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

[La_Chiara]

sparkle–You might try searching on specific topics on Catholic Answers website (www.catholic.com) or on the “Ask an Apologist” forum and e-mail these people appropriate links. Then tell them that you would love to discuss that specific article. That way, you have all the apologetic info at your fingertips.

 

[cestusdei]

It took my family some years to get over it. They aren’t even real church goers! More like the, “we came over on the Mayflower” kind of thing. But if you are a good Catholic they will eventually notice you haven’t grown horns and a tail. Be patient.

 

[Writer]

sparkle:

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 can sympathize with you, as we are in a similar situation–more cold shoulder than e-mails with us, though. Sometimes it seems the one unifying factor with all these different denominations is their intense hate of anything Catholic. I will try to get back to the Forums to post suggestions later and will keep your family in our prayers. We have found our new Catholic friends to be a great help in starting our spiritual lives anew.

 

[VociMike]

How 'bout something like “Not to worry, I have complete faith in the saving grace of Christ!”

That should put them on the spot.

 

[Marysgirl]

Sparkle, I emailed you something that I sent to a couple of people who were sending me alot of anti Catholic emails. It is to long to post here so I thought you might want to read it. I found it somewhere on the internet. Can’t remember where. Good luck. I think all of us who are converts or reverts have this same problem.

 

[Cairisti]

Well, others have given you lots of good advice, so I’ll just add my sympathies and support. I’ve also had problems with family (well, only my parents knew of my taking RCIA - my mother has come around, my dad still won’t talk much. I can’t imagine the outburst from my brothers - that’s why when I finally join, no one will know but a few friends - NOT family). But take comfort that you are in the Church that Christ founded. And you can assure your family that you are now in a Christian Church that has the fullness of Faith that was lacking before.

 

[Meggie]

Cairisti, don’t you sometimes feel like that would be a confrontation that would go much like…

“I have something to tell you”
Parents: “oh no, you’re prengnant”
“No”
Parents: “YOU’RE GAY?”
“No”
Parents: “what is it?”
“Mom, Dad, I am a Catholic”
Parents: “NOOOOOOOO”

Of course I can look back at it with some humor now…but a similar conversation occured after I really came to the church…my parents ARE Catholic, mind you…

 

[Cairisti]

Meggie:

Cairisti, don’t you sometimes feel like that would be a confrontation that would go much like…

“I have something to tell you”
Parents: “oh no, you’re prengnant”
“No”
Parents: “YOU’RE GAY?”
“No”
Parents: “what is it?”
“Mom, Dad, I am a Catholic”
Parents: “NOOOOOOOO”

Of course I can look back at it with some humor now…but a similar conversation occured after I really came to the church…my parents ARE Catholic, mind you…

Heeheehee. Well, I had a thread on here about their reaction. You’d have thought I had decided to join a satanic cult of moonies from their reaction. (They are Southern Baptist) So, I can sympathise with Sparkle. I can’t imagine a likewise conversation when one’s parents are Catholic. I’d have thought Catholic parents would be happy. (But then could be wrong. )

 

[Scott_Waddell]

CARose:

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

I like this response the best. Meet hostility with an overdose of love. If there is a direct accusation, respond to it with an apologetic but only briefly, and avoid what Keating calls the wicked one-liners. Apologetics are great for increasing your understanding and hence, strengthening your faith, but it is Holy Spirit reflected in your faith, hope, and love that converts hearts.

Scott

 

[Malachi4U]

sparkle:

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?

A Catholic can only respond with 'LOVE".

These are my good friends, and family.

I’d hate to see your enimies.

But they are so blinded by what they think the Catholic Church is.

Scripture states that many like them will have scales over their eyes. They choose the easy bath of bigotry and lies. Christians should seek the truth wherever it is found, that is why I am now Catholic myself. Sometimes the truth is a difficult path to follow and the path of lies makes one feel better and is often easy to follow.

I feel so sorry for them, in their schism;

Jesus came to save the sinners not the saved.

they are all members of “break-off” churches, one denomination or another.

Well put!

Had no idea, my entire family and friends would react like this.

It is sad but they often do. Jesus can split families and divide them. He wants us all but not all who call His name will be saved nor will all follow Him. Some will be saved and others may not.

Where have they gotten their “anti-Catholic” sentiment?

Satan, Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Hitler, Stalin, my former preachers in the Baptist schism, Jack Chick, etc…

Think it has been around for years. How would you all handle this?

Love, Prayer, learn the truth and pass it to them a little at a time.

Any suggestions on what to say?

Pick one topic at a time and back your statements with proof. Don’t let them change topics either when they realize they’re beaten untill it is time to move on.

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.

God bless and good luck,

 

[Ahimsa]

Get – for them and for yourself – The Biblical Basis for the Catholic Faith.

 

[theMutant]

sparkle:

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 would make sure to keep your communication short and polite. Simply respond that you have studied the Catholic faith and have learned that their perceptions of it are based on misunderstandings. Other than thay, keep up the prayers for them. We’ll pray for you.

And, by the way, welcome home!

 

[Subrosa]

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.”

Did you know that praying to statues is idolatry? :tsktsk:

You did? Ok, nevermind.

LOL:bounce:

 

[itsjustdave1988]

I like Patrick Madrid’s joke: after noting the nativity scene in front of the Church, he remarked, “What a great religion, even our statues can pray to statues.” Catholics in the room laughed. The Protestants in the room looked very concerned.

 

[1ke]

sparkle:

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.

DELETE key.

 

[Johnd]

I am also a convert to the Church 4 years ago. My family was basically cool but I have an aunt who is sort of a know it all Protestant. She wanted to have a talk with me and I lent her a Scott Hahn book as well as one called 'Suprised by Truth" which is a dozen or so short stories where Catholic converts tell their reasons for joining the Church. These reasons vary so the reader gets a broad understanding of the flaws of Protestantism. Needless to say, my aunt never brought it up again.
Which brings up another possibly sticky point. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Instead of constantly defending the Church, point out flaws of the Prot. approach. Telling your family the early Church father like Ignatius who actually studied under the apostles, left behind writings describing their staunch beliefs in the eucharist. Ask them how you can take seriously Protestantism when their are over 30,000 different denominations many teaching very different things from eachother. Where is the credability there? Be carefull as you don’t wan to offend your family but if they are going to be nasty with you you need to stand up for yourself.

 

[sparkle]

Malachi4U:

A Catholic can only respond with 'LOVE".I’d hate to see your enimies. Scripture states that many like them will have scales over their eyes. They choose the easy bath of bigotry and lies. Christians should seek the truth wherever it is found, that is why I am now Catholic myself. Sometimes the truth is a difficult path to follow and the path of lies makes one feel better and is often easy to follow.Jesus came to save the sinners not the saved.Well put!It is sad but they often do. Jesus can split families and divide them. He wants us all but not all who call His name will be saved nor will all follow Him. Some will be saved and others may not.Satan, Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Hitler, Stalin, my former preachers in the Baptist schism, Jack Chick, etc…Love, Prayer, learn the truth and pass it to them a little at a time.Pick one topic at a time and back your statements with proof. Don’t let them change topics either when they realize they’re beaten untill it is time to move on.God bless and good luck,

Hi Malichai:

Hey thanks for your e-mail, I read every line, and you are soooo right, about sticking to one topic at a time, etc., and everyone who has responded.thank you too! I so appreciate hearing from all of you. Yes, it most hard, I feel so alone with not ONE Catholic friend really, except my sponsor in RCIA this past year. I know and pray that God leads me to some new Catholic friends very soon. I know now my ENTIRE family, even my husband and kids are putting up a fight and rejecting the CC. OUCH!
Sent my 83 year old mom yesterday a Miraculous Medal in the mail, just cuz I can’t bear that she (my best friend) would die without ever knowing Our Blessed Mother. I told her so in a letter.(Smart decision or a dumb one—still am not quite sure here)… For I have truly come to adore Mary, our most Blessed Mother. I don’t really understand how this can be a stumbling block for converts, I think it is such a relief and reassurance to know she is up there in heaven, and loves us, and supports us. WOW. Who
would not love her? SHE comforts my heart. How Protestants simply toss her out, I’ll never understand. Just know I’ll hear some slack since I sent mom this in the mail, but I think the Holy Spirit lead me to send it. Anyway–thank you all for your comments. I am overwhelmed sometimes, just have to rest in quietness and confidence in our Lord, (and in Mary and the Rosary). Praise the Lord!

 

[David_Oatney]

Sparkle;

** I want you to know that I am praying for you. I have been there where you are, and I entered the Church seven years ago. I went through a great persecution over it. My relationship with certain of my family is strained even today, although there is not a day that goes by that I do not lift every one of them up in prayer. Probably the best advice I can give you is to pray for them.**

 

[sparkle]

Thank you so much friends:

“itsjustdave”------I love Patrick Madrid too and his show “Search and Rescue” on EWTN.

“johnd”-------thanks. I’ve recommended books to some friends such as the ones you mention–church fathers, etc., unfortunately most Protestants don’t/will not read anything but the Bible.

“DavidOatney”-----thx so much for your prayers. Yes, we Catholics are still persecuted in this day and age aren’t we? Why don’t know if you saw a posting of mine in some forum–just yesterday got another nasty e-mail from an old friend among the “non-denominational” realm–her hubby is a pastor of some sort. She tells me I have ventured out into Godless territory–the Catholic Faith leads to a Godless eternity, and it is a false religion. Where on earth is she coming from other than from one very “anti-Catholic” place. It is sooo sad to see such. But I know comments such as these come only from ignorance. I told her about a couple books and gave her some good websites. Know she’ll never read the books, and doubtful about the websites, perhaps her pastor hubby will check them out. We must keep friends such as these in our daily prayers. You are so right. Prayer, prayer, prayer.

 

[theMutant]

sparkle:

I know now my ENTIRE family, even my husband and kids are putting up a fight and rejecting the CC. OUCH!

Have you read “Rome Sweet Home” by Kimberly and Scott Hahn? It is their account of how Scott’s conversion to Catholicism affected their relationship. There are also tapes available with each of them telling their conversion stories.

Be patient with your family, practice your Catholic faith openly and reverently, and - above all - remember that it is the work of the Holy Spirit and not us that will convert people. Therefore, your best tool for their conversion is prayer. My wife is not Catholic. Each day I pray to God to grant me the grace I need to fulfill the role He wants me to have in her spiritual journey. I also entrust her to the care of St. Monica and St. Jude.