Do Catholics on this site accurately represent Catholicism

[SD_Catholic]

To make things confusing as to my denomination, I am actually Baptist but I am a non-denominational preacher. Now the reason for this, and I have been critized for it many times here, is that I preach in nursing homes and there are many different religions there that want to hear the word of God so not to offend any religion, which I have been critized for this also, I preach in a general way. I do however tell the other religions to go by what your religion teaches you and believes in. I only preach what is in the Bible and try to avoid subjects that may offend or conflict with their beliefs. See I preach to people in their 80’s and 90’s and if I say anything they disagree with they will let me know in a quickness. So far I have not had one complaint about my preaching style from the residents, residents families, or the staff.
I hope this answers your question.

You should be admired for that… they can be a tough crowd! Probably because they feel closer to their meeting than most of us probably assume we are, so they want their message to be straight and to the point.

SD

 

[po18guy]

This is exactly what I’m talking about. If you say anything against the faith, your wrong and have no right to say that, but if its said about another faith its alright and nothing is said. Could he be right, I don’t know. Could he be wrong, I don’t know. But this is how he/she preceives it to be.

I do note that the poster I responded to was painting with a broad brush. As we all know, that is not a good practice.

 

[Lutheranteach]

I can only speak anecdotally.

I think on this site you get the devout of the devout in many cases. In my dealings, I have rarely met Catholics that do, or even try, to meet the all the teachings of the Catholic Church the way many report that they do in their posts here. I guess I know hundreds of Catholics and 90% are of the Cafeteria variety.

 

[rev_kevin]

This is reality… I have never heard a negative thing spoken at a Catholic mass about another denomination or religion… NEVER!!! Can this be said of many of the baptist, non-denominational, independent, etc. services?.. I highly doubt it. In fact I never even realized so many people hated, and I mean hated, the CC until I joined this forum and seen some of it first hand. In all my years I had NEVER been taught anything negative about another denomination, until I was forced to do so in order to defend my own faith. So if you want to talk about putting a bad taste in someone’s mouth it mainly started for the CC with the reformation, and it started for me when I saw people calling the CC the “W of Babylon” or the pope the anti-Christ. I’ll bet most of the people on CA who defend the Church “too far” do it for similar reasons.

I’ll admit there are many that are very eager to defend their faith here, but what do you expect from a Catholic forum. If you want to look at the big picture, I think you’ll realize who is doing most of the attacking in the Catholic vs Protestant battle. If we weren’t being attacked so vigorously we wouldn’t have to defend so vigorously.

SD

I did not say anything about the Catholics preaching hate of other religions. Now I was responding to my dealings here on this forum. As far as the others preaching against the Catholic faith, I have never heard it personally and we do not do it at my church. Although I have heard that there are those who do and I don’t condon that in any way. Now I believe the attacks go both ways. I have disagreed with some of the teachings and have been attacked left and right. This is my opinion on the matter. Now as I satated if we disagree with what is being said to us about certain things regarding the Catholic faith we are automaticly talking heresy, going against God and Scripture and so on. Now I also believe that we have a right to defend our possition about our faith just as vigorously as the Catholics do when we are being attacked. Like I said it goes both way. You have your opinion on this subject and I have mine, and they both seem to conflict with one another.

 

[rev_kevin]

I do note that the poster I responded to was painting with a broad brush. As we all know, that is not a good practice.

Yes I agree with you that it is not a good practice and I can understand what you are saying because just yesterday on another post the Protestands were painted with a broad brush insinuating that all Protestants are like that. Which was not true. So I can understand and agree with what you are saying here.

 

[rev_kevin]

You should be admired for that… they can be a tough crowd! Probably because they feel closer to their meeting than most of us probably assume we are, so they want their message to be straight and to the point.

SD

Thank you and you are sooooooo right.

 

[SD_Catholic]

I did not say anything about the Catholics preaching hate of other religions. Now I was responding to my dealings here on this forum. As far as the others preaching against the Catholic faith, I have never heard it personally and we do not do it at my church. Although I have heard that there are those who do and I don’t condon that in any way. Now I believe the attacks go both ways. I have disagreed with some of the teachings and have been attacked left and right. This is my opinion on the matter. Now as I satated if we disagree with what is being said to us about certain things regarding the Catholic faith we are automaticly talking heresy, going against God and Scripture and so on. Now I also believe that we have a right to defend our possition about our faith just as vigorously as the Catholics do when we are being attacked. Like I said it goes both way. You have your opinion on this subject and I have mine, and they both seem to conflict with one another.

For sure… we all view life through the lenses we’ve formed through our experiences.

SD

 

[po18guy]

Yes I agree with you that it is not a good practice and I can understand what you are saying because just yesterday on another post the Protestands were painted with a broad brush insinuating that all Protestants are like that. Which was not true. So I can understand and agree with what you are saying here.

In a forum, we are essentially standing in a crowd. Someone in that crowd will always shout something inappropriate. However, in a Catholic forum, no one should be surprised when they encounter a vigorous defense of the Catholic faith. In the end, mutual respect governs.

 

[rev_kevin]

In a forum, we are essentially standing in a crowd. Someone in that crowd will always shout something inappropriate. However, in a Catholic forum, no one should be surprised when they encounter a vigorous defense of the Catholic faith. In the end, mutual respect governs.

True its no suprise but it should not be a suprise when the Prostants do the same thing in defense of their beliefs. Yes mutual respect governs but only to the ones who realize that this is nothing presonal and just a debate.

 

[Robert_in_SD]

I do not mean as far as accurately presenting the doctrines and beliefs of Catholicism.

I mean in the sense of accurately representing the superior attitude that Catholics have in relationship to nonCatholics, specifically Protestants. Is that the attitude that Catholics as a whole generally have towards Non Catholics.

Hello AP;

Catholics are just like everyone else in their broken humanity. We suffer fits of pride and hurt feelings and sometimes we react to less than courteous non-Catholics with misguided zeal and even ruthlessness. I see the same thing when I go to non-Catholic discussion boards and am attacked by superior-minded Protestants who look upon my faith with contempt and will not even recognize it as Christian. I pray for patience and for charity. But like all of us, I slip sometimes.

So, during this Advent season, I ask for forgiveness for any time I may have made someone feel inferior by posting comments and responses to this forum. And may we all find extra helpings of charity and good will in our spiritual stockings this season.

May the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding be with you this Christmas,
-Robert

 

[Kirk_O]

To make things confusing as to my denomination, I am actually Baptist but I am a non-denominational preacher. Now the reason for this, and I have been critized for it many times here, is that I preach in nursing homes and there are many different religions there that want to hear the word of God so not to offend any religion, which I have been critized for this also, I preach in a general way. I do however tell the other religions to go by what your religion teaches you and believes in. I only preach what is in the Bible and try to avoid subjects that may offend or conflict with their beliefs. See I preach to people in their 80’s and 90’s and if I say anything they disagree with they will let me know in a quickness. So far I have not had one complaint about my preaching style from the residents, residents families, or the staff.
I hope this answers your question.

I see no problem with the way you preach. God is using you to spread His word and His love. I believe the Catholic Church is the true Church, but I recognize there are many Christians out there that just don’t see it. So it is not my place to change there minds. It is my place to love each and every one of them, the same goes for non-believers. I see you doing the same thing.

 

[Robert_in_SD]

It seems to me that if you disagree with their teachings {the Catholic teachings} you are attacking their religion. Protestants have been told that they teach heresy, they are not one with God, the way they worship is not reverent enough, your pastors have no authority because its not condoned by the Catholic faith and so on. Now they {Catholics} have the right to defend their faith but when a Prostestant starts to defend their faith and beliefs they are all of a sudden against God and Scripture because its not what the Catholics believe. Now if a Catholic is wrong about what they say the rest will back him/her as if its the Protestants fault. I believe that both sides often go too far in defending their faith. But in my opinion the Catholics take it a bit too far which puts a bad taste in the mouths of Protestants about he Catholic faith.

I think that there are some (a few I would say) who take it too far on both sides. There are bible-beleiving protestant christians who would tell Catholics they are hell-bound idol-worshipping pagans, while others will actually hesitate to call Catholics christian at all. I think that good dialogue has to start with first recognizing the large amounts of commonality that we share: Love of God, Love of Christ, the Trinity, baptism, etc. All of these common and shared beliefs should be acknowledged (even if implicitly) so that we can understand from the outset that although we are separated by some doctrines and beliefs, we are not standing so very far apart. From there we can have our disagreements about what the Scriptures say, and what we are to believe as members of the body of Christ. And to start from this point requires charity and mutual respect. I’m not saying that we give in to the heresy of indifferentism, but that we all see that there is common ground from which we can work towards truth.

Peace,
Robert

 

[Deconi]

I do not mean as far as accurately presenting the doctrines and beliefs of Catholicism.

I mean in the sense of accurately representing the superior attitude that Catholics have in relationship to nonCatholics, specifically Protestants. Is that the attitude that Catholics as a whole generally have towards Non Catholics.

The answer to your question is in your own life and surroundings! Have you ever encountered Catholics ARGUING about anything religious in your own surroundings? Do they argue with an air of ‘superiority’ as protestants or non-christians do?

The only time a Catholic argues a point, is WHEN you directly hold them to a point in conversation and even then, most ‘concede’ the argument and ‘walk away.’ Not because they cannot argue the point, but because they do not want to argue.

In here, it is different! In here, we have the time to engage and refute, correct, or agree on a point of contention. In here, we can ‘face’ and argument without the elements of ‘the louder you argue the more right you are,’ which is never the truth. Most people who want to discuss Catholicism in life, normally start off with an accusation about what Catholics do or believe! That kind of approach cannot be conducive to sidewalk discussion because it calls for arguments…and no one likes arguments, let alone arguing with insistent ‘idiots.’

The one thing about here though is the ‘free’ thought among Catholics. Many are surprised that we have dissenting views and actually differ on a spectrum of issues. People think we’re brainwashed cattle that just follow blindly without question.

The difference is, in spite ALL the disagreements or differing thoughts among Catholics, we ALL AGREE that whatever The Church decides on the issue, THAT IS WHAT WE ACCEPT!

As for the Bible knowledge? We know more about the contents of Scriptures than ANY other Christian! The difference is, we are NOT passage and verse sticklers! It’s THE WHOLE of Scriptures that is taught us! Not, commit this verse and this verse to memory! It why protestant enquirers can ask us on the street, “where’s that in the Bible?” and the Catholic will look “Blank!”

By the same token, when a Catholic hears a Bible passage being explained ‘erroneously’…we think, “Hey! I’m pretty sure that’s NOT what that passage means, because it says something different elsewhere!” The problem is, we have to look it up because we do not carry Bible verses in snippets in our heads!

We are too busy trying to ‘carry’ the entire Scriptures in our hearts and lives!

 

[rev_kevin]

I see no problem with the way you preach. God is using you to spread His word and His love. I believe the Catholic Church is the true Church, but I recognize there are many Christians out there that just don’t see it. So it is not my place to change there minds. It is my place to love each and every one of them, the same goes for non-believers. I see you doing the same thing.

Thank you I try to do my best for God although it may seem hard at times but I ask God for strength and the words to speak.

 

[rev_kevin]

I think that there are some (a few I would say) who take it too far on both sides. There are bible-beleiving protestant christians who would tell Catholics they are hell-bound idol-worshipping pagans, while others will actually hesitate to call Catholics christian at all. I think that good dialogue has to start with first recognizing the large amounts of commonality that we share: Love of God, Love of Christ, the Trinity, baptism, etc. All of these common and shared beliefs should be acknowledged (even if implicitly) so that we can understand from the outset that although we are separated by some doctrines and beliefs, we are not standing so very far apart. From there we can have our disagreements about what the Scriptures say, and what we are to believe as members of the body of Christ. And to start from this point requires charity and mutual respect. I’m not saying that we give in to the heresy of indifferentism, but that we all see that there is common ground from which we can work towards truth.

Peace,
Robert

Yes I would agree that we need to find common ground and build from there. I have said on this forum that we beleive in the same God and got negitive reactions, not by all but by some. I never called a Catholic non-Christian because I don’t believe they are. Although I have gotten into many heated debates where it got pretty ungly on both sides. Now there are those who can resite passage after passage in the Bible but to me that only proves they have a good memory. I have said that we believe in the Trinity, Baptism, love of God and Christ and have been told that I can’t because I’m not of the Catholic faith and only they can. Not trying to start a agument but with comments like that it seems pretty self-centered and un-Chistian like. But it also goes both way, I have heard non-Catholics say the same thing. But you are right if we look we have more in common they we think we do and the main thing we have in common is the belief in God.

 

[Kirk_O]

It is because you ask, you will receive. He always answers our prayers, if they align with His will.

I’m not sure if you read up on the saints of the Catholic Church, but give it a try. You’ll find many that where just like you. We have to suffer here on earth (my opinion) and give God everything (fact). Now suffering can be many things, it could even be going to the retirement homes and helping those dear souls. It is not easy taking care of the needy that is a form of suffering.

God Bless

 

[Kirk_O]

Thank you I try to do my best for God although it may seem hard at times but I ask God for strength and the words to speak.

It is because you ask, you will receive. He always answers our prayers, if they align with His will.

I’m not sure if you read up on the saints of the Catholic Church, but give it a try. You’ll find many that where just like you. We have to suffer here on earth (my opinion) and give God everything (fact). Now suffering can be many things, it could even be going to the retirement homes and helping those dear souls. It is not easy taking care of the needy that is a form of suffering.

God Bless

 

[izoid]

To make things confusing as to my denomination, I am actually Baptist but I am a non-denominational preacher. Now the reason for this, and I have been critized for it many times here, is that I preach in nursing homes and there are many different religions there that want to hear the word of God so not to offend any religion, which I have been critized for this also, I preach in a general way. I do however tell the other religions to go by what your religion teaches you and believes in. I only preach what is in the Bible and try to avoid subjects that may offend or conflict with their beliefs. See I preach to people in their 80’s and 90’s and if I say anything they disagree with they will let me know in a quickness. So far I have not had one complaint about my preaching style from the residents, residents families, or the staff.
I hope this answers your question.

Is it Southern Baptist or a different branch?

 

[izoid]

True its no suprise but it should not be a suprise when the Prostants do the same thing in defense of their beliefs. Yes mutual respect governs but only to the ones who realize that this is nothing presonal and just a debate.

I understand what you are saying but is it really correct to come to a Catholic forum and tell Catholics how wrong they are? When you go to someones home should you not be on your best behavior? Do you enter and immediately begin criticizing the furnishings?

 

[Ignatius]

I do not mean as far as accurately presenting the doctrines and beliefs of Catholicism.

I mean in the sense of accurately representing the superior attitude that Catholics have in relationship to nonCatholics, specifically Protestants.

Your impression is in error. A great many, if not most, of the Catholics on this site are converts from Protestantism. We certainly have a deep love for our former denominations and deep respect for what we had received from them. But I would say we had to have great humility to admit when they had found the fullness of the Truth. Some were even pastors of sizable congregations and had to make great sacrifices including their very livelihood in order to follow the Truth that they learned. These are not actions of arrogant or selfish people.

May the grace and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ descend upon you and remain with you always.

Your servant in Christ.