Some anti-Catholic remarks from a friend

[flameburns623]

Hi folks!

Have had some exchanges of e-mail with an Episcopalian friend who is now dabbling with Hinduism because he is sick of the in-fighting among Christians generally, and among Episcopalians in particular. I mentioned how much I am interacting with Roman Catholics on this board and the kinds of personal devotions I am doing these days and he is terribly concerned that I might be contemplating converting to Catholicism, as several of our acquaintances have done. I’m going to dub this friend ‘HinduConvert’ for purposes of this post.

One needs to understand that ‘HinduConvert’ is not some young kid: he is likely in his late 30’s or early 40’s–he was in college with me lo these 25 years ago. This is his second foray into Hindu practices. He actually considered Roman Catholicism himself, once upon a time, but his family put a lot of pressure on him not to do so: they are more comfortable with him as a non-Christian Hindu than as a Christian Catholic–go figure. ‘HC’ is actually capable of doing a very good job of reasoning-out theological issues and matters of comparative religion when he cares to.

This makes the little diatribes he goes on that I will post momentarily a bit of a surprise. I think he knows better, but right now cannot discuss this subject as calmly as even he would prefer to do. He is under a lot of emotional distress and someone has strongly encouraged him to get back into Hinduism precisely because it is therapeutic for him, helps him to control his emotional struggles. I’m going to respond to him gently but thought some of the folks here might like to see some of the comments I am responding to:
HinduConvert:

After my experiences with XXXX, I really have no desire to discuss anything pertaining to the Catholic “church” or its activities. I find them repulsive. Many at XXXXX (our Episcopal congregation) thought I would “swim the Tiber” . . .but I would never have done so. For one thing, I would be persona non grata with my family and rightly so. I chose to swim the Ganges instead and have no regrets.

My response to this:

flameburns623:

I doubt that a family who tolerates your worshipping as an Episcopalian and then as a Hindu would really reject you over a sincere conversion to Roman Catholicism. Unless you used the conversion as a springboard for strong-arming them about religion. It all depends on how you’d approach the issue. But that’s between you and your family. I find Roman Catholicism beautiful but mistaken on some matters. Just as I find Mormonism attractive but in error. Hinduism is only peripherally of interest to me, but I don’t find it ‘repulsive’ nor repugnant. The same would be true of virtually any other major world religion. Almost the only religions I find ‘repulsive’, or at least off-putting are the clearly oppressive, exploitative ones: Scientology, some of the UFO cults, some of the fundamentalist Muslim groups, some of the truly insular and oppressive Christian cults (I hate that word but it’s the best I can find). Most other faiths clearly have elements of beauty of truth that I can honor and respect.

To which HC responded:
HinduConvert:

I hope I did not come off too strident about Catholicism. Keep in mind, I was raised Southern Baptist back when that still meant a strong respect for church/state separation and religious liberty. The RCs were the most egregious offenders in this department (always trying to insert their nuns as teachers in public school, getting tax money for their parochial schools, etc). I am also strongly concerned about the population problem and blame the RCC for a major part of it. Even the late Ayatollah Khomeini approved of the use of family planning within marriage but not the Roman Catholics! What does this tell you?

HC also questioned the patriotism of Roman Catholics, suggesting Catholics are obliged by their faith to be more loyal to the Pope than to their country; and suggested that the Inquisition makes the holocausts of Naziism and Communist Russia resemble squabbles in kindergarten sandboxes. I intend to respond, gently, appealing to what I know is HC’s better nature on this subject. Anyone want to suggest some comments I might consider including?

 

[flameburns623]

bump

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Hi folks!

Have had some exchanges of e-mail with an Episcopalian friend who is now dabbling with Hinduism because he is sick of the in-fighting among Christians generally,

Good for him - it is sickening , so calling it what it is is surely a healthy reaction . How is it “anti-Catholic” to call a spade a spade ? Or can’t people handle the truth ?​

and among Episcopalians in particular. I mentioned how much I am interacting with Roman Catholics on this board and the kinds of personal devotions I am doing these days and he is terribly concerned that I might be contemplating converting to Catholicism, as several of our acquaintances have done. I’m going to dub this friend ‘HinduConvert’ for purposes of this post.

That, as far as it goes, is not “anti-Catholic”.​

One needs to understand that ‘HinduConvert’ is not some young kid: he is likely in his late 30’s or early 40’s–he was in college with me lo these 25 years ago. This is his second foray into Hindu practices. He actually considered Roman Catholicism himself, once upon a time, but his family put a lot of pressure on him not to do so: they are more comfortable with him as a non-Christian Hindu than as a Christian Catholic–go figure. ‘HC’ is actually capable of doing a very good job of reasoning-out theological issues and matters of comparative religion when he cares to.

This makes the little diatribes he goes on that I will post momentarily a bit of a surprise. I think he knows better, but right now cannot discuss this subject as calmly as even he would prefer to do. He is under a lot of emotional distress and someone has strongly encouraged him to get back into Hinduism precisely because it is therapeutic for him, helps him to control his emotional struggles. I’m going to respond to him gently but thought some of the folks here might like to see some of the comments I am responding to:

My response to this:

To which HC responded:

HC also questioned the patriotism of Roman Catholics, suggesting Catholics are obliged by their faith to be more loyal to the Pope than to their country; and suggested that the Inquisition makes the holocausts of Naziism and Communist Russia resemble squabbles in kindergarten sandboxes.

Four points:​

• The Nazis & Communists killed a far greater number of people than the various Inquisitions put together - but, that does not deal with the moral issues raised.
• IMHO, the character of the CC as a Christian body makes it at least possible that the CC is morally worse than they were.
• OTOH, it does not follow that the CC ceases to be a Church, or even that the CC would be unchurched if it had been the only religious body with blood on its hands.
• That is because the Church’s character is totally from the grace of God, & owes nothing to the character of its members. God’s grace & purpose cannot be thwarted by human wickedness, so, no wickedness of ours can possibly unchurch the Church. The only question is, whether this holds for the CC in particular & in perpetuity; or whether God might not reject a disobedient & unrepentant CC & raise up a Church from elsewhere that *would *obey Him.
  Hope that helps

I intend to respond, gently, appealing to what I know is HC’s better nature on this subject. Anyone want to suggest some comments I might consider including?

 

[Naztakuan]

Um…doesn’t Hinduism have a Caste system? What’s so great about that?

 

[1ke]

I’m sorry, I don’t think I could take anyone seriously who thinks the world has a “population problem”.

 

[ibkc]

Hi folks!
Have had some exchanges of e-mail with an Episcopalian friend who is now dabbling with Hinduism because he is sick of the in-fighting among Christians generally, and among Episcopalians in particular.

He’s sick of infighting among Episcopalians, and he thinks Hinduism is going to be better? Alrighty then.

I suggest posting your question over on the Apologetics forum, too

 

[RLT]

HC also questioned the patriotism of Roman Catholics, suggesting Catholics are obliged by their faith to be more loyal to the Pope than to their country

Despite a history of oppression in the English occupied Americas going back to the 16th century and into the 20th, Catholics have fought and died in every war and conflict since the 1775.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Um…doesn’t Hinduism have a Caste system? What’s so great about that?

Not for converts, and not in all cases.

 

[Miserissima]

If you look at the in-fighting among the MANY Hindu deities, I wouldn’t want to be submit to their arbitrary whims of playing with people, much like the legends of the Norse, Greek, and Irish gods.

It reminds me of a movie, (Clash of the Titans or Jason and the Argonauts???) where the gods just toyed with people figures and set up trials and odysseys (sp?) for them. Who would ever want to submit their will to such a system?

Anyone want to suggest some comments I might consider including?

I don’t mean to sound so confrontational toward the person with whom you are exchanging emails, and I know that what I’ve said may not address most of his questions. I am going to suggest that you look into the CAF library and especially “This Rock” online mag. “This Rock” has helped me to answer questions gently and with care.