Anti-Catholicism is the new Anti-Semitism?

Question

There is so much anti-Catholicism in this section (coming from evangelicals, protestants, atheists, and pagans). Why is the Church hated so much? I hear all of these stupid, baseless rumors about Catholicism. Have people actually researched what is about? Some of the hate also comes from former Catholics which baffles me. Is acceptable to make fun of Catholics like it was acceptable to make fun of Jews 40 years ago.

I was raised Catholic but I no longer consider myself one. However, I still have a soft spot for the Church and I want to know what motivates people to hate what they don't know that well. Ignorance? Bigotry? Bad experiences?

I'm a former Catholic but I have no ill will against the Church. I just don't understand the hatred.

Exodus,

The Church no longer sells indulgences. You are very outdated on that issue. For prayers of the dead, read Baruch which you considered apocrypha. Luther took out 7 books out the bible, with what authority? He is man!

Chain,

The Council of Nicaea was first, they convened in 325 AD. The Council of Laocidea was convened by 30 clerics from Asia minor in the year 363 AD. This was the second council! Therefore, Luther took out books from the Bible. You can look it up if you don't believe me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_laodicea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea

The Council of Nicea was set right after Constantine declared Rome to be a Christian empire. It was this council that decided what the canon would be. It was this way until the 1500s where Luther came in.

Answer 1

Thank you for your openess and kindness. I love the Church dearly with all my heart as I am a former Protestant who is now Catholic. You're so right in your observation. At times it gets very tiresome having to answer the same worn out questions and insults. I think you do have a point - it's now "okay" in bash Catholics. Funny thing is when they do, do they stop to consider if that is what Jesus would want?

What keeps me together (and my sharp tongue in check) is knowing that I must show love and not lash out, because God loves them the same as He loves me, even when I sin. So... I pray for them.

God bless and take care. Write me anytime.

Answer 2

Pastor Billy says: Here is a link that may help

http://www2.trincoll.edu/~dcruzuri/anti-catholic/anti-catholic.html

Anti-Catholic themes may be loosely categorized as follows:

1. attacking Catholicism as being un-Christian or a cult (in the pejorative and not the sociological sense);

2. ridiculing or misinterpreting Catholic doctrine or practice;

3.ascribing to the Catholic Church a sinister role in an anti-Christian or anti-American conspiracy;

4.distorting or taking out of context illegal or scandalous behavior (especially sexual misconduct) by Catholic clergy or laity.



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For the record the reason so many Protestants get caught up in anti-Catholicism is because that is the original starting point of protest. After the ball got rolling propaganda and revisionism was woven into the trash talk against the first Church of Christendom, the Catholic Church.

Being a Catholic naturally makes you thick skinned and much of the rubbish talk about the Church doesn't stick, some of it does however and that's what sways the poorly catechised to fall away from the faith. Take good cheer in being the most criticised and slandered Christian community prophecy is fulfilled of how God's Church will be persecuted for professing the truth.


Absolutely anti-Catholicism is as active or more active than anti-Semitism today. btw you've left off your list the secular atheist media which constantly presents a caricature of Catholicism to their listening and reading public.


Read the book Anti-Catholicism the last allowable prejudice in American by Massa

Answer 3

I agree with others who have told you this is nothing new. Ignorance and bigotry enter into it in some cases, but there is also an element of what I consider spiritual arrogance (for lack of a better term). The Christians who owe their doctrinal heritage to the Reformers, and others who have come along since then, have the notion that *they* are the ones who have Biblical truth. It all boils down to this: They do not accept the apostolic authority of the Church to interpret Scripture and define doctrine, nor do they accept that God works through the material things of His creation in the sacraments.

Far from not "examining ourselves as we should" (another spiritually arrogant statement), faithful orthodox (small "o") Catholics examine ourselves far more often than does the non-Catholic Christian. We do so at every Mass, at a minimum. Many of us do so every day as a part of our prayer life.

I would not, however, equate anti-Catholicism with anti-Semitism. The Jewish people have a much longer history of dealing with bigotry, true persecution, and worse.

Answer 4

You could be right.
Survived a Catholic education & have since become devoutly agnostic & I'm sure for some of the reasons that led you away from the church.
The Catholic church has been targeted from outside because of the criminal misconduct. of some priests as an example.
It just gives othe holier than thou crowd more ammunition .
The church has ,in my opinion done very little for anyone ,for all its size & wealth ,except protect its own existence & much of the rock throwing is well deserved even though the rock throwers are far from sinless
I must admit to a good deal of antipathy toward the church & do agree that bigotry & gnorance, from outsiders are strong factors.
Christians it seems ,have a great capacity to be very un-christian.
Who knows , maybe the bashing will lead to much needed reforms.
Best regards

Answer 5

Comparing anti-catholicism to anti-semitism is a bit of an overstretch... I mean, I haven't heard of any political leaders call for "the extermination of the Vatican" as we've heard from some concerning the annihilation of Israel.

Just because someone is against Catholic doctrine doesn't make them a bigot against Catholic people.

Answer 6

I agree. I am a catholic and people hate it with out even knowing what it is about. I don't believe that it is acceptable but as long as their are people there will be hate. evangelicals and protestants usually forget without catholocism they would not have a religion either. Usually the churches them selves teach that catholics are wrong. Why anyone would not accept anothers religion baffles me too. I accept everyone's religion no matter what, and i believe that all religions should get a long.

Answer 7

1.3 Billion people can not ALL be wrong.
Catholicism was founded by Jesus Christ.
Our Christian brothers and sisters communities were founded in protest against the Catholic Church in the year 1517 AD

Anti-Catholicism is experiencing a springtime of resurgence in the American culture. Study it and you will find its cyclical pattern. People fear what they do not wish to understand.

The Catholic Church is founded upon the foundation of the Apostles Anointed by Jesus Christ in the year 33 AD.
Eph 2:20

All other Christian Communities were founded upon human men and women after the year 1517.

Answer 8

Clint -- There are people who are born Catholic just as there are people who are born Jewish...Roman Catholocism is a culture as well as a religion and a practice...

That said -- I think there are others who experience even more prejudice than the Roman Catholics on the religion-spiritualality spectrum -- one being Buddhists... Now let one Buddhist make one statement of their belief here and see how quickly they get shot down - I know it would be quick and ruthless because I've seen what happens to concepts that Jesus tried to teach that are very aligned with Buddhism that are expressed in this message board...I mean if Jesus said it, then it must be "okay" in some sense, but oohh my! can you imagine the uproar if it got said by some predecessor of Jesus?
For some idea of what I'm talking about, just watch how many thumbs down I get from this answer LOL!!

Answer 9

I do not hate Catholicism, and I try to research anything I say concerning it. I do not agree with alot of their doctrine and way of doing things. I will always endevour to tell people the Truth, regardless of what group they put themselves in. It is sad that hate for any one group of people exists, but I don't count myself with those that hate.

Interesting question, well thought out, honestly and considerately presented. Well done.

Take care, God bless

Answer 10

I don't hate Catholics. In fact, I find them to be much less offensive and idiotic than most of the Protestants. It's probably my favorite sect of Christianity, because it's the original one, and they don't seem to promote hate and bigotry like I see coming from evangelical Protestants.