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Little_Mary
Guest
You’re my kinda guy
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Little_Mary
Guest
I think Jews and Catholics have this in common: They are constatnly persecuted because of their faith - and oral tradition is always criticized.Hi all!
Catholics think that they get hassled/“witnessed” at by fundamentalist Protestant missionaries?
Try walking around in the USA with a beard and a kipa (i.e. yarmulke; the former is the Hebrew word, the latter Yiddish) on, thus identifying yourself as an orthodox Jew.
I’ve found that a polite, “No thank you; I’m not interested,” will usually do the trick.
Be well!
ssv
Now, please enlighten this Catholic (and give me credit for publicly displaying my lack of knowledge about many things)
…what IS a kipa/yarmulke??
Thanks and God bless
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stillsmallvoice
Guest
Hi Little Mary!
They are the beanie-like skullcaps that we typically wear (and which can be crocheted, made out of velvet, made from some kind of fabric, etc.). See jewfaq.org/signs.htm#Yarmulke.
Be well!
ssv
They are the beanie-like skullcaps that we typically wear (and which can be crocheted, made out of velvet, made from some kind of fabric, etc.). See jewfaq.org/signs.htm#Yarmulke.
Be well!
ssv
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1ke
Guest
Church Militant:
He opened his bible and witnessed to me and I witness right back and left him a very perplexed Baptist after reading 1 Peter 3:21.
Yes, I was witnessed to by a baptist missionary on his way with a large group to do mission work in Mexico. I was in the middle seat on a plane from Atlanta to Houston, right in the middle of their group.
He opened his bible and witnessed to me and I witness right back and left him a very perplexed Baptist after reading 1 Peter 3:21.
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mkw
Guest
Living in the southern “Bible Belt”,being witnessed to is a fact of life. :crying:
The J W’s are the worst!!..Relentless sort of folks. Followed closely on the heals by the Southern Baptist. Actually, its a toss up as to which one is more a pain in the @#@#…
But I kinda have a soft spot for the Mormons. After all, they are usually just KIDS doing what they are told to do by the “elders”. Most of them are very sweet young men.
Can they pull me away from the only church established by Jesus Christ on the Rock of Peter?..NO WAY!!,But the more tracts they give me, the less there is to give to my neighbors, plus its $Money$ out of THEIR pocket to print more.
The J W’s are the worst!!..Relentless sort of folks. Followed closely on the heals by the Southern Baptist. Actually, its a toss up as to which one is more a pain in the @#@#…
But I kinda have a soft spot for the Mormons. After all, they are usually just KIDS doing what they are told to do by the “elders”. Most of them are very sweet young men.
Can they pull me away from the only church established by Jesus Christ on the Rock of Peter?..NO WAY!!,But the more tracts they give me, the less there is to give to my neighbors, plus its $Money$ out of THEIR pocket to print more.
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Steph700
Guest
Guys, I hate to admit this, but I used to be one of those people out there “witnessing”. I’m a convert in progress (hoping to come “home” Easter 2006 
) but a few years ago when I was in high school I went on a missions trip through my family’s church. Our missions trip was to puerto rico and our main targets were Catholics. In fact, before we headed off to PR, my youth pastor arranged it so that we could meet with a couple from our church who had converted from Catholicism to “real Christianity” so that they could tell us all the terrible things about the Church, and then we attended mass as a group. All of this was to prepare us for the culture we’d be witnessing in.
I am so embarassed by this now and still harbor a lot of anger towards the people who mislead me about the Church, even though I know their intentions probably weren’t bad… it still upsets me a lot and I find that I can no longer go to my family’s church, even on holidays, b/c of this reminder of what my family’s church sponsored.
So please accept my apologies if you have been “witnessed to” by a protestant… most of them are well-meaning. And hopefully if our Catholic apologetics are up to par, these times can actually be opportunities to tell others about the True Church.
) but a few years ago when I was in high school I went on a missions trip through my family’s church. Our missions trip was to puerto rico and our main targets were Catholics. In fact, before we headed off to PR, my youth pastor arranged it so that we could meet with a couple from our church who had converted from Catholicism to “real Christianity” so that they could tell us all the terrible things about the Church, and then we attended mass as a group. All of this was to prepare us for the culture we’d be witnessing in.I am so embarassed by this now and still harbor a lot of anger towards the people who mislead me about the Church, even though I know their intentions probably weren’t bad… it still upsets me a lot and I find that I can no longer go to my family’s church, even on holidays, b/c of this reminder of what my family’s church sponsored.
So please accept my apologies if you have been “witnessed to” by a protestant… most of them are well-meaning. And hopefully if our Catholic apologetics are up to par, these times can actually be opportunities to tell others about the True Church.
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Church_Militant
Guest
Steph700 said:
Guys, I hate to admit this, but I used to be one of those people out there “witnessing”. I’m a convert in progress (hoping to come “home” Easter 2006 ) but a few years ago when I was in high school I went on a missions trip through my family’s church. Our missions trip was to puerto rico and our main targets were Catholics. In fact, before we headed off to PR, my youth pastor arranged it so that we could meet with a couple from our church who had converted from Catholicism to “real Christianity” so that they could tell us all the terrible things about the Church, and then we attended mass as a group. All of this was to prepare us for the culture we’d be witnessing in.
I am so embarassed by this now and still harbor a lot of anger towards the people who mislead me about the Church, even though I know their intentions probably weren’t bad… it still upsets me a lot and I find that I can no longer go to my family’s church, even on holidays, b/c of this reminder of what my family’s church sponsored.
So please accept my apologies if you have been “witnessed to” by a protestant… most of them are well-meaning. And hopefully if our Catholic apologetics are up to par, these times can actually be opportunities to tell others about the True Church.
Steph…I could use the colored parts to tell my story as well. You sum it all up really really well. I know just exactly how ya feel.
Pax vobiscum,
Guys, I hate to admit this, but I used to be one of those people out there “witnessing”. I’m a convert in progress (hoping to come “home” Easter 2006
) but a few years ago when I was in high school I went on a missions trip through my family’s church. Our missions trip was to puerto rico and our main targets were Catholics. In fact, before we headed off to PR, my youth pastor arranged it so that we could meet with a couple from our church who had converted from Catholicism to “real Christianity” so that they could tell us all the terrible things about the Church, and then we attended mass as a group. All of this was to prepare us for the culture we’d be witnessing in.I am so embarassed by this now and still harbor a lot of anger towards the people who mislead me about the Church, even though I know their intentions probably weren’t bad… it still upsets me a lot and I find that I can no longer go to my family’s church, even on holidays, b/c of this reminder of what my family’s church sponsored.
So please accept my apologies if you have been “witnessed to” by a protestant… most of them are well-meaning. And hopefully if our Catholic apologetics are up to par, these times can actually be opportunities to tell others about the True Church.
Steph…I could use the colored parts to tell my story as well. You sum it all up really really well. I know just exactly how ya feel.
Pax vobiscum,
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pnewton
Guest
Church Militant:
Count me in, too. I have did my share of door-to-door, if-you-were-to-die-tonight, four spiritual laws, witnessing. In all fairness, we mostly looked for those who were not going to church anywhere and did not target Catholics. Any we came across was just collateral damage.
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Church_Militant
Guest
:irish1:
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maddmaxx1200
Guest
**When my dad was alive he LOVED it when the Mormons and JW’s came to the door…he taught Sunday School for 40+ years and knew his Bible better than most ordained pastors do. They would start with their usual “do you know Jesus” and dad would say “of course” and he was off to the races. Many times they said they would be back with an elder…never saw them again **
**Me personally I have been witnessed to many times. The Prot church I left a friend of mine (an ex-Cath who now refuses to debate with me because I found what he lost
) first invited me out to. I liked the service and the people were very friendly…because they wanted to reel me in which they did. It was simply a numbers game of how many visitors did you have this week, how many baptisms this month, how much is your weekly contribution and how much are you pledging for (the annual) special contribution. Also since I am school there are a lot of people on campus going about looking for sinners to save–I don’t give them any indication what I am…I simply quote the Bible and watch their jaws drop **
****Me personally I have been witnessed to many times. The Prot church I left a friend of mine (an ex-Cath who now refuses to debate with me because I found what he lost
) first invited me out to. I liked the service and the people were very friendly…because they wanted to reel me in which they did. It was simply a numbers game of how many visitors did you have this week, how many baptisms this month, how much is your weekly contribution and how much are you pledging for (the annual) special contribution. Also since I am school there are a lot of people on campus going about looking for sinners to save–I don’t give them any indication what I am…I simply quote the Bible and watch their jaws drop **
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Church_Militant
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maddmaxx1200 said:**When my dad was alive he LOVED it when the Mormons and JW’s came to the door…he taught Sunday School for 40+ years and knew his Bible better than most ordained pastors do. They would start with their usual “do you know Jesus” and dad would say “of course” and he was off to the races. Many times they said they would be back with an elder…never saw them again
**Me personally I have been witnessed to many times. The Prot church I left a friend of mine (an ex-Cath who now refuses to debate with me because I found what he lost
Good answer maddmaxx1200. I find the same thing when I give as good as I get.
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snowgarden
Guest
The last time someone tried to witness to me was the night before I left BYU. My LDS home teachers came over and wanted to meet with me and my roommates one last time before I left. I had been going to BYU for a little over 3 years looking for “the truth” , but the final straw was when I saw Pope John Paul back East in 1979 and finally realized that no matter the faults of the people, the Catholic Church was given Authority from God to represent Christ on earth. The guys came to our apartment and instead of just saying goodbye to me they began a lesson on the signs of the “true” church. After a few sentences, I realized my roommates had alerted them that I was returning to my Catholic roots. I politely excused myself and went into the bedroom area. I got into the shower and began singing really loud all of the objectional Catholic songs that might offend them…“we pray for the Church, our true mother, on earth”…I was bad! After a bit, one of my roommates knocked on the door and told me how rude I was being. I was, but I just felt finally free of trying to be so good and nice to everyone. I guess the they thought I was crazy, but it was my way of making a statement.
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Church_Militant
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PJR
Guest
Steph says she …
“…meet with a couple from our church who had converted from Catholicism to “real Christianity” so that they could tell us all the terrible things about the Church, and then we attended mass as a group. All of this was to prepare us for the culture we’d be witnessing in.”
This rings a bell for me. A couple Sundays ago, still during Lent, I noticed some women sitting behind me at Mass that appeared a little uncomfortable and out of place. That’s not uncommon for non-catholic visitors who may be guests or just seekers. But, they made some 'sort of ’ nasty comments re the liturgy such as “well, we’re gettin our exercise, anyway!” and they just had a rather disapproving air. I don’t know how else to explain it. Usually seekers and guests are a little more positively interested in what is going on-confused and lost maybe, but not ‘disgusted’.
Could they have been about to go on a mission to save us?
I have prot relatives who were going to Haiti and some other Catholic areas in Central America. I had a feeling it was to convert the papists. I’m really glad I didn’t offer them any monetary gifts for their little trips.
I live in the bible belt, Catholics are very much a minority. It just amazes me every time I find out how anti-Catholic the people witnessing to me are. There is almost a hatred. It isn’t subtle either. A man we were considering hiring as a building contractor sat in my living room and made the comment, “You are Catholics? Y’all get drunk in church and all, don’t ya?”
If they say these things to your face, what are they saying in their churches? BTW, he didn’t get the job.
Count me in as being a" Witness to Ignorance", Paula
“…meet with a couple from our church who had converted from Catholicism to “real Christianity” so that they could tell us all the terrible things about the Church, and then we attended mass as a group. All of this was to prepare us for the culture we’d be witnessing in.”
This rings a bell for me. A couple Sundays ago, still during Lent, I noticed some women sitting behind me at Mass that appeared a little uncomfortable and out of place. That’s not uncommon for non-catholic visitors who may be guests or just seekers. But, they made some 'sort of ’ nasty comments re the liturgy such as “well, we’re gettin our exercise, anyway!” and they just had a rather disapproving air. I don’t know how else to explain it. Usually seekers and guests are a little more positively interested in what is going on-confused and lost maybe, but not ‘disgusted’.
Could they have been about to go on a mission to save us?
I have prot relatives who were going to Haiti and some other Catholic areas in Central America. I had a feeling it was to convert the papists. I’m really glad I didn’t offer them any monetary gifts for their little trips.
I live in the bible belt, Catholics are very much a minority. It just amazes me every time I find out how anti-Catholic the people witnessing to me are. There is almost a hatred. It isn’t subtle either. A man we were considering hiring as a building contractor sat in my living room and made the comment, “You are Catholics? Y’all get drunk in church and all, don’t ya?”
If they say these things to your face, what are they saying in their churches? BTW, he didn’t get the job.
Count me in as being a" Witness to Ignorance", Paula
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maddmaxx1200
Guest
**Thank you CM 
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aloejamb
Guest
What great questions!!
The most recent was by my brother-in-law. He was raised catholic…which is why this is so sad. He left the Church a few years back and became baptist. Then he left that church and Now he is just a “bible” christian. He attends a church in Kent, OH. Very anti-catholic. Walked into our home a few months back, looked at my husband and said, “Brother, you are being deceived.” Went on to talk about the usual things…you know…The whore of babylon theory, Mary, and the Pope (May he rest in peace). Wanted to send us a book so our eyes would be opened…“the Two Babylons” I think it was called.
Our reaction??? Jaw dropping!
Trying to defend our faith to him is almost impossible. He doesn’t keep quiet long enough for us to respond. He is like an automatic card shuffler who spits out bible verses so rapidly you can’t get a word in edgewise!! I told him God gave him one mouth and two ears and if he would close his mouth for one minute both of those ears would open. :banghead:
I have to say though, he makes me know my stuff. I know my faith now like never before. So he is a blessing in that sense.
The thing that makes me the saddest is that we had picked him for our son’s godfather and this weekend is my son’s first communion. Needless to say, words were exchanged over that. Lessons are learned the hard way sometimes!
Alekzander, When you said people who get rejected in life seem to get a power trip off telling others they are going to hell…you hit the nail on the head. That is alot of what he is all about. I also think he likes to hear himself talk. This church he goes to claims to have recaptured those apostolic times and that they walk in the spirit and not the flesh so they hardly sin. Wasn’t there a thread recently on the seven deadly sins…#1 being pride?? Hmmm.
Thanks for this thread Church Militant…it’s been nice venting that!!
In Peace and love,
B
The most recent was by my brother-in-law. He was raised catholic…which is why this is so sad. He left the Church a few years back and became baptist. Then he left that church and Now he is just a “bible” christian. He attends a church in Kent, OH. Very anti-catholic. Walked into our home a few months back, looked at my husband and said, “Brother, you are being deceived.” Went on to talk about the usual things…you know…The whore of babylon theory, Mary, and the Pope (May he rest in peace). Wanted to send us a book so our eyes would be opened…“the Two Babylons” I think it was called.
Our reaction??? Jaw dropping!
Trying to defend our faith to him is almost impossible. He doesn’t keep quiet long enough for us to respond. He is like an automatic card shuffler who spits out bible verses so rapidly you can’t get a word in edgewise!! I told him God gave him one mouth and two ears and if he would close his mouth for one minute both of those ears would open. :banghead:
I have to say though, he makes me know my stuff. I know my faith now like never before. So he is a blessing in that sense.
The thing that makes me the saddest is that we had picked him for our son’s godfather and this weekend is my son’s first communion. Needless to say, words were exchanged over that. Lessons are learned the hard way sometimes!
Alekzander, When you said people who get rejected in life seem to get a power trip off telling others they are going to hell…you hit the nail on the head. That is alot of what he is all about. I also think he likes to hear himself talk. This church he goes to claims to have recaptured those apostolic times and that they walk in the spirit and not the flesh so they hardly sin. Wasn’t there a thread recently on the seven deadly sins…#1 being pride?? Hmmm.
Thanks for this thread Church Militant…it’s been nice venting that!!
In Peace and love,
B
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Church_Militant
Guest
** I love you guys!** It’s both sad and funny most of the time but I really feel for some of you. I fully agree with aloejamb about being forced to learn our faith in order to answer craziness that we get hit with since that was exactly what happened to me while I was away from the faith and it’s what made me take a much closer look and that (by the Holy Spirit and the intercession of several saints along with the Blessed Mother) is what brought me home to the Catholic Church. I love the Church and I share that love with anyone who will listen, but I will not stand for someone to badmouth her. It’s just not right and most times they have no clue what they’re talking about.Pax vobiscum,
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netmender
Guest
aloejamb -
You mention that your bro-in-law wants to send you a book called “The Two Babylons”. I’ve seen that book myself - used to own a copy. Pretty ridiculous, hop-scotching all through ancient pagan symbols and “facts”, and trying to pin it all on the Catholic Church. Actually, it helped open my eyes to the errors that can result when a person starts off with an anti-Catholic mindset.
There is non-Catholic minister, named Ralph Woodrow, who has written a refutation of it, showing how the arguments don’t add up. It’s called “The Babylon Connection?”. What’s interesting is that this same Mr. Woodrow had once written a book in favor of it, came to see the error, and then wrote the refutation! Still not 100% favorable towards the Church, though - but at least provides an answer to “The Two Babylons.”
You mention that your bro-in-law wants to send you a book called “The Two Babylons”. I’ve seen that book myself - used to own a copy. Pretty ridiculous, hop-scotching all through ancient pagan symbols and “facts”, and trying to pin it all on the Catholic Church. Actually, it helped open my eyes to the errors that can result when a person starts off with an anti-Catholic mindset.
There is non-Catholic minister, named Ralph Woodrow, who has written a refutation of it, showing how the arguments don’t add up. It’s called “The Babylon Connection?”. What’s interesting is that this same Mr. Woodrow had once written a book in favor of it, came to see the error, and then wrote the refutation! Still not 100% favorable towards the Church, though - but at least provides an answer to “The Two Babylons.”
J
juno24
Guest
Church Militant:
A Jehovah’s Witness co-worker
No, it felt like a half-hearted attempt at witnessing
Not overtly, no.
We speak often about so many different topics, that at first I did not realize that was what she was doing, so my reaction was the same as it would be for any topic of conversation, that is, I just talked to her about whatever she brought up.
Sometimes. If the topic of religion comes up, I do.
I usually get angry, first off. But I try to keep that under control and simply correct the “misunderstanding” of the attacker.
As I said above, I did not realize at first that she was witnessing at me; it just seemed like a regular conversation. Then, the more we talked, the more it felt like a half-hearted attempt at witnessing. She started off by saying how there was no biblical evidence whatsoever for the Trinity. When I told her there certainly is she dropped the subject entirely. Not kidding-- she did not pursue that one at all. The next time, she asked about the Catholic Church’s view on birth control (specifically tubal ligation), and I explained to her in depth the relationship among God, Husband and Wife, and how purposely cutting off the possibility of procreation actually cuts God out of one’s marriage. Her eyes bugged out and her jaw dropped. I truly believe she had NEVER considered the intimacy of the marriage act as a trinity in itself. After she recovered, she gave the standard JW line-- “Hmmm… I’ll have to check into that further and I’ll get back to you.” (Of course she never really did.) That was when I fully realized she was witnessing at me.
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