had bible study it was always sit stand neal and repititious prayers) I found glaring inconsistencys in what the catholic church was teaching.

I pointed it out to my parents and my sister and they all but called me a traitor and disrespectful..you name it, it was like I was the black sheep of the family or something.

Later my sister started listening and reading the bible and she too realized that there are errors in the catholic teachings that contradict the bible.

Soon my mom came around and then my dad.

I believe it was the holy spirit that showed us the errors.

I believe that some catholics will indeed go to heaven, after all I was baptized as a baby there and even though I don't agree with all they teach I have no problem attending the church and I don't talk bad about it as good spirit filled folks like yourself, and like I was, will tend to get turned off like you are.

I would tell you this. Do not get so into defending the catholic church or arguing your points as you are in doing Gods will.

You can go to catholic church and be saved as the catholics believe in the essentials ie: Jesus died for our sins

I had a hard time trying to show my parents the errors and looking back I wouldn't have done that. What I should have focused on is what glorifies Christ.

I would talk about the good the catholic church does as teaching out against homosexuality. You have to admit in this age the catholic church has guts to still say its a sin like it does in the bible in Lev. 20:13

The catholic church also says the only way to get into heaven is through Jesus. Not the koran or buddha or any of those fool religions. In this day and age that takes courage! Good for the catholic church!

The catholic church has awesome women that were truly saints like Mother Theresa who talked Openly and Frequently against Abortion.

It is good that the catholic religion talks about what is sin. I mean, if we were to believe everything the world teaches us as "Don't judge, or "Who are you to judge?" you would think that hell was going to be empty and heaven would be full.

But we know that Jesus said "few will enter heaven" and to "Strive to enter". And "The way to heaven is narrow".

I believe the majority of the teachings in the catholic church are good and that the catholic church does more good than harm when it comes to what is right and what is wrong.

I would tell you this. Attend at a Calvary chapel. I have found that they teach directly from the bible and they aren't perfect (by the mere fact that you and I are in the crowd lol!) but they are always 100% bible based.

I am not trying to convince you of anything but for you and I to glorify Christ and lets not let satan use these divisions as a tool to divide us.

A wise person is not more loyal to their political party more than the truth

A wise person is not more loyal to their religious denomination more than the truth

A wise person is more loyal to the truth period.

If you are every blessed to meet someone that is willing to openly talk to you and reason with you without debating, that is a person that is highly intelligent and will find truth.

If you find a person who won't talk to you or, as soon as you make some good points they get mad and won't talk anymore, that person will not look at the truth.

The truth is out there.

Answer 6

And not just Catholics, lol!

Seriously, I don't know that the horrible things that are said on message boards and in internet forums are actually representative of the views of a majority of people.

Of course, the fact is that there is a teaching or tenet somewhere that promotes certain ways of thinking, and creates divisiveness among people.

However, I'm sure we can all agreer that divisiveness and persecution are not the sole prerogative of evangelical christians.

For myself, I take the messages of hate with a grain of salt (well OK, a heaping spoonful of salt!!) ~ many of the writers are obviously deeply troubled people, while others are simply young, foolish or an unfortunate combination of both!

Cheers :-)

Answer 7

It's because the Catholic church was the ONLY evangelical, fundamentalist, nondenominational, charismatic, universal, bible believing, full gospel church for at least a thousand years before any protestant ever thumped a bible ... and Catholics contnue to enjoy the best that God has to give ... including the real and substantial presence of Jesus Christ ... plus, they're confused ... and they're jealous.

Answer 8

How do you define hatred? I hear people disagree with them but I don't hear much of what I'd call "hatred" here.

Let's remember that Catholics have persecuted real Christians for their entire history. It's hard not to have a little animosity.

On the other hand, few Catholics here have persecuted me, so I don't hold that against them. What I get the most upset about is the expression of the Great Catholic Arrogance: "We are the one true church, founded by the apostles, with apostolic succession proving that there is no other church but the Catholic church."

When trying to be ecumenical, they categorize Christendom as "Catholic and Protestant" (maybe throwing in Eastern Orthodox) but ignoring the non-Protestant but still biblical Christians that dominate Christendom, at least in America.

So if someone like me sometimes sounds a little irritated, it might be because we get tired of being defined out of Christianity by people (Catholics) who we don't really consider "Christian".

Answer 9

I left the military to become a catholic monk. While at the monastery I climbed a mountain to pray to see if God wanted me to be a monk, At the top of that mountain I experienced God's presence and began to speak in tongues.

When I discovered that the catholic church believes in tongues and the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a legitimate but separate work of God, but kept this truth silent, I knew that they were not on God's side in trying to get people to have the truth.

This gets many protestants angry at Rome. While it may be Godly to be angry at this sin, scripture says be angry and sin not. Therefore any protestant who hates Rome is in sin.

Does 2 sins make a right? No it does not.

Fortunately there are many protestants who understand Rome's sin, without being filled with hate, and are battling this properly.

Perhaps we should focus on this instead.

Answer 10

It's nothing specific against Catholics--the leaders of these churches indoctrinate their followers to regard anyone not a member of their cults as evil.

scottinla1--Which headlines? The ones about Ted Haggard? Or maybe the swarm of multimillion dollar mansions and private jets owned by televangelists? Pat Robertson calling for the murder of foreign leaders he doesn't like?

No--I know what you mean--the priest scandels over molestation. Inexcusable--but perhaps you should actually try READING tha tBible the evangelicals like to thump so much. Start with the part about "he who iswithout sin, let him be the first to cast a stone."