Purpose of CAF

[jack_hawkins]

I want to genuinely ask what the purpose of CAF is seen as, esp vis a vis enquirers?
I don’t find this site helpful for people enquiring about the RCC, and I would personally tell people to avoid this site if they are wanting to learn about the Church. I won’t tell you what our Curate thought of some of the opinions expressed…
Is CAF meant to be helpful to enquirers, or is it more a defensive site somewhere on the lines of the Jesuits’ Counter-Reformation?
Some posters seem to prefer to deter people they see as unsuitable to become Catholics to encouraging them - I won’t name names but there are a few.
This is a genuine question, not an attempt to score points.

 

[LilyM]

I’m curious - which more specific type of opinions was your (presumably Catholic) curate unhappy with? And has he seen and does he agree with everything you’ve said on here? I think we can tell which you’re not happy with by looking at your past posts

Do remember even curates don’t always provide you with accurate information, neither does your own research and opinion automatically equal the truth either.

Remember too that Jesus in John 6 was happy to let many who did not accept his teaching walk away - he didn’t water anything down for the sake of gaining more followers, rather he stuck to his truth.

Which I think is what we try to do (although I agree that some of us are a lot more user-friendly about it than others ). Of course some of us have more passion and emotional investment in our beliefs than knowledge and understanding of God’s truth - but same applies on all sides, jack.

 

[jack_hawkins]

I’m curious - which more specific type of opinions was your (presumably Catholic) curate unhappy with? And has he seen and does he agree with everything you’ve said on here? I think we can tell which you’re not happy with by looking at your past posts

Do remember even curates don’t always provide you with accurate information, neither does your own research and opinion automatically equal the truth either.

Remember too that Jesus in John 6 was happy to let many who did not accept his teaching walk away - he didn’t water anything down for the sake of gaining more followers, rather he stuck to his truth.

Which I think is what we try to do (although I agree that some of us are a lot more user-friendly about it than others ). Of course some of us have more passion and emotional investment in our beliefs than knowledge and understanding of God’s truth - but same applies on all sides, jack.

I was talking to him about some of my grave concerns concerning biomedical issues (which I was formally warned about discussing too much on the board I might add) - eg using condoms to prevent HIV transmission. No I didn’t go into great detail, and no I didn’t show him all my posts here. As I say, I’m not trying to score points here. People can reject or accept the points I make. I am only trying to “instruct the uninformed” as I am expected to.

 

[Chancellare]

I was talking to him about some of my grave concerns concerning biomedical issues (which I was formally warned about discussing too much on the board I might add) - eg using condoms to prevent HIV transmission. No I didn’t go into great detail, and no I didn’t show him all my posts here. As I say, I’m not trying to score points here. People can reject or accept the points I make. I am only trying to “instruct the uninformed” as I am expected to.

If I was uncharitable in some of my previous postings, I sincerely apologize.

I have come to realize we can objectively understand each other if we so focus on such.

Since you said you are not here to score points but rather to “instruct the uninformed”, I suppose you might be more interested in the reasons behind the opposition to the use of condoms here. Towards this end, what have you crystallized?

 

[Eireann]

I want to genuinely ask what the purpose of CAF is seen as, esp vis a vis enquirers?
I don’t find this site helpful for people enquiring about the RCC, and I would personally tell people to avoid this site if they are wanting to learn about the Church. I won’t tell you what our Curate thought of some of the opinions expressed…
Is CAF meant to be helpful to enquirers, or is it more a defensive site somewhere on the lines of the Jesuits’ Counter-Reformation?
Some posters seem to prefer to deter people they see as unsuitable to become Catholics to encouraging them - I won’t name names but there are a few.
This is a genuine question, not an attempt to score points.

I think Karl Keating set up this site after reading an anti-catholic leaflet that was attached to his car. (correct me if I’m wrong)
Some forums are nasty places to be, it depends on how we respond.

I went on the “great” ? CARM forum and it’s a lot worse than here, I’ve been called a Romanist on the first day. nice.

You attacked me for what you thought was an unchristian thing to say, when it is our duty to instruct the ignorant.

That is, I’m assuming they were ignorant in the first place.

 

[jack_hawkins]

Fr James was telling me how the Church in Kenya actively encouraged the use of condoms to prevent HIV transmission when he was there as a seminarian
hwoever this is getting off the point really, I’m not wanting to get into yet another recycled discussion about the rights and wrongs of any Catholic doctrine full stop - I am just raising the issue of the mission of CAF, and trying to make people aware of how CAF comes across to me. I realise that my comments will likely fall on barren ground in most cases

 

[jack_hawkins]

I think CAF should renamed the Catholic Defense Forum, or possibly the Catholic Anti-Defamation Forum

 

[SuzieB]

I think CAF should renamed the Catholic Defense Forum, or possibly the Catholic Anti-Defamation Forum

I agree with you Jack.

 

[Larry1700]

I mentioned this in another thread you were involved in jack_hawkins. I use CAF similarly to the way I use Wikipedia or other internet sources – to hear opinions just like when talking to friends about a topic, and to get quick answers as to where a source document, etc. can be found.

I definitely do not take the “answers” here or in Wikipedia, etc. as gospel truth, unless/untill they are backed up by the appropriate sources. If it concerns a matter of faith/morals, I may read the opinions here, but my final decision will only be made by reading the Bible, Catechism, papal encyclicals, etc. I have obtained links to documents which I could have eventually found on my own, but it’s great to ask a question, then have 5 people provide several different links to source documents with a day or less.

For me, CAF is fun. I thouroughly enjoy the debates. It keeps me on my toes. Just like with other disciplines, when you have to explain something to someone, it helps you understand it better. I even got opinions about motorless lawn mowers, subwoofers, and other non-Catholic topics.

Most importantly, I hope that CAF plays a positive role in either helping someone stay/become Catholic, or at least Christian. In one thread there was someone who is strongly considering leaving the Church to become a Mennonite. In another there is a Satanist reaching out for help, but currently nervous about talking to a priest.

I love CAF, but accept it for what it is. A group of people getting together to discuss topics of similar interest.

 

[carol_marie]

I think CAF should renamed the Catholic Defense Forum, or possibly the Catholic Anti-Defamation Forum

I think Catholic “Answers” suits perfectly. When I first joined a few years ago, I was a Protestant, born-again Christian who wanted to understand why Catholics prayed to Mary & the Saints, why they believed in Purgatory, why there were extra books in their Bible, how they viewed Salvation etc. etc.

The answers I received were Biblical, historically accurate and easy for me to understand. I became Catholic as a result of the truth that was shared with me. Without question, this site was one of the major influences in my conversion.

I’m sorry if your experience hasn’t been good here.

 

[jack_hawkins]

I’m sure the site can be useful for people who have simple non-controversial questions and don’t argue about the answers given. Also people who don’t meet up with and incur the ire of some of the forum’s “notables”.

 

[Al_Masetti]

I think Karl Keating set up this site after reading an anti-catholic leaflet that was attached to his car. (correct me if I’m wrong)
Some forums are nasty places to be, it depends on how we respond.

I went on the “great” ? CARM forum and it’s a lot worse than here, I’ve been called a Romanist on the first day. nice.

You attacked me for what you thought was an unchristian thing to say, when it is our duty to instruct the ignorant.

That is, I’m assuming they were ignorant in the first place.

Karl Keating started CA to publish a tract in response to a leaflet that someone put under his car’s windshield wiper.

“One thing led to another” as they say. CA just grew from Karl working on his own with his pastor’s approval to now … what is arguably the largest and most effective Catholic apologetics group on the Planet Earth.

Karl “expanded” with more tracts, then seminars, lists of books for people to study, then a newsletter. The books were out of print, so he moved into publishing.

A serialized article became “Catholicism and Fundamentalism”, a fabulous book (which you all should buy and read.)

The newsletter became an actual magazine, “This Rock”.

CAF and the radio station are recent additions to the overall Catholic Answers program of apologetics and lay evangelization.

 

[fix]

I want to genuinely ask what the purpose of CAF is seen as, esp vis a vis enquirers?
I don’t find this site helpful for people enquiring about the RCC, and I would personally tell people to avoid this site if they are wanting to learn about the Church. I won’t tell you what our Curate thought of some of the opinions expressed…
Is CAF meant to be helpful to enquirers, or is it more a defensive site somewhere on the lines of the Jesuits’ Counter-Reformation?
Some posters seem to prefer to deter people they see as unsuitable to become Catholics to encouraging them - I won’t name names but there are a few.
This is a genuine question, not an attempt to score points.

I think the name CAF says it all. It is about answers. Opinions are discussed, but opinions on issues of morals and faith that are contrary to authentic Church teaching will often be refuted.

 

[Guardian]

I want to genuinely ask what the purpose of CAF is seen as, esp vis a vis enquirers?
I don’t find this site helpful for people enquiring about the RCC, and I would personally tell people to avoid this site if they are wanting to learn about the Church. I won’t tell you what our Curate thought of some of the opinions expressed…
Is CAF meant to be helpful to enquirers, or is it more a defensive site somewhere on the lines of the Jesuits’ Counter-Reformation?
Some posters seem to prefer to deter people they see as unsuitable to become Catholics to encouraging them - I won’t name names but there are a few.
This is a genuine question, not an attempt to score points.

I use this site currently to get specific information on things one can not easily find by the conventional method. Not to be rude, but I find most Catholics on here only know cookie-cutter answers to questions, but there are a few on here that surpass my knowledge big time, and their responses are very useful to me in my research. Whether or not that was the purpose of CAF, I don’t know, but I’m glad CAF exists regardless.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

jack hawkins:

I was talking to him about some of my grave concerns concerning biomedical issues (which I was formally warned about discussing too much on the board I might add) -

You know, Jack, this is an example of raising an issue to which we cannot respond.

What does ‘formally warned’ mean now? Who warned you? What was said? Why were you warned? What was the justification for the warning?

All this so far, Jack, is just your opinion taking the form of innuendo using an invisible authority. Do you believe that to be a fair way of engaging us in a discussion?

Moreover, if you are going to make allegations about the behaviour of CAF posters, don’t you think it might be a good idea to look at your own behaviour?

Translation: Pot? Kettle?
jack hawkins:

eg using condoms to prevent HIV transmission. No I didn’t go into great detail, and no I didn’t show him all my posts here.

Why didn’t you show him all your posts here? Same reason you didn’t show us all his comments here perhaps? Or give us his name? Or a link to his website?
jack hawkins:

As I say, I’m not trying to score points here.

Uh-huh. The purpose of the thread then is what exactly?
jack hawkins:

People can reject or accept the points I make.

Yes.
jack hawkins:

I am only trying to “instruct the uninformed” as I am expected to.

And if we feel that you are instructing the ‘uninformed’ inaccurately, then your instruction will be challenged. Fair enough?

 

[carol_marie]

I’m sure the site can be useful for people who have simple non-controversial questions and don’t argue about the answers given. ".

You don’t believe that praying to Mary is controversial for a born again Protestant???

Perhaps you feel that “controversial” questions are only those you struggle with?

 

[Ani_Ibi]

I am just raising the issue of the mission of CAF, and trying to make people aware of how CAF comes across to me.

How CAF comes across to you can hinge on various disparate factors – some of which are as follows:

• how you yourself interpret differences of opinion;
• where you yourself place yourself on the learning/teaching continuum;
• understandings of logic which may vary among posters;
• responsiveness to authority which may vary among posters;
• attachment to the notion of common ground which may vary among posters; and so on.

I realise that my comments will likely fall on barren ground in most cases

How do you define ‘barren ground’?
Please quantify ‘most cases.’
Do you think this sort of comment helps or hinders the point you are trying to make – oh! sorry! I forgot you weren’t trying to make a point!

 

[Ani_Ibi]

I think CAF should renamed the Catholic Defense Forum, or possibly the Catholic Anti-Defamation Forum

Whew! The breathtaking speed at which the thread moves straight on into namecalling!

Ever wonder how your posts come across to us, Jack?

 

[jack_hawkins]

How do you define ‘barren ground’?

Aren’t you conversant with the parable of the sower? Please say you are?

Please quantify ‘most cases.’

most is commonly accepted to mean the majority - does that help?

Do you think this sort of comment helps or hinders the point you are trying to make – oh! sorry! I forgot you weren’t trying to make a point!

It was an observation, it was not intended to help nor hinder. If you can’t see my point do you accept the validity of my observation about barren ground?

 

[Larry1700]

A serialized article became “Catholicism and Fundamentalism”, a fabulous book (which you all should buy and read.).

I read it during my journey rom Baptist to Catholic. Excellent! I highly recommend it, as well as books by Hahn and Madrid.