How should I handle this?

[OneAugustKnight]

This week at my friends’ protestant Bible study I ran into some comments I wasn’t prepared for. A woman made a joke that she didn’t know how to pray aloud because she was Catholic and everyone laughed. Then later a couple of people complained that they tried to be Catholic, but that Catholics were too judgmental and not accepting, especially of divorced people. What should I have said? I got angry and didn’t say anything.

Also I found a copy of a book by Elaine Pagels in the Adoration Chapel so I took it out. Is that appropriate reading material for the Adoration Chapel? I didn’t think so.

 

[Prague]

I think you need to find a Catholic Bible study group.

 

[hawko]

I think you need to find a Catholic Bible study group.

I agree.

If you being Catholic, are going to a protestant bible study, it will only cause confusion about your own faith unless you are solidly grounded in Catholic teachings.

 

[Katrina5]

If you are outnumbered, you need to find a Catholic Bible Study, or talk to your pastor or priest about starting one in your parish.

I have been in both, and remarks like that-- “Catholics don’t know the Bible” get old and it isn’t true anymore.

A supposedly “non-denominational” Bible group was very anti-Catholic. They don’t get it.

Loyola Press has some wonderful group oriented study books called Six Weeks with the Bible. Also The Bible Blueprint by Joe Paprocki is a good starter book for a new Catholic Bible Study.

Taking that book out of the chapel-- yes, that’s the right thing to do.

 

[wheels10]

This week at my friends’ protestant Bible study I ran into some comments I wasn’t prepared for. A woman made a joke that she didn’t know how to pray aloud because she was Catholic and everyone laughed.

Does this woman not know how to pray the “Our Father…”, “Hail Mary…”, “Glory Be…”, etc, ? Perhaps they were referring to less formal prayers? Then yes, these are typically said in private.

Then later a couple of people complained that they tried to be Catholic, but that Catholics were too judgmental and not accepting, especially of divorced people. What should I have said? I got angry and didn’t say anything.

Perhaps Catholics are judgmental, but I would think that would be due to the lives that they attempt to live. I would like to think that most Catholics, even though we are all sinners, will try to follow the teachings of The Holy Catholic Church which includes the Catechism and the Bible. So if a Catholic person wishes to promote a Life that does not follow these teachings then hopefully other Catholics will in a kind and discrete manner provide them with information that will help them gain a better understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church. And to further answer your question, I hope that as Catholics and as Christian we always remember to Love the sinner and hate the sin!

Also I found a copy of a book by Elaine Pagels in the Adoration Chapel so I took it out. Is that appropriate reading material for the Adoration Chapel? I didn’t think so.

If this book was promoting Gnosticism then I think the following link might answer your question: newadvent.org/cathen/06592a.htm

 

[Mark77]

This week at my friends’ protestant Bible study I ran into some comments I wasn’t prepared for. A woman made a joke that she didn’t know how to pray aloud because she was Catholic and everyone laughed. Then later a couple of people complained that they tried to be Catholic, but that Catholics were too judgmental and not accepting, especially of divorced people. What should I have said? I got angry and didn’t say anything.

Also I found a copy of a book by Elaine Pagels in the Adoration Chapel so I took it out. Is that appropriate reading material for the Adoration Chapel? I didn’t think so.

**So sad!

We Catholics have prayed the liturgy aloud by the hundreds of millions worldwide daily for 2000 years!

You need to speak up at these occasions in a charitable way that disproves these false claims promulgated by the ignorant, both Catholic & non-Catholics alike!

If you say nothing you are like Peter denying Jesus!**

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

 

[musicality]

I think you need to find a Catholic Bible study group.

Why not SPEAK UP. I don’t know what it is on CAF, but many posters seem reluctant to evangelize protestants as if it is impossible (notice how this thread is in the evangelization section).

You heard someone say something, and you disagreed. Why not say, “I disagree,” and just roll with it from there?

 

[OneAugustKnight]

I do go to a Catholic Bible study. I just also go to a Protestant one. The Protestants want to be my friends and the priest and the Pope said we need to bring lapsed Catholics back to the Church. They won’t go to the Catholic Bible study so I go to theirs. I’m going after the lost sheep.

I thought it would be more open to discussion but normally they just say something like, “I don’t know how to pray out loud, I was raised Catholic.” and everyone laughs. It’s not a discussion when they do that, they are just slamming Catholics. Or they relay a story about Catholics treating them badly. They aren’t talking about doctrine, it’s more along the lines of calling Catholics unloving, stupid, boring, or saying the Church didn’t teach them about the Bible. How do you refute bad feelings and experiences?

 

[Catholic1954]

I do go to a Catholic Bible study. I just also go to a Protestant one. The Protestants want to be my friends and the priest and the Pope said we need to bring lapsed Catholics back to the Church. They won’t go to the Catholic Bible study so I go to theirs. I’m going after the lost sheep.

I thought it would be more open to discussion but normally they just say something like, “I don’t know how to pray out loud, I was raised Catholic.” and everyone laughs. It’s not a discussion when they do that, they are just slamming Catholics. Or they relay a story about Catholics treating them badly. They aren’t talking about doctrine, it’s more along the lines of calling Catholics unloving, stupid, boring, or saying the Church didn’t teach them about the Bible. How do you refute bad feelings and experiences?

In spite of your good intentions, you don’t seem to be getting anywhere with these folks. It almost sounds like some of them are going out of their way to insult you and the Church. If they were really interested in true discussion and exchange of ideas, they would attend the Catholic Bible Study with you. You cannot change minds that do not want to be changed, the Holy Spirit does that. I would drop out of that Bible Study and concentrate more on Catholic teaching.

 

[OneAugustKnight]

But 2 of them are interested in going to Adoration with me.

 

[musicality]

you don’t seem to be getting anywhere with these folks.

How could you possibly pull that sort of assumption out of this thread with so little information? Maybe the OP is getting somewhere with one or two of them. Maybe the OP just started going to this study and hasn’t had time to “get anywhere.”

Like I said earlier, do not give up on this immediately. Nothing in this thread has indicated to me that the OP should immediately leave this study.

I would drop out of that Bible Study and concentrate more on Catholic teaching.

OneAugustKnight: I do go to a Catholic Bible study. I just also go to a Protestant one.

Question for the OP: Is this study being led by a layperson or by a protestant minister? Also, do they know that you are Catholic?

 

[Katrina5]

I do go to a Catholic Bible study. I just also go to a Protestant one. The Protestants want to be my friends and the priest and the Pope said we need to bring lapsed Catholics back to the Church. They won’t go to the Catholic Bible study so I go to theirs. I’m going after the lost sheep.

I thought it would be more open to discussion but normally they just say something like, “I don’t know how to pray out loud, I was raised Catholic.” and everyone laughs. It’s not a discussion when they do that, they are just slamming Catholics. Or they relay a story about Catholics treating them badly. They aren’t talking about doctrine, it’s more along the lines of calling Catholics unloving, stupid, boring, or saying the Church didn’t teach them about the Bible. How do you refute bad feelings and experiences?

Good for you for trying to bring back lapsed or converted Catholics. I think it takes a special person to even try to do that!
Have you looked at CatholicsComeHome.org? The founder of that organization may have some ideas or materials that would help.
I think this is a “new mission field” but it can be very frustrating. The reasons people leave the church to become protestant are many, sometimes it’s doctrine, but usually it is personal.
Pray to the Holy Spirit to guide your words. You have to be very careful in what you say.

I met someone who had left the church because a nun called him a “pagan” in second grade. He was very bitter about it and left the church as soon as he could leave home, after high school.
He was in his forties when I met him, and STILL upset and angry over this ONE incident.
He described this classroom that some of the boys were acting up-- second graders-- and the nun said something like, “You bunch of little pagans, quiet down!”
And he left the church over it.

As for Catholics “not knowing the Bible” I am sick of that line, and many Catholics repeat it. The mass is almost completely from the Bible.
Catholics pray the Liturgy of the Hours-- all from the Bible.

We are accused of “rote prayers”, instead of “Father God, we just ask you to just bless us” etc.
We don’t tend to isolate a verse from the Bible (take it out of context) and memorize it and then use it to prove a point. Most of these people memorize about 16 - 20 verses and then repeat them as necessary.

Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth is a great little book from CA that is Catholicism in a nutshell-- ALL Biblical.
God Bless You. I will keep you in prayer because you are a brave person.

 

[OneAugustKnight]

How could you possibly pull that sort of assumption out of this thread with so little information? Maybe the OP is getting somewhere with one or two of them. Maybe the OP just started going to this study and hasn’t had time to “get anywhere.”

Like I said earlier, do not give up on this immediately. Nothing in this thread has indicated to me that the OP should immediately leave this study.

OneAugustKnight: I do go to a Catholic Bible study. I just also go to a Protestant one.

Question for the OP: Is this study being led by a layperson or by a protestant minister? Also, do they know that you are Catholic?

They alternate the leader of the of study amongst the members of their church, so it’s generally a lay person and sometimes the pastor’s wife. She invited me, she said she is not trying to convert me, it’s about fellowship. She knows I am Catholic, they all should since I make the Sign of the Cross before and after they pray and I am not shy about how much I love the Church.

 

[Big_Dummy]

Monica Carroll I think the pastor’s wife is lying, her goal is to convert you.

You should tell her of the comments that you find offensive and break off contact with her.

 

[Della]

They alternate the leader of the of study amongst the members of their church, so it’s generally a lay person and sometimes the pastor’s wife. She invited me, she said she is not trying to convert me, it’s about fellowship. She knows I am Catholic, they all should since I make the Sign of the Cross before and after they pray and I am not shy about how much I love the Church.

I agree with Big Dummy in that, in spite of her protestations, the reason you were invited by the pastor’s wife is to try to convert you. Having been in such situations in non-Catholic churches I can tell you that you are on their prayer list for conversion, and that these snide little comments about Catholicism are meant to disenchant you from Catholic belief and practices.

If the non-practicing Catholics there are joining in, they have already been wooed away and are simply pretending to still be Catholic in order to pull you away, as well. If you think your fellow Catholics are merely confused/uninformed, then invite them meet privately with you to talk over the things they don’t understand.

There is no reason why you have to stay to be “worked on” if no one is taking you seriously or you can’t defend Catholic teaching because 1) they won’t listen or 2) you can’t find the words. If it’s the first case, you’re casting your pearls before swine. If it’s the second, you are insufficiently prepared for such an outreach and should study more and pray for guidance or give it up if you discern it’s pointless to go on.

 

[musicality]

They alternate the leader of the of study amongst the members of their church, so it’s generally a lay person and sometimes the pastor’s wife. She invited me, she said she is not trying to convert me, it’s about fellowship. She knows I am Catholic, they all should since I make the Sign of the Cross before and after they pray and I am not shy about how much I love the Church.

In that case, I would think it very appropriate for you to outright defend your faith. They know that you are Catholic, and it is disrespectful for them to make fun of your faith. I would suggest speaking your mind.

Katrina5 gave some good advice.

If this becomes an issue to the point where you feel uncomfortable or where you don’t feel that there is any benefit in attending the study, then I would suggest leaving the study.

I won’t try to suggest what the pastor’s wife’s intentions are as I don’t know the woman or her possible motives.

 

[fhansen]

This week at my friends’ protestant Bible study I ran into some comments I wasn’t prepared for. A woman made a joke that she didn’t know how to pray aloud because she was Catholic and everyone laughed. Then later a couple of people complained that they tried to be Catholic, but that Catholics were too judgmental and not accepting, especially of divorced people. What should I have said? I got angry and didn’t say anything.

Also I found a copy of a book by Elaine Pagels in the Adoration Chapel so I took it out. Is that appropriate reading material for the Adoration Chapel? I didn’t think so.

Well, if you don’t mind being a little confrontational, you could bring up this passage:
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Matt 6:5

As a Protestant, I eventually got tired of having to make up “spontaneous prayers”. There was a lot of show involved. As a Catholic I appreciate our rote prayers more than I used to-and while there’re times for praying aloud, I also appreciate the simple humility present in private conversations with God.

 

[Della]

Just to clarify something I wrote. I too have no real idea what the pastor’s wife intended, and shouldn’t have ascribed motives to her about which I cannot be certain. Having said that, though, in every Evangelical/Non-denominational/Pentecostal church I ever worked with, people were encouraged to use any method to bring people in and divorce them from their church affiliations, if they were any kind of liturgical Christian, but especially if they were Catholics. If I am wrong about this particular case, I would be very surprised indeed.

 

[PJM]

=OneAugustKnight;6980353]This week at my friends’ protestant Bible study I ran into some comments I wasn’t prepared for. A woman made a joke that she didn’t know how to pray aloud because she was Catholic and everyone laughed. Then later a couple of people complained that they tried to be Catholic, but that Catholics were too judgmental and not accepting, especially of divorced people. What should I have said? I got angry and didn’t say anything.

Also I found a copy of a book by Elaine Pagels in the Adoration Chapel so I took it out. Is that appropriate reading material for the Adoration Chapel? I didn’t think so.

My friend please do not take offence at my first comment. Grandpa used to say that “when we look for trouble we are more likely to find it.”

What was your motive for going to a non-Catholic Bible study? To make converts? Seems to me not the right time or group.

You might have asked “what did Jesus teach us about charity?” or Why do you say "Catholics don’t pray outloud? Mass is largly a vocal prayer, and within Mass we recite the Lords Prayer out loud.

Did the other members KNOW that you are a practicing Catholic? If so, then you must speak up in defense of our faith. If you are unwilling or unable to do that; then you should avoid such situations.

Love and prayers,
Pat

 

[qui_est_ce]

My friend please do not take offence at my first comment. Grandpa used to say that “when we look for trouble we are more likely to find it.”

What was your motive for going to a non-Catholic Bible study? To make converts? Seems to me not the right time or group.

You might have asked “what did Jesus teach us about charity?” or Why do you say "Catholics don’t pray outloud? Mass is largly a vocal prayer, and within Mass we recite the Lords Prayer out loud.

Did the other members KNOW that you are a practicing Catholic? If so, then you must speak up in defense of our faith. If you are unwilling or unable to do that; then you should avoid such situations.

Love and prayers,
Pat

PJM, I was in a Bible study like this once. Everybody knew I was a Catholic. It was the first Bible study I ever participated in, so I was probably naive. They were constantly bashing Catholics. Here’s a sample of what went on:

*Catholic Bibles don’t have the whole Lord’s Prayer

Some Catholics might end up in Heaven

Catholics don’t read the Bible

When I got married, I wanted to marry a Christian, but my fiance was Catholic. So I made him stand on the balcony and shout “Jesus is my personal Lord and Savior” three times so he could get saved.*

I was getting irritated by the digs, but I decided God put me there for a reason. I stuck it out for several years. Their digs made me learn more about my faith, and I was able to respond to their misconceptions.

The usual reply was, “you’re different, most Catholics don’t.(insert lie)…”

About this time Scott Hahn cassettes were coming out. When I felt I couldn’t be charitable enough, I quit the non-denominational Bible study, and started one at my Parish.

I hope I put a seed into that group. I have never met such an anti-Catholic bigotry as I did in that “non-denominational” Bible Study. Even my Protestant friends were shocked at the vitriol. They ended up quitting too.

I think it’s important for Catholics to witness Protestants. Some of them are shockingly ignorant about the Catholic faith. Leave the conversion to the Holy Spirit!