The Dangers of being Anti-Catholic

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I’ve noticed something about anti-catholicism that I myself even experienced as an anti-catholic, but more recently in my wife. Growing in my faith as a baptist, my church never really said anything about catholics, but somehow I ended up studying about the “errors” of Catholicism on my own and really came to hate the whole system of the church, felt sorry for it’s members because they didn’t know they were being deceived and would more than likely go to hell since they prayed to the pope(I still laugh at this little jewel), worshipped Mary, and worshipped statues.

In my wife’s case, her pastor preaches against dang near everybody, but he is really against the Church because of the stuff I mentioned above. So, she’s been taught by her church to hate Catholicism, where I learned to hate it on my own.

Now, to the good part. Once you decide to sit down and learn about this “enemy” to God’s children, and go in to actually learn from them about them, the anti-catholic boat sinks within you and you go headfirst into the church because you are drawn by the beauty, history, and TRUTH that is there.

It is protestants that don’t have that hatred towards the church that are usually tougher to convert(I say that because I think everyone should come to know and be in full communion of the church, not because I go out and preach against protestants or anything.)

Anyway, have you noticed or experienced something similar?
 
It is the complacent, Catholic or non-Catholic, who are the hardest to convert. I suppose that’s what St. John meant when recounted Christ’s words: “***I know thy works, that thou art neither cold, nor hot. I would thou wert cold, or hot. ***” (Rev3:15)

Those that are either cold or hot are more open to conversion than the lukewarm, I think.
 
thank you for writing that. That is exactly what I wanted to say, but you have the perfect words for it.
 
When I encounter people who turned anti-C who left the Church I present them with that line by Archbishop Fulton Sheen:
There are not one hundred people on the United States who hate the Catholic Church, but there are thousands who hate what they think the Catholic Church teaches.
if you show exCatholics this quote and ask them to name 3 teachings they hate about the Church you will be surpriesed to see how accurate this quote is.
 
haaaaaaaa…you have learned our secret!!!

I once sponsored a lady in RCIA. Every week I went to RCIA with her, it was an unusually big class for our area. Among our canidates was a fundie guy that argued with everything we learned. Sometimes it was just annoying for the simple fact that he made us all late getting home from RCIA while other times you got the impression that he just wanted to argue. My sponsee once said something about it to me, how she really couldn’t stand the guy and he annoyed her. I laughed and said, “People of this sort are the ones that fall the hardest for the Catholic faith, they may not seem like they will ever accept the truth but watch as time goes by, he will become the most devout of all.” She was not convinced until she tuned around and our favorite nun started cracking up…apparently she overheard the conversation and rather than butting in, let me field the question/complaint. She agreed with me about it. It is true, and the reason I think it is true is because these are the same people that are used to studying, questioning and arguing about their beliefs, so I think that when the truth smacks them in the face, they fight back at first then come to believe. I also agree that lapsed Catholics and really liberal protestants are the hardest to convince that there is the fullness of truth in the Catholic faith. This is imho because they aren’t as interested in the truth as they are interested in the easier softer way. To be a true Catholic, is not an easy thing. We have to believe more in the good of our communities than ourselves. Unfortunately for some, this is just to hard to do.
 
Catholic Dude:
When I encounter people who turned anti-C who left the Church I present them with that line by Archbishop Fulton Sheen:
There are not one hundred people on the United States who hate the Catholic Church, but there are thousands who hate what they think the Catholic Church teaches.
if you show exCatholics this quote and ask them to name 3 teachings they hate about the Church you will be surpriesed to see how accurate this quote is.
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Hey CD… I found this the other day which gives the actual quote and makes it even better IMO.

‘‘There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church…As a matter of fact, if we Catholics believed all of the untruths and lies which were said against the Church, we probably would hate the Church a thousand times more than they do.’’
—Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, preface to Radio Replies

I have to agree…being a “re-vert” myself.
 
Church Militant:
Hey CD… I found this the other day which gives the actual quote and makes it even better IMO.

‘‘There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church…As a matter of fact, if we Catholics believed all of the untruths and lies which were said against the Church, we probably would hate the Church a thousand times more than they do.’’
—Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, preface to Radio Replies

I have to agree…being a “re-vert” myself.
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Cool, I have seen about 4 different versions of that quote, some better than others, but this one is the best so far with that last part.
 
Not to detract from the thread but there are those here who aren’t “luke warm” or anti-Catholic. Many of us agree on most issues, however we have reservations that would make it impossible to be Catholic, just as it would be impossible for you to be Mennonite, Baptist, Methodist, ect.

I agree being Anti-anything has it’s dangers and I firmly believe that if the respective churches wish to stay afloat we need to be unified in some capacity. I doubt that a full integration will happen this side of heaven though, human nature makes that pretty much impossible.
 
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Shlemele:
Not to detract from the thread but there are those here who aren’t “luke warm” or anti-Catholic. Many of us agree on most issues, however we have reservations that would make it impossible to be Catholic, just as it would be impossible for you to be Mennonite, Baptist, Methodist, ect.
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Not, I think, if you came to understand that your reservations are nothing more than chimeras.
I agree being Anti-anything has it’s dangers and I firmly believe that if the respective churches wish to stay afloat we need to be unified in some capacity. I doubt that a full integration will happen this side of heaven though, human nature makes that pretty much impossible.
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Every person, no matter what their natural disposition or personality, can be a part of the Church Christ founded, which men have left to set up on their own. Because pride is a sin that can be forgiven and doubt is a condition that can be overcome. If they weren’t there are a good many in the Church today who wouldn’t be there otherwise, including me. 😉
 
Church Militant:
Hey CD… I found this the other day which gives the actual quote and makes it even better IMO.

‘‘There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church…As a matter of fact, if we Catholics believed all of the untruths and lies which were said against the Church, we probably would hate the Church a thousand times more than they do.’’
—Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, preface to Radio Replies

I have to agree…being a “re-vert” myself.
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Me too, another re-vert. I remember in High School one of my anti-Catholic teachers told me that Catholicism is really polytheistic because they “worship” Mary and the Saints. 2 years later when I re-verted I went to visit her at school and explained that we do not worship Mary and the Saints, we honor and talk to them. Then she rolled her eyes and said, “Like conjuring up the dead?” Making a reference to Deuteronomy 18:10-11. I was not aware of that verse back then, but now I am and I know how it does not condemn asking the Saints Heaven’s for intercession. I really wish I knew about Catholic Answers 7 years ago, it would have been great for my friend’s extremely anti-Catholic Lutheran boyfriend…
 
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Della:
Not, I think, if you came to understand that your reservations are nothing more than chimeras.
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I did not come here to bash your beliefs so please do not do so to mine. I am a pacifist and some of those beliefs really don’t mesh with Catholic teachings (no military service, oath taking, or public service). In addition things like Infallibility, the Bread and cup being actual blood and body, and a few others. If you are insinuating that it is my pride that keeps me from being Catholic i would have to say that it is quite the opposite. Before marrying my wife I had contemplated becoming Catholic, I went to mass and talked to a few of my good friends about it. I found the people so cold and aloof that I can’t stand it. At least as a Mennonite I have a responsibility to my brothers and sisters. I can’t get out of the place in under 30 minutes because people are talking and asking about how your week has been. In all four parishes I visited the church was deserted in 15 minutes flat. So no I would say that pride is not an issue, it’s more of a turn off for me.

One more observation, let’s suppose I did come here with an axe to grind and told you everything you hold dear is a lie and you are a fool to believe it. How would you react? put yourself in those shoes before posting something that belittles your brothers faith.
 
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Shlemele:
I can’t get out of the place in under 30 minutes because people are talking and asking about how your week has been. In all four parishes I visited the church was deserted in 15 minutes flat. So no I would say that pride is not an issue, it’s more of a turn off for me.
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Yes, Catholics could do a whole lot better in the “fellowship” area. My Church has a very vibrant fellowship and close community ties but I am aware that many Catholic Churches do not. However, my priority is prayer and worship. I’ve seen many Catholics drawn out of the Church because they enjoy the “fellowship” at the protestant church. However, many people don’t care to hang around after service and exchange pleasantries for 30 plus minutes. It is not because they are cold.
 
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