Protestants: Could you please do us all a favor??

  • Thread starter Thread starter distracted
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Memaw said:
These devotions while they are not part of Doctrine doesn’t mean they are wrong ideas. They are devotions and the Church has not said they are wrong. You need to try to understand the reasons why some have these devotions. Like I said maybe some who have will comment. But don’t let this be a stumbling block to you. There is no requirement in Catholic teaching to adopt all the devotions folks have.
Click to expand...
The stumbling block is this: buring a statue of St. Joseph to sell a house. Or to travel to work a prayer to St. Christopher. Or to offer food to a saints statue in some countries. I can’t believe these are correct or even appropiate. It seems like paganism brought into practice and the church is silent. This is a stumbling block. As far as the communion of Saints I believe it to be this way. They are with God and pray for his church and his loved ones. Whether we ask for them to intercede for us (not actually praying to them) is irrelevant. They do so on a general level anyway but I have no problem asking them to intercede for us in a specific way. However, to insinuate that they have power of their own is too close to the gods of the ancient world who have specific power over an aspect of our lives. I’ve been studing the hours and they’re great! (not to coin a phrase from a tiger). I should say beautiful and the devotion is wonderful. I don’t have a problem with this devotion. It emphasises the father and puts everything into proper perspective. But my issue is for the laity who misplace things. Such as more devotion to a saint then the Lord or to Mary than the Lord. Remeber Mary points to the Lord. The first miracle was done for her wishes but what did she tell the people. “do what ever he tell you.” Points to Jesus.
 
khutcheson said:
Originally Posted by khutcheson
(I’m ready to swear off this board for good if I see one more post complaining about “30,000 versions of the Protestant religion, or words to that effect”).

Because it’s a distortion of reality.

How do you feel when you hear someone complain that Catholics worship Mary?
Click to expand...
Exactly and there really isn’t a reason to say mention “hey you guys are like 30,000+” It’s uncharitable and is not going to convert anyone.
 
JonNC said:
Perhaps we could all learn more about each others’ beliefs by asking, listening, and most importantly, participating in these duscussions by explaining what we believe, instead of trying to explain (and criticize) what others believe.
I have learned more about what Catholics believe by lurking and reading what Catholics here say, then checking out NewAdvent or something. I also have a basic Catechism.

For those wanting to learn about Lutheranism, I suggest the Book of Concord. It is online in a number of places, including bookofconcord.org. The Small Catechism is a good start.

Jon
Click to expand...
Good point and good for you and all who are at this point.

So now my next questions now is, as a Protestant out in you church and community or social gathering, you hear anti-Catholic rhetoric, what is your response. Do you ignore it and let it get perpetuated, or do you take the chance to educate someone who is obviously flawed in his or her thinking and facts.

Also what about when Anti-Catholic rhetoric is taught from the pulpit? What is your response? Don’t get me wrong I applaud your willingness to accept the truth regarding Catholic teaching. However, there are many more who would ignore the truth for fear of being ridiculed.

My stepmother is a southern Baptist, I am a convert to the CC from the SBC also, and she will defend the truth about the CC whenever she hears it. Her church does not engage in Anti-Catholic rhetoric from the pulpit either. She asks lots of questions, some she does not agree with but respects and accepts as truths of the Catholic faith, and is non judgmental. She is my biggest advocate when defending my family’s beliefs when it is attacked by my Pentecostal sister, my own blood.
 
distracted said:
Yes, i suppose Catholics should study various Protestant theologies also… but i feel most Catholics on the forums have (more or less) done that…
Click to expand...
I agree that, all things being equal, “Catholics should study various Protestant theologies also”. But there are different ways of doing so. If a Catholic didn’t know much about Protestantism and decided to learn more by attending a Protestant <fill in whatever is the Protestant equivalent of RCIA> class, I would consider that a very bad idea (generally speaking).
 
wmscott said:
So now my next questions now is, as a Protestant out in you church and community or social gathering, you hear anti-Catholic rhetoric, what is your response. Do you ignore it and let it get perpetuated, or do you take the chance to educate someone who is obviously flawed in his or her thinking and facts.

Also what about when Anti-Catholic rhetoric is taught from the pulpit? What is your response? Don’t get me wrong I applaud your willingness to accept the truth regarding Catholic teaching. However, there are many more who would ignore the truth for fear of being ridiculed.
Click to expand...
A. Yes, on the RARE occasions I have heard disparaging comments about Catholicism I have responded to dispel myth.

B. I have NEVER heard anti-Catholic rhetoric from the pulpit. I have always attended conservative, fundamentalist evangelical Churches and have never heard anti-Catholic rhetoric from the pulpit. I grew up in Wheaton Illinois, at the time, a center of evangelicalism in the US and Catholicism wasn’t really on our radar.

C. Maybe I’m just not sensitive to the issue, but I don’t see that much anti-Catholicism in this country, or the Protestant Church.
 
wmscott said:
Good point and good for you and all who are at this point.

So now my next questions now is, as a Protestant out in you church and community or social gathering, you hear anti-Catholic rhetoric, what is your response. Do you ignore it and let it get perpetuated, or do you take the chance to educate someone who is obviously flawed in his or her thinking and facts.

Also what about when Anti-Catholic rhetoric is taught from the pulpit? What is your response? Don’t get me wrong I applaud your willingness to accept the truth regarding Catholic teaching. However, there are many more who would ignore the truth for fear of being ridiculed.

My stepmother is a southern Baptist, I am a convert to the CC from the SBC also, and she will defend the truth about the CC whenever she hears it. Her church does not engage in Anti-Catholic rhetoric from the pulpit either. She asks lots of questions, some she does not agree with but respects and accepts as truths of the Catholic faith, and is non judgmental. She is my biggest advocate when defending my family’s beliefs when it is attacked by my Pentecostal sister, my own blood.
Click to expand...
wmscott,
Good question. If you were to check my posts, you would find that I have here corrected noncatholics. Same in my community life. I will correct misconceptions, and confront anti-catholic rhetoric. I do, however, see a difference between anti-catholic rhetoric and simple disagreements in doctrine. To be honest, I’ve never heard anti-catholic rhetoric from the pulpit of any Lutheran Chruch I’ve ever been in.

Jon
 
sambos671 said:
The stumbling block is this: buring a statue of St. Joseph to sell a house. Or to travel to work a prayer to St. Christopher. Or to offer food to a saints statue in some countries. I can’t believe these are correct or even appropiate. It seems like paganism brought into practice and the church is silent. This is a stumbling block. As far as the communion of Saints I believe it to be this way. They are with God and pray for his church and his loved ones. Whether we ask for them to intercede for us (not actually praying to them) is irrelevant. They do so on a general level anyway but I have no problem asking them to intercede for us in a specific way. However, to insinuate that they have power of their own is too close to the gods of the ancient world who have specific power over an aspect of our lives. I’ve been studing the hours and they’re great! (not to coin a phrase from a tiger). I should say beautiful and the devotion is wonderful. I don’t have a problem with this devotion. It emphasises the father and puts everything into proper perspective. But my issue is for the laity who misplace things. Such as more devotion to a saint then the Lord or to Mary than the Lord. Remeber Mary points to the Lord. The first miracle was done for her wishes but what did she tell the people. “do what ever he tell you.” Points to Jesus.
Click to expand...
I think your making a mountain out of a molehill. Some devotions may have come out of their old ingrained customs but they are working their way to the fullness of the truth just as you are. I knew an old White Father that spent most of his adult life working with African natives from in the jungle. He told us that it takes generations to slowly bring them away from their old customs. Please be patient with others and as I said before, don’t let that interfere with your journey.
Praying to Patron Saints is an accepted practice in the Catholic Church such as praying to St. Christopher for safe travel, St. Anthony for lost articles etc, study into why and ask a priest for help. You are misunderstanding the whole point. Didn’t Jesus say to “ask”. Well we do ask, thats why its called the “Communion” of Saints. Go with the devotions your most comfortable with and don’t let anything else upset you, especially if you don’t understand it yet. It takes time to grow in understanding, God is patient with us. Let us be patient with others.
 
khutcheson said:
The point I was trying to make is that I think when we stand before our maker on judgment day, we will be judged on how we lived–not what we knew.
Click to expand...
We will be judged on what we believe and how we lived that belief. And if we followed the TRUTH as best we know how. That also includes seeking the TRUTH while we can and not let blind stubbornness interfere .
 
khutcheson said:
A. Yes, on the RARE occasions I have heard disparaging comments about Catholicism I have responded to dispel myth.

B. I have NEVER heard anti-Catholic rhetoric from the pulpit. I have always attended conservative, fundamentalist evangelical Churches and have never heard anti-Catholic rhetoric from the pulpit. I grew up in Wheaton Illinois, at the time, a center of evangelicalism in the US and Catholicism wasn’t really on our radar.

C. Maybe I’m just not sensitive to the issue, but I don’t see that much anti-Catholicism in this country, or the Protestant Church.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear it, there is too much defamation (otherwise we would need an anti defamation league) out there and all of us need to defend truth no matter where it is found. In my past, I have heard anti-catholic rhetoric from the pulpit. It was more than likely the preacher view and not that of the congregation. I am not sure if anyone pulled him aside and corrected him. If you want to see anti-Catholic rhetoric, goggle Jack Chick and read his stuff. He is just one.
 
Memaw said:
We will be judged on what we believe and how we lived that belief. And if we followed the TRUTH as best we know how. That also includes seeking the TRUTH while we can and not let blind stubbornness interfere .
Click to expand...
Blind stubbornness? Where did that come from?
 
wmscott said:
Glad to hear it, there is too much defamation (otherwise we would need an anti defamation league) out there and all of us need to defend truth no matter where it is found. In my past, I have heard anti-catholic rhetoric from the pulpit. It was more than likely the preacher view and not that of the congregation. I am not sure if anyone pulled him aside and corrected him. If you want to see anti-Catholic rhetoric, goggle Jack Chick and read his stuff. He is just one.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I don’t waste my time with the lunatic fringe and I really don’t think it makes sense to associate Jack Chick with the overwhelming majority of Protestantism.
 
JonNC said:
wmscott,
Good question. If you were to check my posts, you would find that I have here corrected noncatholics. Same in my community life. I will correct misconceptions, and confront anti-catholic rhetoric. I do, however, see a difference between anti-catholic rhetoric and simple disagreements in doctrine. To be honest, I’ve never heard anti-catholic rhetoric from the pulpit of any Lutheran Chruch I’ve ever been in.

Jon
Click to expand...
I agree there is a difference between anti-catholic rhetoric and simple disagreements in doctrine. In the exchange of doctrine between two faiths, it is expected. It generates a lot of enlightening discussion and understanding between two faiths. You and the many others here that do confront lies, misconceptions and defamation are the true seekers of knowledge and truth. Thanks for being there.
 
khutcheson said:
Sorry, I don’t waste my time with the lunatic fringe and I really don’t think it makes sense to associate Jack Chick with the overwhelming majority of Protestantism.
Click to expand...
I know, but it is out there and people buy into it. This is as you say a fringe element, but how many more are there that are not the fringe? Simple fact is there are those who make it their personal mission to tear down one religion or another (Catholic or Protestant).
 
emeraldcoast said:
Interesting topic, after I asked for help with responding to a Catholic Post yesterday and couldn’t get a single response after 300 hits… I asked for a clear understanding from a Catholic and couldn’t get it! I did not want the wrong information being put out there about the Catholic Church and then today I was accused of being anti-Catholic. Go figure!

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=251454

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=3914849#post3914849

Peace!
Click to expand...
Both of these threads drove many Catholics away. The first, by specifically asking for non-Catholic opinions. The second by its nonsensical title. None of the heavy hitters were present. I suggest trying again, starting thread(s) which directly address that which you seek answers to. You will receive many.

Christ’s peace.
 
:whistle:
Memaw said:
I think your making a mountain out of a molehill. Some devotions may have come out of their old ingrained customs but they are working their way to the fullness of the truth just as you are. I knew an old White Father that spent most of his adult life working with African natives from in the jungle. He told us that it takes generations to slowly bring them away from their old customs. Please be patient with others and as I said before, don’t let that interfere with your journey.
Praying to Patron Saints is an accepted practice in the Catholic Church such as praying to St. Christopher for safe travel, St. Anthony for lost articles etc, study into why and ask a priest for help. You are misunderstanding the whole point. Didn’t Jesus say to “ask”. Well we do ask, thats why its called the “Communion” of Saints. Go with the devotions your most comfortable with and don’t let anything else upset you, especially if you don’t understand it yet. It takes time to grow in understanding, God is patient with us. Let us be patient with others.
Click to expand...
Ok, I’ll be patient. Don’t like it but patient:whistle:
 
Memaw said:
Blindly & stubbornly sticking with something that is NOT true. Not checking out the facts to see if it is true.
Click to expand...
I was hoping that was NOT what you were implying. I don’t think it’s appropriate to suggest that someone who doesn’t see things your way is stubborn or blind.
 
khutcheson said:
Sorry, I don’t waste my time with the lunatic fringe and I really don’t think it makes sense to associate Jack Chick with the overwhelming majority of Protestantism.
Click to expand...
But they do circulate among them as I have had some shown to me by non-catholic friends and fam. I always remind them of the 8th Commandment.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top