I am far and wide NOT an expert (An avid reader on the subject, though) but historically, yes, there is antagonist (and I think unnecessary) behavior between the Protestants and Catholic. Through experience only, however (and not limited to having one parent on each team), I’d say the Catholics have been less tolerant than the Protestants in my little part of the world. Perhaps this is because the Protestants, whether accurately or not, are the ones more interested in flexibility regarding the many subjects of argument. Again, just a theory. Personally, the disunity disturbs me.
“It is not a unity of religion we seek but a union of religious people. We may not be able to meet in the same pew, but we can meet together on our knees (as Christians)” Bishop Fulton Sheen. ( I wonder if Martin Sheen regrets that Charlie had his dad’s stage name when he went a bit bonkers?! Martin holds the Bishop in highest regards.)
"When Angelo Roncalli, Blessed John XXIII, died on June 3, 1963, he was universally mourned. A Jesuit, living in Rome at the time, found himself in a taxi when news of the John’s death was reported over the radio. “I’m not a Catholic,” said the tearful cab driver, “But he was our pope, too.”
To keep at arms length, even symbolically, anyone who is or is not a particular type of Christian, is appalling to me. An insult to Christianity. Jesus wanted love and compassion to bind us together; not be separated by human frailties such as “well, we believe this.” “Yeah. well we believe in that.” I was recently admonished no less than 5 times that I must not take communion in a church when I attended with the admonishing member because as a guest who is a devout Christian, I wasn’t allowed. I understand the rules and regulations of his church; I wouldn’t DREAM of doing anything disrespectful to his or ANY church, but I still couldn’t help but say, “I know! I know! I understand, but once was enough. But admittedly, you can’t blame me for wondering why. All Christians take communion. All Christians who take communion are remembering Christ’s death FOR US ALL. It has the same profound and ultimate meaning for all of us.” I certainly meant no disrespect to either faith. But that type of exclusive club feeling as a definition of the love Christ has for us all will never leave me as being unnecessary. Vatican II has elevated non Catholics to brethren, albeit separated ones. I can come back with links to the Vatican regarding a document or two on the subject of preferred unity.
There will no doubt always be Protestants and Catholics arguing, But why can we not elevate the situation to informed healthy conversations and enlightened shared ideas among the Christians for the sake of unity? For the sake of Christ, who died for our sins and weaknesses. We Christians are on the same team. It is difficult to imagine that after all this time, it is still sore point. That makes no sense to me. One of the first adult conversations I had with one uncle regarded my parents “opposite” religions. He was still haranguing on that. I looked him square in the eye and said, “Ya know, four children and three grandchildren later, you really should be getting over that.” He was taken aback, either because he thought of me as still a kid – I was 25ish- or because, as he looked me square in the eye realized that I had some tenacity; he then said, “yeah, you’re right.” I don’t say this often, but, yeah. I was.
On another forum, a Catholic wife tries to explain to her Catholic in training husband that Catholic communion IS the body of Christ, whereas Protestants believe it to be symbolic of the body of Christ. (He has issues with this, apparently, despite his decision to covert.) True, according to each respective doctrine. But it could be that a few Protestants believe otherwise, just as a few Catholics could believe otherwise. And I could understand anyone’s conundrum about taking communion against established doctrine. Yet I grew up with the doctrine of one on this issue while believing in the other. No two individuals believe the exact same thing, even within one institution.So I am still questioning which side of the same league I’d like to play for without sitting on the proverbial neutral bench. I appreciate so very much all team players’ ability of uniting for a common cause. In the real case that matters, Jesus Christ.
