Handling anti-Catholic bigotry online or in person

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Totally agree. I get knocked around pretty regularly on CAF defending the Protestants from Catholics.
 
It’s been my experience that online debates with anonymous individuals tends to quickly reach a point of diminishing returns. The vast majority of people I’ve interacted with are not simply anti-Catholic, they are militantly anti-religion and (unknowingly) use caricatures and outdated historical/philosophical points to build what amounts to a paper-thin case against the Church, it’s leadership and Her faithful. You can sometimes find people who are at least willing to dialogue or read articles but hearts are not typically won for Christ via persuasive arguments (although this is no reason for us to have poor apologetics, as per 1 Peter). If you’re on Facebook, Reddit or similar social media sites that allow you to private message I’ve found that’s a good route to try early on- simply invite that person to PM you if they’d like to have a more thorough debate without the influence and potential mud-slinging of entire friends lists or random strangers. Some people want nothing to do with that kind of dialogue- they want to drag their soap box out into the digital public square, spew their misinformation and walk away without any care in the world if you have legitimate arguments. Those folks don’t typically find one-on-one debate capable of scratching their itch for a more public ridiculing of Christianity. If you do find someone who is willing to dialogue the best thing to do is 1) have your own ducks in a row- be ready with links to articles and books, as well as be familiar with basic apologetics and 2) firmly request proof of their position (for example, the Crusades or the Galileo affair are often cited as a kind of “common knowledge” one-two punch against the Church, but the historical record differs greatly from what most people think they know. Make them produce their own proofs to back up their position. Put them on defense early.)

The other point is to be prudent. PM people information you want to share with them as opposed to calling them out on social media. Pick your battles carefully- we aren’t supposed to defend the Faith at every instance of inaccurate memes and articles. I share a lot of articles from CA and other sources throughout the week- I have no idea if the people I intend them for actually see them but I feel like I’m doing something while not being directly confrontational.
 
I recently had a very unpleasant tête-à-tête with an Orthodox woman (life long / Chicago background / child of Russian immigrants). She was so anti-Catholic I fancied she was actually shaking a little bit from it while talking with me. This is not online - in person. I have to come to believe when I experience these kinds of spiteful, judgmental attitudes in Christians against other Christians that it is the presence of a demon - no joke. Got that from the Desert Fathers, ironically (whom she has never read). I civilly ended and walked away from our tense conversation accordingly. The devil stalks the land - and lodges in many a human heart. And every single confession or denomination. So does Christ thankfully.
 
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In the past when I have been cursed by those people I try always to say, “May God’s blessing be upon you.”
 
I tend to think the Church Fathers are good references, if they like to read.
They contain many testimonies on how they lived their faith, the early doctrines, traditions, etc.
All of which are too Catholic-like to ignore.

Of course, many protestants can’t even take Catholic advices seriously, due to indoctrination.

This tends to lead conversations to heated grounds.
Protestants are not always fun to handle, sometime they make you laugh… sometime, cringe.
That’s why you always got to pray, so the Holy Spirit guides you when talking to them.

Peace out
 
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CatholicGearSolid said:
I tend to think the Church Fathers are good references, if they like to read.
They contain many testimonies on how they lived their faith, the early doctrines, traditions, etc.
All of which are too Catholic-like to ignore.

Of course, many some protestants can’t even take Catholic advices seriously, due to indoctrination.

This tends to lead conversations to heated grounds.
Protestants People are not always fun to handle, sometime they make you laugh… sometime, cringe.
That’s why you always got to pray, so the Holy Spirit guides you when talking to them.

Peace out
Click to expand...
Adjusted for accuracy.

AKA…FIFY
 
Lol, you’re probably right…
even though I truly meant to say “protestants”
 
Its not all Protestants who belittle the Catholic Church, its also some of the Orthodox who seem to think the Catholic Church is in error. Most of those who are anti-Catholic seem to stem from fringe denomanations. Most really have no idea what the Catholic Church teaches and what they think they know is what they have been told and taught. These types of people are not interested in learning what Catholic’s really believe or not believe they have made their own minds up and look to spread lies thinking it will convince people that what they say is true. Its sad really and very unchristian like. They also tend to distort what Catholic’s say in order to make themselves look good and knowledgiable of Scripture when in fact nearly all of the time their private interpretations are based on what they want it to say and mean instead of what Scripture actually says and means. All one can do in the end is pray for them that they will come to the truth.
 
This last Friday, I was at the local Synagogue (my civil law wife is re-connecting with that part of her heritage), service had ended and I was in line for the Oneg (after service snacks) when the 20-some young lady next to me said “talk about stupid religions, the Catholic Church is the stupidest!”

“Bead-squeezer, right here” I found myself saying out loud.

“What?”

“I’m a bead-squeezing, mackerel-snapping, Mary-worshiping Papist”

“You’re joking?”

“No, I’m serious.”

“Why are you here??”

“Mt wife is Jewish”

“Well I was raised Catholic!”

“I was 26 years away–but now 'm back. Oooh, brownies!”
 
“I was raised Catholic.”

Which, for some weird reason, automatically gives them a PhD on what the Church teaches.
 
After all the conversation you had with these people, you still didn’t understand where their vitriol came from, then you were not either listening to their points or not bothering to ask for understanding for yourself. It’s really ignorant to walk away from a conversation being confused about something when you had the person there to ask. If you don’t agree with their points for being upset, then again, that’s ignorant because they are telling you what upset them and you just don’t agree that they should be upset with that.
 
First, you know if the Spirit Of God rests on them based on how they love the brethren and their fruits. If what you say is true, you have nothing to fear as the power of God clearly rests on your side 🙂

They hate the Catholic Church so much because the truth is not in them and they are of the world, because why else would you be so blessed to be hated for being a follower of Jesus Christ and as a servant of the truth 🙂

You are blessed 🙂 God is not a God of fear but a God of love.

You don’t need to resort to their tactics of uncharitability—in fact, according to what you say, they don’t even love their enemies. Sounds to me they are false prophets and chaff and by their deeds they are exposed for who they really are—children of Satan.

This is my practical response but telling them this will get you nowhere. So my advice is to love them, even turning the other cheek if you have to. I know it’s difficult. Just love them and hear them out why they don’t like the Catholic Church and by seeking peace and making friends with them with charitability and praying for them too (and yourself as you engage them), perhaps the truth will prevail, or at least, the divisions will be reduced. Baby steps, my friend, baby steps. It’s better for you to find what you have in common anyway and not try to win the battle. Just love them even if they don’t love you. I know it’s hard, but we have God on our side and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. If anything, your trial is an excellent opportunity to cultivate the virtue of fortitude and witness to them what it means to love those who hate you and love your enemies and forgive and be merciful. They will get to know what true christian charitability is all about. 🙂
 
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