Boycott Anti-Catholic forums: Create The "Deafening Silence"

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pnewton:
I currently post on one on which Catholicism can not be promoted or discussed, but it is far from anti-Catholic. I find plenty of topics for discussion among the 90% we do agree on. While I will never be able to use apologetics and arguement. There is always the witness of a solid Christian life, along with the fellowship of fellow Christians, separated or not.

Yes, the anti-Catholics do get under my skin, but I seldom have to be the one to snap them back anymore.
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Wow, I would hate that. To me it would be like not being able to bring up how great my mom is and how much I love her. Wait. That is exactly what you have to do by not being able to really discuss Mary, Our Blessed Mother:crying: .

God Bless,
Maria
 
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MariaG:
Wow, I would hate that. To me it would be like not being able to bring up how great my mom is and how much I love her. Wait. That is exactly what you have to do by not being able to really discuss Mary,
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To everything there is a season. And different strokes. My wife even is the only Catholic in a Christian women’s group.
 
Perhaps some of the discussion here so far is just what we need.

Questions:
  1. By posting on any forum that either does not allow us to speak of our faith openly, or is anti-Catholic in it’s stated apologetics, are we actually helping to promote those forums and their related websites?
  2. If the forum rules specifically forbid a Catholic from speaking about our faith is that not an expression of anti-Catholicism?
Let me offer a couple of examples for comparison from small forums that I do participate in. One is Catholic, owned by AlanFromWichita (whom some of your know), and the other is simply Christian, owned by SinginBeauty (Whom some of you also know). Both are small and fairly new, but I think that these two are good examples of forums that allow the freedom of religious expression that is exemplary of good ground for real charitable dialog. Feel free to look them over by clicking on the respective owner’s names. These might even be the kinds of forums that one might in good conscience switch to while boycotting anti-Catholic ones. There is room for discussion and some debate, but respect, charity, and a sense of humor are the norms.

Now, I did not intend to promote other forums, but those two came to mind when I was writing this and they are fine examples of the alternative to the anti-Catholic pits that we have been (perhaps unwittingly) supporting.

Also be aware that most every web site has a “counter” which records visits called “hits”. The more “hits” the more popular the website is assumed to be which often motivates webpage providers to create “more of the same” or an expanded version of similar material. THAT puts this topic in a bit different perspective and I think this is what I’ve been trying to point out all along. If by our participation these anti-Catholics are helped or encouraged to continue or even (God forbid!) expand their efforts are we not more wise to stick to responding here and on the Catholic sites or face to face when we encounter this junk in the real world, than to make our best efforts on their turf?
🙂 Blackie
 
I am supporting this. 3 months seems reasonable, at which time, we will likely garner some respect once they understand just how much traffic they will lose by continuing to smear our faith.

My idea, was to keep looking at those forums, and PM the sincere lurkers who ask questions, linking them to these forums. That way, if they are truly sincere, they will come and ask the questions themselves.

Too many people at (Name of forum edited to protect the guilty from a possible board swarm) forums in particular, have no interest in sincere dialogue, and simply try and bait Catholics, which isn’t hard, because Catholics are naturally protective of this rich faith.
 
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pnewton:
I currently post on one on which Catholicism can not be promoted or discussed, but it is far from anti-Catholic. I find plenty of topics for discussion among the 90% we do agree on. While I will never be able to use apologetics and arguement. There is always the witness of a solid Christian life, along with the fellowship of fellow Christians, separated or not.

Yes, the anti-Catholics do get under my skin, but I seldom have to be the one to snap them back anymore.
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Hi Pnewton, you know who I am at the site you mentioned earlier, where they don’t allow conversation on Catholicism.

That site, I would say is very different than some of the others, like (Name of forum edited to protect the guilty from a possible board swarm). At least they allow you to correct someone who may misrepresent the faith, and I see you do a good job of that there. I look as you as kind of a watch dog on that site.
 
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Superstar905:
I am supporting this. 3 months seems reasonable, at which time, we will likely garner some respect once they understand just how much traffic they will lose by continuing to smear our faith.

My idea, was to keep looking at those forums, and PM the sincere lurkers who ask questions, linking them to these forums. That way, if they are truly sincere, they will come and ask the questions themselves.

Too many people at (Name of forum edited to protect the guilty from a possible board swarm) forums in particular, have no interest in sincere dialogue, and simply try and bait Catholics, which isn’t hard, because Catholics are naturally protective of this rich faith.
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That is a good idea. Lurk and PM and try to redirect to here. Check carefully first to make sure you are not breaking any rules of the forum by doing so.
 
sorry about posting the name of the anti-Catholic forum!

Wasn’t thinking!
 
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MariaG:
That is a good idea. Lurk and PM and try to redirect to here. Check carefully first to make sure you are not breaking any rules of the forum by doing so.
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Really, I can’t see how it would break any rules. You can do anything you want in PM, and if someone is sincerely asking questions, i’m sure they’d appreciate the re-direct, so they can get their answers.
 
I’m not sure this is the best course of action, and so I didn’t vote. But I won’t cross the picket line, if this is the action you want to take 🙂

Personally, I think the anti-catholic diatribe sometimes helps us. I think it would be a very usual course of action that a person who honestly seeks the truth, would see our level of charity compared to theirs as well as their useless arguments, and start to ask the right questions. But like I said, I’ll follow the decision of the majority. God bless!
 
I’m in, but I was going to go cold turkey in (blank) anyway for Lent, and then that will extend more when I go on a long trip to California.

After March 1st., I will be gone for about 4 months…

God bless,

PAX

Bill+†+

*Give me that REAL old time religion!
The CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2,000 years of history! *
 
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Liberian:
Black Knight,

I was recently suspended from an anti-Catholic board and suggested something like that. Another poster there, a priest who has been doing this for some years, wrote back:

Frankly, I think he’s right.
  • Liberian
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Knowing who you are talking about, he also said he was going to refrain from (blank) for Lent. So I think he will not be participating after 1 march.

God bless,

PAX

Bill+†+

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages
call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48)
 
Although I rare visit those types of boards, we cannot boycott them. If we can show only one person there the errors of their ways, we have done our job.

PF
 
QUOTE=Marilena]Just curious, why would anyone want to visit an anti- Catholic website in the first place? I never waste my time by visiting such garbage on the web.
Marilena,

I must confess to several motivations.

(1) I am trying to reach out to these people.

(2) Many times somebody with sincere questions will stumble onto such a site. It is good to be able to give such a person a good answer. (In fact, a couple of weeks before I got suspended, one such poster announced on the anti-Catholic site that because of the tone of the answers he had gotten from the Catholics there and the contrast with the tone of the answers he had gotten from the anti-Catholics, he was going to look into joining the Catholic Church.)

(3) I love a good argument. (I should probably be saying this on my knees in the confessional; it is NOT one of the better parts of my personality.)
  • Liberian
 
I think that we sometimes overestimate our effect. Granted, we cannot know how the Holy Spirit will use what we post to His own ends, however, in this case BK has made some very valid points that have merit, as does his idea of the 3 month silent treatment.

I know that on one forum that is currently under boycott by a bunch of us, it only took a few days for our absence to be noticed and to have an effect. There has been some slight improvement in posting behavior there, but not nearly enough to warrant a return.

I suggest that you consider this idea in a personal context:

If you meet someone who is down on the Catholic Church, and they enter into debate with you every time that you encounter them, oftem being rude or vitriolic in the process, are you going to then want to go to that persons house?

I wouldn’t…and I’d avoid them so that when they finally do want serious help and answers, they have to seek me out here at home.
Pax vobiscum,
 
It looks like I should have been posting in here more. 🙂

I’m in agreement. I’ve been on this other forum for about two months now. I recognize the detrimental effects I’ve experienced. Even if it is only for lent, I think we can all recognize the benefits.

I understand the argument against the boycott, who knows how our presence may aid others. However, Lent is also about prayer. I have a room on PALTALK, I think we should offer prayer at least once a week for these people. If we entrust our prayers for those who genuninely seek the TRUTH, and for the conversion of those bound in the darkness of deception, then we have naught to fear.

Jesus said, “Be not afraid.” What have we to fear by sacrificing, and offering prayer instead? Prayer is the ultimate aid for these people, do not be afraid to make a stand. Perhaps in our silence they will realize the loss of the presence of truth, and crave it’s return.

We could be doing so much more good by having this “vacation” consider it my brothers and sisters.

In Christ,
Tara
 
I hope I don’t offend anyone but IMO that’s the absolute worst thing we could ever do. I spent 30 years of my life only hearing an opposing view of Catholicism and without any real Catholic explanations of Church doctrine I would more than likely still be anti-Catholic.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of lurkers on these websites who are looking for truth. They may be looking for answers or support because they are questioning their fundamental beliefs. Some, like myself, may have never received true Catholic doctrine but instead only a perverted view pushed by those with an anti-Catholic agenda.

It is my firm belief that God uses us how and when He chooses and the choice is up to Him when to withold the truth but as long as He presents opportunities to us thru these sites to explain the truth then we should be “ready to give an account to what we believe”. If we get frustrated or become tired then take a break for awhile and come back after we feel refreshed.

Remember how many people may be denied guidance in the 3 month silence and what harm or lack of good it may do. 😦

Imagine what would happen if God took 3 months off… Ever see the movie “Bruce Almighty”? 😉
 
Sorry JezCat, I have to disagree…further, here’s an idea. EVERY Catholic poster should immediately place a link to the CA Ma(name removed by moderator)age (Not the forums! They’ll find that on their own) or one of the others that are listed up above somewhere into their signature and in that way that link will spread through EVERY post that you have made to date and so offer a very quiet and subtle pointer for those who really want honest answers and discussion.

One more thing…think about it. ALL these folks we’ve been talking to know how to use google to find anti-Catholic stuff, don’t they? Then if they really want answers, they know how to use it to find US.
Pax vobiscum,
 
Church Militant:
Sorry JezCat, I have to disagree…further, here’s an idea. EVERY Catholic poster should immediately place a link to the CA Ma(name removed by moderator)age (Not the forums! They’ll find that on their own) or one of the others that are listed up above somewhere into their signature and in that way that link will spread through EVERY post that you have made to date and so offer a very quiet and subtle pointer for those who really want honest answers and discussion.

One more thing…think about it. ALL these folks we’ve been talking to know how to use google to find anti-Catholic stuff, don’t they? Then if they really want answers, they know how to use it to find US.
Pax vobiscum,
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:ehh: Y’know, I hadn’t really thought of it that way… :hmmm:
 
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JezCat:
I hope I don’t offend anyone but IMO that’s the absolute worst thing we could ever do. I spent 30 years of my life only hearing an opposing view of Catholicism and without any real Catholic explanations of Church doctrine I would more than likely still be anti-Catholic.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of lurkers on these websites who are looking for truth. They may be looking for answers or support because they are questioning their fundamental beliefs. Some, like myself, may have never received true Catholic doctrine but instead only a perverted view pushed by those with an anti-Catholic agenda.

It is my firm belief that God uses us how and when He chooses and the choice is up to Him when to withold the truth but as long as He presents opportunities to us thru these sites to explain the truth then we should be “ready to give an account to what we believe”. If we get frustrated or become tired then take a break for awhile and come back after we feel refreshed.

Remember how many people may be denied guidance in the 3 month silence and what harm or lack of good it may do. 😦

Imagine what would happen if God took 3 months off… Ever see the movie “Bruce Almighty”? 😉
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NO offence taken!

It is not a permanent boycott, just a temporary one. What do you all think of simply doing a boycott for lent, rather than 3 months?

I think that would prove a point, and all the while, we continue to privately PM people who are sincere about learning on the faith. I like the idea of putting Catholic.com on our signatures on different sites.
 
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