Anger in Apologetics?

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Hello all!

I had a question, and I wanted to see if anyone else has been there or felt the same.

I have a youtube channel that has Catholic Apologetic videos and other Catholic related videos. Of course I receive comments who usually misrepresent on what they think the church stands for or is.

When I explain the teachings, I get so irritated with the response I get from non catholics. Where I pretty much go for the neck cause I am so offended to a point. Maybe for me its like… someone talking wrong about my mom, its how I feel about my faith, since I have such a close relationship with Christ. I very upset, and than start to get upset at other stuff in my life or people around me when I am replying to the posts.

Does anyone ever experience this? I feel bad, but sometimes I wonder if I have enough patience, and maybe I should not put up videos of apologetics if I am not willing to discuss them with non Catholics? Or place them on No comment?

Just wanted to get some thoughts if anyone has been there and any advice. Thanks, GB!
 
CrimsonCatholic said:
Hello all!

I had a question, and I wanted to see if anyone else has been there or felt the same.

I have a youtube channel that has Catholic Apologetic videos and other Catholic related videos. Of course I receive comments who usually misrepresent on what they think the church stands for or is.

When I explain the teachings, I get so irritated with the response I get from non catholics. Where I pretty much go for the neck cause I am so offended to a point. Maybe for me its like… someone talking wrong about my mom, its how I feel about my faith, since I have such a close relationship with Christ. I very upset, and than start to get upset at other stuff in my life or people around me when I am replying to the posts.

Does anyone ever experience this? I feel bad, but sometimes I wonder if I have enough patience, and maybe I should not put up videos of apologetics if I am not willing to discuss them with non Catholics? Or place them on No comment?

Just wanted to get some thoughts if anyone has been there and any advice. Thanks, GB!
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That happens even here at CAF. I say this: do not expect everyone to agree with you, no matter how reasonable you think your arguments may be.

Also, just continue your good work and don’t let your anger turn to insults. If your enemies insult you, ignore the insult and just continue to expose their error. If you return insult for insult, then you become guilty of the same thing that makes you mad of them.

Finally, pray much. In the last analysis, it is the Holy Spirit who will enlighten their minds and soften their hearts, and you are only His instrument.
 
CrimsonCatholic said:
Hello all!

I had a question, and I wanted to see if anyone else has been there or felt the same.

I have a youtube channel that has Catholic Apologetic videos and other Catholic related videos. Of course I receive comments who usually misrepresent on what they think the church stands for or is.

When I explain the teachings, I get so irritated with the response I get from non catholics. Where I pretty much go for the neck cause I am so offended to a point. Maybe for me its like… someone talking wrong about my mom, its how I feel about my faith, since I have such a close relationship with Christ. I very upset, and than start to get upset at other stuff in my life or people around me when I am replying to the posts.

Does anyone ever experience this? I feel bad, but sometimes I wonder if I have enough patience, and maybe I should not put up videos of apologetics if I am not willing to discuss them with non Catholics? Or place them on No comment?

Just wanted to get some thoughts if anyone has been there and any advice. Thanks, GB!
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Yes. We have all been there. I once got into a very angry argument with a poster here on CAF that lead to me leaving the forums for quite some time. But then again, who does that benefit? The people who are angry at God and taking it out on you are still going to be angry at God if you take everything down and walk away. On the other hand, all the people who would have benefited from your sharing and insight are the ones who will truly suffer.

After a while of doing apologetics (especially offline) you develop “thick skin” and insight into why people are so hostile towards Catholicism. The sooner you realize that it has nothing to do with you, the better.

Ask St. Dymphna to pray for you, that you will have the fortitude of mind to deal with those who insult you, and ask the Holy Spirit to renew your Confirmation gift of fortitude. The Lord said that whoever loved Him would be persecuted by the world, but He would never leave us without what we need to get through it.

Fight on!
 
CrimsonCatholic said:
Hello all!

**since I have such a close relationship with Christ. **

I truly believe that God is Love…I also believe that to win respect from others we must approach discussions in a kind and loving manner… It’s OK to feel anger if we do not act on it to the point of committing sin. Sit back and reflect, putting yourself in the shoes of the non-Catholic. How would you feel and react if you were in their shoes. Do you present a professional and kind approach that would make listeners respect you and want to learn more about the ‘Faith’?

I do understand that it is hard to keep your cool sometimes… Pray for patience and that Jesus Christ would be reflected in your words and deeds.

Some people mistake kindness for weakness. Do not be weak but Christ like in your conversations and deeds.

We all get upset at times…
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i used to defend the faith on youtube, but it made me lose faith, (really it was my fault, i let it bug me) that got me alot of trouble, but i started getting into apologetics! now i know how to defend my faith against Athiests and Protestants alike 😃 (no offence to either, that is directed to Athiests&Protestants that attack Catholocism.)
 
It happens to us all.

One thing that may help is to realize that the purpose of your apologetics argument is often not to change the views of the person with whom you are debating/discussing/arguing. The audience for your arguments is the fence-sitting bystander who may be reading the back and forth between you. That invisible reader may be an agnostic who would like to believe, and is looking for good reasons to justify his faith, or a believer who is wavering and wants desperately for someone to address his concerns.

That person probably won’t be impressed if you lose your temper or call someone a bad name or ridicule them. Treating your theological opponent with courtesy, respect, good humor, and compassion, will go a long way in advancing your cause with your onlooker audience.
 
Thank you all so much for the replies this far, I really have been reading them over and over.

They really make sense. Just to clarify, I do not curse or call names. When I get irritated, I get really sarcastic, but in a cruel way. I am typical already sarcastic(I try not to be, it’s just a part of my personality, and I mean no harm) but this is on a different level.

I am very much courteous. and I try to make sure my heart is open, but than another reply hits, and its very hard not to take it personal. I know that is not there intention.

Yes others, the invisible might be reading these comments and I am going back and forth, so I try to keep in mind of that as well.

And even if everything on the comments looks great, and respectable, and I am sitting there at my computer so angry, everything around me has me bothered.

Agreed, need more prayer.
 
CrimsonCatholic said:
Hello all!

I had a question, and I wanted to see if anyone else has been there or felt the same.

I have a youtube channel that has Catholic Apologetic videos and other Catholic related videos. Of course I receive comments who usually misrepresent on what they think the church stands for or is.

When I explain the teachings, I get so irritated with the response I get from non catholics. Where I pretty much go for the neck cause I am so offended to a point. Maybe for me its like… someone talking wrong about my mom, its how I feel about my faith, since I have such a close relationship with Christ. I very upset, and than start to get upset at other stuff in my life or people around me when I am replying to the posts.

Does anyone ever experience this? I feel bad, but sometimes I wonder if I have enough patience, and maybe I should not put up videos of apologetics if I am not willing to discuss them with non Catholics? Or place them on No comment?

Just wanted to get some thoughts if anyone has been there and any advice. Thanks, GB!
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You just perfectly summed up my feelings in that sort of situation!! Thank you! Yes, it’s exactly like someone bad mouthing my mother! Sometimes I feel this little fire in my heart and my pulse races. Precisely the reason I am so bad at explaining the Faith. I get so emotional when it gets heated. I have a hard time even reading a back and forth conversation online between a Catholic and Protestant, let alone watching a debate on YouTube! I get very anxious!! And I, too, get upset at things going on around me. That anxiety really does spill over into other aspects of my life. Not that it should! I’m workin on that. I’m just saying that I understand exactly how you feel!!
 
105lynne said:
You just perfectly summed up my feelings in that sort of situation!! Thank you! Yes, it’s exactly like someone bad mouthing my mother! Sometimes I feel this little fire in my heart and my pulse races. Precisely the reason I am so bad at explaining the Faith. I get so emotional when it gets heated. I have a hard time even reading a back and forth conversation online between a Catholic and Protestant, let alone watching a debate on YouTube! I get very anxious!!
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Maybe you feel the same when you are in the car listening to a debate between a catholic and Protestant apologist, or Listening to Catholic answers live for non catholics when things get a little heated, I feel my blood pressure rise. So much anxiety. :eek:
 
CrimsonCatholic said:
Hello all!

I had a question, and I wanted to see if anyone else has been there or felt the same.

I have a youtube channel that has Catholic Apologetic videos and other Catholic related videos. Of course I receive comments who usually misrepresent on what they think the church stands for or is.

When I explain the teachings, I get so irritated with the response I get from non catholics. Where I pretty much go for the neck cause I am so offended to a point. Maybe for me its like… someone talking wrong about my mom, its how I feel about my faith, since I have such a close relationship with Christ. I very upset, and than start to get upset at other stuff in my life or people around me when I am replying to the posts.

Does anyone ever experience this? I feel bad, but sometimes I wonder if I have enough patience, and maybe I should not put up videos of apologetics if I am not willing to discuss them with non Catholics? Or place them on No comment?

Just wanted to get some thoughts if anyone has been there and any advice. Thanks, GB!
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+++ Felt the same here. I pray and ask the Holy Spirit to Guide me. Its very hard to control anger… but I guess its an instinct if the one you “LOVE” is being hurt. :love::byzsoc::byzsoc::byzsoc:
 
CrimsonCatholic said:
Hello all!

I had a question, and I wanted to see if anyone else has been there or felt the same.

I have a youtube channel that has Catholic Apologetic videos and other Catholic related videos. Of course I receive comments who usually misrepresent on what they think the church stands for or is.

When I explain the teachings, I get so irritated with the response I get from non catholics. Where I pretty much go for the neck cause I am so offended to a point. Maybe for me its like… someone talking wrong about my mom, its how I feel about my faith, since I have such a close relationship with Christ. I very upset, and than start to get upset at other stuff in my life or people around me when I am replying to the posts.

Does anyone ever experience this? I feel bad, but sometimes I wonder if I have enough patience, and maybe I should not put up videos of apologetics if I am not willing to discuss them with non Catholics? Or place them on No comment?

Just wanted to get some thoughts if anyone has been there and any advice. Thanks, GB!
Click to expand...
I think a lot of times when someone insults Catholicism or what it teaches we who are called to defend the faith take it personally. I know I have, and there have been many times when I had to walk away from a debate or discussion because of it. You have to remember that the people you are talking to are just as convicted about their faith as you are, and in their minds, they are trying to “save” you.

It is very frustrating when you explain something to someone that we find very simple to believe, the Real Presence for example, and someone just won’t get it. As an apologist, you have to recognize when what you’re saying is falling on deaf ears, and be prepared to shake the dust off and walk on. It’s like when you go to buy a car, you have to be fully prepared to get up and leave if you don’t get what you want, no matter how much you want that car.

Maybe if posting videos and practicing apologetics gets you in such a tizzy, you might want to consider doing something else. I can tell you the last thing our Lord wants is for you to be drawn to sin or even a near occaision of sin defending Him. That’s not how He designed it. He told us we would be persecuted, but He also told us to turn the other cheek. I’m sure He appreciates your efforts, but again, if it causes you grief, or even worse, to sin, He’d tell you to to cut it out ASAP.

Hope this helps,
Shannon
 
i know how you feel since ive started rcia i have tried to explain to my friends i mean if you read the bible its clear that catholics are right when you take the protestant bias out or at least thats how it feels to me but i know how you feel i get upset when someone start attacking catholisim and i was already quick to anger to begin with
 
it’s something I suffer from a good bit too… I usually try to laugh off their attacks on the Church as absurd and show the wrongness and silliness of their statements, but it’s a concentrated effort to not get worked up in anger.
 
I don’t want you to give up, but you might want to take a deep breath, regroup, and work on gaining some perspective before continuing.

For starters, any sincere apologist will encounter certain insincere respondents who hope only to get a rise out of him. In such situations, the ability to keep one’s cool and not rise to the bait is paramount. You can’t begin to function as an apologist if sneering fazes you to that extent.

Secondly: NO apologetic argument is so strong that it has no halfway-reasonable counterargument. I’ve seen plenty of ill-natured, ignorant attacks on the Catholic church, but I’ve also seen some sincere, well-founded critiques. And I’ve seen FAR too many Catholics, (especially “cradle Catholics”) who can’t tell the difference between the two. To their credit, any slight upon the Church is indeed like an attack upon their mother. But anyone who can’t overcome that instinct, put themselves in a Protestant’s shoes, and take a heartfelt argument in the spirit it’s meant is worse than useless as an apologist. You sound like a sincere fellow whose zeal does you abundant credit. But to be frank, you don’t come across as someone I’d trust to take even honest misgivings on Catholicism … as honest.
 
Agreed fully.

I think the issue also comes where I become so anxious for the reply. I actually think about it , or even when I am sleeping I wonder, what did they reply with? What are they saying now?

It’s actually to the point where It bothers me throughout the day, asking myself, how are they going to take what I said out of context, and try to turn it around. When I get home, I sometimes avoid even turning on my laptop, cause I am afraid of a reply, that is going to get me upset.

I feel that if I upload something to youtube, or make a comment, I need to hold my self accountable, or just not upload anymore. On the other hand, I have even thought about disabling Comments on the videos.

I agree, apologetics takes so much patience. And it’s not at the point where I get vulgar or anything like that, its where I am brutally honest, none the less brutal, and not as kind and gentle as I would like.

It also effects my mood throughout the day, just from a couple of comments.

Not sure what I need to do, maybe I should step away, or Disable comments on my videos?

Prayer is the first thing I know I need.
 
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