Protestant Forum I Checked Out

[mcq72]

I took a look at the CARM forums and these people are soooooooooo hostile toward Catholics. I knew anti-Catholicism existed but these people are just so rude.

Sorry if that is anyone’s experience, anywhere. Took a quick look at the site, and didn’t see anything rude when addressing two catholic dialogues.

Nevertheless, they seem quite dogmatic and firm in their beliefs regarding CC. It does remind of how some Catholics are quite dogmatic in their beliefs also in regards to “Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” (No salvation outside the Catholic Church), and how some P’s might take offense to that.

Am also reminded of the “colorful” dialogue between some reformers and some catholic bishops and popes (eg. Luther and his Catholic leader contemporaries). One can also look at older election campaigns from our history (1800,s), or language used in slave trade debate etc. Very long and “flowery” verbiage meant to cut to the core, and unveil and hang out to dry any holder of an ill stand.

Indeed, there is a time to be dignified and subtle, and a time to tell it like it is. Jesus calling the pharisees wolves or sons of Satan, did not stop one of them (Nicodemus) to seek Jesus out at night.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

I took a look at the CARM forums and these people are soooooooooo hostile toward Catholics. I knew anti-Catholicism existed but these people are just so rude.

So, just kind of glancing at the forum, there doesn’t seem to be anything positive being said about the Catholic church. I would probably avoid that forum. It would just cause doubts and confusion.

How do we know that our Faith is the first Christian Church and really does go back to Jesus Himself, and St.Peter?

There are a lot of ways to study the Catholic faith and the history of the Church. I like The New Saint Thomas Institute newsaintthomas.com to study the faith. The site has a lot of Church history and apologetics.

 

[prayerrider]

One thing I don’t understand is the attitude toward Mary. Some modern Protestants insist that Mary and Joseph had natural children together which is illogical and an affront to Christ’s divinity. Some even deny Mary the title, Mother of God" which is theologically absurd.

Then there’s the typical false accusations that we worship Mary, and we are wrong to pray to her and to the saints, even though Protestants freely ask others to pray for them. As if Mary and the saints are no longer “alive.”

 

[adf417]

Hope1960:

I took a look at the CARM forums and these people are soooooooooo hostile toward Catholics. I knew anti-Catholicism existed but these people are just so rude.

Sorry if that is anyone’s experience, anywhere. Took a quick look at the site, and didn’t see anything rude when addressing two catholic dialogues.

Nevertheless, they seem quite dogmatic and firm in their beliefs regarding CC. It does remind of how some Catholics are quite dogmatic in their beliefs also in regards to “Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” (No salvation outside the Catholic Church), and how some P’s might take offense to that.

Am also reminded of the “colorful” dialogue between some reformers and some catholic bishops and popes (eg. Luther and his Catholic leader contemporaries). One can also look at older election campaigns from our history (1800,s), or language used in slave trade debate etc. Very long and “flowery” verbiage meant to cut to the core, and unveil and hang out to dry any holder of an ill stand.

Indeed, there is a time to be dignified and subtle, and a time to tell it like it is. Jesus calling the pharisees wolves or sons of Satan, did not stop one of them (Nicodemus) to seek Jesus out at night.

Are you suggesting the two dialogues you experienced represent the whole of CARM and somehow nullify the OPs experience on CARM or you suggesting the OP may simply needs to suck it up because CARM is “telling it lik it is” and maybe the OP isnt listening?

Peace!!!

 

[mcq72]

Are you suggesting the two dialogues you experienced represent the whole of CARM and somehow nullify the OPs experience on CARM

No, I am only stating i read two articles and highlighted it was a "quick’’ look, correct ? Also left room for OP’s experience, empathizing (sorry) with anyone’s negative experience, correct ? As to the "whole’’ of Carm, not sure even the OP suggests viewing everything. Safe to say room is left open to go into more specifics of what was offensive or rude, if one wished to in our brief posting here.

you suggesting the OP may simply needs to suck it up because CARM is “telling it lik it is” and maybe the OP isnt listening?

Without any specifics from OP, I can only be speaking of what I read, and for sure rudeness at times can be subjective, in the eyes of the beholder, (OP’s) and that another set of eyes can maybe shed light on the matter, and to concur that rudeness occurred or not, or qualify the matter.

Again, left opening for OP to further specify, and was “hopeful” they would glean some food for thought from my historical, biblical examples.

Do P’s have to “suck it up”, listen, without offence, to hardliners who define actual and historical use of "Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” ? (I personally at times like those who tell it like it is…easier to justify divide, and actually not listen ?)

 

[Sarcelle]

I’ve seen this type of men in the blogosphere who opine that no one and certainly no Pope has authority to tell them anything and yet say in the same breath say that their wives recognize their spiritual authority.

I think to myself, hypocrites.

 

[MiserereMei25]

The Didache was written and used in the first 100 years of the church after Christ ascended into heaven. It gives instructions on baptism, mass, and mortal/venial sin.

It was complied by the disciples of the twelve apostles. Sadly, Protestantism is the product of a man who suffered intense scrupulosity and pride
The Catholic and Orthodox churches are the product of the early Christians in the Roman Empire.

 

[LightFury]

I haven’t had time to read all of the responses here, but here’s my take, as someone who grew up as a “none” (no religion at all), married a man whose parents were nondenominational protestants, and came to the Catholic church and will be confirmed Easter 2019:

Protestants do NOT like being told what to believe, what to do, or what they NEED to do to gain salvation. It’s all about personal interpretation of scripture, with no authority figure. Sure, there are pastors in protestant churches, but from my experience of bouncing from church to church for three years, they hardly weave any scripture into their sermons, they spend twice the time (or longer) on contemporary Christian “worship” music (a glorified rock concert, really), and push tithing to an almost nauseating degree. I found very little real understanding of scripture, ironically, from protestants. They have general ideas, but their knowledge of the inner workings of scripture, in particular the gospels, is shallow. And what they do know they cannot agree upon. Hence, the thousands of denominations and constant splittings.

 

[goout]

The argument that seems to come up the most is they keep insisting Catholicism is man made.

There can be many legitimate objections to Catholic behavior and legitimate discussions about liturgy and discipline.
But the above accusation of Catholicism being 'man-made" is absolutely the dumbest thing ever.

Man made. No kidding!
Who is Jesus Christ? The ignorance of this accusation is astounding, and you hear it a lot unfortunately. It betrays an ignorance of fundamental Christian concepts. (like the Incarnation)

 

[Sarcelle]

The thing is interpretation of Scripture is not nearly as straightforward as some think it is. Weren’t the original Gospels written in Greek and then subsequently translated to Latin and then on to more other languages? There must have been something lost in translation.

Also one would have to take into consideration the cultural context in which it was written.

A lot tends to get lost if interpreting Scripture without these in mind and our modern and cultural biases also tend to get tangled up in how we interpret it.

 

[davleemye]

I have another perspective. Our heavenly father is “Kind of Kings” over everyone. I am a Bible Christian as to I do not have a religion, am not Baptized, and just read the Bible, listen to Christian radio and always felt that God accepted me when I invited Him into my life as my savior. I am very obedient and moral to Bible teachings. However my neighbor who is Catholic invited me to an adoration chapel. She taught me the Rosary and all the important things like communion.
When I went there I was not welcomed sincerely. I was told I practice Protestantism. They said my neighbor could not mentor me anymore. Would not sit with me. When I told the priest there, I received letters of calumny.
This shows that there are great people in protestant churches and in Catholic ones. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves. I’m mostly sorry for my neighbor whose feelings were hurt by her Catholic church.

 

[lagerald24]

That’s very unfortunate and something that people of all denominations need to work on: Treating people with respect and where they are at in their life. Ultimately, though, we must keep seeking the Truth that is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

 

[Hope1960]

That’s very unfortunate and something that people of all denominations need to work on: Treating people with respect and where they are at in their life. Ultimately, though, we must keep seeking the Truth that is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

I’ll agree with that.

 

[Hope1960]

Man made. No kidding!
Who is Jesus Christ? The ignorance of this accusation is astounding, and you hear it a lot unfortunately. It betrays an ignorance of fundamental Christian concepts. (like the Incarnation)

No, they mean that WE made it up, not Jesus.

 

[Emeraldlady]

Hope1960:

The argument that seems to come up the most is they keep insisting Catholicism is man made.

There can be many legitimate objections to Catholic behavior and legitimate discussions about liturgy and discipline.
But the above accusation of Catholicism being 'man-made" is absolutely the dumbest thing ever.

Man made. No kidding!
Who is Jesus Christ? The ignorance of this accusation is astounding, and you hear it a lot unfortunately. It betrays an ignorance of fundamental Christian concepts. (like the Incarnation)

They claim that the Christian hierarchical structure of religion is man made by Catholics. What it is is ignorance of basic history because Scripture and tradition clearly recognise that the Apostles operated as an authority to be submitted to and obeyed. Paul’s letter to the Galatians (2) references a council of apostles in Jerusalem and describes them as “pillars”.

 

[goout]

goout:

Man made. No kidding!
Who is Jesus Christ? The ignorance of this accusation is astounding, and you hear it a lot unfortunately. It betrays an ignorance of fundamental Christian concepts. (like the Incarnation)

No, they mean that WE made it up, not Jesus.

Yes I understand the misunderstanding.
If “we” made it up…(who’s we?) then Jesus is not Jesus, plain and simple. He’s just another guy with a book, instead of the Incarnated Christ who dwelt among us.

It’s an awful understanding of basic Christian realities.

 

[mcq72]

Sadly, Protestantism is the product of a man who suffered intense scrupulosity and pride

Now that sounds quite “slickish” or “carmish”.

PS. You are not alone…quite a few of the comments above are in the same vein. Normally easy to take but given that thread is partly about negativity and manners of a P forum seems “odd”.

 

[mcq72]

I’ve never received an anti Catholic tract from anyone but I have received letters from JWs, which I never even read.
I don’t know if they bashed Catholicism or not.

“…the various facts of history are presented and how they so thoroughly prove Christendom to be, not Christ’s domain, but, rather, Christianity’s worst enemy and a part of the great worldwide Babylonish religious empire. First, its basic doctrines are from Babylon, not Christ; and second, its political maneuvering and meddling are diametrically opposed to Christ, who said: “My kingdom is no part of this world,” and, of his followers: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world”

.Is Christendom Truly Christ’s Domain? — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

They lump us all together (catholic, orthodox , protestant) …Christendom (not "Christianity’).

 

[mcq72]

Go to 10:40 on this video - I read the entire chapter today -
And reading it - from the Eucharist believing angle -
I was glad !

Interesting…nice clip…it is in the eye of the beholder…that is, we all seem justified (glad?) in our eucharist views, from trans to con to spiritual to symbolic.

 

[Hope1960]

Yes I understand the misunderstanding.
If “we” made it up…(who’s we?) then Jesus is not Jesus, plain and simple.

Catholics.