An Encounter with the Evangelicals (a rant)

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I’ve recently joined a protestant chat room in order to chat and when possible evangelize. These people seem to be enthralled by finding Apocalyptic signs in every single lighting strike and thunder clap. While I do not disagree that the Parousia is close at hand they are almost singularly obsessed with it. They love taking pot shots at the RCC. While some have listened to me and asked questions, most want to have nothing to do with the True Faith. Often times I am quiet and they do not know I am even in the room. This evening someone posted a video and declared that Pope worships lucifer". I told him that no, the pope worships Christ. I decided to indulge and watched the video he had posted. It was The Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s. The Exultet was being sung. That was it. That is what this person sees as worshiping satan. I informed those present I could provide an english translation. “No,” said one. "“I’ve spent five years recovering from the Catholic Church, I don’t want any part of it.”

Just…sigh!
 
Layp3rs0n said:
I’ve recently joined a protestant chat room in order to chat and when possible evangelize. These people seem to be enthralled by finding Apocalyptic signs in every single lighting strike and thunder clap. While I do not disagree that the Parousia is close at hand they are almost singularly obsessed with it. They love taking pot shots at the RCC. While some have listened to me and asked questions, most want to have nothing to do with the True Faith. Often times I am quiet and they do not know I am even in the room. This evening someone posted a video and declared that Pope worships lucifer". I told him that no, the pope worships Christ. I decided to indulge and watched the video he had posted. It was The Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s. The Exultet was being sung. That was it. That is what this person sees as worshiping satan. I informed those present I could provide an english translation. “No,” said one. "“I’ve spent five years recovering from the Catholic Church, I don’t want any part of it.”

Just…sigh!
Click to expand...
You may just have to leave that forum. I think your intentions may be to “evangelize” but if the general conversation and tone etc is going to be anti-Catholic and obsessed about the second coming then you are more outnumbered and will probably receive a pounding. Look at the rules on CAF here, it is against the rules to have other faiths come in and proselytize. I would image that is true on other faith based forums. You are not going to get anywhere in your “evangelization” being outnumbered. Likewise, real evangelization is going to happen in an argument for the most part. If you are there to have discusssion with evangelicals on common faith issues that is one thing and I think that is a big reason why a number of non-Catholic faith posters are on even here, dialogue. But you stated your purpose was to evangelize (for the Catholic Church), you probably are not going to get anywhere but arguments and frustrations and maybe even banned.
 
I agree…It may ultimately be more detrimental to your soul to be constantly disturbed by things that are said. May allow feelings of anger and frustration to appear — and who else but satan would want to take advantage of that?

May be better to leave that forum and pray for them instead.

I think God would appreciate your sentiments and intent, but would not want to see you get hurt in the process…just my penny thought.
 
Layp3rs0n said:
I’ve recently joined a protestant chat room in order to chat and when possible evangelize. These people seem to be enthralled by finding Apocalyptic signs in every single lighting strike and thunder clap. While I do not disagree that the Parousia is close at hand they are almost singularly obsessed with it. They love taking pot shots at the RCC. While some have listened to me and asked questions, most want to have nothing to do with the True Faith. Often times I am quiet and they do not know I am even in the room. This evening someone posted a video and declared that Pope worships lucifer". I told him that no, the pope worships Christ. I decided to indulge and watched the video he had posted. It was The Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s. The Exultet was being sung. That was it. That is what this person sees as worshiping satan. I informed those present I could provide an english translation. “No,” said one. "“I’ve spent five years recovering from the Catholic Church, I don’t want any part of it.”

Just…sigh!
Click to expand...
They don’t sound very open to change. Even if you produce evidence, they are still closed minded. I wouldn’t bother with them any more, put my efforts towards something where I felt I could make more of a measurable difference, but that’s just me.

I’m concerned all that negativity would eventually end up bringing you down rather than bringing them up.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
As to joining a Protestant chat room to try to convert Protestants to Catholicism, I think it’d be received about as well as other faiths trying to convert us on CAF.
 
From what you describe, I suspect many of our Evangelical brethren on CAF would avoid that website as well. The other posters have given sound advice, sometimes it is best to leave people where they are and pray that God will open their hearts and minds to be able to dialogue with fellow believers.
 
I was on a forum from curiosity the other day that
billed itself as Puritans. Actually they were some kind
of Dutch Reformed Presbyterian or something like
that.
Anyway they were totally teaming the RCC for
Venerating the Cross. One lady was do upset by
our idolatry she vowed to remove all her empty
crosses from her house.
Whatever. I just left it.
 
I Peter 3:15 tells us to be prepared to answer questions that are asked of us.

If you stay on that form, simply be a positive example of your faith, and maybe some will ask you genuine questions.

As for the speculations simply ask them how they know such and such is true?

Maybe some will realize that worshipping God in a language other than English is acceptable to God – who likely speaks Hebrew or Greek.
 
Interesting. I believe listening never hurts but I’m reminded that there is a certain type of individual you should never argue with…

Most people I’ve found just want to be their own god and justify it any way they can no matter how much text out of context it takes to do so.
 
I was answering someone’s question about St. Thomas Aquinas in another thread, and I think the part adjacent to what I excerpted might be relevant in this situation.

Nevertheless, there are certain likely arguments that should be brought forth in order to make divine truth known. This should be done for the training and consolation of the faithful, and not with any idea of refuting those who are adversaries. For the very inadequacy of the arguments would rather strengthen them in their error, since they would imagine that our acceptance of the truth of faith was based on such weak arguments.

In short, our arguments are never going to be able to do full justice to the faith we believe. Remember what the Master said.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet.
 
I’ve been a member of a religion forum for about 6 years now, dominated by a mix of non-Catholic Christians. I’m still there, slogging away, and learning. I came to that forum as a lapsed and non-aligned Christian, interested in seeking valid dogma and doctrine from among the wide variety of choices available, and highly critical of the arguments, divisions, differences, and self-righteousness of many of the people I met there and before then.

The mix includes individuals, Calvinists, Baptists, AOG, Lutherans, non-church-going Christians (basically fundamental), the full raft of non-denoms, a few Catholics, rarely, some of almost any corner of the milieu of western Christianity, and some atheists both gentle and militant, agnostics, you name it, including some new agers and Course in Miracles types. Some come and go, others have been around as long as I have.

Once I had made a lot of effort to understand all the doctrinal positions I encountered, argued, debated, shared, and my own bad behaviors, I got over being angry with what I saw as hypocrisy and self righteous, judgmental, condemning, confused, divisive Christianity and whatever other bad behaviors and nutty ideas, I was led finally to convert to Catholicism - in part because I started spontaneously praying the Rosary, and in part because logic led me away from the moving target of non-Catholic Christianity.

In all that time, I’ve been imperfect, ill behaved, and at times, God has used me to reach others. I’ve been inspired to speak on behalf of my adopted faith, and to try to explain why on EARTH I could or would become Catholic. It’s not all been pretty, but I’ve grown, A LOT. If I were to give advice, and I wouldn’t, really…I’d say hang in there, be prepared to encounter your own humanity, and pray. A lot.

Examine your conscience daily, and also preferably before you make a donkey of yourself in writing. It can make a difference with others, and unquestionably, it has made one with me. I am friends with people who in the beginning could not stand to listen to, almost hated, and some of these have turned into valuable friendships, in spite of our disagreements. It is “rubber to the road” ecumenism, and it’s good for the soul. It teaches. Everyone.

I’m here because it isn’t enough to be in battle all the time, or “on the front line” as a self identified converting Catholic learning apologetics on the fly while discovering Catholicism for yourself…it can be exhausting. I didn’t say I was Catholic until I was certain that I was committed to the swim, however long it takes.

Here, I am at rest, and interested and engaged because of the wealth of fellowship and information, and drawn to it, not interested just in order to defend, or question others about their faith and argue the number of angels on the head of a pin. It’s a relief. It’s time for me to withdraw somewhat, but I’m not sure I will ever be able to walk away from it completely. It definitely keeps you in the game, and the value to others is what you let Jesus do when you say yes and get out of the way. You get called on anything, like instant karma.

I would not suggest all sites…there are many that are just. not. good, and it’s not hard to spot them.

Blessings!

just discovered I dredged this ancient thread up from way back. Oh well, maybe someone needed it.
 
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