Is it okay if I don't want certain protestant friends?

[Jovian90]

In the last 8 years of my life I have had evangelical protestants try very hard to be my friend, they have been very nice to me, but I still do not trust them, and here is why, I have heard spread lies about the Catholic Church, they would say how Martin Luther stood up to the “false” teachings of the Catholic Church, or how Catholics were “pagans”, there bashing of Catholicism really made me doubt the Catholic Church, and I almost fell away from the Church, but then I started reading the Catechism, and I got so mad at my evangelical “friends” for teaching so much false information about us, it’s like they wanted to liars, and slanderers, so I personally do not want to be friends with them because of this reason, but here is the thing, when my mom died, they went to her funeral, I did not even ask them to come, which didn’t even make sense, but I still think they are a negative influence and I don’t want them as friends. Furthermore, I would like to add that I look up to the ancient Romans, and I heard the Romans didn’t want to associate with people, that didn’t follow their religion(which eventually became Christianity), or speak their language, which was Latin. I hope I didn’t offend anyone, I just was frustrated with certain Protestants for doing the things I just mentioned.

 

[Jovian90]

I see, I don’t mean to hurt anyone with my post, I just have been really confused, and very resentful toward the evangelicals for causing so much confusion for my Christian religion.

 

[Jovian90]

There are Protestants that I like being friends with, who are not like the people I just described.

 

[Cruc3S1gnatus]

Do what puts your mind at ease. Choose friends wisely! Friends help friends get to heaven. They shouldn’t try to pull you down or sow seads of doubt or confusion. The Introduction to the Devot Life by Francis of Sales has some good information about friends and choosing them. It’s worth the read!

 

[Grizzly1]

You should associate with people based on their character and actions. The specific individuals you’re describing seem pretty nasty and so you’re probably better off not being around them when you don’t need to be, but being polite when you do. If they insist on bringing up religion then stand up for yourself and tell them directly to their face that you’re not going to discuss it with them, end of story.

If you don’t want to associate with certain people then don’t do it if you don’t need to. Nothing says you have to.

 

[Theo520]

Try being friends without ‘discussing religion’ as the focus.
If that’s all they want to do, then you know their friendship is feigned.

 

[mdgspencer]

deleted by poster

 

[Monkle_Roo]

You don’t have to be friends with anyone that you don’t want to be. It’s not required that you do.

What is required is that you love them. Even still. (I hope that doesn’t come across as twee and patronising, I mean it sincerely)

Perhaps look at their conversations and Catholic bashing as an opportunity to inform them and instruct them about the Catholic Church and it’s teachings? They’ve been nice to you after all, why not give it a go? You may even become great friends at the end- some of the best friendships are forged in the fire of disagreement coming to understanding.

Did they cause an issue at your mother’s funeral? If they did, I can certainly understand why you will not want to be friends. If not, perhaps they wished to pay respects?

 

[po18guy]

A spiritual act of mercy is to instruct the ignorant. “Ignorant” does not mean stupid and it is not used as an insult. They, for whatever reason, are ignoring the truth - as it does not fit what they have been taught - the greater sin is upon those who taught them the error they believe.

Our job in all such cases is to present the faith, as Christ did, with clarity, charity and even wit. We are not superior - we have simply responded to the grace of unity and, to whatever degree, have humbled ourselves for the sake of truth and unity.

 

[strita]

I have relatives who are self-described as evangelical protestants and they are — well, strange in a way. I am 70, and for all of my life they have not tried to convert me away from Catholicism. But, they considered it important to visit my family and stay in touch over the years. But, in the last couple years I have tried to pry open their minds. I’ve heard that it is difficult to attract evangelicals into the Church.

When I listen to The Journey Home program hosted by Marcus Grodi, he never talks to anybody who was dragged into the Church by Catholics. In every case, or so it seems, he interviews people who have sooner or later found problems where they were and gave up ministry jobs, friends, etc. because they realized the correct way to follow Jesus.

Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit, Faith is a theological (God-given virtue). So, be a good practicing Catholic and hold up your end of the conversation as best you can.

I used to drive around with a Baptist co-worker and we both liked to talk about religion as we drove around. He simply decided to stick to his beliefs (He attended and graduated from Moody Bible Institute – very fundamentalist group). We had our “discussions” for sure.

One thing to observe in your friends is a tendency to use proof texts and say “here it is right here” like the argument for faith-alone. The Catholic approach to scripture, from the get-go, is the “canonical” approach, that is, that we must take all that the Bible teaches. In this faith-alone discussion (which the Bible never says, first of all) is that in the letter of James, it says that we are not saved by faith alone.

Another favorite of Protestants and evangelicals is the “Bible alone” argument – but the Bible never teaches that faith is based on the Bible alone. The New Testament never actually mentions “the Bible.” A key tenet of their belief is something that the Bible never teaches.’’

Martin Luther never condemned indulgences, he was against the selling of indulgences.

The letter of James is short, so I suggest you read it for details of what I said. God Bless. Don’t walk away from any friends – I don’t have many, so take my advice.