I don't want protestant influences or friends in my life, is this ok?

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That sounds a little…mean.
Also massively impractical if you live in the US, or UK, or Canada which are majority Protestant.

My mom’s whole side of the family is Protestant, and I have lovely Protestant friends and co-workers who are truky God-fearing people…

That said, if you’re shaky in your faith, or are still in a learning curve about the Catholic church, it’s not unreasonable to avoid religious-based conversations for the time being as you’re learning your own religion.

Peace
 
Padre Pio lived in a predominantly Catholic society. The US (where I assume you live) is not religiously homogeneous, so it’s not easy to keep purely Catholic company. I’ve tried, but I live in Texas so it’s virtually impossible unless I move to my great grandma’s old Italian/Polish neighborhood.
 
I think the poster’s attitude is a bit extreme. The poster could take the time to reevaluate his/her position and start with WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Jesus would probably take the opportunity to preach-preach-lead by example. And didn’t Jesus hobnob with sinners and less than desirable citizens? “IN MY HOUSE THERE ARE MANY MANSIONS” Time for a reality check?
 
CHAZER2222 said:
Careful Eric, i told someone on here a few hours ago that there is no salvation outside the church, but a mod sent me a message and told me that that wasn’t a catholic teaching, however im 99% is is otherwise whats the point, i might as well go join the baptists etc.
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Clearly there has been a misunderstanding of what the Church believes and teaches, for you and the OP. People are saved who are not within the visible confines of the Catholic Church. Unless, of course, you think that Moses and Elijah are not saved…
 
MaryEstelle2 said:
I think the poster’s attitude is a bit extreme
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Yes, he may have put with a lot the way I did. Protestant baggage. I had resentment that was wrong, but strangely enough, it wasn’t until I became Catholic that I was able to offload that resentment.

Another thing that happened was that the prayer director for an enormous [but friendly] North Atlanta Baptist mega church moved in to the house right next to mine. She was one of the most wonderful and loving people I have ever met. Interesting story, her daughter, met a Catholic, and married him. Even my friend had large misconceptions about the Catholic Church and that changed. It was an all around win-win.
 
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If practicing catholic friends are nearly impossible to find, and if one is unwavering in the catholic faith, Christian friends might be considered as great treasure,

If a protestant is brought up believing the protestant faith is the path to Heaven (rather than the True Catholic Faith), and they keep the Commandments, precepts of the faith, and loves God and their neighbour, they can reach Heaven too

The Church distinguishes between rebellion and confusion. The anathema refers to those who knew better but rebelled. The Catechism clearly states that Protestants today cannot be put into this category. They have been raised without full knowledge, and taught some things incorrectly. They have the basics to enter heaven, and on other issues are simply confused.

What is a grave sin according to the Catechism is:
If you know the Catholic church is the one true faith, and choose another denomination or religion, that is turning one’s back deliberately on the True Catholic Church.

If you do not know the Catholic church is the true church, and sincerely serve God, God understands that,

Catechism Quote:

‘Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the gospel of Christ or his Church but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience—those too may achieve eternal salvation.’

“Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men” (CCC 846-48,
 
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My dad might be the best answer to the question of protestants in our lives. Mom was faithful RC, dad with generic protestant, though outside of the occasional funeral, wedding, or reception of the sacraments by any of his 4 kids (me included) He never was seen in Church, anywhere. He did however, love and respect my mom and those times when mom was ill and couldn’t take us to Mass on Sunday, dad did, waited for us in the car outside church, and asked the ushers to keep an eye on us. Upshot is that after 40 years of exposure to his Catholic wife and kids, he converted when he was 62 and lived seven years as a faithful and involved practicing Catholic. My last memory of my Dad was after a Christmas Eve mass, he and I drove home together and he couldn’t tell me how much his new found faith meant for him. Made his passing very easy for me because no man ever had a better dad than I did.
I guess what I am saying is, live life as a knowledgeable, faithful, and joyful Catholic; you might be surprised what happens “down the road.”
My $.02
 
As a youngster Saint John Bosco had a friend who was a jew. He converted the Jew the catholicism. When he heard his friends mom was going to beat the jew for converting, he went to her himself and said; ‘Do not hurt my friend. It is due to me that he converted. If you wish to harm anyone, do so to me, not him.’
 
Be careful, your thought appears to be extremely exclusionary and unchristian. Christ tells us we are to love our neighbors, this means everyone. I understand there are differences in beliefs, but that doesn’t mean you cut people out of your life. We all fall into many categories - religion, race, gender, age, economic status. Where do you draw the line as to who you associate with? As a former Baptist, protestants are not the enemy. The true enemy is sin.
 
Jesus was friends with tax collectors, unbelievers, pharisees, the sick, the poor, (with the people that no one else would be friends with). The lepers were cast out into the desert nearly. And Jesus befriended and healed them.

If Jesus hadn’t befriended Zaccheus, (he would have remained a cheat),
Or the woman at the well, (she would have kept up her life of having several husbands),
Or Mary Magdalene (she would have been stoned to death)
 
CHAZER2222 said:
there is no salvation outside of the church apart from extreme circumstances, Baptism of desire, act of perfect contrition. but generally speaking.
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You appear to misunderstand the teaching of the Church, who considers all who are validly baptized persons members.
 
“That’s not how this works…that’s not how any of this works…”
 
Dlee said:
Be careful, your thought appears to be extremely exclusionary and unchristian. Christ tells us we are to love our neighbors, this means everyone. I understand there are differences in beliefs, but that doesn’t mean you cut people out of your life. We all fall into many categories - religion, race, gender, age, economic status. Where do you draw the line as to who you associate with? As a former Baptist, protestants are not the enemy. The true enemy is sin.
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This 100%. I was too upset by the OP to put it into such charitable language. I agree.

You know, every Protestant you meet might be only a few months or years away from being Catholic. You never know.

While some individuals might be rude, you’re talking about ostracizing millions of people you’ve never met. There might be some wonderful Protestants out there who would be a blessing to you, and you might be a blessing to them.
 
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Ericj5592 said:
Has anyone had this problem as a Catholic of having or wanting to avoid Protestants at all costs? I
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How about other non-catholics? Jews? Hindus? Secular Humanists? Jehovahs Witnesses?

Do you have a problem with wanting to avoid those folks as well/
 
Augustinian said:
How about other non-catholics? Jews? Hindus? Secular Humanists? Jehovahs Witnesses?

Do you have a problem with wanting to avoid those folks as well/
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How are you going to hide from every non-Catholic out there in real life? We are meant to be the light of the world, not hide that light under a bushel basket.
 
It can be challenging at times to have Protestants as friends. But you can suffer them patiently and there is enough in common that is not a constant struggle. Just respect each other’s boundaries.
 
Augustinian said:
How about other non-catholics? Jews? Hindus? Secular Humanists? Jehovahs Witnesses?

Do you have a problem with wanting to avoid those folks as well/
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I think there may be a cloistered monastery in the future!
 
ShowersofRoses said:
You know, every Protestant you meet might be only a few months or years away from being Catholic. You never know.
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That was certainly me not too long ago. On Halloween 2016, I was busy celebrating the 499th anniversary of Protestantism and eagerly looking forward to the 500th anniversary the following year. When the 500th anniversary came around, I spent the day looking forward to All Saints Day and praying for my Protestant friends and family to come (back) to Catholicism.
 
So your solution for a few coworkers judging you unfairly for being Catholic is to judge all non-denominationals?
 
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