Is the Catholic Church the most misrepresented organisation of all time?

[MH84]

There are so many misconceptions and lies about the Church and her beliefs. I know that much.

If it is not the most misrepresented organisation, what is?

 

[VociMike]

Probably a toss-up between the Catholic Church and the Jews. Hmm, why might that be?..

 

[ralphinal]

I think that it is, but we are also the oldest organization on earth that I am aware of. The longer you are around, the more people can attack you.

 

[reteeks21]

I think that it is, but we are also the oldest organization on earth that I am aware of. The longer you are around, the more people can attack you.

Don’t give yourself too much credit. The other person had it right when they mentioned the Jews. They were way before Catholics and they have endured way more than your church has or will endure. In fact, much of the persecution and slaughter they went through came from your church.

 

[MH84]

Don’t give yourself too much credit. The other person had it right when they mentioned the Jews. They were way before Catholics and they have endured way more than your church has or will endure. In fact, much of the persecution and slaughter they went through came from your church.

Well, the Jews are not an “organisation” are they?

Also, we are talking about misrepresentations, not persecution. But I guess in a way persecution could be part of being misrepresented.

Oh, btw I think Protestants like you (the anti-Catholic type) probably misrepresent the Church the most.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

The Jews are not an “organisation” are they?

Also, we are talking about misrepresentations, not persecution.

Actually, one of the misrepresentations of the Catholic Church is “how much” “our church” has persecuted the Jews. It fits with the conversation if you think about it.

 

[reteeks21]

The Jews are not an “organisation” are they?

Also, we are talking about misrepresentations, not persecution.

Does it really matter? Judiasm can be seen as a group pf people united by their faith even if they are spread all around the world. What makes the catholic church an organization? The fact that they have a pope, parishes, a bank, stock holdings etc?

And as far as persecution go, they started as a result of how Jews were misrepresented and villianized by many folks, especially the catholic church. Don’t excuse its actions because it may not fit how you would like people to answer.

 

[MH84]

Does it really matter? Judiasm can be seen as a group pf people united by their faith even if they are spread all around the world. What makes the catholic church an organization? The fact that they have a pope, parishes, a bank, stock holdings etc?

And as far as persecution go, they started as a result of how Jews were misrepresented and villianized by many folks, especially the catholic church. Don’t excuse its actions because it may not fit how you would like people to answer.

Well, I think its fair to say that what ever Protestantism got, it got from the CC.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

Don’t excuse its actions because it may not fit how you would like people to answer.

It seems you are a classic example of someone misrepresenting the Catholic Church.

 

[reteeks21]

It seems you are a classic example of someone misrepresenting the Catholic Church.

Nope. Just stating exactly what we know from history. I am not condemning the church; just pointing out a fact that happened long ago that led to some disasterous results. Every church does some bad things, but it is quite clear that many popes and other catholics led great persecutions and pogroms against Jews. It is just a fact. How is that a misrepresentation? Just because you don’t like what I have to say? Because it brings up the mistakes that the catholic church made that you don’t want to acknowledge? Do not accuse me when all I did was point out a fact.

 

[ibkc]

Nope. Just stating exactly what we know from history. I am not condemning the church; just pointing out a fact that happened long ago that led to some disasterous results. Every church does some bad things, but it is quite clear that many popes and other catholics led great persecutions and pogroms against Jews. It is just a fact. How is that a misrepresentation? Just because you don’t like what I have to say?

Hey reteeks, no one is denying that, but it is being pointed out that it is besides the question at hand. In the interest of fairness, I’m sure you’ll allow me to point out that Jews and Protestants have also persecuted Catholics and other Christians. This isn’t to invoke relativism but to let it be known that we are ALL sinners and ALL religious groups are guilty of persecuting another group at some point in time. So, don’t be so high and mighty about this point. It’s disingenuous.

To answer the question, I’d say that in the United States, the Catholic Church is certainly one of the most misrepresented organizations of all time. I don’t think it’s accurate to say that about the whole world, but definitely the United States.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

Nope. Just stating exactly what we know from history. I am not condemning the church; just pointing out a fact that happened long ago that led to some disasterous results. Every church does some bad things, but it is quite clear that many popes and other catholics led great persecutions and pogroms against Jews. It is just a fact. How is that a misrepresentation? Just because you don’t like what I have to say? Because it brings up the mistakes that the catholic church made that you don’t want to acknowledge? Do not accuse me when all I did was point out a fact.

First of all, I stated it “seems” you are a classic example of someone who misrepresents the Catholic Church. I did not state that as fact. Having said that, your reaction to my comments (your presumption that it is due to what you have to say regarding the Catholic Church) still lead me to believe that you are a classic example of someone who would misrepresent the Catholic faith.

I never said the Catholic Church hasn’t made mistakes. If you’re looking for a contemporary example for our times, look no further than the sexual abuse scandal.

 

[reteeks21]

First of all, I stated it “seems” you are a classic example of someone who misrepresents the Catholic Church. I did not state that as fact. Having said that, your reaction to my comments still lead me to believe that you are a classic example of someone who would misrepresent the Catholic faith.

**My apologies. I do not ever seek to misrepresent the catholic church. Around my parts, I am a DEFENDER of catholics. (I live in the South) I am not judging you guys or anything like that. In fact, if ANY Christian church does disgusting things, I am willing to admit it, even if it is my church. Though I struggle with pride like anyone else (just ask my wife), I am usually quick to admit it. Sorry if I came across in the wrong manner. **

 

[Pinkyyy]

Well, I think its fair to say that what ever Protestantism got, it got from the CC.

Then why say Catholics have the most “chance” for salvation or as some extremes say over and over “the Church is the only way to salvation”. Personally I don’t think Jesus cares too much about having a specific way of doing things. I think he’d rather have a religious enthusiastic Protestant than a Catholic just doing things “in motion” and “just bcause the church told them too” (I am not saying that all Catholic are like that - but some are, admit it.)

 

[mercygate]

Stylteralmaldo;3619606:

First of all, I stated it “seems” you are a classic example of someone who misrepresents the Catholic Church. I did not state that as fact. Having said that, your reaction to my comments still lead me to believe that you are a classic example of someone who would misrepresent the Catholic faith.

**My apologies. I do not ever seek to misrepresent the catholic church. Around my parts, I am a DEFENDER of catholics. (I live in the South) I am not judging you guys or anything like that. In fact, if ANY Christian church does disgusting things, I am willing to admit it, even if it is my church. Though I struggle with pride like anyone else (just ask my wife), I am usually quick to admit it. Sorry if I came across in the wrong manner. **
Accepted! Thanks. That is generous of you.

Actually, it was partly because of misrepresentations of the Church that I was drawn to learn more about her. I had come across people like Jack Chick and Bart Brewer and realized that something was seriously wrong.

 

[ralphinal]

Don’t give yourself too much credit. The other person had it right when they mentioned the Jews. They were way before Catholics and they have endured way more than your church has or will endure. In fact, much of the persecution and slaughter they went through came from your church.

First, I would not characteris the Jews as an organization. Judaism, perhaps, but not “the Jews.” Yes they have suffered. In northern and eastern Europe, in the Middle East, in fact almost anywhere. However, how much of it was a misrepresentation of teaching and how much of it was an assault on a group of people? Honestly, if you think that they were persecuted because people did not know what they beleive, you give evil way to little credit.

 

[reteeks21]

reteeks21;3619629:

Accepted! Thanks. That is generous of you.

Actually, it was partly because of misrepresentations of the Church that I was drawn to learn more about her. I had come across people like Jack Chick and Bart Brewer and realized that something was seriously wrong.

Those two dudes are pathetic. They are the poster children for birth control (NO hidden undertones or ideas mentioned there; just tongue-in-cheek)! Your reasons for studying up on it are the same reasons I have done it. I despise people that bash catholics, and protestants, for ignorant reasons.

 

[reteeks21]

First, I would not characteris the Jews as an organization. Judaism, perhaps, but not “the Jews.” Yes they have suffered. In northern and eastern Europe, in the Middle East, in fact almost anywhere. However, how much of it was a misrepresentation of teaching and how much of it was an assault on a group of people? Honestly, if you think that they were persecuted because people did not know what they beleive, you give evil way to little credit.

I did not mean to imply that their beliefs were necessarily misrepresented by catholics, no. I meant, and maybe I should have said it, was that much of their reasons for suffering was because they were portrayed as Christ killers; like they were the only people responsible for putting Jesus on the cross.

 

[GregoryPalamas]

You may be right that the Catholic Church is the most misrepresented organization on earth except for the Jews. Many are misunderstandings but most step from a desire for power. The majority of the common people always defended the Church. What we have seen is the relentless pursuit of arrogant men to grab for political secular power. The Church was always in its way pointing toward God as the supreme power. Look at Henry IV who tried to grab power but was blocked for a time by Pope Gregory VII. Look at Luther who hid behind the German nobility and was used by them. If Charles V and Pope Leo had not been distracted he would not have got away with it. Look at Napoleon who imprisoned two successive popes but the people rose up against him. Look at how the French Archbishop was murdered in the mid nineteenth century and Pope Pius XI rejected the blind grab for power this and other actions represented. Pope Pius wound up under virtual house arrest for his troubles. Look at the popes leading up to WWI who tried to convince the power mad leaders of Europe not to go to war but was brushed aside. Look at Pius XI attempts to get the allies not to punish the Germans at Versailles but to no avail. Look at how today the goofs accuse Pius XII of being “Hitler’s Pope” when Pius’ contemporaries including the Jews hailed him as a hero and Himmler called him a greater threat to Nazism than either Churchill or Roosevelt. I could go on and on. There are nutballs all over the world who think the Pope robs people’s money to build churches instead of giving money to the poor. In truth Catholic Charities remains one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. People build those Churches. In fact I wish people would either stop building the more recent ones because they are so barren and ugly compared with Church built prior to WWII. (But that’s a topic for another thread).

I think the Catholic Church does qualify for being one of if not the most misrepresented organization on the planet. Most of the misrepresentations start quite intentionally by those who lust for power and glory.

CDL

 

[ralphinal]

I did not mean to imply that their beliefs were necessarily misrepresented by catholics, no. I meant, and maybe I should have said it, was that much of their reasons for suffering was because they were portrayed as Christ killers; like they were the only people responsible for putting Jesus on the cross.

OK. That is better. Honestly, there are several reasons that they have been persecuted. The lable of Christ-Killer, as theologically bad as it is, was only one small one and generally it was used as a rallying cry.