Can I defend other religions if I post in the Other Religions section?

[Tis_Bearself]

Sometimes it is in the interest of everyone to check the “catagory” of the post. This is in the non-Catholic section of this forum.

Sure… you do not like the Catholic part of the post. And maybe you do not like it or how it is stated. But take note and please take note. Many many times so much disrespect flies around here that it is no longer funny. It happens! Take note of that please.

I don’t think you understand. No one is flagging anything in this section. I was responding to another poster who complained about non-Catholic posters posting in the other forums.

Please read the entire discussion before you respond. Thank you.

 

[MichaelP3]

I don’t think you understand.

But you will actually find that many of us do

No one is flagging anything in this section. I was responding to another poster who complained about non-Catholic posters posting in the other forums.

Maybe. Nobody was talking about flagging anything… unless "someone thought it should be…

Please read the entire discussion before you respond. Thank you.

You will find many do. I can ask you to re-read my post but I guess that will be re-inventing the wheel. I do however expect you to respond regarding your post! … Anyhow. Take care.

 

[adamhovey1988]

I would say I’m a little bit more knowledgeable on Islam than some of the people here, excepting of course the Muslims, so I will defend aspects of that, and I have been a Buddhist, and there are aspects of Buddhism I will defend , but I will not defend those religions as a whole, because obviously I find deficiencies in them or I would not be a Christian

 

[Dovekin]

Catholics must gladly acknowledge and esteem the truly Christian endowments from our common heritage which are to be found among our separated brethren. It is right and salutary to recognize the riches of Christ and virtuous works in the lives of others who are bearing witness to Christ, sometimes even to the shedding of their blood. For God is always wonderful in His works and worthy of all praise.

Nor should we forget that anything wrought by the grace of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of our separated brethren can be a help to our own edification. Whatever is truly Christian is never contrary to what genuinely belongs to the faith; indeed, it can always bring a deeper realization of the mystery of Christ and the Church.
Vatican II. Unitatis Redintegratio 4

It is hard to know exactly what you are asking about, but I think, if it is defensible, it “genuinely belongs to the faith” and could be defended anywhere on the forums. I can imagine cases where this would not be the case, so I would want to know more about what you are saying.

And remember this other point from the principles of ecumenism:

Catholics, in their ecumenical work, must assuredly be concerned for their separated brethren, praying for them, keeping them informed about the Church, making the first approaches toward them. But their primary duty is to make a careful and honest appraisal of whatever needs to be done or renewed in the Catholic household itself, in order that its life may bear witness more clearly and faithfully to the teachings and institutions which have come to it from Christ through the Apostles.
Vatican II. Unitatis Redintegratio 4

 

[MichaelP3]

Okay I will ask my wife tomorrow as that seems a bit dodgey! (She knows a bit Lithuanian) Just give me a source? I can really check it myself.

 

[MPat]

Okay I will ask my wife tomorrow as that seems a bit dodgey! (She knows a bit Lithuanian) Just give me a source? I can really check it myself.

I gave a bibliographical record, relevant text extract, its translation. What else do you expect?

 

[Maximian]

OK, thanks for your many replies.

Those of you who thought it odd that a Catholic would want to defend a non Catholicsreligion are quite right. I was trying to elicit a view in a neutral way.

The consensus seems to be, it’s ok to defend non Catholic religions provided it is not done in the spirit of attacking the Pope or Catholicism.

Now, may I defend the SSPX here in that same spirit?

 

[Kindnessmatters]

We can certainly defend others who are not Catholic. Surely I would not be ok with persecution of anyone for religious reasons. If I heard a religion mischaracterized to dishonestly make the people sound bad, I would have no patience for it.

As Catholics, we do have a duty to respect that God gave each of us free will and each adult gets to control only him or herself. On that basis it is not unCatholic to defend the right of the Baptists to hold services, for example.

It is fine also to learn about and even enjoy some aspects of other faiths. I do enjoy a good Southern Baptist choir, and also enjoy some religious music that is made.by non-Catholic Christians.

If you argue against Catholic teaching, that is another story.

 

[MPat]

Those of you who thought it odd that a Catholic would want to defend a non Catholicsreligion are quite right. I was trying to elicit a view in a neutral way.

The consensus seems to be, it’s ok to defend non Catholic religions provided it is not done in the spirit of attacking the Pope or Catholicism.

Now, may I defend the SSPX here in that same spirit?

In “Non-Catholic Religions” subforum?

Are you sure you want to do that…?

Seriously, maybe next time you should ask your question directly, without trying to trick people?

As far as I know, the discussions about that topic often get heated even when no one is perceived to be trying to trick others.

Which, by the way, might be one of reasons why discussions concerning SSPX can end up with special rules that do not apply elsewhere.

 

[IanM]

Now, may I defend the SSPX here in that same spirit?

I do really think that your post warranted a public service warning. At this late stage, may I assist?

Sudden confusion (delirium) - NHS

 

[Maximian]

Are you sure you want to do that…?

Not really, no. But I don’t want to get suspended.

 

[Margaret_Ann]

The Catholic Faith IS true so why would you defend something else?

 

[Lion_IRC]

I think we are all aware that;

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in these forums do not necessarily reflect those of Catholic Answers. For official apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com

 

[Maximian]

Please see my comments in answers to others.

 

[TC3033]

My point is that some Protestants refuse to be called Protestants and claim that they’re just ‘Christian’.

I’ll take that name tag. I’m not protesting anything. I’m a non-Catholic Christian and usually just go by Christian.

I’m not sure the big deal, or why to get offended by it.

 

[annad347]

I tend to defend the Lutheran faith, especially when people post how they are not real Christians, or lacking what is necessary to enter into heaven…but when I do defend them I try to remember I am on a Catholic form, so I try to never to be disrespectful… though sometimes my post might not come off that way, sorry. I also tend to ask A LOT of questions.

I don’t see anything wrong with a Catholics defending other religions… some Catholics have a lot of respect for other religions, enough to learn as much as they can about them.

But if you are going to defending another religion and say you are Catholic, be prepared to answer why you say your Catholic and yet are defending the another religion, I get asked that many times… I’m also asked, if you’re Catholic why don’t you already know yadda, yadda… and I’m also told that’s a Protestant or Lutheran way of thinking yadda, yadda, not Catholic teaching… it all good with me.

 

[Rubee]

How many books of the Bible do you recognize as canonical? Do you believe the Bible is the sole rule of faith? What about salvation? How do you believe it happens for you? Do you believe in a church that’s an earthly, institution with the truth? Regardless of what label you give yourself, a protestant would have pretty recognizable beliefs in those areas. It’s important to me because Catholics are Christian too and ‘Non-Catholic Christian’ still doesn’t cut it by a mile. You’re neither Eastern Orthodox nor Oriental Christian, so it’d still be a very blurred label. ‘Non-denominational’ is even worse unless restricted to a strictly Protestant context: Neither Catholics nor E.O nor O.O would ever count themselves ‘a denomination’ in the protestant sense, and they are right. ‘Protestant’ is just a recognition that you do belong in a very distinct expression of Christianity; one that’s NOT shared by 75% of people who would be called Christian now, nor 99% who would’ve been called Christian in the first 1,500 years.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

I’m not sure the big deal, or why to get offended by it.

I don’t necessarily think it’s bad or offensive, it’s just somewhat unhelpful and not precise at all. People can put “Theist” or “Abrahamic religion” in there and it says quite nothing about their views or what to expect.

It can also often tend to be interpreted in a way where “You are Catholic? Well, I am Christian.” sort of thing is basically saying Catholics are not Christians… but in the end I know that is not the view of you or most people who use Christian as their religion.

I’m not protesting anything.

Not the point, Protestant is a (group of) denomination(s). Catholic means “universal”… do we think we are universal if we put it there? Of course not, only Church is universal.

I’m a non-Catholic Christian and usually just go by Christian.

Technically that could still mean you are Orthodox. Even Mormons would claim to be Christians, or Jehovah’s Witnesses… we simply have no idea what someone really believes in if they put “Christian” in there. But of course, that is your choice to do.

 

[TC3033]

How many books of the Bible…

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I don’t necessarily think it’s bad or offensive,

Well…the poster above went off and seemed to be pretty offended.

It can also often tend to be interpreted in a way where “You are Catholic? Well, I am Christian.” sort of thing is basically saying Catholics are not Christians… but in the end I know that is not the view of you or most people who use Christian as their religion.

Agreed, I know what people mean when they say that.

Not the point, Protestant is a (group of) denomination(s).

Protestant comes from the reformation, specifically when speaking against the reformation. I consider myself a non-Catholic Christian (here) or more specifically a Christian.

do we think we are universal if we put it there?

Really? It seems like there’s a thread on here everyday speaking about “protestants” as one group.

Technically that could still mean you are Orthodox. Even Mormons would claim to be Christians, or Jehovah’s Witnesses… we simply have no idea what someone really believes in if they put “Christian” in there.

That’s fine, I know what I mean.

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

Protestant comes from the reformation

Yes, but while you consider yourself Christian, many do. I am not saying you shouldn’t consider yourself Christian, but I personally, and hence relevant to no one else unless they deem it to be, find that very unhelpful because I am not even sure if you are or are not Trinitarian, if sacraments you partake in are viewed valid by our Church, or what are your beliefs. While it does make things a bit harder for some people, it isn’t really mandated by anyone nor anything to even include religion in the profile, so that’s all fine. It is just quite a bit more helpful to include your denomination if you are stating your beliefs, as it’s more specific than specifying the religion itself.
If I am debating with Catholic, it is alright to use Church documents in a debate.
If I am debating with Eastern Orthodox, it is alright to use first 7 Ecumenical Councils.
If I am debating with Oriental Orthodox, Councils after Chalcedon hold no authority.
If I am debating with Protestant, Scripture and theology are only main points I should be making.
If I am debating with Mormon or someone with similar beliefs, it is not helpful to use Trinity in my reasoning.
If I am debating with Christian… I can not be sure what I can and can not use.

That’s fine, I know what I mean.

Of course, choice is all yours.

Really? It seems like there’s a thread on here everyday speaking about “protestants” as one group.

What Protestants have in common according to Catholic Church is that their sacraments are invalid, and that they usually profess 5 solas in some ways. They reject Papacy and often hold universal priesthood as equal to ministerial. That’s it really.

What you quoted is that while I describe myself as Catholic Christian, I describe that I am part of Catholic Church. In literal translation I would be universal Christian, but Christians are not universal- only Church is. Hence direct translation is somewhat incorrect to make. In the same way, Protestant Christian does not necessarily mean one is Protesting against something- it is just some generalization of certain principles your denomination holds to.