I’ve learned many things and changed many of my views through study and CAF discussions. I’ve been challenged to reading/study, etc. Catholics make a great case for many things, such as infant Baptism, the Real Presence, the Sacraments, etc.
Yet, when it comes to discussions regarding the “primacy” of Peter and what that means; I have had to pull back, because anyone who disagrees with the Catholic view is usually “pounded”; and the issues that concern me most are lost in all the arguments.
Protestants are blasted, being reminded of how recent Protestantism is and the lack of respect for the tradition of ECF’s. A valid point in many respects. Yet the Orthodox disagree on the issue of Peter and the Papacy also; and they are drawing from historical arguments and calling upon tradition. So, it isn’t just Protestants who disagree with Catholics.
I’ve seen this on many threads. I finally decided, my time is better spent reading and studying the issue of Peter from different view points. I can get a wider view of history and tradition, without being insulted along the way.
I respect Catholicism and my Catholic friends, here. It’s just that sometimes the steamroller approach can cause people to back away. Yet, no one has the corner on the “steamroller approach.” Sadly, many Protestants hit the forums with guns blazing, determined to show Catholics the “error of their ways”–Sadly, many crash and burn within a few days; and are banned for failure to abide by charity guidelines. It is definitely their loss, because many misconceptions about Catholicism are cleared up on the forums.
That’s what I mean. I know that every once in a while we get the Jack Chick loving KJV-Only nut who comes in, as you said, “guns blazing” (nice metaphor btw
), but at the same time when someone asks, “Why are people leaving Catholicism?”, and I know from former Catholics this is an issue, it shouldn’t be a hostile thing to bring it up.
The ironic thing is these kinds of threads become a testament to it. How many times do these “Why ain’t you no longer Catholic?” threads, in the guise of open forum, become a game of “Let’s all pound the former Catholics.” Before anyone hops in here - yes, I fully recognize that some people leave churches and denominations for bad reasons. I recognize that some people leave Catholicism for bad reasons. I also know, however, that there are reasons that at least need to be looked at and addressed. Keep in mind that it may not even be a reflection of Catholicism as a faith, but Catholicism on a local level, such as Catholicism in America (I refer back to the posts made by Andrew a few pages back, which I think should be read and meditated on). Paul criticizing the faults of the church in Corinth wasn’t by any means an attack against the entire church across the Mediterranean, nor did anyone react to them as such.
The fact is, dialogue, even against a contrary mindset, can help. Maybe about a year back, I remember a Muslim woman had created a thread about Christianity. She was just asking questions. Myself and another poster were making responses that merely answered her questions. Then, in came other professing Christians who started railing against her like she was asking this to make something of herself. I was embarrassed and it was only by God’s grace that she didn’t leave the forum altogether. Thankfully that storm subsided and we got back to a good Q&A pattern. Then later I got a PM from the woman thanking me for my calm answers, and that through them it had made her do some serious thinking about her own theology.
I have always believed there is nothing wrong with asking questions. Yes, there are baited questions, and yes some people really aren’t looking for answers, but we shouldn’t get hostile because there’s a question mark at the end of a poster’s sentence. We shouldn’t have a Protestant simply asking, “What’s the proof for the Supremacy of Peter?” met with, “WTF YOU JUST NEED TO BOW DOWN TO ROME AND ACCEPT IT BTW MARTIN LUTHER SUCKS LAWL.” Guess what - another soul lost. And like it or not, there are Catholics out there - perhaps weak in faith but Catholic Church members nonetheless - who, seeing every question met that way, begin to believe there is
no response to such questions. As Paul said concerning food and wine, it is not good to “do anything that causes your brother to stumble” (Rom 14:21).
But that’s a side rant that might derail the thread into a “Who’s more hostile in their posts” debate, which I don’t want it to. I just wanted to thank Anna Scott for putting into better words what I couldn’t.
Also, I agree with gurney that CAF is in many ways still a good forum in this regard, if anything because I have found there is greater consistency in the theology - and not just because the majority are Catholics. I’ve been to Christian forums where you’d have Catholics, Molinists, Non-Trinitarian Messianics, and Word of Faith Christians all arguing several things in a bloodied mess. :whacky:
Barf bag time! My wife really rolled her eyes on that one! 
something about BHO’s rage…
