Northern Ireland type Catholics

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mikeyrobbie

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This is a real dumb idea but in Northern Ireland Catholics were forced to defend themselves against protestant evangelicals who used violence, bombs, and discrimination against Catholics…

I’m at a college that is heavily protestant… There’s a couple of people who are real anti-catholic and use slurs at the campus Catholic population… They’ve interrupted a mass conducted by the contrated Catholic priest who comes to campus ministry once a week.

They’ve even set on fire a picture of Blessed Papa John Paul II :mad:

Would it be okay to fight back and use some extreme tactics (nonviolent of course) against them?

Like can we protest their church services or something or call out one of their leaders?
 
Persecution is our heritage and our fate. “And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

Christ Himself suffered it. “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (John 15:20)

God has given us specific instructions for how we are to act when faced with the situation you describe:

“Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.” (Luke 6:22-23)

“You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you: That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45)

“On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Romans 12:20)

"Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult. (Proverbs 12:16).

Worldly people seek retribution for wrongs. What sets Christians apart is their response to evil done to them. Live your faith–not only when it is easy and popular, but when it is difficult and unpopular. The children who are doing this are endeavoring to goad you into a response. If your response is godly piety, their conversion may be the result. Remember that others are also watching how you handle this. Your response may be the catalyst for bringing many into the faith. It is a great opportunity for a godly witness.
 
As Mom says…
“They’re just jealous…”

I know they are hard to deal with, and they go against what they preach, just ignor them. I know they protest and make big deals, but just don’t react. They want a reaction.
 
your perceptions of what happened in Northern Ireland are a little off…

I would advise against any form of retaliation against these bigots, but if they persist you should report them to the college authorities. What they are doing is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.
 
if these are your fellow students doing this, try asking their ministers and adult leaders to get them to stop. And of course also the proper university authorities.
 
You might also consider requesting investigations of such actions as hate crimes if they are in violation of campus codes of conduct or local criminal statutes. File a formal grievance, make sure it is on paper (send a registered letter containing the request for investigation to the dean) and keep copies. If the campus administration refuse to do anything, go to the media and take your case to one of the conservative free-speech legal aid societies that protect freedom of religion.

If students are doing something they shouldn’t, they may back off if they realize the cost to their future career plans if a Google search by a future potential employer identifies them as being convicted of committing a hate crime. Good-bye, future career hopes (unless they plan to be employed by the Ku Klux Klan.)

Regulations protecting freedom of worship and prohibiting hate crimes are rarely invoked in the protection of Catholics but should be.

Use the system and the American protection of law.
 
Sure you can…but let me qualify that.
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Now pay attention. I say, pay attention boy.

The best counter attack to such foolishness is good Catholic evangelistic materials bathed in prayer.

I recommend ordering up a supply of Good Catholic tracts from the list below and then praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Novena over them and then carry them when you “sally forth”.
And you should get a copy of

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Beginning Apologetics Vol. 1
SKU: B0279

Volume I deals with defending Catholicism. Prepare yourself to answer challenges to the Catholic faith.
List price: US$5.95

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Tactics? Always remain in a prayerful state, no matter what you face. If they show their backside…you’ll just make them look bad in front of God and everybody. Be calm and the very soul of charity. Never raise your voice. Stick to the facts, the Holy spirit will do the rest.
 
If these are students, absolutely talk with their advisers and the university. The bible passages people have been quoting do not mean we are not allowed to do anything to stop mistreatment. Especially if they are doing things like setting fire to your pictures–that is a crime–and destroying your property.
 
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