I was minding my own business in a bookstore this evening when I got accosted by a total stranger who turned out to be virulent anti-Catholic. I would solicit readers’ thoughts on the encounter. I have posted often but this is my first thread in well over 2 years’ membership. I hope this is placed on the correct thread; if not, the mods can move it as they see fit.
Anyways, a well-dressed man, 40-ish, walked up to me as I was reading a book and asked me if I could answer a question. He said he was a student. Ok, I agreed. He asked if I was aware that the Bible had concept of the “mother” God, i.e., a feminine view of God. I realized immediately he was a prosletyzer. I have always viewed Catholics as needing to be able to defend their beliefs, under the theory that we never know what seeds we plant with others – so I engaged him:
–He asked about what Bible I read. I told him that I read the New Catholic Bible since the Catholic Church gave us the Bible, and I was very comfortable and sure that the Catholic faith offered truth. He asked about my view of the Bible. I said it was the inspired word of God – and that we needed a teaching Church to interpret it, since there were 32,000 sects of Protestantism, all of whom claimed to know what the Bible meant.
–He asked if I would be interested in attending a Bible Study. I responded that I would be interested if he would be interested in attending a Catholic mass with me.
–He said, “I spent 16 years in Catholic churches.” I asked him: Why did you leave? He didn’t answer. I asked again. He changed the subject. I asked a third time. He said, “I’m being respectful.” I said, “so am I, and I see you want me to answer your questions, but you won’t answer mine, so why did you leave?” He began to edge away and said, “do you know who controls the Catholic Church?” I said, “Jesus Christ!” He said, “Satan!” and turned to leave. I said, “God bless you!” as he walked way.
Thoughts, anyone? The whole exchange was respectful. Please recall I was totally unprepared for this: I was minding my own business; reading a book on military history; and I didn’t know this man from James. That said, I’ve never had that much fun in the past month.
