A question for some Protestants who feel it is necessary to proselytize Catholics

[wmscott]

I’m going to stick my head on the butcher’s block a moment, and only reply to the original posting. I think, friend, it is two very different theologies which allow some protestants to embrace their Catholic (or other denomination) in Christ, and others to attempt to convert them.

The former sees God alive throughout all his creation, at work in every experession of His Church (be it Catholic, Anglican or any other - they are all His.) What matters to these people is that they rejoice in both their similarities and differences; marvelling in the way that God works differently in each one of us. After all, Christ created His Church. I believe He knew full well that it would divide just like the tounges. We may not understand what our fellow disciples are saying, but we marvel that they proclaim His work.

The latter sees God as someone whom is explicitly defined through specific doctrine, holding that there is only one Truth of God. They set their hearts on proclaiming this truth: attempting to correct those who do not hold it, and set their eyes on the Lord. Some may do this because they also love you, and want you to know the fullness of God as they see it. Others may do this because they think it’s foolish not to believe what they do… but I prefer the concept of it being a loving action.

It is doubtless that God commissions us to The Truth for our neighbours sake, but we all see this as being different things.

I meant to ask though, do we really have the same bible? That is perhaps a different question to be argued upon… but my understanding is that we don’t. But now I’m being unintentionally awkward: yes, the fundamental understandings are the same.

Only when we face God will we ever know if one denomination is inferior to the other. It’s His church, so it’s His call. We have no right to judge any one, as we can never fully discern His purpose!

Anyway, Blessings Y’all.

May God’s bless you with love, laughter and life ever after xxxx

Good thoughts, and I do want to respond. It is the weekend and lots of stuff to do. i will get back soon. Peace.

 

[wmscott]

I have answered the OP? If Catholics dont want to know what we believe dont ask. But as par for the course on this forum when a nonCatholic answers honestly they are vilified. I see I have raised your ire. It is the same ire that the OT prophets raised when the prophets spoke against false belief and worship that the children of Isreal were engaged in.

Ever take a look at your posts and see the condescending tone a maliciousness in them?

 

[T_More]

As a Lutheran, I will most certainly attest that my Church was started by a mortal man, Leo X, Bishop of Rome.

This reminds me of that statement, "You don’t leave Peter becasue of Judas."

So Nicea325, not trying to be rude, but you do realize that your Church is run by a bunch of old mortal men with nearly zero connection to the real world or the faithful at large. That’s the reality, so why deny it.

So Mike, are you saying that the Lutheran church, started by an “old mortal man” (your words) is more “hip” to the real world we live in than the CC? If so, please expand on this. Do you feel the Lutheran church is better connected to their faithful because it satisfies their present day needs?

 

[Rita88]

thank you. i have a very good friend who converted from the baptist faith a few years before i did. he was a minister. he is now a priest in the episcipalian communion. i ended up Catholic. but its interesting how we each came to the same conclusions based off our studies. we had lost touch. we have so many similarities, i do not consider the anglicans to be protestants. or the orthodox for that matter. Peace

I avoid using the term “protestant” generally - I prefer focusing on the Christian aspect of it God bless you x

Good thoughts, and I do want to respond. It is the weekend and lots of stuff to do. i will get back soon. Peace.

Thank you - I look forward to hearing your response, and in the mean time have a blessed weekend! x

 

[Hisalone]

well you havent raised my ire my friend. what do you believe. could you reveal your denominational background so we could have a little better idea. im a former baptist. so what in Catholocism is false belief and worship? id really like to know. also are you a prophet? peace

I was raised Catholic, was a practicing Catholic and am now a non Denominational.

Benidict it is the stuff that gets discussed here ad nauseum: statues, prayers to the saints, role of Mary etc.

 

[Hisalone]

I did not vilify you and you have not ‘raised my ire’. Certainly comparing yourself to a prophet and me to somebody engaged in ‘false belief’ is a tad arrogant coming from a ‘guest’ who is criticizing the host–in the host’s ‘house’–for his beliefs.

And if we were to come to a forum where all believers shared ‘your’ opinions, and we spoke on that to you the way that you just did to us. . . you would, of course, be honored by our honesty, right? You would not dream of vilifying ‘us’ or making false statements and such, now would you? No, we could speak honestly of our beliefs and you would greet our speech with cries of joy and affirmation, wouldn’t you?

I tell you what I believe because that is what was asked. If you hate me for my beliefs then I cant help that.

 

[Hisalone]

And yet you willingly demean other Christians. So please explain to me what Christ teaches in your church that leads you to slander other Christians.

You asked a question. I answered the question. If you did not want an honest answer do not ask the question. Dont be so thin skinned.

 

[Hisalone]

Ever take a look at your posts and see the condescending tone a maliciousness in them?

Charity is not tolerance of what is unholy.

 

[graceandglory]

by all means, please do. evangelize me. since you are wiser than those whom Christ set up as overseers over us, to lead and guide us. plz share your wisdom and lead me back into the sea of Chaos that is called…protestantism. i cant wait to return. i should say confusion, not chaos.

BINGO! Please try to convert me! Please try to reach out and save me from what you believe is the WOB. At least, if you were trying to convert me, you’d be talking to me. Then I could answer your questions. My experience has been that you are just confused, and prefer to let me go, without the confrontation.

 

[Rita88]

I have answered the OP? If Catholics dont want to know what we believe dont ask. But as par for the course on this forum when a nonCatholic answers honestly they are vilified. I see I have raised your ire. It is the same ire that the OT prophets raised when the prophets spoke against false belief and worship that the children of Isreal were engaged in.

I can’t comment on whether you feel vilified or not, but I genuinely think that our Catholic friends DO want to know what we think, or why we think it; and in my case, vice-versa. I enjoy listening to Catholic rationale. Sometimes I find that there is very little difference between us, we simply look through a different perspective; and on other occassions it is personally faith affirming, when I realise why I can’t agree with other aspects of Catholicism. It helps me celebrate my own Anglicanism. I think it must be the same for our Catholic friends, that where they must disagree with us Non-Catholics, they find some affirmation in their own beliefs.

Anyway Hisalone, I’m sorry you’ve felt vilified, but as your name states you are His Alone… and therefore trust in Him that all this will bear good fruit… as Julian of Norwich states “God did not say you shall not be tempest-tossed, but you shall not be overcome.” Religious debate is a wave that bruises and hardens the body in the ocean, but at the heart of all creation is God alone.

May God bless you and keep you,
Rita x

 

[JonNC]

hi mike. but in the Lutheran and Catholic communions, as well as the Anglican, and Orthodox. i am looking forward to the day, when we can all sit once again at the same table for the Lords supper. we are seperated only by a few degrees. so hopefully, we can at some point be led by these “grumpy” old mortal men, as one family ::grouphug: peace

And as a MS Lutheran, I can predict the existence of some grumpy out-of-touch mortals in our leadership, as well.

Jon

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

I have answered the OP? If Catholics dont want to know what we believe dont ask. But as par for the course on this forum when a nonCatholic answers honestly they are vilified. I see I have raised your ire. It is the same ire that the OT prophets raised when the prophets spoke against false belief and worship that the children of Isreal were engaged in.

No member has vilified you. Several have said that you are breaking forum rules, that you are being rude, etc. But not one has made you out to be the enemy, the villain. Word choice is even more important on internet forums than it is in person. Please choose carefully.

I tell you what I believe because that is what was asked. If you hate me for my beliefs then I cant help that.

We do not hate you. We dont even hate your beliefs. What we DISLIKE is your attitude toward Catholics and Catholicism as a whole. Please stop attempting to draw pity upon yourself by saying that we “hate” you and we “villify” you, since neither is true. I firmly hold that it is your right to try to convince anyone of your opinion. But you must do it in the appropriate manner and in the appropriate location. Coming to a Catholic forum and posting against the rules is neither the appropriate time or place. PM’s allow your proselytizing. Boards do not.

You asked a question. I answered the question. If you did not want an honest answer do not ask the question. Dont be so thin skinned.

Ironic that you claim we are being thin skinned considering the statements I have quoted from you above.

Charity is not tolerance of what is unholy.

There is nothing unholy in the Catholic Church. There are only things you interpret as unholy. That is a large difference. If I drive down the road and see what I think is a Dodge Cummins, and it is a Ford Powerstroke (Sorry, I love diesel pickups), my impression of the actual truck does not effect the truth of what the truck IS. I am sorry, but your opinion of what is holy or unholy makes literally no difference to me. You can tell me that my very name is a sin for all I care. The one thing I will not tolerate in conversation is insulting my mother. Either my earthly mother, or the Mother gifted to me by Christ Himself.

So I suppose, my whole rant here is just to tell you that I called the WAAAAAAmbulance and canceled your pity party. Sorry 'bout that.

FSC

 

[JonNC]

If I believed that the Catholic faith was the fulness of truth I would be a Catholic. I believe the Catholic faith has mixed the profane with the holy the pagan with what is true. What is charitable about leaving you in apostasy.

This has bothered me since I first saw it. I consider it an outrageous misuse of the term.
Catholics are every bit Christian as you, sir. I consider some of the beliefs you have espoused here in the past to be hugely in error, but I would not consider you apostate.

Jon

 

[SirThomasMore]

God is Spirit and God is truth. The Spirit of God is founding many faith communities outside of Catholicsm in truth. Your polemic is invalid. Your presuppositions are false.

Wrong. God is not a God of confusion. God says to pray as one. God said we must be one. There is only ONE true Church. The Catholic Church IS that Church

 

[JonNC]

=wmscott;6687150]First off, let me clarify that when I say “Protestants” I am referring to some not all “Protestants”. Many “Protestants” here are here to learn about Catholicism and what Catholics believe. They and are very respectful and exhibit great Christian charity. They do believe differently as is their right to, but in no way do they demean and disrespect another Christian brothers and sisters. They are here to learn. To them I say thank you and the Peace of Christ be with you.

Wm, I appreciate you making the distinction here. I just wish to respond by saying that prosyletizing Catholics is tantamont to the shepherd in the parable of the lost sheep spending all of his time looking for the sheep he hadn’t lost.

As with the Protestant brothers and sisters above who do respect the Catholic, I also wish the Peace of Christ be with you also

And His peace also with you,
Jon

 

[Rita88]

So I suppose, my whole rant here is just to tell you that I called the WAAAAAAmbulance and canceled your pity party. Sorry 'bout that.

FSC

Sorry, this is a bit off topic… but whats the WAAAAAAmbulance? I’m so intrigued!

God bless!

 

[Rita88]

I just wish to respond by saying that prosyletizing Catholics is tantamont to the shepherd in the parable of the lost sheep spending all of his time looking for the sheep he hadn’t lost.

Again, wonderfully put!

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

Sorry, this is a bit off topic… but whats the WAAAAAAmbulance? I’m so intrigued!

God bless!

Its the cry-baby ambulance that comes when little children whine too much or start the “Nobody likes me everybody hates me” pity parties. I didnt think it was an inside joke, but now that I think about it, I dont think I have heard anyone outside my family say that… My bad.

FSC

 

[Hisalone]

This has bothered me since I first saw it. I consider it an outrageous misuse of the term.
Catholics are every bit Christian as you, sir. I consider some of the beliefs you have espoused here in the past to be hugely in error, but I would not consider you apostate.

Jon

I have looked up the definition of apostasy and see that it is generally used with a total abandonment of the faith. Wo I do agree with you that the term used in this instance is not correct. I made a mistake. I do not believe the Catholic Church is in apostasy.

 

[Rita88]

Its the cry-baby ambulance that comes when little children whine too much or start the “Nobody likes me everybody hates me” pity parties. I didnt think it was an inside joke, but now that I think about it, I dont think I have heard anyone outside my family say that… My bad.

FSC

Haha! That made me smile; I’m not taking sides on the actual topic but I love the term! You may have just given it a rivival

Love & Prayers,

Rita x