Offended at being called Protestant

[TK421]

I can understand not wishing to use "protestant’ as thinking perhaps it was too broad a term, but among the protestant Christians you grew up with etc, did they identify as ‘just Christian’ or did they identify as say Lutheran, Baptist, Assembly of God, etc?

We always said “Christian”. The particular church I was raised in wasn’t part of historical mainline protestantism (Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterianism, Episcopalian/Anglican, Methodist) or really bold-blooded Pentecostal either. It was a rural Restoration church. Even a Christian that goes to a mainline church would still likely be ignorant to what it truly means to be protestant (i.e . a protestor). A person might say “I’m Methodist” or “I’m Baptist” but the word probably means fairly little to them unless they’re really gung-ho about their denomination.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

And you don’t think that people would be put off by this line of questioning?

I think it’s simple. If they have said they don’t care to be called ‘Protestants’, then don’t do it. And yes - let the discussions go. I am convinced that the only effective means of getting someone to convert is to pray for them and to be a good witness of the faith.

Also, I think it is important for the kids to understand that they may never convert - and they just have to accept them for who they are now and be respectful of the faith life that they have.

I never said to go in for questioning, I simply pointed out that there was quite a bit of room for ‘misunderstanding’ unless we had some more information from the people. Again, it is more for making THEM comfortable. I didn’t say you had to go through the possible differences line by line asking, “do you believe this? or this?”

I agree, if they don’t want to be called protestant, fine, BUT then it works both ways. If in the course of a discussion the OP raises a teaching that many Christians uphold and these particular people do not, then the ‘just Christian’ people better not take offense at it being assumed that they uphold that teaching if they never clarified that they were the 'just Christians who happened to believe X teaching was wrong.

 

[DAML72]

I can understand not wishing to use "protestant’ as thinking perhaps it was too broad a term, but among the protestant Christians you grew up with etc, did they identify as ‘just Christian’ or did they identify as say Lutheran, Baptist, Assembly of God, etc?

For the most part, protestant Christians refer to themselves as Christians, and, if pushed to identify a denomination, it is expressed as the church in which you attend. For example, I am a Christian who was raised in the Reformed Church of America. I don’t think of myself as a ‘Reformed Christian’.

 

[JD27076]

If they do not wish to be called “Protestant”…Maybe they should convert to the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and then be called “Catholic”… Sounds like a sweet deal to me!

 

[babs57]

I think you should stop talking with them about this. How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot and they were constantly discussing your leaving the Catholic church and taking classes to join a Protestant church? They are probably and understandably annoyed that their son is turning his back on their teachings and joining another church. This will always be a sticking point with them whenever you invite them to Catholic rituals. This will not be a blending of two equal families because your family feels it won.

I’m afraid you have the wrong end of the stick, my friend. There is absolutely no resentment from them regarding their son’s decision. They attended all the “rituals” involved in his becoming Catholic (including the very long Easter Vigil), and they appreciated and were interested in the way things were done. They also voluntarily attend Mass with us occasionally. No “sticking point”. We, also, entirely respect them and their sincere (but rather loose) faith tradition, and although our Mass time is the same time as their current church’s service, their pastor puts his sermons on a website, and is, frankly, a much better speaker than our parish priest. (We have listened to many of these on-line sermons.)
Please let go of your resentment on their behalf, and pray for a beautiful union.

 

[bitznbitez]

There seems to be a growing movement of Christian groups in this country that are cut off from the Protestant Reformation of the 16th c and are rejecting the “P-word”

I find this interesting. Are they writing any of this in book or online somewhere or is it not formalized ?

 

[DAML72]

If they do not wish to be called “Protestant”…Maybe they should convert to the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and then be called “Catholic”… Sounds like a sweet deal to me!

It’s not always as easy or as ‘sweet’ as you might think it is. In fact, for many converts, it is a very lonely and alienating experience.

 

[DAML72]

I never said to go in for questioning, I simply pointed out that there was quite a bit of room for ‘misunderstanding’ unless we had some more information from the people. Again, it is more for making THEM comfortable. I didn’t say you had to go through the possible differences line by line asking, “do you believe this? or this?”

I agree, if they don’t want to be called protestant, fine, BUT then it works both ways. If in the course of a discussion the OP raises a teaching that many Christians uphold and these particular people do not, then the ‘just Christian’ people better not take offense at it being assumed that they uphold that teaching if they never clarified that they were the 'just Christians who happened to believe X teaching was wrong.

What is so hard about just showing them some respect and honoring their wishes?

 

[Tantum_ergo]

What is so hard about just showing them some respect and honoring their wishes?

Why do you assume that I am NOT respecting them by raising a point of view they might not have considered?

 

[McCartney]

Here’s a little background:

Two years ago, my daughter’s boyfriend (now fiance) entered the Church. During his conversion (and during RCIA) there was a lot of good-natured discussion (between my daughter and her boyfriend, and his parents) about the differences between Catholic and Protestant theology. But during a recent conversation, the future in-laws politely said that they take offense at being called Protestant. They said that they are Christians, just like any other Christians.

My question is, would you take this as a hint that they are tired of discussing the issue? Or, should the kids continue the discussions, somehow working around saying the “P” word?

Please be kind with your ideas. These are very wonderful people, and we are looking forward to the joining of our families.

Now that you mention it, I do believe it could be seen as objectionable. I have used the word in front of other protestants. Maybe I should say other Christians from now on.

 

[ltwin]

There are a variety of movements within Protestantism that reject the Protestant (or any other denominational label) because they are opposed to denominations and wish to simply be known as Christians.

A very large movement built around this idea was the American Restoration Movement led by Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, and Barton W. Stone. This movement gave birth to what today are distinct groups, the more fundamentalist/evangelical side of the movement divided over music in church with the Churches of Christ remaining a cappella and the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ using instruments. The more mainline Protestant side became the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

It’s possible that the family does not know of any term by which to denominate their type of Christianity because their church does not believe in denominating itself.

 

[andrewstx]

There is no such thing as a ‘non-denominational’ Church. There is an organization backing the parish that is calling itself “non-denominational” and it definitely has a denominational affiliation. Our local non-denominational chapel is run by the Mennonites.

Amen, there is no such thing as “non-denominational”. Perhaps a denomination of one but yet still they are in a denomination.

 

[babs57]

Also, I think it is important for the kids to understand that they may never convert - and they just have to accept them for who they are now and be respectful of the faith life that they have.

Thanks, DAML. Yes, the kids accept this. I DO believe they should probably let it go. We are all very busy with wedding plans for now, anyway!!

 

[DAML72]

There are a variety of movements within Protestantism that reject the Protestant (or any other denominational label) because they are opposed to denominations and wish to simply be known as Christians.

A very large movement built around this idea was the American Restoration Movement led by Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, and Barton W. Stone. This movement gave birth to what today are distinct groups, the more fundamentalist/evangelical side of the movement divided over music in church with the Churches of Christ remaining a cappella and the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ using instruments. The more mainline Protestant side became the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

It’s possible that the family does not know of any term by which to denominate their type of Christianity because their church does not believe in denominating itself.

This raises a very good point. In my journey, I did spend a short amount of time in a study group at a Free Evangelical church. It wasn’t for me, as I was looking for less ‘free’ interpretation of scripture, not more. But some of these groups say they want a church like the early church (little do they know) - they have just as much of a problem with the mainline Protestant denominations as they do Catholics. But, in general, the ‘P’ word is never used to identify one’s religion unless distinguishing oneself from Catholicism. (Or explaining to a Catholic that you are also a Christian - or at least you consider yourself to be.)

 

[andrewstx]

I was raised and dunked in THE churches of Christ (cambpellites), and they are defineatly Protestant fundamentalists who will not admit it.

They have many slogans, such as: “No name but the divine, no book than the bible, no creed but Christ”. They too claim to be not only Christians, but the only Christians. They say they are not Catholic and not Protestant but Christians only. They were established as a separate denomination in 1906, even though they refuse the word denomination to describe themselves.

The founders of the Disciples of Christ from whom they splintered started out with an admirable goal to unite all Protestants IOW ecumenism but their southern offspring took it into another direction, not so good. They call members of other groups “non-Christians”.

I left that sect for good reason as soon as I was no longer controlled by my parents.

 

[Blue_Goose]

Here’s a little background:

Two years ago, my daughter’s boyfriend (now fiance) entered the Church. During his conversion (and during RCIA) there was a lot of good-natured discussion (between my daughter and her boyfriend, and his parents) about the differences between Catholic and Protestant theology. But during a recent conversation, the future in-laws politely said that they take offense at being called Protestant. They said that they are Christians, just like any other Christians.

My question is, would you take this as a hint that they are tired of discussing the issue? Or, should the kids continue the discussions, somehow working around saying the “P” word?

Please be kind with your ideas. These are very wonderful people, and we are looking forward to the joining of our families.

Why create resentment that could have lasting long term effects? If his parents are believers in Christ and wish to be referred to as Christians then their wishes must be honored. Something has obviously changed. Consider putting theology discussions on the back burner. The son has converted. Let all concerned answer his parents questions when they come up but don’t belabor the point.

Peace

 

[VanSensei]

Is the word ‘Protestant’ seen as a pejorative to some non-Catholics? I get that kind of feeling but I could easily be wrong.

 

[steido01]

Is the word ‘Protestant’ seen as a pejorative to some non-Catholics? I get that kind of feeling but I could easily be wrong.

I wouldn’t say that it’s necessarily pejorative (though some Roman Catholics certainly try to use it that way), but simply inaccurate. A ‘protest’ suggests an opposition, and thus a dependence on the existence of the ‘other’ until a desired end has been reached. Many denominations don’t define themselves based on the existence of another church body, so in a majority of cases the label just doesn’t apply (unless one holds an incredibly Romulocentric worldview). Using the term as a blanket for ‘any Western Christian who is not Roman Catholic or Orthodox’ is too broad to be useful.

 

[Auntie_A]

…and then there is the added meaning of the word “Protestant” if you grew up in Ireland at a certain time…

 

[marywarfield]

Here’s a little background:

Two years ago, my daughter’s boyfriend (now fiance) entered the Church. During his conversion (and during RCIA) there was a lot of good-natured discussion (between my daughter and her boyfriend, and his parents) about the differences between Catholic and Protestant theology. But during a recent conversation, the future in-laws politely said that they take offense at being called Protestant. They said that they are Christians, just like any other Christians.

My question is, would you take this as a hint that they are tired of discussing the issue? Or, should the kids continue the discussions, somehow working around saying the “P” word?

Please be kind with your ideas. These are very wonderful people, and we are looking forward to the joining of our families.

Rejoice- sensible people.

The in laws of one of my kids when asked what denomination
their daughter was baptized in said Protestant. When
pressed as to which Christian denomination
they said we don’t attend the Christians,
we attend the Church of Protestant.

we ended up very confused and the priest said
okaaaayyyy, think we might need a special dispensation.