PLEASE, tell me how to respond to nasty E-mails from Protestant friends and family?

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sparkle

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Friends:

Since my Easter conversion to Christ’s Church, I am getting e-mails from friends and family so very anti-Catholic. One came in this morning saying "Catholicism leads people to a religion based on good works, practices and beliefs that are not in line with Scripture and is leading many to a Godless eternity"…

Any thoughts on how to respond to these? These are my good friends, and family. But they are so blinded by what they think the Catholic Church is. I feel so sorry for them, in their schism; they are all members of “break-off” churches, one denomination or another. Had no idea, my entire family and friends would react like this. Where have they gotten their “anti-Catholic” sentiment? Think it has been around for years. How would you all handle this? Any suggestions on what to say? Have already recommended some books which I know they will never read. Protestants don’t seem to read anything but the Bible. Pitiful really.

Thx my brothers and sisters.

Now I must say a Rosary for all my HUGE anti-Catholic family. Pray for me friends.
 
I think I would start (if I could) by Thanking them so much for their love expressed by their concern for the state of my soul. Remember, their messages are intended to save you. What they don’t realize is that you have been on a journey that has brought you closer to God than you were previously, through accepting the authority Christ established on Earth before his departure.

Then pick one point, focus on it alone, get scripture passages to back you, share what the catechism teaches on that point and let them know that if it were anything like what they suggest, you too would have run the other way, but that your search for the fullness of the truth left by Christ has led you to the Catholic Church.

Reassure them of your intense love for Christ and perhaps share something personal regarding how you came to the Faith.

God Bless you in these trials. You may be in a position to give witness to many many family members. I will keep you in my prayers.

CARose
 
Hi sparkle!

I’m sorry this has happened to you. I have experienced hostile rejection from my family as well. I’m afraid I have nothing to offer you other than my condolences because I have still not managed to repair the rift between those family members and me.
 
Try first by telling them that the original Bible is Catholic , and any bible that they use in Christianity is from that original.
 
Hi Sparkle,

The initial fallout is pretty nasty isn’t it? I have responded right back with something like:

I am writing to thank you for your concern regarding my decision to embrace the Catholic Faith. I know you are saying these things with a sincere heart and your only motivation is my spiritual well being, so for that I am grateful. However, let me assure you that my decision to become Catholic was not one I took lightly. I throughly researched the Faith and have found it to be very compatable with my religious views. I have learned a great deal and the more I’ve learned, the more certain I have become that this was the best decision I could have made. I am very happy and my relationship with Jesus has never been better. While I appreciate your concern, I would ask that you would kindly respect my decision. If you have any quesitons regarding my faith, I would be happy to loan you several books that would explain it fully.
In Christ,
CM

How’s that??
 
I run into this sort of thing every once and a while when I meet rather zealous Protestants who tell me I’m going to hell everytime they see me. This happened more often when I was in high school when people were less mature. Not all Protestants are like that. Unfortunately for you, it’s your family that is giving you all the grief. In a way they are doing it because they care even though they do not understand. They seem to have all the misconceptions about the Church that so many have. In a way this is sort of a good thing because you will be rewarded for this. When they do this to you it’s best to just offer it up to God and ask Him to help your family to be more accepting of you. If they are being extremely mean to you, you should just tell then to get off your case about it.
 
I would respond with the truth and with links to Catholic Answers. Or if they just throw a bunch of anti-catholic stuff at you then just respond with something like this.

Dear so and so,
Thank you very much for your concern, there are very good and logical answers to problems you might have with the Catholic Faith. It is difficult to answer every objection that might arise so feel free to click on this link for an explanation. www.catholic.com

God Bless

Sparkle
 
Thank you all so much! I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you!

Yes, I will take your good advice!

I guess I must be thankful for such “persecution”. Why, today is no different than yesterday, is it? We Catholics will always be persecuted for our faith. We still, must speak up, be strong and “proclaim the hope that is within us, in Christ Jesus…” --where is this verse??? someone help me…I need it now…

Love you guys.
 
When they say something that is outright false (like the faith/works thing), you can quote Fulton Sheen:
There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church–which is, of course, quite a different thing.

Then ask them, “Where did you get the idea that the Catholic faith is based on good works?”
 
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sparkle:
Thank you all so much! I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you!

Yes, I will take your good advice!

I guess I must be thankful for such “persecution”. Why, today is no different than yesterday, is it? We Catholics will always be persecuted for our faith. We still, must speak up, be strong and “proclaim the hope that is within us, in Christ Jesus…” --where is this verse??? someone help me…I need it now…

Love you guys.
Click to expand...
That’s 1 Peter 3:15b: “Always be perpared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.”
 
My conversion nearly 20 years ago might have cost me a big, fat inheritance.

Today, I think that most, if not all, of my family and friends have softened their opinions, and there may even be another conversion in the works.

As a layman, I avoided any theological discussions/arguments, but I couldn’t help but remind them very gently, that they owe their Bible to the Catholic Church. I also gave them handouts something like this.

transporter.com/apologia/how_old.htm

Very slowly, they have gotten better. I pray your family won’t take 20 years to come around, but don’t burn any bridges.

Peace in Christ,
cargopilot
 
PLEASE, tell me how to respond to nasty E-mails from Protestant friends and family?

Try this: “I will light three small candles and pray to two very large statues for you.” 😉
 
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scylla:
I would respond with the truth and with links to Catholic Answers. Or if they just throw a bunch of anti-catholic stuff at you then just respond with something like this.

Dear so and so,
Thank you very much for your concern, there are very good and logical answers to problems you might have with the Catholic Faith. It is difficult to answer every objection that might arise so feel free to click on this link for an explanation. www.catholic.com

God Bless

Sparkle
Click to expand...
Scylla,
I was thinking that very thing! Just point 'em to Catholic Answers as you said. Everything is all thoroughly researched by knowledgeable people. Rather than spend a lot of time typing up a response, it’s so much easier to send them there and say (nicely), “After you’ve read some of the material there, then I’ll be glad to talk with you about it.” Then, either said family members and friends will choose either to not read it and leave sparkle alone, or they’ll read it and (hopefully) get new insights, get some myths busted, and maybe even see the right path!

Aunt Martha
 
itsjustdave1988 said:
PLEASE, tell me how to respond to nasty E-mails from Protestant friends and family?

Try this: “I will light three small candles and pray to two very large statues for you.” 😉
Click to expand...

LOL

That’ll work, Not! 🙂

CARose
 
itsjustdave1988 said:
PLEASE, tell me how to respond to nasty E-mails from Protestant friends and family?

Try this: “I will light three small candles and pray to two very large statues for you.” 😉
Click to expand...

:rotfl:

Aunt Martha
 
…at least im not smoking, drinking or gambling…

(although that didn’t work for my already Catholic parents)
 
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Meggie:
…at least im not smoking, drinking or gambling…

(although that didn’t work for my already Catholic parents)
Click to expand...
Just don’t tell them you’ve taken up BINGO!

🙂

CARose
 
I would simply say, ‘Hey! Im still a Christian and I still am following Christ. Please don’t label me. Its very un-Christian looking’. Then I would quote the scripture about the mote in your eye. Good luck!
 
itsjustdave1988 said:
PLEASE, tell me how to respond to nasty E-mails from Protestant friends and family?

Try this: “I will light three small candles and pray to two very large statues for you.” 😉
Click to expand...

:rotfl:

And say 9 novenas to various Saints!
 
40.png
cargopilot:
My conversion nearly 20 years ago might have cost me a big, fat inheritance.

Today, I think that most, if not all, of my family and friends have softened their opinions, and there may even be another conversion in the works.

As a layman, I avoided any theological discussions/arguments, but I couldn’t help but remind them very gently, that they owe their Bible to the Catholic Church. I also gave them handouts something like this.

transporter.com/apologia/how_old.htm

Very slowly, they have gotten better. I pray your family won’t take 20 years to come around, but don’t burn any bridges.

Peace in Christ,
cargopilot
Click to expand...
Oh my gosh! Do you know how many years I have been searching for this phamplet? I came across it about 15 years ago at a little downtown church (in phamplet form) when I was seeking------have always talked about it, and now thanks to you, you have provided this marvelous little sheet. Thank you sooooooo much. You are a blessing! I plan to forward it to many.

God Bless~ Also for your prayers
 
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