Lack of knowledge???

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fellicia

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Every protestant that I have met seem to have very strong veiws about the Catholic Church being wrong and even if I tell them that what they are saying is worng, they tell me that I must not know my faith well enough.

Also they State that their faith is correct but seem to know little about it. Even those that have done courses within their church only know the surface.

I have met alot of athiests that would agree.

I don’t get it they don’t seem to know anything much, they just go along with what someone has told them and it could have know reference to God in it at all but it has to be true because that man of our congregation said it.

Please explain this? Has anyone else come across this?
 
Fellicia,

I have encountered this type of attitude many, many times. I live in Kansas, which seems to the heart of evangelicalism in the mid-west and most of my family are Protestant (ranging from Presbyterian to raging fundamentalist) so I hear these sorts of things all the time. You should of heard them when I told them (or they found out) I was in RCIA and becoming Catholic! Fortunately for me I love to discuss religion and am fairly knowledgeable about the history and truth of Catholicism and kept them honest by forcing them to cite their sources when challenging the Church or drop the issue. Most of them gave up, but continue to grumble and whisper behind my back.

We all have a certain comfort zone with everything and when it comes to religion most people, in my opinion, just want to believe what a loved one or a respected pastor told them. They never verify the information for themselves. They figure why should they, they trust the source? Challenging conceptions and long-held beliefs are way outside most peoples comfort levels. This can be frustrating to me, as I would like to believe we all want to know the truth, regardless of our preconceptions. Honestly though I have got to know many Catholic who are the same way about things such as the teachings of Vatican II which intruded on their personal comfort zone.

Like my wife says “It’s lonely at the top.” And when you are on top you have to expect challenges… regardless of how ignorant the challenge may be! So take heart! You are on top!

Peace

George
 
I don’t get to talk to many Catholic that are my age and the only ones I do talk to are my Nan and Grandad who are very well knowledgable in the Catholic faith… my Grandad has a site with a friend of his www.church-in-history.org
if you are interested …
They never verify the information for themselves. They figure why should they, they trust the source?
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Yeah and I have heard alot of people then say to me that the reason they don’t like Catholics is because they don’t look at the beliefs themselves they just do what to Pope says :confused:

I am not saying I don’t like protestants by the way … I just don’t understand alot of the ones that I have talked to.( most of them are my friends )
 
People say all kinds of things…

Some people have their minds made up and don’t want to be confused by the facts. 😃

One of the very best ways to indict such silliness is to simply say, “Prove It!”. In any “debate” the person making the assertion or allegation is the one responsible to prove it with facts and not rhetorical statements of what they think or they heard somewhere. Tell them outright that if they’ll prove what they say about the Catholic Church, that you’ll be in the pew with them the next Sunday. I do it all the time and have yet to have to pay up, but a couple of guys are now well on their way into the Catholic Church. 🙂

You have to know your faith well, and be prepared to look at the sources that they offer. Most times it’s just some rhetorical site or more insidious still, a site or author who has pulled quotes from the CCC or other documents out of context to create the appearance of evil.

An recent example of this was when one of the Catholic prisoners in a Faith Based Dorm wrote me asking about an allegation by B.H. Clendennon in his “School of Christ” curriculum about a “Hill of Martyrs” massacre in Scotland by Catholics. I looked at his material online and searched all over the place and found no documentation and then e-mailed Clendennon himself about it. It took him about a month to answer, but when he did he just said that it was something a Scottish Pastor friend of his had told him about when he was there in 1989. Hearsay is not proof…and there is no historic record of this alleged “massacre”, and I wrote the prisoner back and told him so.

Allegations are easy to make and they are often tied to some date, but if you keep your head and look at the stuff you find that it’s nothing more than something that someone wishes was true…

A very wise bishop once said: “Few people in America hate the Catholic religion, but there are many who hate what they mistakenly believe is the Catholic religion—and if what they hate really were the Catholic religion, Catholics would hate it too.” Bishop Fulton Sheen

Pax tecum,
 
A very wise bishop once said: “Few people in America hate the Catholic religion, but there are many who hate what they mistakenly believe is the Catholic religion—and if what they hate really were the Catholic religion, Catholics would hate it too.” Bishop Fulton Sheen
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This is a great quote thankyou
 
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fellicia:
Every protestant that I have met seem to have very strong veiws about the Catholic Church being wrong and even if I tell them that what they are saying is worng, they tell me that I must not know my faith well enough.

Also they State that their faith is correct but seem to know little about it. Even those that have done courses within their church only know the surface.

I have met alot of athiests that would agree.

I don’t get it they don’t seem to know anything much, they just go along with what someone has told them and it could have know reference to God in it at all but it has to be true because that man of our congregation said it.

Please explain this? Has anyone else come across this?
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I grew up in Pennsylvania, attended Catholic schools, and was surrounded by Catholics and Catholic friends. When I moved to Oklahoma, I was not at all prepared for the hostility exhibited by non-Catholics toward me. Only 10% of the population in Oklahoma is Catholic so I can appreciate your concerns toward being in the minority. Many people will try to convert you, to save your soul, and although they mean well they are more misguided and impressionable then they think. They are also incredibly more pious and self-righteous than they realize. It is hard to argue because Bible verses will be machine-gunned at you, but often these verses are taken out of context and abused to promote their agendas. I’m not well qualified to offer specific suggestions to combat the theological blitzkriegs you may encounter, but interacting with your grandparents often to address questions or doubts you may have that were generated by the non-Catholic attacks will help keep you in tune with Catholicism. Remember that the Protestant religions subscribe to Sola Scriptura (Bible Only) and Sola Fide (Faith Only). They can trace their origins back to Martin Luther in the early 1500’s. We can trace our history to the beginning. We are the Church founded by Jesus with unconditional authority given to Peter. Apostolic succession began with Peter. Visit this Web site (Catholic Answers) catholic.com/default.asp for help.

Here is an excellent book for you to purchase: Unabridged Christianity: Biblical Answers to Common Questions About the Roman Catholic Faith (Paperback) by Father Mario Romero (Catholic priest from New Orleans). This book will address issues that, I am sure, many of your non-Catholic friends present. Visit Amazon.com: amazon.com/gp/product/1579180566/002-7488091-0413634?v=glance&n=283155&s=books&v=glance

Hang in there!
 
I have Karl Keating’s book on Catholics and Fundamentalists and find it very helpful. One of the things that struck me was that the “attackers” make a big deal out of the Pope’s authority and why we can’t think for ourselves yet at the same time they are quoting their pastor - if you ask them something not part of their script - they have to check with their pastor. Can’t they think for themselves???
 
It’s amazing how much energy some denoms put into trying to prove someone else wrong. Sometimes I wonder if they can spout off scripture in support of their own faith as they can putting down someone elses.
 
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fellicia:
Every protestant that I have met seem to have very strong veiws about the Catholic Church being wrong and even if I tell them that what they are saying is worng, they tell me that I must not know my faith well enough.

Also they State that their faith is correct but seem to know little about it. Even those that have done courses within their church only know the surface.

I have met alot of athiests that would agree.

I don’t get it they don’t seem to know anything much, they just go along with what someone has told them and it could have know reference to God in it at all but it has to be true because that man of our congregation said it.

Please explain this? Has anyone else come across this?
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All The Time!

I have a friend who is a Skeptic/Athiest. He and I talk all the time about beliefs. He is constantly saying, “Well you Christians believe X, and have no proof,” I have to correct him and say, “no, Protestants believe that and have no proof. Catholics can back up every claim we make.”

It frustrates him because he always thought that was all of Christianity, not just one group. The funny part is that he has researched the Catholic Church but only in reference to what these other Christians have said. When he couldn’t find proof in the Catholic Church of claims made by Fundamentalists, he said WE couldn’t prove our point!

He hasn’t quite made that connection yet in his own mind, but I am working on him. 😃
 
My boyfriend used to be anti - Christian not ant - religion though… but since I met him he has opened his eyes that much n realised that everythink he had heard was from protestants and athiests that he has asked to come to my church on sunday 😃
 
In what way would you as Catholics like for me to “verify for myself”?
You believe I lack knowledge, have no basis for my understanding, and cannot backup what I believe to be true. It is my understanding that my pastor may give me “the Word” but that Lord Jesus expects me to then test what he has told me against the words from Jesus mouth.

Do you believe what you are told by your teachers blindly, or do you then, seek to understand the truth whether it proves or disproves what they have told you.

I am concerned about this “anti-Protestant” point of view. Am I not to believe what the bible says, and /or especially what Jesus - also know as the Word incarnate - has said.

I do not claim any denomination. I am a Christian who has gained salvation through Christ Jesus who came into the world as Emmanuel - God with us - to be the Light unto the world, who laid to rest the old covenant and brought the gift of the Spirit into he world so that man might find his salvation through the holy Redeemer. He gave His life on the cross and allowed His blood to be shed in order to be a ransom for my sins, so that If I believe in Him with my heart and profess with my mouth His glory and grace and worthiness of the title Messiah because of His works on earth and that He Himself said so, that I may be saved because He said so - not because my pastor tells me this. Is this wrong?

Where is my error in thinking? I can back this up with scripture if you feel I must, but I would first like to know your opinion of me.

Do you believe I am saved. If not, by what authority do you judge me, by the authority of the Pope, or the Authority of Yeshua Messiah, Jesus that Redeemer, Savior, the Way the truth and the Life, the earthly incarnate of the triune the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?
 
I am concerned about this “anti-Protestant” point of view.
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Just to quote my self…
I am not saying I don’t like protestants by the way … I just don’t understand alot of the ones that I have talked to.( most of them are my friends )
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I have not yet met a protestant that understands fully what they believe. Though i have met many that say they are under a church or denomination but can not tell me the main beliefs etc… I met one guy that held certain beliefs but then when his pastor changed he suddenly conform to this new pastor… This is what I am talking about… My Grandad says he has met one person down in London who is a protestant and has looked into the Church as much as he has (which is a lot) and still says he is protestant so he respects that and so do I … I respect you and your belief if you have looked in to the faith yourself and i am sorry if i have upset you that was not my intention.

In a supposedly protestant country I have not met one that is alike you say you are, this is where i am coming from.
Do you believe I am saved. If not, by what authority do you judge me, by the authority of the Pope, or the Authority of Yeshua Messiah, Jesus that Redeemer, Savior, the Way the truth and the Life, the earthly incarnate of the triune the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?
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Of this I am not so sure… I do not judge you as it is not my place and neither is yours… you nor I can say that you are saved that is for the Heavenly Father to decide and untill then neither of us can know.
We can only hope, hopefully we will see each other there:)
x x x
 
Hello, Matthew7vrs7,

Glad you’re on the forums, here at CAF.

quote:Matthew7vrs7
Do you believe I am saved.
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As to your question, if you click on these 2 links,
you’ll find a very short reply to your question:

scborromeo.org/ccc/para/818.htm

scborromeo.org/ccc/para/819.htm

What the RCC basically holds is:
Salvation is from Christ, through the RCC.

So, in effect, it is thought, in RCC theology:

a baptized person, of another Christian faith is,
in some way, in an “imperfect communion” with the
RCC, and can therefore be saved.

scborromeo.org/ccc/para/838.htm

My own view is much closer to yours, than that
of the RCC, but I hope the above helps, in terms
of understanding the RCC position.

Best wishes,

reen12
 
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reen12:
My own view is much closer to yours, than that
of the RCC, but I hope the above helps, in terms
of understanding the RCC position.
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Hi reen! Welcome back. Where ya been?
I would just like to make a correction here. I am an RCC–but it stands for Ruthenian Catholic Church. 😃

Blessings to you,
Mickey
 
I am sorry if my post seemed overly defensive. It was more an attempt to understand where you as Catholics believe I might be wrong. By saying “anti-Protestant” I mean that I do not believe that the Church - which IS the body of Christ - can be divided into we believe this and they believe that. I do not call myself Southern Baptist (even though I’m a Texas native) nor and Adventist, nor a LDS, not Catholic, Church of Christ, or any other denomination. I am simply a child of God through the salvation of my personal Savior, Jesus Christ. I am part of the Body of Christ but will accept the “label” of no man. I am merely challenging you to think as well. Do we do our unsaved brothers and sisters harm by not “puting the cookies on the bottom shelf”. Do we offend God, our Lord Jesus, by excluding others becuase of what we believe if it doesn’t come down to the very words of Jesus “believe in Me and have eternal life!”
 
Hi, Mickey ! :tiphat:

I had to rest my brain and heart, for a while,
but I missed you !

Yeah, I know, I tend to use RCC, when I
suppose I should use CC, huh?

All best wishes to you,

reen12

that lasts! :whistle: ]
 
Hi, Matthew7vrs7,
“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
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Truely, truely, one of the most touching statements in
Scripture.

As far as denominations go, I like to think of Christ,
asking Peter:
“And you, Peter, who do you say I am?”

*All *who follow the commands of Christ, accepting
the salvation He wrought - and who reply, along
with Peter:

“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
will see God in the face, I believe.

reen12
 
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Matthew7vrs7:
I am sorry if my post seemed overly defensive. It was more an attempt to understand where you as Catholics believe I might be wrong. By saying “anti-Protestant” I mean that I do not believe that the Church - which IS the body of Christ - can be divided into we believe this and they believe that. I do not call myself Southern Baptist (even though I’m a Texas native) nor and Adventist, nor a LDS, not Catholic, Church of Christ, or any other denomination. I am simply a child of God through the salvation of my personal Savior, Jesus Christ. I am part of the Body of Christ but will accept the “label” of no man. I am merely challenging you to think as well. Do we do our unsaved brothers and sisters harm by not “puting the cookies on the bottom shelf”. Do we offend God, our Lord Jesus, by excluding others becuase of what we believe if it doesn’t come down to the very words of Jesus “believe in Me and have eternal life!”
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Matthew7vs7 –

I apologize for any negativity here. No excuse for us, but you would not BELIEVE how negative and how unspeakably ignorant a lot of people are who bash the Catholic Church.

Conversations like the following are common:

Protestant: Why do you Catholics worship Mary?
Catholic: We don’t.
P: Yes you do.
C: We honor Mary and we venerate her; we do not worship Mary.
P: Same thing.
C: :banghead: :gopray2:

Matthew7vs7: Do you worship in an ecclesial community with others – or perhaps go to different churches – or are you just “out there” on your own? That is not a trick question or a hostile question. It goes to an understanding your starting position.

BTW, I know Protestants who are very knowledgeable about why they believe what they believe. One of my favorite “public” figures is Dr. R. C. Sproul, a Presbyterian. He gets points for never mis-stating the Catholic position. He may agree with the Catholic position but he never distorts it or belittles it, and he often defends it against the attacks of the kind of people who come at us with the above-referenced “Mary” conversation.
 
quote: mercygate
One of my favorite “public” figures is Dr. R. C. Sproul, a Presbyterian. He gets points for never mis-stating the Catholic position. He may agree with the Catholic position but he never distorts it or belittles it, and he often defends it against the attacks of the kind of people who come at us with the above-referenced “Mary” conversation.
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Dr. Sproul is a world-class apologist for Presbyterianism,
IMHO.

quote: mercygate
He gets points for never mis-stating the Catholic position.
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He has my respect, for that.

reen12
 
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