The Cause of Anti-Catholicism in America?

[scylla]

Lilyofthevalley:

Maybe it’s ***some *** of the Catholics ,themselves, who cause anti-Catholicism?

I certainly feel a bit anti Catholic after reading a post about the devil being The Reformation.

I can agree that some Catholics do cause anti-catholicism, usually because of the way they behave. Not because they are faithful Catholics.

There is absolutely no reason to disagree with what Catholicism really is but plenty of reasons to disagree with what people present it as.

It would be an evil thing to even suggest that God would deliberately cause confusion of the truth. That is why people suggest the devil being involved in the reformation is a valid post.
Ignoring Jesus to make up personal beliefs is wrong and many people have done this, leading up to divisions as great as even denying the divinity of Jesus.
If it was a good thing there would have come out one solid interpretation that is true not countless.
If you would like to discuss this feel free to PM me.

The cause of anti-catholicism is partly the foundation of this country. Also materialism is not compatible with Catholicism, which causes friction and distaste of Catholicism by people who are into materialism. Such as the media.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[Paris_Blues]

scylla:

I can agree that some Catholics do cause anti-catholicism, usually because of the way they behave. Not because they are faithful Catholics.

The reason why some Catholics cause anti-Catholicism is because they decide to be Protestant in the first place! THey refuse to believe the teachings of the Church, therefore, they ARE Protestants who left Catholicism.

It would be an evil thing to even suggest that God would deliberately cause confusion of the truth. That is why people suggest the devil being involved in the reformation is a valid post. Ignoring Jesus to make up personal beliefs is wrong and many people have done this, leading up to divisions as great as even denying the divinity of Jesus. If it was a good thing there would have come out one solid interpretation that is true not countless. If you would like to discuss this feel free to PM me.

It’s evil to think that the devil wasn’t part of the Reformation because look what it did…it tried to distort the Truth. Saying that the devil was not part of the Reformation is like saying that it is okay to distort and twist the Truth! THAT’S pure evil and unacceptable!

The cause of anti-catholicism is partly the foundation of this country. Also materialism is not compatible with Catholicism, which causes friction and distaste of Catholicism by people who are into materialism. Such as the media.

Well, like the posts way above, Protestantism tends to be a bigger majority of this country which is unfortunate. Maybe that’s why our country is pretty clueless! Perhaps if it was more Catholic, perhaps it would be a better country with better morals.

I love our Protestant brethren as people but not the fact of what it teaches. I respect them but the teaching I cannot quite understand because it’s not ALL the Truth. I don’t want part of the Truth…I want all of it!

 

[Axion]

bones_IV:

Part of it, is because America has never experience the heritage of the Catholic faith the way Europe did. Europe at one time was all Catholic. And America is a predominantly Protestant country.

There’s a lot of truth in that.

1. The USA got settled by a lot of the more extreme English and Scottish calvinist protestants. Those with the bitterest anti-catholicism.
2. In Europe much of reformation-era anti-Catholicism gradually toned down since most protestant areas were reasonablyclose to Catholic ones. So they could see Catholics weren’t devils.
3. The Christian heritage of churches Cathedrals artwork and traditions was always there in Europe. Remoinding people their roots were Catholic.
4. Even in Britain the Cathedrals and churches retained stained glass. And ruined monasteries showed that catholics had built great works of faith

 

[Richard_Hurtz]

Paris Blues:

Well, like the posts way above, Protestantism tends to be a bigger majority of this country which is unfortunate. Maybe that’s why our country is pretty clueless! Perhaps if it was more Catholic, perhaps it would be a better country with better morals.

This is an interesting perspective. “Our country is pretty clueless”? Perhaps you could expand on this statement.
In what way is this country clueless? Could you identify a “more Catholic country” that has “more of a clue”. I’ll stipulate that the Vatican would be “more Catholic” than the U.S., so how about specifying a country that has at least 50 square miles under its sovereign control.

I would hazard a guess that the countries of Central and South America are “more Catholic” than the U.S. is, but in what way have they more of a clue? I would think, that in keeping with the theme of this thread, they would be less “anti-Catholic”, but how can that claim be substantiated? And even if true, so what? Anytime any group is in the majority there is less discrimination against that group - safety in numbers.

Thanks,
Richard

 

[Richard_Hurtz]

2. In Europe much of reformation-era anti-Catholicism gradually toned down since most protestant areas were reasonablyclose to Catholic ones. So they could see Catholics weren’t devils.

In Reformation Europe, most Protestants were actually ex-Catholics (or heretics and schismatics if you like) - so I’m sure that they recognized that Catholics were not devils.

Blessings,
Richard

 

[Paris_Blues]

Richard_Hurtz:

This is an interesting perspective. “Our country is pretty clueless”? Perhaps you could expand on this statement.
In what way is this country clueless?

Hehe! That was bad wording of mine!I didn’t have the right word at the time!

I guess I meant was if this country was more Catholic, we would then see the TRUTH and act on it, etc.

Does this kinda answer your question?

 

[Richard_Hurtz]

Paris Blues:

Hehe! That was bad wording of mine!I didn’t have the right word at the time!

I guess I meant was if this country was more Catholic, we would then see the TRUTH and act on it, etc.

Does this kinda answer your question?

If people had more truth, they would have less error.

I can’t argue with that.

Blessings,
Richard

 

[Paris_Blues]

Richard_Hurtz:

If people had more truth, they would have less error.

Correct:thumbsup:

 

[steveandersen]

Richard_Hurtz:

In Reformation Europe, most Protestants were actually ex-Catholics (or heretics and schismatics if you like) - so I’m sure that they recognized that Catholics were not devils.

Blessings,
Richard

Well the first generation maybe but their kids and grand kids had always been Protestants and grew up listening to grandpa’s stories of why he left the Church. so it would be easier to believe stroies about teh evil “other”
And since the reformation was also tied up on political and dynastic struggles there was a lot of propaganda generated

I currently re-reading “the Cousins War” the author claims that the English Civil war, the American Revolution and the American Civil war were all continuations of the same social struggles driving by low church, East Anglican Puritans and their physical/philosophical descendants. He claims that in the 1630s a large number of puritans and other dissenters moved to the American colonies in protest to the Stewart’s High Church Anglican (even closest Catholic) practices.

 

[Ortho]

scylla:

I can agree that some Catholics do cause anti-catholicism, usually because of the way they behave. Not because they are faithful Catholics.

There is absolutely no reason to disagree with what Catholicism really is but plenty of reasons to disagree with what people present it as.

It would be an evil thing to even suggest that God would deliberately cause confusion of the truth. That is why people suggest the devil being involved in the reformation is a valid post.
Ignoring Jesus to make up personal beliefs is wrong and many people have done this, leading up to divisions as great as even denying the divinity of Jesus.
If it was a good thing there would have come out one solid interpretation that is true not countless.
If you would like to discuss this feel free to PM me.

The cause of anti-catholicism is partly the foundation of this country. Also materialism is not compatible with Catholicism, which causes friction and distaste of Catholicism by people who are into materialism. Such as the media.

God Bless
Scylla

Catholics chase a buck just as hard as anyone else.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

wasn’t american form of goverment forbidden in a papal document?

 

[Ortho]

Daniel Marsh:

wasn’t american form of goverment forbidden in a papal document?

I don’t recall the Church being a champion of democracy. Maybe someone else knows more.

 

[Richard_Hurtz]

steveandersen:

Well the first generation maybe but their kids and grand kids had always been Protestants and grew up listening to grandpa’s stories of why he left the Church. so it would be easier to believe stroies about teh evil “other”
And since the reformation was also tied up on political and dynastic struggles there was a lot of propaganda generated

You’re right there was a lot of propaganda generated, but it is wrong to think that it was all coming from Protestants. The Catholic Church invented the term ‘propaganda’; it’s Latin ‘for those things which are to be propagated’. The RCC set up a cardinalate for this very purpose just after Trent. Ever hear of the Counter-Reformation? The RCC even created a guide for artists employed by the Church concerning subject matter and style. The art form created by the Church is known today as Baroque.

newadvent.org/cathen/12456a.htm

Blessings,
Richard

 

[adnauseum]

Paris Blues:

That was bad wording of mine!

Well I understood what you meant when you said America is clueless.

America IS clueless.

How could anyone look across this wasteland, this great protestant experiment called America, and see anything but a moral cesspool?

Of course it didn’t help when protestants - out of hatred for Catholics - joined eugenecist Margaret Sanger to start Planned Parenthood.

Nice work there, prots!

 

[bones_IV]

Axion:

There’s a lot of truth in that.

1. The USA got settled by a lot of the more extreme English and Scottish calvinist protestants. Those with the bitterest anti-catholicism.

An anti-catholicism that has been inherited to this very day.

Axion:

1. In Europe much of reformation-era anti-Catholicism gradually toned down since most protestant areas were reasonablyclose to Catholic ones. So they could see Catholics weren’t devils.

Actually it was still alive even in the beginning of the 17th century. Especially with the St. Bellarmines of the day.

Axion:

1. The Christian heritage of churches Cathedrals artwork and traditions was always there in Europe. Remoinding people their roots were Catholic.

And the sad thing was is that their ancestors deliberately rejected and rebelled against Mother Church.

Axion:

1. Even in Britain the Cathedrals and churches retained stained glass. And ruined monasteries showed that catholics had built great works of faith

And yet many Protestants destroyed those monasteries. King Henry is especially one that comes to mind. Unfortunately, many of the monks and nuns were killed along with it. Many violent acts were committed against Catholics in Germany and Luther said nothing about it.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Montie Claunch:

I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good book on the issue of Anti-Catholicism in America? You know, The History, The Roots, The Cause of it all. Some really in depth kind of stuff. I figure when I run up against it I should have at least a little more information beyond the superficial. Please and Thank you. And God Bless.

Try:​

Ahlstrom, Sydney E. A Religious History of the American People, Yale University Press,1972.

It is a magnificent piece of work in every way It is a general history, as the title implies - not specifically Catholic; but, contains several chapters which should answer a lot of your questions. What it is not, is superficial It is also well-written, and contains no end of references for further reading. ##

 

[MStreeter]

A really good book on the topic is “Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on ‘Romanism’ by ‘Bible Christians’.” It’s written by Karl Keating… very indepth and interesting.

Mark

 

[adnauseum]

Catholicism and American Freedom, by John T. McGreevy.

He’s a first rate historian, so it’s somewhat academic, but that’s why it’s credible. Go on over to amazon and read the reviews; see if it’s for you.

 

[Axion]

steveandersen:

Well the first generation maybe but their kids and grand kids had always been Protestants and grew up listening to grandpa’s stories of why he left the Church. so it would be easier to believe stroies about teh evil “other”
And since the reformation was also tied up on political and dynastic struggles there was a lot of propaganda generated

Yes this development is very interesting. Looking just at England and Scotland.

1. Henry’s reformation was not a popular one and was enforced by the power of the State. However protestantism grew between 1530 and 1558 so that when Elizabeth became Queen, half of England - the South and East - was majority protestant-leaning and half - the North and West - was majority Catholic.
2. With catholicism banned from 1560, a propaganda war grew, using stuff like Foxe’s book of Martyrs, and control of the press, schools and pulpits, to paint Catholics as evil. Even so, most people at the time realised most of this stuff was garbage, and popular anti-Catholicism was confined to a few districts.
3. It was only after several generations, around the early 1600s , when living memory of catholic life had gone, that the majority population started to see Catholicism as “evil” and “foreign”. Even so, a few areas , like Lancashire, retained strong Catholic leanings.
4. The ultra-protestants, Puritans and others, disliked the moderate Church of England. Some went to America. Others got involved in the Civil War, taking over under Cromwell, until the people grew sick of them and asked the King back. Anti-Catholicism was deeply ingrained in the South East, and took until the 1880s to ease off.

I currently re-reading “the Cousins War” the author claims that the English Civil war, the American Revolution and the American Civil war were all continuations of the same social struggles driving by low church, East Anglican Puritans and their physical/philosophical descendants. He claims that in the 1630s a large number of puritans and other dissenters moved to the American colonies in protest to the Stewart’s High Church Anglican (even closest Catholic) practices.

Yes. And they were followed by Scottish presbyterians.

 

[Axion]

bones_IV:

And yet many Protestants destroyed those monasteries. King Henry is especially one that comes to mind. Unfortunately, many of the monks and nuns were killed along with it. Many violent acts were committed against Catholics in Germany and Luther said nothing about it.

Curiously it is this that I think has led to a more moderate position in Britain.

The reformers originally wanted to tear down every monastery in the land so that nothing remained to remind people they had ever existed. But the job was too great, cost too much money, and was soon abandoned.

So everywhere in Britain still remain the ruins of the old Monasteries. They stand as a finger of condemnation pointing at the Reformers. The Protestants destroyed them and built nothing to compare. So people have a huge reminder that the protestants were destroyers of Christian works…



http://www.btinternet.com/~timeref/whitbyabbey1.jpg

Similarly major towns are dominated by their former Catholic Cathedrals as nowhere in America. Few can believe these are works of the devil.

http://www.thisisyork.co.uk/york/insideout/attractions/images/bar_walls4.jpg