An " archbishop sheen " anti catholic family member

[traillius]

I have heard that Archbishop Sheen said " millions hate what they mistakenly think is the catholic church," or words to that effect. So an extended family member of my wife was at a party this weekend with us. She is nondenominational christian, and a sweet girl, but rabidly anti-catholic. I am sure she has her reasons, but like the millions mentioned by sheen, she hates a strawman. I calmly explained that things aren’t like she described in my experience of the Church, but she wouldn’t hear it. I am not mad, nor have I alienated her, but its very frustrating. How do you handle people like this?

 

[Flame4]

It may just not be the right time now. I think that often the problem is not merely intellectual, its a problem of the heat. She probably does have her reasons; perhaps she was raised in a very anti-Catholic home? Its hard to undo that damage right away. Of course I don’t mean there is no hope. There is plenty of hope.
I think the best thing to do now is pray, pray, pray! Don’t stop witnessing to your faith, but God will provide the time and place. If she seems to hostile now, perhaps now is not the time. If she seems open, then just explain calmly and clearly the truth about the Church. She may appear to dismiss it now, but the Holy Spirit will use what you have said in order to bring about a full conversion (if, of course, she also cooperates). Also, try to live out your faith with charity and joy. Eventually she will get curious. Maybe one day she will like to go to mass with you or something, but probably not now.

Anyways, don’t get worried or agitated. Fr. Jacques Philippe (a priest who has written some excellent spiritual books) once said: “you can’t make lettuce grow by tugging on it!” Well, its the same thing with conversion. God brings about the grow of lettuce slowly, and so it is with our hearts. Don’t worry, his timing is perfect. Just focus on doing what you can, and don’t worry about the rest! If this causes you some sadness, then offer that up as well for her soul.

God Bless

 

[traillius]

In her case, it would be reversion, as she was raised catholic.

 

[JediSisko]

I’m no stranger towards this, as I have spent plenty of time in debate with an anti-Catholic. Problem was at first I tried to debate against falsehoods before I truly understood those falsehoods. Damage be done. I have stopped trying to debate, now my approach is different. I am now just going to approach him with mercy and love, and pray for his family and conversion.

 

[angell1]

In her case, it would be reversion, as she was raised catholic.

perhaps she had a bad experience or something. just be gentle, and pray. don’t force it, just be patient with her. she probably just doesn’t know or understand a lot of the teachings

 

[Nacho45]

I have heard that Archbishop Sheen said " millions hate what they mistakenly think is the catholic church," or words to that effect. So an extended family member of my wife was at a party this weekend with us. She is nondenominational christian, and a sweet girl, but rabidly anti-catholic. I am sure she has her reasons, but like the millions mentioned by sheen, she hates a strawman. I calmly explained that things aren’t like she described in my experience of the Church, but she wouldn’t hear it. I am not mad, nor have I alienated her, but its very frustrating. How do you handle people like this?

Prayer. You pray for them and live as much like Jesus as you can. Let people see the example of the Catholic Church in you. Before you know it, they will start asking you questions. If they don’t, they at least realize what they were told is wrong.

 

[McCartney]

I just finished a text battle with a Pentecostal (Ex. Catholic). She thought that I did not know my bible. She started by telling me that the priest sits at the confessional and takes down all the juicy bits. I told her that she was ignorant because there were no juicy bits in the confessional. She then said that the bible does not tell us to confess to a man. So I sent her about 10 bible quotes to the effect.

She went on to say that Christ did not establish a Church but the House of Israel. So I went to ask her why he did not say “Upon this rock I will build the House of Israel”. She told me that I was drinking old milk as we did not need a Church but could go straight to God. I pointed out Matt 18:17. Christ said, “If a man does not agree with you take him to the Church. If he does not listen to the Church let him be a pagan”. This is a clear indication that Jesus established Church authority.

She ultimately went silent as she had nothing to say. All her accusations were from total ignorance of the Catholic Church.

 

[adawgj]

I remember talking with a friend who attends a mega church though still does Catholic things even if he doesn’t consider himself a Catholic. It was pretty easy to answer each of his questions and he had to keep saying “argh you are making me think again.” Each time I would have an answer.

 

[tawny]

I have heard that Archbishop Sheen said " millions hate what they mistakenly think is the catholic church," or words to that effect. So an extended family member of my wife was at a party this weekend with us. She is nondenominational christian, and a sweet girl, but rabidly anti-catholic. I am sure she has her reasons, but like the millions mentioned by sheen, she hates a strawman. I calmly explained that things aren’t like she described in my experience of the Church, but she wouldn’t hear it. I am not mad, nor have I alienated her, but its very frustrating. How do you handle people like this?

Praying to the Holy Spirit to give her guidance & direction back to the Church. Pray for her.

 

[Church_Militant]

Like Jimmy Durante used to say…“I got a million of 'em”.

Facts without emotion. Facts and scripture…often direct citation of authentic and authoritative Catholic sources is very effective.

I often open my answer with, “Where’d you hear that?” Their source will always prove faulty and that’s important because showing their sources to be unreliable is the first step to getting them doing their own homework and that can lead to serious evangelistic dialog and conversion.

There’s a lot of good materials available that can also help. Anyone interested just PM me and I’ll send you a list of links.

 

[Zzyzx_Road]

For the really close minded, the only answer is prayer. Pray for this person to have the opportunity to find it in her heart to move closer to God. Discussion with a person like this almost never works. Set the example through your actions.

For those willing to reconsider, then discussion can work. But only then.

 

[Sarcelle]

For the really close minded, the only answer is prayer. Pray for this person to have the opportunity to find it in her heart to move closer to God. Discussion with a person like this almost never works. Set the example through your actions.

For those willing to reconsider, then discussion can work. But only then.

Sadly it is often other Catholics who are poor witnesses of the faith by words and/or actions that drive people away from the Church. The roadblock is emotional not intellectual so no amount of reasoning will suffice. Just be a good example for the faith.

One good thing about being raised atheist, no emotional baggage.

 

[JimG]

It seems to me that there are many people who have been raised in anti-Catholic homes, who have never even realized that they were immersed in anti-Catholicism. They just thought that’s the way things are, taking at face value all the misrepresentations of Catholic belief that they have absorbed by osmosis.

I confess to being overwhelmed by this at times. I don’t really feel like arguing about religion, or going to the trouble of explaining and elucidating every tiny piece of misinformation that they have absorbed. Maybe that’s where Catholic Answers comes in, and Catholic radio.