Can't we give Protestants SOME credit???

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gurneyhalleck1

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I know this thread might start World War III in here, but, here goes…

I am NOT a Protestant and do not wish to be. But I notice a constant venom spewed at Protestantism and a real burying our heads in the sand as Catholics. We don’t want to acknowledge that there MUST BE SOMETHING GOOD about Protestantism in a Christ-like way that makes Catholics leave and join up with them.

Think about growing up Catholic…I have a HORRRRRIBLE CCD Catechism class every year!! I learned nothing! I didn’t even know about the real presence until I was in college!! I know my church wasn’t the only lousy CCD bunch!!

Most Catholics you talk to on the street have no catechetical knowledge of the Church Fathers, basic theology, sacramental awareness, or real understanding of what makes a Catholic different from any other Christian faith.

Protestants are very adept at:

Making their followers Biblically-literate
Creating fellowship and a warm, inviting place
Visiting the sick or infirm in their flocks
Creating interesting vacation bible studies
preaching
getting people fired-up

Let’s look at one thing: MOST Catholics I know who are excited, fired-up, theologically-bright, knowledgable folks are FORMER PROTESTANTS!!! Yikes!

Scott Hahn and the other hordes of folks on EWTN are former Protestants!! It seems like to be a really gifted author, teacher, and celebrity in the Catholic media you need to first have been either Jewish or Evangelical?? This is not a compliment to our Catholic faith? We don’t produce Thomas Aquinases or Padre Pios these days but rather borrow them from the Protestants after they’re Biblically literate and then throw in tradition and theology to make them OUR new representatives. Scott Hahn, Roselyn Moss, Marcus Grodi, etc. etc. are all former Protestants and are quite brilliant in many respects. Converts seem to be the thing!? Why doesn’t Catholic education produce such genius?

The folks at Mass around me who SING all the hymns are always former Lutherans, former Anglicans, former Presbyterians, the key word is FORMER PROTESTANT! The cradle Catholics stand there stoically looking like zombies?

Let’s give some credit to Protestants for creating a passion for the scriptures and for Christ. These many converts received that spark of passion for God first from the Protestants.

I always notice that Catholics might slam Martin Luther, calling him Martin Loser and trashing his “sola scriptura,” etc. etc. but, in the end, there is a sneaking admiration and appreciation as well as respect for him from many Catholics. I am one of them. While I don’t agree with several of his philosophies, his passion for what he perceived to be truth, his love of the Eucharist and the Scriptures, his unwillingness to fold to a very then-corrupt Church, his disgust at the indulgence abuses (and they WERE abused!), and conviction in his views made him a heroic anti-hero/villain. He’s a confusing guy. He’s a lightning rod. But there is a respect there. I know I respect him.

I am not into Protestantism or anything. I just like to be intellectually honest and give them the credit they are due. They lack the 5 sacraments, often are QUITE WRONG on many things from women’s ordination to grape juice communions with crackers to silly songs or nutty evangelical healings on TV with weird hairdos. They have an informal style that drives me nuts, man of them at least. But they do have some admirable qualities.
 
I can agree. Protestants are very smart. And I know most have good intentions in living christian lives. My parish priest has a couple minister friends. Most are kind to Catholics. We should never let our difference in beliefs affect our relationship.
 
I don’t think most people here would disagree with you anyway. What exactly is the problem? :confused:
 
gurneyhalleck1 said:
I am not into Protestantism or anything. I just like to be intellectually honest and give them the credit they are due. They lack the 5 sacraments, often are QUITE WRONG on many things from women’s ordination to grape juice communions with crackers to silly songs or nutty evangelical healings on TV with weird hairdos. They have an informal style that drives me nuts, man of them at least. But they do have some admirable qualities.
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I don’t think we have this problem. 🙂
 
I volunteer at an ecumenical mission meal for the poor. It is held at a Methodist church, with volunteers from that church, my church, a Lutheran church and a Presbyterian church. I have made friends from all of the churches through my volunteer work, and have become friends with the Methodist pastor who volunteers there.
 
The folks at Mass around me who SING all the hymns are always former Lutherans, former Anglicans, former Presbyterians, the key word is FORMER PROTESTANT! The cradle Catholics stand there stoically looking like zombies?
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I have found it quite common for protestants to love to sing. And they do have wonderful voices. Most better than mine. However try not to take it too far. We had a couple of singers go overboard on Amazing Grace and it doesnt sound to mass like. Our Church started to sound like sourthern hills rocken roll chuch of Christ a few times.
 
gurneyhalleck1 said:
I am not into Protestantism or anything. I just like to be intellectually honest and give them the credit they are due. They lack the 5 sacraments, often are QUITE WRONG on many things from women’s ordination to grape juice communions with crackers to silly songs or nutty evangelical healings on TV with weird hairdos. They have an informal style that drives me nuts, man of them at least. But they do have some admirable qualities.
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Could you have written this post to give admiration to nonCatholics without mentioning anything that drive you nut? 😉
 
NO WAY!!! 😛

Kidding of course…

I do admire their dedication to Jesus.
We dont have a strong Protestant vs Catholic thing here in Australia, and there is not really any hatred between the two.
 
You have the same kind of people on both sides, protestant and catholic that go through the motions but do not actully practice their religon. Most protestants that turn to catholisism are looking for the whole truth about being a Christian and find it by the history and tradition of the Catholic Church. Most catholic people who turn to the protestant churches most likely did not get involved in their own parish and did not see what really goes on outside of mass.
 
Sure, I give my Baptist upbringing the credit for a wide-ranging (if shallow) knowledge of scripture. I don’t knock people who’ve been raised protestant. Many have no clue what they are missing and are protestant b/c that’s what their family has always been.
 
Its been my experience that most Protestants dont really know the bible better than most Catholics. However, it has instead been my experience that most denominational Protestants have memorized those verses to which they are sensitive . Once Saved Always Saved persons memorize different versers than Lutherans, who memorize different verses than Baptists. Beyond their 10 - 15 apologetic verses, their Bible knowledge falls dramatically. Most thereafter, might spend sometime with the Letters of Paul, but the average Catholic is much much more conversant in the Gospels than the average Protestant.
Beyond that I love Protestants, as they make wonderful future Catholics.
God Bless
 
gurneyhalleck1

Since I have started researching religion I have developed this opinion:
Protestants have shaky beliefs and doctrine but, have the utmost best character.
Catholics have solid beliefs and doctrine but, lackluster character.

I’ve said this to a “Cradle Catholic” that has an awesome character and she agreed with me and said younger generations need to change that.

My theory is: Growing up without the knowledge makes us hungry for it. Growing up with the knowledge kind of sits it to the side.

A hungry man jumps with joy in the sight of food. A full man is like “I guess I can eat”.

Thanks for showing me more good “cradle Catholic” character. 👍
 
The only good that exists in protestantism is what they retained from Catholicism.

Think about it from a theological point of view- Catholicism is the one True Faith and all that contradicts the Church is false and of the Evil One.
 
Caesar said:
The only good that exists in protestantism is what they retained from Catholicism.

Think about it from a theological point of view- Catholicism is the one True Faith and all that contradicts the Church is false and of the Evil One.
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Thanks for viewing me more bad “Cradle Catholic” character. 😦 🤷
 
gurneyhalleck1

You have touched on the very subject that prompted me to join this forum; mainly, the “pea shooter” mentality that Catholics and Protestants have for each other. And the things that have them grabbing for their pea shooters are rituals. I know Catholic rituals are important to Catholics and vice versa. I come from a mixed family. We support each other. Obviously, we don’t always agree, but the support is there. When your little niece or nephew is being baptized, you attend whether it is a priest or simple preacher doing the baptizing. The foundation which is Jesus Christ is the same, no matter what building they worship at on Sunday morning.

The crackers and grape juice Protestants use to represent Christ’s body and blood are taken just as seriously as the bread and wine partaken of by Catholics. It’s the same Jesus. It’s the same God. It’s the same.

Some of the other things you mentioned are organizational issues like letting women preach. Both groups get their inspiration from the same Holy Spirit which pours down on men and women alike, equally, without regard to gender.

And I agree with you, Protestants on the whole are more involved personally with Christ and wanting to know Him better, they read the Bible. They want to be Him for the wounded and hurting of this world, so they get involved. They want to sing praises to Him and they do.

Sure, there are Protestants who respond by rote as there are Catholics that do. As you mentioned, it just seems to be more Catholics that do it. And that is the purpose of my learning. I want to know why because Christ is leading me to learn the reason why.

🙂 Bamm
 
stringbeanduck said:
I can agree. Protestants are very smart. And I know most have good intentions in living christian lives. My parish priest has a couple minister friends. Most are kind to Catholics. We should never let our difference in beliefs affect our relationship.
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Hi

I am neither a Catholic nor a Protestant, I am an Ahmadi a peaceful Muslim, yet I would say it is a rational and reasonable approach. Personal relationship should be maintained yet the problems discussed in a respectful, peaceful and honourable way.That is the only solution.

People in the Western society have benefitted most from the fruits of the secular tolerant culture, so I think they have a greater responsiblity to be open minded.

Thanks
 
This is a tat off topic.
But, is not the crackers leavened (packaged in a factory and sit on the store shelves for days,weeks,may be months) and is not it suppose to be unleavened (fresh)?

Do not Catholics bake their “crackered sized” bread the day of Eucharist? And, how do they taste,from a food point of view and not the taste of Jesus’ body.

And, why not bake whole loaves and pour full glasses of wine?

I know children do not need full glasses but, you can borrow from the Protestants and give them a full glass of grape juice.
 
lhagan said:
This is a tat off topic.
But, is not the crackers leavened (packaged in a factory and sit on the store shelves for days,weeks,may be months) and is not it suppose to be unleavened (fresh)?

Do not Catholics bake their “crackered sized” bread the day of Eucharist? And, how do they taste,from a food point of view and not the taste of Jesus’ body.

And, why not bake whole loaves and pour full glasses of wine?

I know children do not need full glasses but, you can borrow from the Protestants and give them a full glass of grape juice.
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Hello, Ihagon,

Most Protestants actually use wafers specifically made for Communion, but, no, they are not made fresh that day. Some crackers are made with some kind of leavening and some aren’t. However, I have taken Communion in Protestant churches that use bread and even wine (never took Communion anywhere that served full glasses of anything this is probably due more to cost than anything else).

The bread I have been served by priests has always been regular home made leavened bread made in a whole loaf (as a matter of fact a friend of mine is one of the women that bake the bread) and torn apart by either myself or the priest, very good bread as a matter of fact.

But one thing I want to point out is that the ritual was started by Jesus while He and the 12 were partaking of the Passover feast. He told them that as often as they did this (eat), they should do it in remembrance of Him.

Did He mean just eating the Passover feast or everyday eating? Personally, I think He meant everything that is eaten. Every time we eat, we are to remember Him. Actually, in everything we do, we are to remember Him further establishing Him as our lifeline and provider.

Plus, I have read that the early church gatherings were like potlucks which had two purposes: to feed the poorer followers and to partake of the Communion.

🙂 Bamm
 
I give Protestants some credit like their love of Scripture and Jesus. I give credit to Protestants who don’t around thinking Catholics aren’t Christians. I give credit to Protestants who know the Catholic faith and may disagree but seeks to understand in the light of ecumenism. That’s all I give them credit for. Nothing else.
 
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