Catholics and Protestants

[MarysGirls]

I just finished listening to a preacher on the radio. He is a Protestant and he was explaining salvation to a Catholic who had called in. I felt so ashamed. Why is it that so many Catholics don’t even understand the basics of their faith while Protestants are out there like they have it all together? It’s no wonder that so many Protestants don’t believe we’re Christians. It’s like the only Catholics who know what they’re talking about are in Rome. I mean, really, Catholics need to shape up! Is this just me, or does anyone else think this?

 

[Deum_quaerens]

The problem of post-Conciliar catechesis, or lack thereof, is concomitant to the crisis of heterodoxy that has been plaguing the Church since the Council. But, thanks be to God, there appears to be an renaissance of orthodoxy under the current Pope.

 

[JonNC]

I just finished listening to a preacher on the radio. He is a Protestant and he was explaining salvation to a Catholic who had called in. I felt so ashamed. Why is it that so many Catholics don’t even understand the basics of their faith while Protestants are out there like they have it all together? It’s no wonder that so many Protestants don’t believe we’re Christians. It’s like the only Catholics who know what they’re talking about are in Rome. I mean, really, Catholics need to shape up! Is this just me, or does anyone else think this?

The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. Poor catechesis plagues Lutheranism, as well, so I would contend that protestants of all stripes have similar problems. One final thought, while they may talk a good game, many of the radio and tv types appear to me to have quite shallow theology.

Jon

 

[Catholicc]

I just finished listening to a preacher on the radio. He is a Protestant and he was explaining salvation to a Catholic who had called in. I felt so ashamed. Why is it that so many Catholics don’t even understand the basics of their faith while Protestants are out there like they have it all together? It’s no wonder that so many Protestants don’t believe we’re Christians. It’s like the only Catholics who know what they’re talking about are in Rome. I mean, really, Catholics need to shape up! Is this just me, or does anyone else think this?

Shape up or ship out! Thats my motto.

Yup. A lot of Catholics are ignorant of their own faith. There were some shocking statistics on “The World Over” last night about that: Over 50% of American Catholics think that homosexual unions, abortion, and contraception are morally acceptable. Thats a frightening thought.

The faith is first taught IN THE HOME before anyuwhere else. Somewhere along the line, parents did not do their job. That needs to change - assuming the parents themselves know the faith, which many do not.

Don’t be ashamed though. You study up and be a light to others. Voluteer to give adult education at your parish. There’s a good start. We need all these Catholics Answers fans to take all their good learning and put it to work at the local level.

And next time that show is on, YOU call in and give them what-for.

 

[1ke]

Is this just me, or does anyone else think this?

Yes, there are some Catholics who lack basic knowledge of their faith.

But Catholics have by no means cornered the market on ignorance. I have known some pretty clueless Protestants in my day. Ignorance is universally found in all faith traditions.

 

[MarysGirls]

Thanks for all your replies!!! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. Yeah, I’ve thought about teaching. I guess the reason I hesitate is the fact that I’m younger than most of the people in my Church. (akward) I’ve also thought about calling in to the show myself, but for some reason I can never get through. I don’t know, mabye God wants me to remain in the background. I just keep praying that more Protestants will come back to the Church Jesus started.

 

[JacktheCatholic]

The problem of post-Conciliar catechesis, or lack thereof, is concomitant to the crisis of heterodoxy that has been plaguing the Church since the Council. But, thanks be to God, there appears to be an renaissance of orthodoxy under the current Pope.

All glory and praise to God! Amen!

Yes the Catholic Church is seeing some new Catholics that are very zealous for God and unwilling with compromise. And hopefully all those that call themselves Ctaholic but reject Jesus find the exit.

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Shape up or ship out! Thats my motto.

Exactly!

I am also sick and tired of the tolerance given to Cafeteria Catholics that are trying to change what has been Christian since the beginning. Things like women ordination or gay marriage or trying to allow contraception. If these hypocrites cannot follow what God has given us to obey then leave.

I know there is a Protestant church out there that will cater to any evil that one wishes to drown in.

 

[thistle]

I just finished listening to a preacher on the radio. He is a Protestant and he was explaining salvation to a Catholic who had called in. I felt so ashamed. Why is it that so many Catholics don’t even understand the basics of their faith while Protestants are out there like they have it all together? It’s no wonder that so many Protestants don’t believe we’re Christians. It’s like the only Catholics who know what they’re talking about are in Rome. I mean, really, Catholics need to shape up! Is this just me, or does anyone else think this?

If Protestants knew the basics of their faith they would be Catholics.

 

[Rawb]

Thanks for all your replies!!! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. Yeah, I’ve thought about teaching. I guess the reason I hesitate is the fact that I’m younger than most of the people in my Church. (akward) I’ve also thought about calling in to the show myself, but for some reason I can never get through. I don’t know, mabye God wants me to remain in the background. I just keep praying that more Protestants will come back to the Church Jesus started.

I signed up to teach CCD the night after I finished Mystagogia. The Parish had all the different organizations meet with us so we could sign up for things and get plugged in if we wanted, and I thought “What can be more important than to teach the next generation and make sure that they get good, solid catechesis?” I was 19, and I’ve been teaching ever since. I’m 21 now.

Since then there have been two other guys my age who’ve shown interest in teaching CCD.

Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity ~ 1 Timothy 4:12

We need strong, faithful catechists, regardless of age or gender. Only when we have good teachings reaching the next generation will Catholics once again know their faith, know the Truth, and know WHY.

 

[rpp]

All glory and praise to God! Amen!

Yes the Catholic Church is seeing some new Catholics that are very zealous for God and unwilling with compromise. And hopefully all those that call themselves Ctaholic but reject Jesus find the exit.

I would hope they not seek the exit, but rather learn what the Church really teaches and conform their hearts and minds to Christ and His Church.

 

[ShellKell]

Exactly!

I am also sick and tired of the tolerance given to Cafeteria Catholics that are trying to change what has been Christian since the beginning. Things like women ordination or gay marriage or trying to allow contraception. If these hypocrites cannot follow what God has given us to obey then leave.

If the Catholic church is full of people with your attitude I wouldn’t blame them for running for the door. If I weren’t a Christian and ran across this post, I surly wouldn’t be looking into the Catholic church.

 

[thistle]

Frankly, the poor catechesis of many Catholics is to be blamed on the parents. After a child’s confirmation the main faith educator should be the parents. Unfortunately, they are either also badly educated in the faith or they are just lazy to teach the children.

 

[Catholicc]

I would hope they not seek the exit, but rather learn what the Church really teaches and conform their hearts and minds to Christ and His Church.

But you must understabnd: There are elements within the Church that seek to radicalize and even destroy the Church. They do not seek what the Church teaches: They seek to impose they radical agendas. If I was Pope, their would all get THE BOOT

 

[JacktheCatholic]

If the Catholic church is full of people with your attitude I wouldn’t blame them for running for the door. If I weren’t a Christian and ran across this post, I surly wouldn’t be looking into the Catholic church.

I am Catholic not because of the people that go to church with me but because God is the Catholic Church.

If I ran from thing like you say then I would be running from God himself.

Jeremiah was in the Temple and noticed all the people sinning and these people caused him grief and yet he stayed because God wanted him to. So if you stay because people are nice then I pray you are not attending communities deep in sin.

And if people reject God because of people like me then maybe they do not deserve to be in Christ? But I leave that judgment to God himself and since he saved me I know he can save anyone. May God bless you with His sight and not ours.

 

[Stjudeprayforus]

I was talking with another Catholic recently and we were saying that new Catholics are so much smarter on the teachings…

Every Catholic should go though an RCIA refresher course.

 

[Catholicc]

I was talking with another Catholic recently and we were saying that new Catholics are so much smarter on the teachings…

Every Catholic should go though an RCIA refresher course.

Yes, as long as the RCIA class is not at some “liberal” parish where they are watering down Catholic doctrine and teaching borderline heresy. This too is a big problem across America.

 

[Stjudeprayforus]

Agreed!

 

[zach_dunn]

I just finished listening to a preacher on the radio. He is a Protestant and he was explaining salvation to a Catholic who had called in. I felt so ashamed. Why is it that so many Catholics don’t even understand the basics of their faith while Protestants are out there like they have it all together? It’s no wonder that so many Protestants don’t believe we’re Christians. It’s like the only Catholics who know what they’re talking about are in Rome. I mean, really, Catholics need to shape up! Is this just me, or does anyone else think this?

By no means are Catholics the only ones with a lack of the basics of faith. I have asked 20 Catholics and non-Catholics alike if Jesus was God, 19 of them answered “Of course not! He’s the Son of God!!” :banghead::banghead: They all claim to believe in the Trinity, but deny that Jesus is God.

Only on person (my girlfriend, whew!) actually knew that Jesus is God. So, while this is a serious problem, Catholics are not alone.

Pax,
Zach

 

[MarysGirls]

If the Catholic church is full of people with your attitude I wouldn’t blame them for running for the door. If I weren’t a Christian and ran across this post, I surly wouldn’t be looking into the Catholic church.

Now wait a minute. I realize that JacktheCatholic came across as a bit strong, but what about what Jesus said about hypocrites? Catholics today need to wake up but they won’t if all we do is sympathize with them. (Though, I have to say, Jack, I agree with rpp. They need to learn the truth, not leave.)