Explanation of Catholic Bashing.?

Question

Why all the Catholic Bashing, how come there are not "christians" on these boards bashing religions. they just seem to come onto Yahoo to complain about catholics

I know people say where in the bible is this or that but thats irrelevant. Catholics use the bible and tradition (not just the bible) because thats what it says to do (in the bible)

Is it just that people feel threatened.

Answer 1

I agree with you they feel threatened. I also suspect they are envious of the success and influence of the Catholic Church in the world.

Not all Protestants bash the Catholic Church. The ones who bash are fundamentalists and pentecostals.

Fundamentalism is defined as “the practice of asserting the absolute truth of your own beliefs and practices to the deliberate exclusion of the possibility of truth in the beliefs and practices of others.” It is nothing but bigotry.

Fundamentalists have this "holier than thou" attitude, which gets in your nerves. They always presume to know more about your religion than you do. Fundamentalists talk as if no case could be made for the Catholic faith.

Are they our modern day Pharisees?

How can I bring myself to even respect them? They resort to black propaganda and lies. Here are some examples of their lies and propaganda.

+ The Pope is the Anti-Christ (they have been saying this since Martin Luther made the accusation).

+ The Church is the Whore of Babylon in the book of Revelation

+ Catholics are not Christians

+ Catholics put Mary in the same level as God

+ Catholics worship statues and idols

+ The Catholic teaching on Indulgence is a permission to commit sin

+ The Catholic Church is the Mother of all harlots.

+ Catholics worship Satan

+ The Catholic Church started Islam

Source: Chick Publications and posts on YA, R&SS

If these allegations were true I would be the first to leave the Catholic Church. And to add insult to injury they justify these allegations by saying “we don't want you to go to hell; we love you” which to us is a lame excuse for bashing Catholics. Do they really expect us to fall for that line? Catholics do not bash other religions because we know we belong to the true Church. Bashing Catholicism also shows Fundamentalists are insecure people. If they are so sure about their beliefs why bash Catholicism? They have already told us a million times what they do not like about our faith. And they have also warned us a million times we will go to hell with those beliefs. So, what really is their reason for attacking our faith again and again? There can only be two reasons: to validate their own faith which means they are insecure and unsure of their own faith or they just want to bash my faith.

To my fundamentalist brothers & sisters: Jesus said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. – Matthew 7, 1-2 (KJV)

Answer 2

>>>Catholics use the bible and tradition (not just the bible) because thats what it says to do (in the bible)>>>


Almost every Catholic doctrine is supported by the Bible -- and the few that aren't (such as the Assumption of Mary) are certainly not contradictory to Scripture.

I work for my local archdiocese, and we received a very special phone call a few weeks ago.

It was from a non-Catholic man who had been raised in a very anti-Catholic environment in a rural area of Ohio. He attended a Catholic Mass (for some reason), and he called us just to say this:

"Every negative thing I've heard about Catholics just isn't true. When I was at that Mass, I saw a church that was truly devoted to God. I'm thinking of converting to Catholicism now, but if I did, my family would probably never speak to me again."

...

Answer 3

Well, in the XVI century, when the so called protestant reform happened, those kings that followed the "reform" said: "First the Turks than the Catholic mass."

It looks like that hatred still remains within certain denominations.

When I came to this country, I went with my son to the place where they said they prayed. I was very displeased when I heard the pastor saying very bad things about Catholics and priests.

Never, in more than 30 years that I have been in the Catholic church, I have NEVER, I repeat, NEVER have I heard a priest say the slightest disrespect about Christians of other denominations. They always say: "Our protestant brothers" with the greatest respect.

Now I think of that current incident of Chavez insulting and calling the former Prime Minister of Spain a fascist.
Very improper, to say the least

To morgaine:
It was not the Catholic Church that burnt people. It was the king's civil justice the one that did it, because it considered certain people to be dangerous enemies of the State.

On the other hand, the protestant inquisition burnt many people, but in this country nobody remembers that .

Michael Servet, discoverer of the blood circulation, was burnt at the stake by John Calvin in Geneva, Switzerland, because of religious discrepancies. Calvin even refused Servet's request of being hanged instead of burned.

The Spanish Inquisition arose because the kings were burning their political enemies at the stake under religious pretexts. The Inquisition made sure that religion was not used to punish people under false pretenses.

Oh, 20 million. Last time I checked it was only 8 million.
Let me tell you that the inquisition judged offenses that today would be considered civil offenses.

The enormously exagerated number of burnt people is mostly due to father Llorente, secretary of the Inquisition, that burnt most of the files and used the rest to slander the Inquisition

Answer 4

I know the feeling. I've asked that myself. Why don't we see Lutherans bashing Baptists, or Methodists climbing non-denominationalists?

You'd think that since each claims to have God's truth, you'd see someone stand up and say it.

For example, the Lutherans believe they have it right, do they not? Otherwise, they might be something else, like a Baptist. Stands to reason.

A Calvinist will claim they have the truth, otherwise they wouldn't be Calvinist.

However, we only see assaults aimed at the Catholic Church. I suspect that hidden in the silence among themselves is the subtle, never-spoken admittance that they know the Church is the truth. Notice too, that when someone announces their departure from Catholicism and asks which church they should join, we see responses like, "Find a bible based church"; "Find one that feels right for you"; "Join one that follows the bible".

Not once have I seen someone stand up and say, "Become a baptist because we have the truth."

Do you see what I'm getting at? It's like the general attitude is that it doesn't matter WHICH one you join, that they all have it right even if they teach starkly different and contradictory things from each other!

By that reckoning, they quietly admit to the authenticity of the Catholic Church! Their own silence tells on them.

God bless.

Answer 5

Three major reasons:

1. The history of the relationship between protestant (read: non-Catholic) and Catholic sects over the last 500 years. Wars have been fought, laws passed, and many other things that have left a sour taste in folks' collective mouths, on both sides.

2. The issue of the Pope. Protestants generally (especially non-Catholic American christians) do not accept the idea of the Vicar of Christ, and reject Matthew as condoning the idea. They think the pope runs counter to the concept that god is revealed to all, not just a select few to interpret it for us.

3. Tradition. Catholics use tradition (and reason, as they put it) to guide the church. As such, the bible is part of the religion, but not the whole. Most modern non-Catholic Christians believe to use anything other than the bible is wrong, and subscribe to "sola scriptura", or "just the bible". Ironically, however, they depend on the tradition of the Catholic Church, around 400 CE, to choose the very books and interpretations upon which they made their bible, but I digress.

Answer 6

Anti-Catholic speech and activity goes back five hundred years. You'd be surprised to find that many of the arguments you hear today were originally formed during the political and social upheaval that coincided with the Reformation. As the Colonists were primarily English and Dutch, these two nations' mindsets and prejudices were strongly reflected in American culture for the first 150 years of its existence.

As German, Italian, Polish and Irish immigrants crossed the Atlantic, they brought their Catholic communities and theology with them. The ritual nature of Catholic liturgy, its being said in Latin, and the hierarchy of clergy all clashed deeply with American religious sensitivity as it was going through the throes of the Restoration movement. While the Colonists were often Anglican or Presbyterian, newer "Bible-believing" groups were springing up, particularly as farmers and pioneers settled the South and West. It was difficult in that Catholic customs seemed alien in and of themselves, but combine this with a history of anti-Catholic propaganda, and the backlash was stunning.

Consider that the Knights of Columbus developed not as the middle-aged guys' selling tootsie rolls to raise money for people with developmental disabilities, but rather as a social movement to protest anti-Catholic discrimination. There was a time when many jurisdictions forbade Catholics from holding jobs, or going to school, or simply refused to prosecute those who prevented Catholics from engaging in society. The growth of the Catholic school system is due in part to the response to this discrimination.

One would hope that in these more enlightened times when access to information is free and easy, there would be no more of this rhetoric. Yet the misunderstandings continue, and not just on these boards. A friend who I have known for 10 years, and a Presbyterian seminarian, kept a candle of the Virgin Mary in his bathroom. I commented on it, and asked if he held a devotion, but he said "She's seen all those penises, and is still a virgin!" He later apologized when I replaced his candle with a devotional to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Note that this is a college-educated graduate student, and we were actually roommates for two years. I must say, I am heartened that he no longer wants to work to convert Catholics to another faith, but wants to work to support Catholics in living the Catholic faith to know Christ better. I think after all of our late-night conversations, he sees where he was overemphasizing some things (Mary, the Saints, the Deuterocanonicals), and finally realized that the point of the Catholic Church is that of any Church : to bring the believer to Christ.

Anyway, the work remains to be done. If you have the energy for it, we welcome all who wish to dispel ignorance. I have no qualms with someone who dislikes the Catholic Church for what she preaches, so long as he or she understands what it actually does preach. This requires much research, much prayer and a lot of patience.

Answer 7

The Holy Catholic Church is like a mirror it is a reflection of truth that reveals, uncovers and discovers the many flaws, imperfections and falsehood of many sects,so they the scoffers want to smash this mirror in order to forget what they have just seen of themselves.

The mirror never lies fundamentalism is the enemy of religion.
It is not because we are a threat,it is not because they have accused the Church of lies and can't go back on their word which the Church has proven them wrong time and time again.

They know full well that the Catholic Church is the one true Church,but wilfully wallow in their pride because they themselves do not want to serve God as he intended,but rather serve God on their terms and what makes them comfortable(man-centered) and ultimately will end in eternal ruin.

It takes alot more than self-interpreting the bible,calling Lord,Lord , clapping your hands,rolling down isles,holding hands singing "youv'e got a friend..,"having convulsions on the floor,yelling "I feel the spirit brother"...etc to serve a God of sacrifice and obedience as was required by the shepard as is required by the flock...he will know his own.

Remember freedom is not an absolute or an absolute value there are conditions.When the work day has ended you are free to go home,when you come to a red light are you still free to go?There are guidelines in order to enjoy that freedom,but we do not have the freedom to serve God however we like,but rather according to his will.

God bless,

JMJ

Answer 8

Chris-read pastor billy's answer No 11 to toadaly - "So the Catholic Church compiled the NT"
Not having a go at you but think!

I know a lot who do that it's a bit like saying if they had known Jesus was God at the time would he still have had enemies?

Answer 9

This is an answer to the first answer more than to the question. ALL religions have killed people of other religions at some time in history. That doesn't make it a good thing, but it sure is not confined to Catholics. It was illegal to be a Catholic in England, a crime punishable by death! It is still illegal for the monarch to marry a Catholic.

Answer 10

Catholics believe in the trinity- they invented the word. Doesn't a coven refer to witches? I think a convent is where nun's live. Rent the movie Doubt and watch the special features about the sisters of charity. There is one Pope elected by the Cardinals and it is one of their own they elect. He is the head of the Church like Peter is believed to be the head of the early church, and called the first Pope. About some matters of faith, he is said to be infallible. Only Catholics believe that and probably only half of them (us) believe in infallibility of the Pope. Mary is very important, as are the saints, and angels, but are not even close to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father. Jesus didn't just say God was our father. he used the term abba which in Hebrew is "Daddy." It is this kind of close relationship with God Catholics aspire. We can pray to Mary, angels, saints without worshiping them, because they are intercessors, those closer to God, that can appeal for us even when we don't deserve it. Jesus performed his first miracle reluctantly, at the request of his mother Mary. It is in this way we hope she might intervene for us in a time of need, even if Jesus is reluctant. Baptism is acceptable for infants but there is a similar ceramony at confirmation. Catholics don't believe the whole Body has to be emersed for Baptism. There is also an annointing with holy water sprinkled on the congregation on special feast days. Sometimes this is referred to as a mini-Baptism. The real Baptism is with the Holy Spirit. There are many rituals and formalities with a Catholic chruch service. It is better if you visit one yourself. I especially like Palm Sunday before Easter.