Is it wrong to debate...?

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CivisRomanusSum

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Hi. I’m aware that every Catholic should be properly educated of his or her faith. By reading lots of tracts in Catholic Answers and threads here on CAF, I’m striving to become an amateur lay apologist.

But whenever I get into debates, I come to doubt myself most of the time. Here are factors and thoughts that prowl my mind as I debate the truths of the Church:

-I might not have the right intentions.
-I fear of being accused of hypocrisy.
-I fear not being charitable in my discourse.
-No matter what charitable word I say, I always have the fear of debating Church doctrine and absolute truths as something arrogant.

Please help me. There’s always something telling me to stop debating as I’m not the right person to do it. But I can’t stand it when I see heresies and uncharitable teachings about God and His Church. But whenever I do get into debates, it’s as if something is telling me to stop (I don’t like accusing myself of being a hypocrite, but it’s mostly that yeah).

I’m all for defending God’s Church. But sometimes I just feel like shutting up because I’m unworthy, locking myself up in my room, and praying for strength and that someone will convert. Is it natural to feel guilty debating on established truths because of my imperfections?
 
Hi Civis,

Welcome to CAF! And congrats on your decision to become a lay apologist. This is a great forum for lay people to have an Apologetics hobby and learn a lot about the faith. I know I have since I started here.

Just my own opinion, but those sounds like good, constructive fears to have. They will help keep you in check and prevent you from going overboard with it. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with debate, but we must always be careful to fact check ourselves, be charitable in our discourse, admit when we were wrong, and admit when we just simply don’t know and need to do more research. Always remember: it’s not about winning an argument, it’s about conversion of souls. If you keep that in mind you’ll be fine.

I have found in my own experience on this forum that you will undoubtedly run into people less charitable than yourself. In those situations, the best thing to do is humbly apologize if you gave any offense and bow out. You’re not going to convince anyone if all they want to do is argue, and the virtuous thing to do in those situations is just leave. Nothing constructive will come out of just a back and forth mud-slinging style of debate.

Other than that though, most people on these forums are very helpful and friendly and more than happy to help you learn more about the faith. Many can engage in constructive debate that is respectful of the other person and both parties walk way feeling like they learned something, even if they don’t come to an agreement.

I hope you enjoy your time here on CAF and welcome again!
 
Hello 🙂 Thanks!

That helped me a lot. I just really want to practice my virtues before preaching them. It would be better to know them by heart than just by mind right?

Anyway, I’ll do my best. 🙂 Please pray for me 😃

Ave Maria! Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
 
CivisRomanusSum said:
Hello 🙂 Thanks!

That helped me a lot. I just really want to practice my virtues before preaching them. It would be better to know them by heart than just by mind right?

Anyway, I’ll do my best. 🙂 Please pray for me 😃

Ave Maria! Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Click to expand...
I will do that. Best of luck!
 
Excellent advice.

I think most important is to “Speak the Truth in the Spirit of Love.” Do not let others anger you. Stay calm. Take a few seconds to respond. Remember the Holy Spirit is with you. Perfect responses are not the minimum standard. LOVE is.

Also, pick the time, place, and participants well. If they are not ready to listen, do not cast your pearls before the swine, so to speak. When you have one or more who will debate, set some ground rules - no personal attacks, no anger, stay on subject, neither side expecting to WIN at that moment but just to share thinking, etc.

Study up. It is not so much what I think, it is more what I have studied. Be prepared to cite works or names of authors. Solid evidence is more persuasive than “take my word for it.” Constantly pray for Wisdom.

Be patient. It is very rare that conversion happens in a flash. Different aspects have to be understood and put together and evaluated for merit. All that takes time. You may not be the one that gets credit for converting someone, but you very well be one of several who provided a key understanding that leads to conversion.
 
I don’t believe that it is wrong to debate. It is wrong to be argumentative, of course.
 
There’s

Acts 19:8 He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly
with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.

As others said, you have to have charity. I try to follow a couple other rules too, but you should proceed how you feel you are called. :o One, I try to give defense of the faith for the most part—not go on the offensive. Just defend your own beliefs mostly–that is the definition of apologetics And second, always stick to the angle of “is it true/false, right/wrong”. Don’t get into too much debate over subjective stuff like if your opponent says something like “I think Karl Keating’s book is bombastic” or something.
 
You missed two biggies in your list of background resources: sacred scripture and prayer.

Deeply immerse yourself in the Bible. That is the only common ground you have with those you are debating. Do this always with the understanding that Jesus founded a Church, not a book and that One holy catholic and Apostolic Church, enabled that beautiful book to be compiled. You’ll find that once you share that same love for Sacred Scripture that our brothers in Christ do, it will be hard to build walls.

Prayer is an absolute must: before during and after debate. You’ll find that through lengthy introspective prayer such as the rosary, the answers will be given to you regarding how you may do things better next time; and with extreme grace, you may even be guided in future events. I can’t emphasize this powerful tool God has given us enough.

Do read the tracts and on-line debates, but they should be the accessories to your core of scripture and prayer, not the sum total of where you are coming from.

Read the Catechism too. It is so reassuring to see how intimately tied together scripture and Tradition really are.

Blessings!
Carol
 
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