Responses to Protestants

[nick908]

I need some help. I’m really getting angry at these responses i keep hearing from Protestants. I thought I would browse some Protestant Forums to see what they thought of catholics and our views. What i got was disturbing. It seems they are saying we are liars and cheating indirectly. I even heard, in one instance, that they thought all Catholics were damned to hell because we follow in a “Corrupt Roman Scroll”. This made my blood boil, because it was just this morning that my Priest, at Easter Mass, was telling us to except Protestants as brothers.

The point of this is, how do I try to convice these Protestants that we aren’t evil, and our beliefs aren’t based on greed. (They always use the excuse about our bishops and Popes being corrupt over the years). Sorry if this post is one big ramble, but I can’t seem to gather my thoughts.

P.S. I don’t know a ton about our faith ( I do know most of the basics and history, just not real in depth about certain subjects).

 

[challenger]

Most people who hold such views are the products of a gradually cultivated bias that is difficult to break. They won’t listen to you, like as not.

 

[Tietjen]

nick908:

I need some help. I’m really getting angry at these responses i keep hearing from Protestants. I thought I would browse some Protestant Forums to see what they thought of catholics and our views. What i got was disturbing. It seems they are saying we are liars and cheating indirectly. I even heard, in one instance, that they thought all Catholics were damned to hell because we follow in a “Corrupt Roman Scroll”. This made my blood boil, because it was just this morning that my Priest, at Easter Mass, was telling us to except Protestants as brothers.

The point of this is, how do I try to convice these Protestants that we aren’t evil, and our beliefs aren’t based on greed. (They always use the excuse about our bishops and Popes being corrupt over the years). Sorry if this post is one big ramble, but I can’t seem to gather my thoughts.

P.S. I don’t know a ton about our faith ( I do know most of the basics and history, just not real in depth about certain subjects).

Unless you like to argue, I’d simply skip going to Protestant websites and debating with them. I did it once, and became so angry I ended up be banned from their website. I wasn’t banned for profanity of anything like that, I was banned because I voiced my irritation at their hatred of all things Catholic. It should be said however, that all Protestants are NOT like that. My problem is with the ones that HATE (not very Christ like) the Church and spread lies about it. Those that have real questions (without the HATE) and would like to know the answers I can respect.

 

[nick908]

Tietjen:

Unless you like to argue, I’d simply skip going to Protestant websites and debating with them. I did it once, and became so angry I ended up be banned from their website. I wasn’t banned for profanity of anything like that, I was banned because I voiced my irritation at their hatred of all things Catholic. It should be said however, that all Protestants are NOT like that. My problem is with the ones that HATE (not very Christ like) the Church and spread lies about it. Those that have real questions (without the HATE) and would like to know the answers I can respect.

I think I may. I find that a lot of times Protestants aren’t taught correctly about the Catholic faith, that they are just taught we are right and Catholics are evil, greedy ppl who worship “the bishop of Rome” (The Pope). It saddens me greatly.

 

[Tietjen]

nick908:

I think I may. I find that a lot of times Protestants aren’t taught correctly about the Catholic faith, that they are just taught we are right and Catholics are evil, greedy ppl who worship “the bishop of Rome” (The Pope). It saddens me greatly.

As it does me. However, typing posts to them will most likely fail to convince them. Many of these haters enjoy nothing more than having a Catholic enter a discussion with them. They have no intention of learning, but rather “teaching” you that you are wrong. Be on guard should you go.
God bless.

 

[CheesusPowerKid]

My closest friends are Protestants, which worried me at first…but, like was already said, most of their “hatred” was really biased rumors spread about us that built until they were really out of control. My friends, at least most of them, respect my faith now because I have been able to dispell most of the rumors (some very funny ones too) and explain what our church is REALLY about…be patient, and learn to recognize ears that are willing to listen Once my friend asked where we got the ashes for Ash Wednesday, and I told her we sacrificed a non-catholic guest that we selected at a random mass…she was trying to figure out if I was telling the truth or not when I realized that she might have actually believed me, sad, which I did not expect I quickly told her I was joking and explained where we really got them from, and she looked really relieved…the problem is, they’ve heard so many terrible things about our faith that even something as crazy as that sounded factual! I’m trying to show them that we’re really not that crazy, and most of our “cultish practices” are really just misunderstood rumors started and perpetuated by people who really don’t know any better.

 

[Sir_Knight]

Tietjen:

… I’d simply skip going to Protestant websites and debating with them …

Tietjen:

… typing posts to them will most likely fail to convince them …

I disagree. I believe that as Catholics, we have a responsibility to “defend our faith” and not let false statements regarding the Catholic church left unchallenged. While it may do no good in convincing those who hate the Catholic faith and have no interest in learning, it will at least present an element of doubt in the minds of those who come across those statements and have no opinion one way or the other. If they then wish to learn more, they will dig deeper to try and determine the truth. If our comments are not present and only the false protestant comments are there unchallenged, then they (“those who come across those statements and have no opinion one way or the other”) are more likely to walk away accepting those opinions as being truthful.

So where is this Protestant board? Let’s defend our faith!

 

[Tietjen]

Sir Knight:

I disagree. I believe that as Catholics, we have a responsibility to “defend our faith” and not let false statements regarding the Catholic church left unchallenged.

I agree. I just do not see fighting in a message board as being winnable.
Sir Knight:

While it may do no good in convincing those who hate the Catholic faith and have no interest in learning, it will at least present an element of doubt in the minds of those who come across those statements and have no opinion one way or the other.

Those that held no opinion one way or the other will, more than likely, find a Catholic board and see both arguments. If they do not seek out what the Church truly says, then I would suggest that they have already formed an opinion.
Sir Knight:

If they then wish to learn more, they will dig deeper to try and determine the truth. If our comments are not present and only the false protestant comments are there unchallenged, then they (“those who come across those statements and have no opinion one way or the other”) are more likely to walk away accepting those opinions as being truthful.

Those that “walk away” with only one side of the issue will come to the battlefield unprepared and will easily be deposed. Let THEM come.
Look, I am NOT suggesting that we run away from the war here. I am saying that we need to choose the fields that the battles will take place on. Individually parachuting into an enemy (not literally our enemy) stronghold (message board) will not usually win the battle. Most people will be overrun by haters of the Church and made to appear unable to adequately defend their position simply by the sheer number of posts that will be heaped on them and the time it takes to individually respond to each one of them. If they are not fast enough in responding or do not have all the right answers, Protestants (those that hate Catholics) will claim victory and “lurkers” will favor the stronger side. As far as I am concerned, I know my limitations and my patience is not a strongpoint. I choose the field on which the battle will be fought based on my abilities to fight. For those of you who are patient and have the knowledge and the time to respond to multiple attacks on a daily basis, may God go with you. From my own experience, I know that I am unable to effectively defend an entire battlefield (that is not of my choosing) against an enemy that outnumbers me by 100s or 1000s. Let me encounter one face to face in my daily life and it is a different story. I would not expect that a Protestant would be able to come to these boards, issue a challenge against the Church, and not be blasted by Catholics. It would be ignorant to believe that the anti-Catholics would not feel the same way about defending their hatred.
smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/17/17_1_15.gif %between%

 

[LSK]

I also wish to add, Nicko8, that unless you can do this without anger you should not do it. It’s tough being a Catholic - but if it was easy, everyone would be one.

St. Theresa of Avila once remarked (after getting dumped in the mud when her carriage broke down) “If this is how you treat your friends, Lord, no wonder you have so few of them”.

She was being a smarty pants, of course, but was also acknowledging the spiritual axiom of suffering. This can come from persecution as well, so be strong and loving. You’ll get more out of it.

 

[Vinko]

nick908:

The point of this is, how do I try to convice these Protestants that we aren’t evil, and our beliefs aren’t based on greed.

Evangelize. Use words ONLY if you have to.

In other words, Live your faith. That faith is following Jesus in His holy Catholic Church.

Love God with all your heart and soul. Love others as well.

What else can you do?

Don’t get involved in these disgusting debates over “who goes to hell.” Stay away from these boards.

And remember… not all protestants feel this way. You are getting a small example ON THE INTERNET (one of the worst places for true representation).

Look and pray for unity (which is our love of God)… but, never compromise your Catholic Faith!

God Bless.

 

[bapIN2000]

I hope this helps, but when I have talked and talked, defending our Faith from the aggressive onslaught of pre-programmed Catholic Untruths, I find it necessary to weed them from the ones who actually wish to know the Truth, and those who wish to “teach”.

Buy a 10 dollar Catechism and tell them that if they wish to know any more about the Catholic Faith, they can have it. If a person really wishes to learn, they will accept it. The ones that don’t, won’t. You’re out 10 bucks, but at least you know with whom you’re facing. Accepting such a gift from a lowly Catholic is just too much for the Egomaniacal Protestant to take.

What has been mentioned a lot here is that most Protestants aren’t bad, and when presented with the truths of our Faith, they may not always join us at Mass, but they can still be good friends.

Thank God for All of You

 

[serendipity]

nick908:

This made my blood boil, because it was just this morning that my Priest, at Easter Mass, was telling us to except Protestants as brothers.

Remember too that people who tend to post on forums often represent extreme elements of any religious persuasion, or political group, depending on the site. Many people are misinformed and have been for a long time. There are many Protestants who accept Catholics as bretheren in faith. And vice versa, but even on this site you seen quite a few posts from people who are willing to damn non-Catholcis to hell, despite what the cathechism says.

Much positive advice has already been posted here, and I admire your pernacity to check on Protestant sites. Personally, the places make me too irate to respond contructively so I avoid them. I have more than my share of Catholic bashing, where I have opportunities to “defend the faith” in real life, and feel disinclined to spend my time doing so with virtual people too.

 

[burnside]

nick908:

I need some help. I’m really getting angry at these responses i keep hearing from Protestants. I thought I would browse some Protestant Forums to see what they thought of catholics and our views. What i got was disturbing.

I have been known to visit a secular website and it really isn’t worth it.I have replied to some of the remarks and got no reply.
Later,they come back with the same old rubbish.Their motto is obviously,“say it often enough and people will start to swallow it.” You could always refer to the link below for inspiration.I have seen the TV programme and a book is due out in June,available from
Amazon.co.uk.(And the journey begins-- Father Cyril Axelrod)

deafblind.org.uk/text/news/fathercyril.html

P.S.Father Cyril’s father died before his conversion and initially his mother refused to go to his ordination as a catholic priest.

 

[Dobbs]

I recall a nice quotation about this situation of virulent anti-Catholicism:

“There are not over a hundred people…who hate the Roman Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church”
-Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

It can be nearly impossible to bend a titanium rod, forged and tempered to unbreakability. We need to know this about some of our Protestant friends (remember, of course, not all Protestants are like that; most of the Protestants out there are good people who respect the Catholic Church). Rather than to prove them wrong (or prove yourself right), look to answer their questions and try to clear up misconceptions in your discussions. Make sure you do your homework first and become familiar with the variety of anti-Catholic arguments (and of course, our rebuttals).

Above all, be kind and go into your conversations with a good, bona fide attitude. Here is a good Bible passage I think about when I personally go into such conversations:

“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.”
-1 Peter 3:15

Dobbs