Speaking Defense for Mary and the Saints

[Michela]

Hello everyone and God Bless

I have been a Catholic all my life growing up in a Catholic Italian family, but it was fairly recent that I felt something I never had before that made me want to truly embrace being a Catholic and follow its teachings. Since then I have been researching, reaching out, and have truly felt the happiest I have felt. Embracing God in my life has been a missing piece I feel I am finally filling. I still have a lot to learn, but so far it has been amazing.

However, yesterday something truly turned my mood sour and made me feel immense sadness. I always knew Protestants and Catholics had run ins with each other. However, since I was not a part of the Church past holidays, I had no idea that Catholics were so fiercely attacked for our belief in turning to Mary and the Saints to pray for us. I was watching videos on YouTube and looked to the comment section for discussions and was met with people telling Catholics we are heratics and need to repent for we will go to hell for our view on Mary and the Saints. I was completely taken aback and had no idea that this was a view against us. I never knew this was something that people viewed as wrong. It is filled with such good intent I really can’t wrap my head around the intensity people were fighting against Catholics in the comment sections. I personally wear a necklace with a cross and a charm of Saint Micheal that I got in Italy and covered in the Holy water of Saint Peters Basilica in Rome, the charm and Saint Michael mean a lot to me, and it was shocking to know people think that would be wrong. I even saw a video of a non-catholic saying Jesus did not care for Mary and that she was no one special and that we will go to hell if we do not repent.

I do not believe their judgements on this, but it still hurt me to see. I apologize for the length of this post, but I have truly been struggling with this discovery, not because it is making me question my faith, but because it saddens me. In conclusion I ask, how do you all feel about this? Can anyone give me any advice or passages that I can use to defend our faith in a discussion with them?

 

[Talitha712]

Perhaps others will offer good passages or quotes to defend the faith. But as for me, I would advise against arguing with them.

YouTube isn’t like CAF. Here, most posters are Catholic and the ones who aren’t treat us with respect. Here, we can discuss and debate and help each other learn and grow. But YouTube is such a widely diverse community and there are so many commenters. It’s more of a place to broadcast your opinion and get into petty fights. Just look under any remotely Christian video: before long, the atheists, the Protestants, the Catholics, and the Muslims have all aligned in their respective camps and are flinging stones at each other. I could be wrong, but I don’t think you’ll get very far with them.

You’re welcome to try, of course, if that’s what you wish. Just be careful not to get too caught up in the firestorm. God bless!

 

[Talitha712]

I apologize for the length of this post, but I have truly been struggling with this discovery, not because it is making me question my faith, but because it saddens me

Don’t apologize - I’ve seen much on YouTube that saddens me.

 

[Fauken]

I agree with @Talitha712. While you ought to read up on how to defend the Communion of Saints from Scripture (CAF has some good tracts), YouTube is not famous for being a great place for intellectual and resonable discussion. Pray for them, and shake the dust from you feet. If you want to get a better idea of how to defend the Faith against fundamentalist Protestantism, I suggest you get a copy of “Catholicism and Fundamentalism” by Karl Keating. He also has a defense against such attacks in the book.

 

[Michela]

Thank you for your response! And @Fauken as well.
I agree with you both on YouTube comment sections being a place for petty arguments and it would be hard to get anywhere argueing with people on there. I guess I would just want to be prepared with a good answer if a non Catholic would ever engage in debate with me in person.
I’m still in a bit of shock, but It gives me peace knowing there are non-Catholics on here who are not like those I see in the comments on YouTube. I look forward to engaging in more conversations on these forums.