I know Catholics are advised not to attend Protestant Bible studies.
However, my neighbor invited me to a women’s Bible study. We live in a rather isolated neighborhood outside the city limits about 8 miles and I take care of my grandkids and am lonely so I think she was trying to help me get out of the house and they have daycare for the baby. the Bible study is from a book called Seamless-the Bible as a complete story. the women are from different denominations. I can tell my neighbor has some prejudices about Catholicism. no one asked me what church I attend. it is a nice group of women. I don’t know if my neighbor told them I was Catholic, but as we broke up into our study groups today our group leader began by saying what a great man Martin Luther was and without him we might not even be reading the Bible. I don’t know if the leader was testing me to see if I would argue with her. I gulped and kept quiet. I have my own views on Martin Luther and they definitely don’t coincide with hers. Luckily, she seemed pleased with herself and moved on. Last time I was there the Crusades were brought up. I have been Catholic for 8 1/2 years so I have not been to a protestant Bible study in many years.
then Tuesday night another friend who is an ex-Catholic invited me to her Bible study which was made up of men and women of different denominations. they did ask which church I attend and I replied Catholic. the leader pulled me aside and said he might say a few things tonight that might sound like they are anti-Catholic, but they really are not. then he pulled the lady who had invited me out of the room and spoke with her. I am definitely not returning to that Bible study again.
I am enjoying the book on the Bible as a complete story and I would like to finish that one. there might be 3-4 weeks left. we have gone in 3 weeks from Genesis to 1Kings. so it moves fast.
it is awkward, but I can understand now why they advise Catholics to only attend Catholic Bible studies. the Protestants still seem to have a lot of animosity towards the Catholic church. I can only imagine how they will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation that will be taking place late this year or next.
I definitely am only there to study the Bible and not convert anyone, but after being Catholic for 8 1/2 years now - there is a division for sure.
