Judgemental Protestants

[Kanade]

We have a history in the US of anti-Catholicism. Things like requiring candidates for political office to take a vow that they did not believe in transubstantiation existed up through the 1920s. We have only had one Catholic president (and he downplayed it) out of 45. It was the religion of immigrants and resulted in the rise of the Nativist party. The statistics really show how much the US changed in a very short time. In 1840, Catholics made up 2% of Americans. By the 1920s, it was 22% (think Irish, German, and Italian immigrants). This caused a huge uproar and groups like the KKK, who were already going after black people, added people with so called ‘immigrant religions’, such as Catholics and Jews, to their target list.

Mild mainstream Protestants do best. Our elite are WASPs. Presbyterians, Methodists and Episcopalians have done very well in politic, historically. Baptists do well in local politics in the South.

Thanks, that’s really helpful interesting that the largest Christian body in the world seems to be treated like the outsider in so many places…

 

[Kanade]

great explanation! thanks!

You’re welcome

 

[GKC]

We have a history in the US of anti-Catholicism. Things like requiring candidates for political office to take a vow that they did not believe in transubstantiation existed up through the 1920s. We have only had one Catholic president (and he downplayed it) out of 45. It was the religion of immigrants and resulted in the rise of the Nativist party. The statistics really show how much the US changed in a very short time. In 1840, Catholics made up 2% of Americans. By the 1920s, it was 22% (think Irish, German, and Italian immigrants). This caused a huge uproar and groups like the KKK, who were already going after black people, added people with so called ‘immigrant religions’, such as Catholics and Jews, to their target list.

Mild mainstream Protestants do best. Our elite are WASPs. Presbyterians, Methodists and Episcopalians have done very well in politic, historically. Baptists do well in local politics in the South.

Can you tell me more about that vow that a candidate did not believe in transubstantiation?

 

[GKC]

Good question, I’ll try to keep the answer short

When the Church of England split from Rome, Henry VIII kept most of the Catholic liturgy and practice (i.e. The Mass). Later rulers wanted to bring the CofE more in line with the other reformed European churches. The 1662 Book of Common Prayer, still the CofE’s foundation document, is very anti-Catholic, denying the real presence, the intercession of saints, banning tabernacles and the mixing of water and wine and the elevation of the host in the Eucharist etc.

In the 19th century, a movement called the Oxford Movement or Tractarian movement under John Henry Newman (now bl. John Henry Newman) started to reassert the Catholic heritage of the CofE, which included a return to Catholic practices, vestments etc which had been previously banned.

So the CofE now has two wings, broadly speaking - the reformed who are much more in line with other Protestant churches and Anglo-Catholics, who follow Catholic practice, often use the Roman Missal, venerate the saints and Our Lady at places such as Walsingham but, for whatever reason, can’t bring themselves to cross the Tiber. It’s a cause of a lot of internal tension. One parish might believe in the real presence, the priesthood - the next door one believes in memorial meals and elected leaders.

Hope that helps

The move to vestments and more Catholic liturgical practices is more traceable to the Ritualist movement, which followed hard on the Tractarians, who were focused mainly on doctrine.

But, as you said, it’s a short answer.

 

[Kanade]

The move to vestments and more Catholic liturgical practices is more traceable to the Ritualist movement, which followed hard on the Tractarians, who were focused mainly on doctrine.

But, as you said, it’s a short answer.

Yes, you’re right - the Tractarians were mainly doctrinal and felt that the CofE wasn’t really taking itself seriously. I was trying to keep things brief, there’s too much messy history for just one post

 

[GKC]

Yes, you’re right - the Tractarians were mainly doctrinal and felt that the CofE wasn’t really taking itself seriously. I was trying to keep things brief, there’s too much messy history for just one post

Has kept me busy posting for around 18 years, that messiness.

 

[Peter_J]

My decision to return to Catholicism has been met with such hateful judgement that literally has left me feeling sick.

An excerpt from the aforementioned article:

The deadly trait of elitism produces an “us and them” mentality. A church with an elitist attitude believes “no one else is really preaching the gospel” except that church. Or at least, no one is preaching it as effectively as they are!

An elitist spirit discourages church members from visiting other churches or receiving counsel from anyone who doesn’t attend their church. If anyone visits another church, he is viewed as a dissident.

“Everything you need can be found within the framework of our group,” this spirit says, adding, “Everything you need to know, you will receive from the pastor and his teachings.” Consequently, there is little respect, if any, for other denominations or church groups.

 

[adamhovey1988]

Not sure where you are posting from but in the south (USA) there is anti Catholicism. It is pride or ignorance that motivates protestants so try not to take it personally. Remember you have Truth on your side so do your best to proclaim that Truth as best you can.

Yep, part of the culture. I think it’s getting better though at least here in South Carolina.