I Hate Christians

[mouse_has_faith]

Hi everyone,

I hope I’ve not posted this in the wrong place. I’m relatively new here and still learning my way around, so please go easy on me!
Anyway, I am really fed up with Christians (non-Catholic). I asked some Protestants on a message board for the theological reasoning behind Sola Scriptura. I know the Catholic view, but I wanted to hear their version, to be fair.
The whole thread degenerated into a giant attack on me, and saying all this garbage about Catholics (even though I didn’t mention Catholocism). One guy even started saying Catholocism isn’t older than Protestantism, and that the Catholic church wasn’t the original church.
This really annoys me. I’m doing an Honours degree in Ancient History, and have done my fair share of early Church history. At the church I used to go to, the pastor used to always say this stuff about Ancient Greeks and Romans to illustrate his point, but most of the time he got his information from a Christian book, where the author has obviously not understood the ancient sources. The pastor rarely has accurate information on this topic. I once kindly tried to correct him, even printed out a page from a book by A.H.M. Jones (very highly regarded in the ancient history academic world) refuting his stuff, and he comes back with, “well, what if they’re just saying it?” (They seem to think that all academics have some kind of anti-Christian conspiracy going on. A lot of them don’t like universities. Actually, one woman once told me I was wasting my time at university, and should just go get a job at a coffee shop.)

Anyway, I am just sick of Christians. I know this is terrible, but I really hate them and their Christianity. I hate them for being so ignorant and irrational.
… is there any way to get over this?

Amanda.

 

[JudieK]

Well, first of all, Amanda, you have to stop saying you “hate” anyone. It undermines your own credibility as a Christian… whom Jesus said would be known by their love. Grow a thicker skin. Pray for those other Christians. Forgive them for their ignorance. If you don’t have the stomach for this kind of discussion, stay OFF message boards and blogs. Often times these boards kill your spirit instead of strengthen it. I have had to take long, extended leaves from internet blogging because of how angry they made me. I learned…to cultivate my faith through prayer, frequent reception of the sacraments, service to others, etc. Let God sort it all out. Of course if anyone asks you about the reason for your beliefs, by all means share. But you don’t necessarily need to go looking for a “fight.” Be charitable at all times.

 

[aperez78]

hmm, while i understand your frustration, i can’t say i agree with “hating” Christians. After all, are we not all Christians? In regards to the frustration in dealing with our protestant brothers and sisters, we must understand that we should hold them in earnest respect. Despite them not having an appreciation for Sacred Tradition found in the Catholic faith, we must recognize them as being a part of the same Christian family in light of their baptism in Christ (assuming a validly obtained baptism of course). One of the things that might help to attain this respect for them is to appreciate their love of the Word of God and not look at it as a fault of theirs. We know that a theology based on Scripture Solely falls short of a complete encounter with God, but we should tap into that love of Scripture our Christian brothers have, not disparage it.

 

[redrosetea]

Hate isn’t ever a good idea to say or think…they are misguided and some are bigots…but Christ said we are to pray for people that treat us badly

 

[jmcrae]

Hi everyone,

I hope I’ve not posted this in the wrong place. I’m relatively new here and still learning my way around, so please go easy on me!
Anyway, I am really fed up with Christians (non-Catholic).

I know the feeling, but I wish you wouldn’t call them “Christians” as if to say that Catholics are not Christian - a Christian is someone who is obedient to Christ, and who could possibly be more obedient than Catholics?

They are “Protestants,” or else they are whatever their denomination is - Lutherans, Campbellites, Baptists, Presbyterians, Calvinists, etc. (I am guessing you have run up against some Baptists and Campbellites, from the sounds of things, especially if they think they are the “original” Christians.)

Anyway, to get over it, you give them to God, and you realize that they are doing the best they can with the little they have. They were robbed of their heritage and understanding by the founders of the so-called “Reformation” and they are just repeating the lies that they were taught to believe.

 

[John_Walsh]

In getting past the “hate” part, I’m in accord & there has been much response on that aspect. We are to embrace thruth wherever it is found, ( my pastor’s words in a recent sermon). The problem comes in with not having the full truth and trying to steer around it. I absorbed much from the Protestant truth on my way back from my personal desert while finally purchasing a (Catholic) bible & starting in Genesis. Midway through 1st & 2nd trip cover to cover, I returned for my first confession in 40? years.

I’ll still give Protestants credit for a mountain of great music & preaching & teaching the written word. I love country Gospel & hear “Holy, Holy, Holy” enough to fill in the gaps from my '60’s upbringing.

India’s Ghandi once said that he could accept Christ but not as lived by Christians,(paraphrased).

 

[John_Walsh]

In getting past the “hate” part, I’m in accord & there has been much response on that aspect. We are to embrace thruth wherever it is found, ( my pastor’s words in a recent sermon). The problem comes in with not having the full truth and trying to steer around it. I absorbed much from the Protestant truth on my way back from my personal desert while finally purchasing a (Catholic) bible & starting in Genesis. Midway through 1st & 2nd trip cover to cover, I returned for my first confession in 40? years.

I’ll still give Protestants credit for a mountain of great music & preaching & teaching the written word. I love country Gospel & hear “Holy, Holy, Holy” enough to fill in the gaps from my '60’s upbringing.

India’s Ghandi once said that he could accept Christ but not as lived by Christians,(paraphrased).

I meant to say I am in accord with the responses to your hate.

 

[a_mirror_dimly]

I know the feeling, but I wish you wouldn’t call them “Christians” as if to say that Catholics are not Christian - a Christian is someone who is obedient to Christ, and who could possibly be more obedient than Catholics?

I believe I understand your point, but it should also be noted that the reverse is true is well, Protestants can rightfully lay claim to the title of Christian alongside Catholics, even according to the Catholic perspective. From the Vatican II:

“Even in the beginnings of this one and only Church of God there arose certain rifts, which the Apostle strongly condemned. But in subsequent centuries much more serious dissensions made their appearance and quite large communities came to be separated from full communion with the Catholic Church-for which, often enough, men of both sides were to blame. The children who are born into these Communities and who grow up believing in Christ cannot be accused of the sin involved in the separation, and the Catholic Church embraces upon them as brothers, with respect and affection. For men who believe in Christ and have been truly baptized are in communion with the Catholic Church even though this communion is imperfect. The differences that exist in varying degrees between them and the Catholic Church-whether in doctrine and sometimes in discipline, or concerning the structure of the Church-do indeed create many obstacles, sometimes serious ones, to full ecclesiastical communion. The ecumenical movement is striving to overcome these obstacles. But even in spite of them it remains true that all who have been justified by faith in Baptism are members of Christ’s body, and have a right to be called Christian, and so are correctly accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church.”

Now for the sake of clarity it is often convenient for me to identify myself as a Protestant on these forums, but I identify with that label much less that that of simply Christian, for my faith is defined first and foremost not by a split among believers 500 years ago, but by my faith in Jesus Christ. I never set up a dichotomy of “Christian vs. Catholic”, but do not be surprised to you see me refer to myself as a Christian, for I mean it not as a title of exclusion, but as an acknowledgment the Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

To the original poster. It grieves me to hear that you’ve had such bad experiences. It is my hope and prayer that you would not judge Protestants according to those you find most abrasive, for it seems that your frustration largely comes from the same thing wrongly being done to Catholics.

 

[RobHom]

Amanda, “hate” is a strong, very strong word. I don’t think you “hate” anyone. The definition of hate in Webster’s, both as a noun and a verb…contain words like “intense hostility” or “active hostility”. That means “violence”. I doubt that is what you are feeling or doing.

To me, if you hate a person…it would take very, very little to kill them. Hatred is that strong…it is a destructive thing.

I think maybe you have just acquired a strong dislike for people of a certain ilk…and that is a natural reaction.

How to get over it? Pray for peace and solace in your heart and mind. I often say that little prayer to St. Michael the Archangel… the short version is here:

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

There is a much longer version…and you can find both versions here: traditioninaction.org/religious/b009rpMichael.htm

Why do I say the prayer? Because I have encountered people in my life that just really made my hair stand on end…and I felt the evil coming off of them like the cold coming off a thousand pound block of ice. It mattered not that they appeared to be “preaching” or whatever…

And on a lighter note… Two people were having a discussion, one was critical of the other because one was overweight, and the other was foolish. One said, yes…I’m overweight, but I can lose the weight, but you can’t fix “stupid”.

Now… I don’t really believe that…because “wrongly informed” people can be re-educated. Its a slow process for some. Its almost like de-programming and re-programming. It requires time and patience.

 

[jmcrae]

I believe I understand your point, but it should also be noted that the reverse is true is well, Protestants can rightfully lay claim to the title of Christian alongside Catholics, even according to the Catholic perspective.

Yes, exactly. It would be just as wrong for me to say, “I’m a Christian, not a Protestant/non-Catholic,” as it is for a Protestant to say, “I’m a Christian, not a Catholic.”

Everyone who is baptized according to the Trinitarian formula is a Christian.

 

[Henning]

…Christians…I really hate them and their Christianity… is there any way to get over this? Amanda.

Get a deep picture inside
of the tolerance, patience, and love
Jesus had, for example, for the Pharisees

Leviticus 19:16-17
“…I am the LORD
thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart…”

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

There’s no getting over it, there’s just understanding. Understand that there are a precious few of a certain faith that *will *help you in your understanding of certain beliefs rather than talking trash on other churches. Not *all *Christian (Catholic or not) are completely ignorant.

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood

 

[Ruthie]

Jesus gave us the best advice, as usual. He said, “bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:28 RSV)

I was once afflicted by being assigned to a supervisor with a bad reputation, who was universally disliked. I followed that advice, and prayed for him to get all the blessings that I had, and wanted, for myself.

Gradually, we developed a great working relationship, in fact, the best I ever had. I’ve been retired for 13 years, and I still miss him!

Gosh, Jesus’ advice works. Whaddaya know!

God bless you,

Ruthie

 

[Dempsey1919]

I understand where you are coming from. Protestant Christians, mostly Fundamentalist, have also irritated me in the past. The main thing that bothers me about them is the deep hatred they have for the Catholic Church. Many of them attack the Church, as you found out when you visited their website.

Although many Catholics are guilty of arrogance and triumphalism, myself included at times, the Church herself teaches us to love our separated bretheren. The Catholic Church treats other Christians with the deepest respect. I only wish they would treat us the same.

Don’t hate them as individuals, just hate their ignorance.

Just out of curiosity, are you a Christian?

 

[yellowbird]

Yep - know just how you feel.

My advice would be to stay off Protestant forums… you’ll literally go nuts trying to reason with them… they just REFUSE to see it. I used to frequent a particular board and it was so frustrating because I was the only Catholic. Eventually others joined though - some much better at apologetics than me and they must’ve been making some headway because one day the mods banned each and every one of us.

So yea… it’s frustrating. But no hate. Pray for their misguided souls.

 

[Podo2005]

Hi everyone,

I hope I’ve not posted this in the wrong place. I’m relatively new here and still learning my way around, so please go easy on me!
Anyway, I am really fed up with Christians (non-Catholic). I asked some Protestants on a message board for the theological reasoning behind Sola Scriptura. I know the Catholic view, but I wanted to hear their version, to be fair.
The whole thread degenerated into a giant attack on me, and saying all this garbage about Catholics (even though I didn’t mention Catholocism). One guy even started saying Catholocism isn’t older than Protestantism, and that the Catholic church wasn’t the original church.
This really annoys me. I’m doing an Honours degree in Ancient History, and have done my fair share of early Church history. At the church I used to go to, the pastor used to always say this stuff about Ancient Greeks and Romans to illustrate his point, but most of the time he got his information from a Christian book, where the author has obviously not understood the ancient sources. The pastor rarely has accurate information on this topic. I once kindly tried to correct him, even printed out a page from a book by A.H.M. Jones (very highly regarded in the ancient history academic world) refuting his stuff, and he comes back with, “well, what if they’re just saying it?” (They seem to think that all academics have some kind of anti-Christian conspiracy going on. A lot of them don’t like universities. Actually, one woman once told me I was wasting my time at university, and should just go get a job at a coffee shop.)

Anyway, I am just sick of Christians. I know this is terrible, but I really hate them and their Christianity. I hate them for being so ignorant and irrational.
… is there any way to get over this?

Amanda.

Forgive them for they know not what they do…
Thats the best advice I can give you Amanda, forgive them and move on. You tried your best to ask a question but you ended up getting attacked… by a few people. Not all protestants are like that… even other people can act like that , like us catholics for example ( yes we are sinners also believe it or not). I understand that you’ve been hurt and have gotten angry, I have been in that position also… but think it through, what would our Lord want us to do? Did Jesus not tell us to Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? As CHRISTIAN catholics we have to endure alot in order to become stronger.
So keep those people in prayer Amanda and don’t hate… our greatest commandment was to Love, not hate.
BTW I do hope you realize that by hating “christians” you are hating those who believe in Christ…

Your brother in Christ,
Zachary

 

[mouse_has_faith]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. To answer a few things… yes I am a Christian (Catholic), no I certainly don’t want to kill anyone (!!), and I know Catholics are Christians.
I was just fed up completely with Protestants. The message board I’ve been a member of for approx. 4 years, I asked a standard question, received some civil answers, then people got nasty for no reason! I’m just bitter at Protestantism, because of the ignorance I’ve encountered and what seems to be a real nastiness.
A lot of this comes from when I was a member of a Protestant church. For instance, I was yelled at when I didn’t want to vote for our pastor in the local elections, and was told I was disobeying God and breaking His heart. Another man told me that “there’s just something about you that can’t be trusted… I can’t put my finger on it, but I think you would betray me”, oh and all the mean physical comments and one girl spreading a rumour around I like some guy who I really did not. At all. Once we carpooled to a confrence, and then they knowingly left myself, my sister and my (female) friend stranded at this place, which was in a rural area. 3 young women alone at 11 at night in a rural area without any transport and without access to any public transport.

I don’t want to hate Protestants, but I am so angry and bitter at them. I’ve had nothing but nastiness, cruelty and lies from them. I don’t believe I’m being generalist, because this is something that runs through the whole movement.
I do, however, want to forgive and love. It’s unhealthy to hold on to bitterness and to dislike (as opposed to hate, because I certainly don’t want to kill anyone ), and I intend to try out what you lovely people suggested. Thanks for answering me, thanks for sharing your own experiences and thanks for telling me that you’ve shared my frustration in the past. Knowing that other people have felt the same has helped me.

deus uobiscum