Are certain nations impervious to Catholicism?

[fakename]

Take for instance, the U.S. It has a long tradition of anti-catholicism and a very strong protestant and antinomian tradition.

Among american people then, can we reasonably hope that they will ever adopt catholic morals, etc.?

If not, then are catholic political positions simply impossible in some countries? Are some countries simply not capable of higher morality and are we asking too much of americans?

 

[mcteague]

There is an implication in your question that Catholic morals are vastly different than other Christian denominations. Although there may be some differences, are they really as significant as you seem to believe? In America I think even Atheists hold largely similar moral and ethical views as religious people. Unless, like many people here, you mistakenly think abortion is the beginning and end of all discussions on morality.

 

[zinger90]

In my experience here in Illinois, the main resistance to Catholics becoming a majority is that many people have a drastic misconception of what Catholics believe. a good friend of mine used to believe very strongly (thankfully not anymore) that we worshipped Mary above God and other heretical things. Now she still doesnt agree completely with Catholicism but will defend it when confronted by misconceptions.

I thought she was going to be impossible to even talk to about it, but after a year of tearing down the walls in her mind she finally admitted that she had misconceptions. So in light of this, the answer your original question is no, all nations can be reached, it just may require persistence and prayer.

 

[JimG]

Anti-Catholicism has a long and entrenched history in the United States. To get a taste of just how entrenched it was in the 1920’s, read Rising Road: A True Tale of Love, Race, and Religion in America.

It is nowhere near as bad now as it was then, but strongly held and constantly reinforced misperceptions are not easily overcome.

 

[Contarini]

Take for instance, the U.S. It has a long tradition of anti-catholicism and a very strong protestant and antinomian tradition.

Catholics are the largest single religious group in America. Looks quite pervious to me.

Edwin

 

[zinger90]

Catholics are the largest single religious group in America. Looks quite pervious to me.

Edwin

correct, but we are still only 22% of the American Population (according to the Official Catholic Directory 2010). if you lump all of the protestant denominations together they make up over 50% of the american population.

 

[GratefulFred]

Take for instance, the U.S. It has a long tradition of anti-catholicism and a very strong protestant and antinomian tradition.

Among american people then, can we reasonably hope that they will ever adopt catholic morals, etc.?

If not, then are catholic political positions simply impossible in some countries? Are some countries simply not capable of higher morality and are we asking too much of americans?

First “we” are not asking too much of Americans. Second every nation is capable of higher morality. God made us all and God wants what is best for us all. We have to be taught what God wants for us. Some saint said “Preach the Gospels always. When necessary, use words!”

We know that actions speak louder than words. And we know that we always have Hope that more of us will come to follow Christ more closely, especially when we set the example and THEN expalin WHY in gently terms.

While there has been ‘anti-Catholicism’ in America in the past, I doubt that many of us today can say it is still as large a problem. I have not felt discrimination. Maybe I am impervious to such negativism.

 

[fakename]

First “we” are not asking too much of Americans. Second every nation is capable of higher morality. God made us all and God wants what is best for us all. We have to be taught what God wants for us. Some saint said “Preach the Gospels always. When necessary, use words!”

We know that actions speak louder than words. And we know that we always have Hope that more of us will come to follow Christ more closely, especially when we set the example and THEN expalin WHY in gently terms.

While there has been ‘anti-Catholicism’ in America in the past, I doubt that many of us today can say it is still as large a problem. I have not felt discrimination. Maybe I am impervious to such negativism.

Well, here’s what I mean, while it’s true that most Americans could become Catholics or achieve higher morality, because it’s possible for anyone to change (I assume that’s a premise of yours), I still think that if this were true, then it would be possible for everyone to go to heaven but this is impossible -we already know some people go to hell (that is they don’t change from their bad ways).

All we know is that it is broadly possible -in the sense that everything’s possible -for Americans to become better but not that it is possible in the sense that “it is likely” for Americans to become better. Experience, having taught that some people simply will not change in any practical time, I think shows that Americans cannot change.

As for anti-catholicism, youtube is the pulse of popular culture, youtube is pretty anti-catholic, so we know that most people dislike Catholicism. Also, a large majority favors gay marriage, or other unacceptable things, but no Catholic favors this, so no Catholic is favored. Also, all schools are secular, but secular is opposed to religious, all Catholicism is religious, so all schools are opposed to catholicism.

 

[GratefulFred]

Well, here’s what I mean, while it’s true that most Americans could become Catholics or achieve higher morality, because it’s possible for anyone to change (I assume that’s a premise of yours), I still think that if this were true, then it would be possible for everyone to go to heaven but this is impossible -we already know some people go to hell (that is they don’t change from their bad ways).

All we know is that it is broadly possible -in the sense that everything’s possible -for Americans to become better but not that it is possible in the sense that “it is likely” for Americans to become better. Experience, having taught that some people simply will not change in any practical time, I think shows that Americans cannot change.

As for anti-catholicism, youtube is the pulse of popular culture, youtube is pretty anti-catholic, so we know that most people dislike Catholicism. Also, a large majority favors gay marriage, or other unacceptable things, but no Catholic favors this, so no Catholic is favored. Also, all schools are secular, but secular is opposed to religious, all Catholicism is religious, so all schools are opposed to catholicism.

I acknowledge the gap or chasm or ocean between the ideal and the real in this life.

I also acknowledge the infinite power of God - with God all things are possible. I acknowledge Faith, Charity, and HOPE.

IF, yes it is a huge IF, but IF enough Catholics were to consistently over time do their best to worship God and follow Christ and consciously try to do His Will on earth, and pray for an increase in Faith especially for those who reject God, especially for those in authority - parents, teachers, business and government officials, we really could resolve alot of societal problems and save a alot of souls.

Impossible you say? I maintain HOPE that with God all things are possible.

The kind of sincere commitment I envision has not been tired, so we do not know. I am aware that perhaps 1/2 of the Catholics in America do not attend Mass regularly and vote for liberal ideas that seem far from what God would have for us. And I am aware that many in Europe think even less about trying follow Christ as He intended.

The reality does not deter me. I continue to have Hope that, in time, things will get better. Pray constantly for an Increase in Faith. It is better to light one candle than to curse the dark. Do not loose HOPE.