Protestant customer

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I can’t believe this thread is still going!

I’ve decided to just bite my tongue, ingore him and his overtures, and treat him like any other customer. I’ve got other issues with his patronage right now that might lead him to not be a customer next year so I’ll just grin and bear it.

As far as my level of understanding of the faith and evangelizing him goes. I have learned a lot about my faith since reverting, and I am very much happy and ‘in love’ with the catholic faith. I devour everything I can about our theology. But I just don’t feel comfortable arguing or debating with an 80+ year old preacher with a doctorate in baptist theology from a very southern baptist university. From dealing with him as a customer, I don’t know that he’d be very charitable in that discussion, or if I’d be able to hold my temper. I’m just not good with people who disagree with me. And I recognize that is not necessarily a good thing when trying to set an catholic/christian example.

I’ve been having discussions with a very protestant/evangelical/baptist friend of mine online and she’s full of lies and misconceptions about the church. It’s like talking to a brick wall, she’s closed herself off to any other understanding. And it gets me very angry. Sometimes its best to just walk away.
 
I think I would leave it alone as was mentioned in an earlier post. And remember: To those who belive no explanation is necessary and to those who do not believe no explanation is possible.

Chances are he would never convert, of course, there is always the grace of God, but as you said he is very educated in protestand theology, but then again just watch the Journey Home on EWTN and you see what God can do.

But I would just be nice to him and you may have to tell him that you would prefer not to discuss your beliefs with him.

God bless.
 
I had a very nice discussion with my customer yesterday about prolife issues. He is very prolife, and I think he was impressed with what I had to share with him. I decided I shouldn’t be offended by his efforts to evangelize me, he’s just doing what he thinks is his duty. And it felt good to have a discussion with him that we could both agree on, from two different view points of christianity.
 
thomasf said:
I had a very nice discussion with my customer yesterday about prolife issues. He is very prolife, and I think he was impressed with what I had to share with him. I decided I shouldn’t be offended by his efforts to evangelize me, he’s just doing what he thinks is his duty. And it felt good to have a discussion with him that we could both agree on, from two different view points of christianity.
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👍 👍 That’s great!!
 
thomasf said:
I had a very nice discussion with my customer yesterday about prolife issues. He is very prolife, and I think he was impressed with what I had to share with him. I decided I shouldn’t be offended by his efforts to evangelize me, he’s just doing what he thinks is his duty. And it felt good to have a discussion with him that we could both agree on, from two different view points of christianity.
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You don’t have to give ground when it’s a place you already share with him. BTW, there is a poster on this forum that converted to Catholicism in his 70s, praise God! With God, all things are possible.

Christ’s peace be with you.
 
My customer, who is 80+ years old, and his wife are going to south africa for a month to preach to the people down there. This guy can barely walk and get around, yet he’s going to fly halfway around the world to evangelize.
 
thomasf said:
So what should I do? Ignore him, or open up a can of bees?
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Has he been disrespectful, intolerant, pushy? The a bit more caution might be prudent.

However, if he has been respectful, and is interested in a good, prespectful decision, then why not engage in discussion. You might start by mentioning that his education with a PhD is a bit intimidating going into conversation, and ask him to keep that in mind, to keep the discussion at level where you both are engaged in the conversation.

Taking one topic at time, and asking for time to consider what each as to say, and to look at what the catechism and Scripture has to say, may help you both come to respect each other’s faith, and may both learn something from each other. Scott Hahn mentions frequently that there are many things are Protestant brothers and sisters do well in living their Christian faith, that we can learn from. And there is much about the Catholic faith that my Protestant friends have learned from open discussions. Granted, the discussions can get heated some times; however, those who are striving to live Christian walks of life will handle this well. Not so say it is easy, but is worthwhile if we don’t react and throw away the fruits of the Holy Spirit "1832 The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: “charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.”

Also, never be afraid to say what you don’t know or understand, and ask for time to think about it before responding. I have found nonCatholics value the dialogue when I admit when I don’t know or understand something, instead of saying something like “well, the Church as always taught that”.

May God bless you as you grow in your faith and sharing it with others,

Michael
 
thomasf said:
My customer, who is 80+ years old, and his wife are going to south africa for a month to preach to the people down there. This guy can barely walk and get around, yet he’s going to fly halfway around the world to evangelize.
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Seems like their faith is pretty important to them, despite their age. That in itself is quite a witness, whether Catholic or Protestant. My guess is there is much you can learn from this couple, without endangering your Catholic faith.

God bless,

Michael

by the way, do you ever get over to St Thomas parish in AA? Used to go there when Father Rogers was there. Wonderful priest.
 
CatholicCajun said:
But I would just be nice to him and you may have to tell him that you would prefer not to discuss your beliefs with him.

God bless.
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1 Peter 3:15-16 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
 
Jeanette_L said:
I think this is a tough one. First, because you are obviously uncomfortable with your own knowledge/understanding of your Catholic faith, in that you’re not sure you could stand toe to toe with him if he decided to try to debate you on the differences between your faiths.

I think that I would just let it slide for now, but take this as a nudge from the Holy Spirit to dig deep into your faith and learn as much as you can until you feel comfortable sharing it with anyone who wants to have a spiritual/religious conversation with you. It may never happen with this gentleman, but his influence could be a catalist for your own spiritual growth as a Catholic!

And then there’s always prayer! 😉 And this should actually be first and foremost.

Pray for this gentleman, I’m sure he’s praying for you! Maybe you both will be blessed because of it!:crossrc:
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Excellent post, wise advice. Yes, I would be surprised if he and his wife have not been praying in this regard.
 
Sandi said:
Ignore him.

Since he’s a customer and you depend on his business for some of your income, don’t respond to any of his hints, overtures, etc. If he gets pushy, just smile and say you don’t feel comfortable discussing such a personal issue.
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1 Peter 3:15-16 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
 
thomasf said:
I’ve been having discussions with a very protestant/evangelical/baptist friend of mine online and she’s full of lies and misconceptions about the church. It’s like talking to a brick wall, she’s closed herself off to any other understanding. And it gets me very angry. Sometimes its best to just walk away.
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Just I guess, there’s probably misunderstandings on either side, to different degrees, and perhaps both “sides” get the feeling of talking to a brick wall and wanting to get angry. And sometimes more than one topic will come up. If there are difficulties, it can be helpful, though not always possible, to re-adjust to just one topic, and if there is disagreement of misconceptions ask and give the other time to document what they are saying from a respected source. If they say the Church teaches such and such, ask them to show where the Church officially teaches it, and in the mean time take the time to find what the Church actually teachings in the catechism or other reference source. Anger and reacting will not help.

God bless,

Michael
 
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