How "bad" do you think it is to be a Protestant, especially an Anglican or Baptist?

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EmilyAlexandra

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I came here, naturally enough, because I was curious about Catholicism. However, the more I look into it, the more I realise that there are fundamental points on which I cannot agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church. These include:
  • The Immaculate Conception
  • The perpetual virginity of Mary
  • The Assumption
  • Purgatory
  • Indulgences
  • Transubstantiation
  • Reservation and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
  • Papal infallibility
  • Natural law
  • The necessity of confession to a priest
  • Clerical celibacy
  • Private revelation (e.g. Marian apparitions)
  • Veneration of relics
I have approached Catholicism with an open mind, but I cannot resist the fact that I am far more convinced by Protestantism, specifically non-conformist denominations such as Methodists and Baptists.

I try to be guided in all things by the principle that the things that unite us are greater than the things that divide us. However, I have often sensed on CAF that many Catholics are very hostile towards Protestantism. One accusation that has been levelled at Protestantism is that Protestant denominations have no distinctive beliefs and are all basically the same. Conversely, however, I have on several occasions read that when Protestants find something with which they disagree in their own denomination, they just start a new denomination.

I have sensed a particular animosity towards Anglicanism. In a thread which I started about Anglicanism, there were several quite aggressive comments, e.g. describing Anglicanism as “generic” and saying that Anglican churches are more like museums than churches. Anybody who has taken the trouble to read the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion will know that Anglicanism has a clear doctrinal basis and is anything but “generic”, and anybody who has attended a service at an Anglican church will know that it is nothing like visiting a museum. I have also read several hostile responses to comments posted by Anglican contributors. I fully accept that Catholics will think that many Anglican beliefs are simply wrong, but what I also sense is a feeling that Anglicanism is worthy of a special kind of contempt not expressed towards other Protestant denominations.

I also sense a particular hostility towards Baptists. This seems to be based on some people’s experiences of heterodox and schismatic sects concentrated in certain regions of the United States rather than on an assessment of any more authentic iteration of Baptist Christianity. The Baptists I know are the most tolerant, open-minded people one could hope to meet—sometimes frustratingly so, as it is often hard to pin down what they actually believe about any particular topic. As I understand it, Baptists recognise no higher authority than the local congregation, and they believe in the supremacy of individual conscience.
 
You are Baptist, right? Where did that division come from? Anglican? OK, where did that division come from? The history stops at the door of a certain Church.

As to anger, hatred, etc etc etc, the official reformers teaching was that the pope is the antichrist. That is a foundational flaw. The communities they founded still officially teach it today. We know from Saint John’s letters that the antichrist denies that Christ has come in the flesh. No pope has ever done that. Zero.

It appears that you bring a substantial bias against the Catholic Church here. Those who taught you this can be forgiven, as they knew not what they do. What matters is not how one division of Christ differs from another. What matters is not that this one sounds more acceptable or is more welcoming.

What matters is the truth.

I think that you will benefit by reading a copy of Catholicism for Dummies. It will expose the true origins and teaching of the Catholic faith.
https://www.amazon.com/Catholicism-...p-1119295602/dp/1119295602/ref=dp_ob_image_bk

One other book: Where We Got The Bible by Rev. Henry Graham.
https://www.amazon.com/Where-Bible-...ot+bible+graham&qid=1609131927&s=books&sr=1-1

I do not expect that you will ever be Catholic. However, the Truth of Jesus Christ demands that you at least know about His Church.
 
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No, I have no denominational affiliation, although I incline towards Protestantism, and more likely Methodists or Baptists rather than Anglicans. Presbyterianism and Lutheranism aren’t big where I live, so I have less familiarity with those denominations.
 
What you might consider is persevering in the faith, persevering in you search for truth, investigating and dissecting Christ’s Church, her beliefs, the reasons for those beliefs and the history all the way back to Christ.

Christ did not found a bible Church. He mentioned nothing about what we know as a bible. He wrote nothing that was not in sand, commanded the writing of nothing.

When one sets differences aside and strives toward the truth, a good outcome is guaranteed, as long as one does not stop part way.
 
Protestantism rests on the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. If you have done any searches on Catholic Answers you would quickly see how it simply cannot work. Start with that.

Also, I dont think protestants are all the same. I think they are so completely divisive and different that it cannot possibly be what Jesus intended for his Church.
 
I was Baptist my entire life until I started researching Catholicism. My study was with an open mind and a sincere desire for the Holy Spirit to lead me. Just a couple of things I found right away: Why would Christianity need to change suddenly around 1500? The writings of the early Church Fathers - why shouldn’t we consider what was taught and believed by the early church? We didn’t have the written Bible until 300-400 and the primary source of all teaching was verbal, as in tradition. For me, it was discovering factual early history - primary sources. The objections you question can all be answered if you do a search through Catholic Answers.
 
In fact, to define “Protestantism” at this late date is impossible. Far too many divergences. The Protestant book “Handbook of Denominations in the United States” lists a minimum of 224 different sets of beliefs. All are “bible-based” as that is essentially their only foundation. But not a single one of them can agree on what God’s revealed truth is. So, against scripture, they have decided to agree on the “big things” - except that they cannot agree on what that term means.

I admire their faith. What they do believe and the emotion and fervor with which they believe it is admirable. But not a single one of the denominations can trace back any further than 1500s Europe.

As well, the Orthodox Churches are 95+% like Catholic, but no one hates them. There are no John MacArthur books railing against them. No, many modern sects are filled with fallen away Catholics. Since those congregants are pastor’s income, how to keep the hold on them?

Well, some of them have chosen to teach how bad; how evil the Catholic Church is. Nor a single one of them knows the truth of the Church.
 
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Might I suggest that you speak directly to those individuals whom you feel are hostile?
It almost seems as if you might be painting with a rather broad brush in regard to Catholics and perhaps, confusing the ideas of individual posters with the Magisterium of the Church.
In terms of what the Church teaches concerning other Christian Churches, it might be best to stick to Church documents.
 
EmilyAlexandra said:
I came here, naturally enough, because I was curious about Catholicism. However, the more I look into it, the more I realise that there are fundamental points on which I cannot agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
…
I have approached Catholicism with an open mind, but I cannot resist the fact that I am far more convinced by Protestantism, specifically non-conformist denominations such as Methodists and Baptists.
…
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With Methodism there is an emphasis on use of logic and reason in all matters of faith. Catholicism emphasizes the Holy Spirit to strengthen the free will and intellect in overcoming temptation, so one can die is a state of friendship with God.

Matthew 11
25 At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones. 26 Yea, Father; for so hath it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth the Son, but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him.
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As well, reading one of the many “Lives of the Saints” books will prove illuminating. The hardship and suffering each endured - many to the death - reveal their true love of Christ and His Church. Here are two excellent daily readers:



What is amazing is that, with a few relatively modern exceptions, very few of them had or read a bible. Their spiritual bibles contained only one word:

Love.
 
I meant “Today” Sorry for not specifying. I am addressing the competitive world of the Christian faith in the 21st century.
 
EmilyAlexandra said:
I have sensed a particular animosity towards Anglicanism
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Yes, moderate, reasonable, quiet Anglicanism is seen as particularly treacherous, perhaps because the story of Henry VIII is so well known. But you should read some of the things that have been written here about Br Martin Luther!

🙂
 
Emily, if you are seriously interested in exploring the Catholic faith, I recommend you do it individually with a priest and not on some Internet forum.

One problem I have had consistently with all your posts is that you read them and then make some generalization about Catholics based on whatever you read.

Catholics in general do not have a particular “animosity” towards other faiths.

INDIVIDUAL CATHOLICS may have an issue with some faith like Anglicanism or Baptist, and it’s often because they or their family suffered prejudice, bullying, harassment, loss of family members to the other faith, etc. There are parts of the USA where dealing with Baptists is often not pleasant for Catholics.

Unless and until you stop with making weird generalizations about the Church based on an extremely problematic Internet forum, there’s no point in discussing Catholicism with you further in my opinion.

Good luck. Muting now.
 
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I appreciate your answer so much because it doesn’t try to explain the religion but encourages investigation for truth!!!
 
I was also thinking the Catholic Church doesn’t promote hostility toward any other religion but there might be individuals who have done that. Sometimes remarks here do come across as uncharitable! Sorry about that!
 
EmilyAlexandra said:
No, I have no denominational affiliation, although I incline towards Protestantism, and more likely Methodists or Baptists rather than Anglicans. Presbyterianism and Lutheranism aren’t big where I live, so I have less familiarity with those denominations.
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Which Baptists?

There are hundreds of types of Baptists–which one is your choice?
 
Peeps said:
Which Baptists?

There are hundreds of types of Baptists–which one is your choice?
Click to expand...
We don’t have quite a cornucopia of different Baptists in GB where @EmilyAlexandra is. I would guess she’s talking about the Baptist Union of Great Britain, which is very mainstream.
 
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I can understand why you may have a problem with some of these points. Heck, even Catholics do at times. This is probably because they are not well understood and a lack of understanding is often the key to many problems. They are often misunderstood because they are not well taught. Arguments on CAF or other Internet fora are not the best ways to be taught or to learn.

If you want to know the core beliefs of the Catholic Church I suggest you google The 12 Articles of the Apostles Creed. They state the fundamental basics of what we believe. Obviously, 2000 years of Catholic theology cannot be learnt therefrom. However, it is the very basics of what we believe and I do not think you will find a better starting point. Then perhaps some of the books recommended in this thread.

I do not expect you are going to be convinced enough to go to your local Catholic Church and ask the priest about becoming Catholic. However, I firmly believe that if you are going to argue against something you really should know what you are arguing against. If you want to argue against Catholicism that is your prerogative. But, learn what She teaches before you do so at least you would be arguing against what it is the Catholic Church believes. You also need to know what the Church really believes because if you want to argue against it then you need valid arguments against Her beliefs.

I do not know where you are but another member in this thread said you are from the UK. So am I. You claimed in your OP that there is an anti-non-Catholic bias here. That is not too surprising on a Catholic forum. However, there is still quite an anti-Catholic bias among Protestants in the UK and I wonder whether that has subconsciously affected your attitude towards the Catholic Church.

Please, in charity, learn what we Catholics do believe prior to criticising our beliefs. And, do not just say that belief is wrong but have a good argument for why it is wrong.
 
Anglicanism is a generic title for a wide range of Anglican flavors. I’ve spent a multi-year career, here and elsewhere, explicating that, in detail. It’s too late to replicate it again.

One point raised here, though I might comment on. I’ve done so many, many times in the past, in detail, all now about to be committed to the memory hole. The XXXIX Articles are not normative for Anglicans, in general. Anglicans, considered generally, may affirm, deny, ignore, them, selectively or collectively. This needs far more discussion, and I’ve done so in the past. Too late now.

Anglicans are a motley crew. Probably the last time I will post that, something of a trademark with me.
 
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I think I suspect a touch of gentle sarcasm in your first sentence.

I hope.
 
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