Protestant forums

[jim1130]

ReflectHim:

this needs to be said for those boards and catholic boards too. as a non-catholic on this board its not as if its any different here. especially your last sentence in your quote…i find that is the same approach here. so its not about being non-catholic vs. catholic…when you are the miniority it is that way…period

I think that you will find most Catholics open to hearing what others have to say. For example, there is always dialogue with the LDS and explaining JWs. There is a big debate on “Apologetics” about John 6 and the Eucharist. There is a discussion now on whether or not Protestantism is heresy, but if oyu look at the definition the argument can be made that Protestantism is heretical sinc eit broke from Catholic doctrine. Some people on thie site may be more blunt, but you seldom get the ALL UPPERCASE BOLD typeface that accompanies non-Catholic sites in their efforts to promote Catholicism as evil, kind of like Michael Irvin on ESPN who feels the louder he shouts the more right he is.

 

[ReflectHim]

jim1130:

I think that you will find most Catholics open to hearing what others have to say. For example, there is always dialogue with the LDS and explaining JWs. There is a big debate on “Apologetics” about John 6 and the Eucharist. There is a discussion now on whether or not Protestantism is heresy, but if oyu look at the definition the argument can be made that Protestantism is heretical sinc eit broke from Catholic doctrine. Some people on thie site may be more blunt, but you seldom get the ALL UPPERCASE BOLD typeface that accompanies non-Catholic sites in their efforts to promote Catholicism as evil, kind of like Michael Irvin on ESPN who feels the louder he shouts the more right he is.

here i would say both our post are just our opinions. in no instance do i see that catholics are more “peaceful” than non-catholics. to say so would be of course biased. i say they aren’t you say they are and vise versa. any religious discussion is most likely going to get heated. no one group is more meek than another…for a lack of better words

 

[jim1130]

ReflectHim:

here i would say both our post are just our opinions. in no instance do i see that catholics are more “peaceful” than non-catholics. to say so would be of course biased. i say they aren’t you say they are and vise versa. any religious discussion is most likely going to get heated. no one group is more meek than another…for a lack of better words

I would kindly disagree. Growing up in PA, and surrounded by a large Catholic populaiton, I was not particularly aware of hostility toward Catholics. Residing in OK and traveling through the south changed that. I’ve been called names, damned to Hell, told I was a pagan, evio, idol worshipper, etc. People have tried to convert me using inflammatory anti-Catholic publications. Maybe you could tell your friends that you are converting to Catholicsm and to see how they react.

 

[ReflectHim]

jim1130:

I would kindly disagree. Growing up in PA, and surrounded by a large Catholic populaiton, I was not particularly aware of hostility toward Catholics. Residing in OK and traveling through the south changed that. I’ve been called names, damned to Hell, told I was a pagan, evio, idol worshipper, etc. People have tried to convert me using inflammatory anti-Catholic publications. Maybe you could tell your friends that you are converting to Catholicsm and to see how they react.

ummm but i’m not. and likewise your treatment for converting to catholcisim…ummm…how about being told that you only can do it the catholic way, you’re going to hell…you’re wrong you’re wrong…and all that jazz…the jargon and insults fly both ways. period. catholics aren’t better than non-catholics and non-catholics are not better than catholics…in any instance…

 

[jim1130]

ReflectHim:

ummm but i’m not. and likewise your treatment for converting to catholcisim…ummm…how about being told that you only can do it the catholic way, you’re going to hell…you’re wrong you’re wrong…and all that jazz…the jargon and insults fly both ways. period. catholics aren’t better than non-catholics and non-catholics are not better than catholics…in any instance…

Just curious: Then why are you on this Web site?

 

[LSK]

John Paul III:

As a new convert, I love this prayer

“Dear Jesus forgive us or our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven especially the ones who most need your mercy.”

Today when I come across one of my protestant friends who claim I am in need of salvation and I should run from the Church, I will pray this prayer with them and let them know this is a prayer that I pray everyday durring my rosary, its a neat eye opener for the anti catholics that think of our Church as the anti christ, but you will also notice that this prayer does not even phase them.

AWESOME - you can bear witness AND you can teach, all with one prayer!

 

[ReflectHim]

jim1130:

Just curious: Then why are you on this Web site?

didn’t know you had to be here if you’re not converting. i’m here for research and to become a well rounded person. that way when i speak on issues concerning issues or aspects of life that i do not participate in i’ll have some knowledge. i am here with an open mind to just basically become familar with the catholic church, and their teachings, even if i don’t agree. that way i’ll have a better understanding, just as i plan to read some message boards for muslims so i can gain some knowledge, i’m black and would have no problem visiting a white supremisist (sp?) message board, just to see what they believe and why…

 

[LSK]

Han Ji Hye:

In my country, catholics and protestants are living together in harmony. I sometimes wondering why in the US (and other western community) being Catholic or Protestants have become so big deal for both sides

Well, it’s not just in the United States. In Ireland it has been a cause of war for the past several hundred years.

The United States was settled by mostly Protestants and Catholics were viewed with suspicion because of the Pope. Our ability to be good citizens has been questioned (where is our true allegiance?) as well as the usual suspicions about the manner in which we practice our Faith. During the 1950(s) my mother and father moved to Connecticut and my mother - who had been born and raised in California - came face-to-face with her first outright anti-Catholicism. She saw a sign in the window of a shop that said, 'Help Wanted. Irish and Catholic need not apply" and she could not believe it. My father, however, had been raised in the South and was used to seeing that sort of blatant discrimination against 'Papists".

The United States is full of people. Like any place, including your country, when you fill a place with people you are going to have discord in some area. That is the affect of original sin on the human condition.

 

[LSK]

ReflectHim:

ummm but i’m not. and likewise your treatment for converting to catholcisim…ummm…how about being told that you only can do it the catholic way, you’re going to hell…you’re wrong you’re wrong…and all that jazz…the jargon and insults fly both ways. period. catholics aren’t better than non-catholics and non-catholics are not better than catholics…in any instance…

If anyone, on this board or anywhere, told you that you can only ‘do it the Catholic way, you’re going to hell’ then they are wrong, as that is not in our Catechism. You may have been, at time, wrong and so you may have been told that - if you have been wrong, you are wrong. Catholics may not be better than non-Catholics, and vice a versa; however, The Holy Mother Church does represent the fullness of the Christian Faith. That is the Truth. We cannot, as faithful members of the Holy Mother Church, ever be expected to deny the Truth in order to make you or any other non-Catholic feel better. We believe, as our Catechism teaches, that Christians love Jesus Christ and should be respected…but the fullness of the Faith lies within the practices and teachings of the Church that was founded by Jesus Christ. If you do not believe that, we do believe you are wrong.

If you are here to truly learn about the Catholic Church, I would suggest you begin by reading the Catechism just so that you could have a real foundation in the true teachings of the Holy Mother Church. It can be found online…an excellent website I use may be found at:
scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm

Good luck and God Bless you!

 

[ReflectHim]

LSK:

If anyone, on this board or anywhere, told you that you can only ‘do it the Catholic way, you’re going to hell’ then they are wrong, as that is not in our Catechism. You may have been, at time, wrong and so you may have been told that - if you have been wrong, you are wrong. Catholics may not be better than non-Catholics, and vice a versa; however, The Holy Mother Church does represent the fullness of the Christian Faith. That is the Truth. We cannot, as faithful members of the Holy Mother Church, ever be expected to deny the Truth in order to make you or any other non-Catholic feel better. We believe, as our Catechism teaches, that Christians love Jesus Christ and should be respected…but the fullness of the Faith lies within the practices and teachings of the Church that was founded by Jesus Christ. If you do not believe that, we do believe you are wrong.

If you are here to truly learn about the Catholic Church, I would suggest you begin by reading the Catechism just so that you could have a real foundation in the true teachings of the Holy Mother Church. It can be found online…an excellent website I use may be found at:
scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm

Good luck and God Bless you!

tooshay (sp?) but there is also away to present information that you deem the truth. just because its not accepted by a non-catholic you teach that that person is wrong, and likewise the same can be said toward you and your beliefs. you can proclaim the catholic faith and see it as truth, but as many holes as you can claim in non-catholic faith it can also be reversed. its just that it seems in my OPINION that issues should be tactful at least. your beliefs are just that your catholic beliefs.if i do not hold your beliefs than that is fine. we can always agree to disagree, at least i will. you can proclaim and never deny your church, and likewise for me. but do not deny or have me deny what i belief just because its not catholic belief. just as much as you are convicted in your faith, so are others. period. not even looking at a right or wrong stance. just common respect. catholic belief is your law, i’m not bound to your law if i do not believe the same. so i say take that into consideration when speaking to people. just as i would expect any non-catholic to take into consideration when speaking to catholics.

 

[jim1130]

ReflectHim:

didn’t know you had to be here if you’re not converting. i’m here for research and to become a well rounded person. that way when i speak on issues concerning issues or aspects of life that i do not participate in i’ll have some knowledge. i am here with an open mind to just basically become familar with the catholic church, and their teachings, even if i don’t agree. that way i’ll have a better understanding, just as i plan to read some message boards for muslims so i can gain some knowledge, i’m black and would have no problem visiting a white supremisist (sp?) message board, just to see what they believe and why…

That’s interesting. See, I was just curious. You will get perspectives here, some presented well and some not presented well. I’m not perfect by any stretch of the imagination and I use this site to strengthen my own faith. It is nice when non-Catholics on this site visit and realize that our Church is Bible and tradition based; that we are not making it up as we go along. Hope that this is a postive resource for you. Even though I am not necessarily the one to ask, if you have questions you should feel free to post them because there are many well-informed and knowledgeable people who can help explain. As for the white supremecists ---- You are a better person than me. I don’t want to visit those sites at all!!!

 

[Church_Militant]

Look…the fact is that there are some misconconceptions all around.
Having been non-Catholic for over 34 years I am well aware of the misinformation and misunderstandings that exist among non-Catholics about Catholicism. I have been told some pretty far out stuff about us and sat there with my jaw dropped as it was offered as gospel truth and absorbed by others as same.

The real grind comes in when I attempt to explain that something someone’s book, tape, website, or pastor says is not correct. The treatment is like we Catholics are just too stupid to know what we believe, in spite of the evidence that we can provide that that is patently not the case.

I’m glad you’re here for your info ReflectHim, and please take us at our word and get the facts for yourself. Look at the primary sources of the things we share with you and know that though we would rejoice if you joined us, that is the work of the Holy Spirit within you, not us. We don’t push.

As for a list of a-C forums…PM me and I can name names, but I’m not putting them out on the open forum because that usually just causes a “board swarm” or “board war” and that is not very Christ-like at all. We don’t like it when that happens to us here at CAF and I know the other folks don’t appreciate it any better than we do.
Pax vobiscum,

 

[jim1130]

Church Militant:

Look…the fact is that there are some misconconceptions all around.
Having been non-Catholic for over 34 years I am well aware of the misinformation and misunderstandings that exist among non-Catholics about Catholicism. I have been told some pretty far out stuff about us and sat there with my jaw dropped as it was offered as gospel truth and absorbed by others as same.

The real grind comes in when I attempt to explain that something someone’s book, tape, website, or pastor says is not correct. The treatment is like we Catholics are just too stupid to know what we believe, in spite of the evidence that we can provide that that is patently not the case.

I’m glad you’re here for your info ReflectHim, and please take us at our word and get the facts for yourself. Look at the primary sources of the things we share with you and know that though we would rejoice if you joined us, that is the work of the Holy Spirit within you, not us. We don’t push.

As for a list of a-C forums…PM me and I can name names, but I’m not putting them out on the open forum because that usually just causes a “board swarm” or “board war” and that is not very Christ-like at all. We don’t like it when that happens to us here at CAF and I know the other folks don’t appreciate it any better than we do.
Pax vobiscum,

There are a lot of classy people on this site. Hopefully, someday, I can exhibit the same level of class and sophistication. For now, I need to grow up. Thanks.

 

[LSK]

ReflectHim:

tooshay (sp?) but there is also away to present information that you deem the truth. just because its not accepted by a non-catholic you teach that that person is wrong, and likewise the same can be said toward you and your beliefs. you can proclaim the catholic faith and see it as truth, but as many holes as you can claim in non-catholic faith it can also be reversed. its just that it seems in my OPINION that issues should be tactful at least. your beliefs are just that your catholic beliefs.if i do not hold your beliefs than that is fine. we can always agree to disagree, at least i will. you can proclaim and never deny your church, and likewise for me. but do not deny or have me deny what i belief just because its not catholic belief. just as much as you are convicted in your faith, so are others. period. not even looking at a right or wrong stance. just common respect. catholic belief is your law, i’m not bound to your law if i do not believe the same. so i say take that into consideration when speaking to people. just as i would expect any non-catholic to take into consideration when speaking to catholics.

Respectful presentation is always necessary, but just as Justin Martyr once stood in the forums of the other philosophers of his day and did not grant that they were correct or true in their beliefs or arguments, so do I grant to you. I respect one’s right to believe however they wish to believe; I do not grant that there is any truth to certain beliefs. I grant there there is some truths to some Protestant denominations, but the entire Truth? No. This I do not grant you, with all due respect. My Catholic beliefs encompass the entire fullness of the Christian Faith. That truth may upset you, but it is what it is, and it cannot be denied. If the Protestant belief system was solid and steady, there would not be so many different interpretations, so many different debates among Protestant theologians and there would be one authority upon which they could all turn to and agree. They cannot. They all point to the Holy Scripture, but they all interpret the Holy Scripture differently and then point to themselves, as individually guided by the Holy Spirit and their authority. That is not the Church that Jesus founded. Therefore, while I respect and honor that you are a Christian, I respectfully submit to you that you do not worship Jesus Christ in the fullness of the Faith and within the Church that He established.

 

[awfulthings9]

Singinbeauty:

I agree that some (or most) Protestant forums can be a little, shall we say, mean sometimes. But that happens here on CA as well. It happens EVERYWHERE. I have started a forums that will hopefully never see that kind of behavior as it is a forums to explore UNITY in christianity. Check it out if you want. I just hope I can have the kind of love and charity I see from most catholics on CA. I am one protestant trying to make a difference. We already have some catholics signed up as well as protestants. It’s brand new so not much activity but hopefully it will soon! Check out my website in my signature if you want to check them out!

Forum Moderators: I understand this may be perceived as advertising other forums but I assure you that is not my intention. I just want to offer an alternative to what they think ALL protestant forums are about. If you need to have me edit it I will!

I’ve accepted Singinbeauty’s invitation and have met nothing but pleasant exchange on her site. I’m trying to give the respect I would ask of visitors here, and it has been very well received. Very nice people there so far.

 

[ReflectHim]

LSK:

Respectful presentation is always necessary, but just as Justin Martyr once stood in the forums of the other philosophers of his day and did not grant that they were correct or true in their beliefs or arguments, so do I grant to you. I respect one’s right to believe however they wish to believe; I do not grant that there is any truth to certain beliefs. I grant there there is some truths to some Protestant denominations, but the entire Truth? No. This I do not grant you, with all due respect. My Catholic beliefs encompass the entire fullness of the Christian Faith. That truth may upset you, but it is what it is, and it cannot be denied. If the Protestant belief system was solid and steady, there would not be so many different interpretations, so many different debates among Protestant theologians and there would be one authority upon which they could all turn to and agree. They cannot. They all point to the Holy Scripture, but they all interpret the Holy Scripture differently and then point to themselves, as individually guided by the Holy Spirit and their authority. That is not the Church that Jesus founded. Therefore, while I respect and honor that you are a Christian, I respectfully submit to you that you do not worship Jesus Christ in the fullness of the Faith and within the Church that He established.

again i disagree but okay. agree to disagree. we could get into a LONG debate over why and why not this and that. sadly the holiday seasons are near and participation online will cease, but even still i believe that even thru a healthy debate it would still produce the same outcome. i am just as much convicted in my faith as you are in yours, and for some of the same reasons. even with evidence/scripture/proof. or whatever. we view things in a different light. period. so thus again will just say we are all entitled to our beliefs and or opinion. it doesn’t change anything. but no hard feelings

 

[pnewton]

I have recently taken to posting on a Protestant forum. At first Catholic opinion was allowed as long as it was not apologetic, but only clarifying. Now this particular board does not want Catholic theology discussed at all. I have still hung around because I still like the Christian fellowship. I do not have a problem with the majority of Christians there and the handful of rabid anti-Catholics are usually revealed for the extremists they are anyway.

 

[Inquirer]

Hi Folks

I’m not catholic, but recently, because of a couple of issues in my church (divorce and baptism) I stumbled upon the catholic teaching for it and realised that it made more sense than the versions I got in church.

I never realised it, but now that I begin to look seriously into catholicism and try to put out the catholic answer and reasoning to forum posts, I am beginning to see the ‘heat’ you guys get for your beliefs.

It’s quite amazing … and I’m not even catholic!

Do drop by this Singaporean site … I don’t think there are catholics there at all. I suppose that may explain why I’m getting so much flak there.

You’ll know my nick there almost instantly … I guarantee!

PM poster for info on that site

I would really welcome the support.