What Do Catholics Not Respect Non-Catholics?

[Swan]

This is my response to the threads that go "Why do (non-Catholic group name here) hate Catholics? However, I refuse to use the word “hate” as I was raised to believe that we should do our best not to “hate” anyone and I find it’s lose use on this forum somewhat upsetting.

Having been both a Protestant and a Catholic and now being pretty much neither, I read the posts here from a less biased point of view than some and I see a alot of uncharitable behavior on both sides. However, many Catholics, usually the same ones who wonder why so many folks are anti-Catholic, appear to be very arrogant and disrepectful of the faiths of others. Belittling and sanctmonious behavior are not Christ-like, IMO. Nor do they make for dialogue. To assume that people who hold sincere beliefs that differ from your own need only to “try harder” and they would see things your way is indeed an insult.

Thoughts?

 

[onetimeposter]

Maybe Catholics don’t know allot about Protestants.

I went to Catholic School until I was 14 years old.

Growing up, I thought Protestant’s were actually a denomination, in that there was one group of Catholics and one group of Protestants.

No one ever told me about Protestantism, what they believed, why they believed it, about the reformation, about the various splits etc…

So, I think that some Catholics may look down upon Protestants due to three reasons.

1. Historical Biases
2. Ignorance about Protestantism
3. Our Church teaches us that we are the one true Church and some people might let that go to their head ( arrogance).

 

[SIA]

Maybe Catholics don’t know allot about Protestants.

I went to Catholic School until I was 14 years old.

Growing up, I thought Protestant’s were actually a denomination, in that there was one group of Catholics and one group of Protestants.

No one ever told me about Protestantism, what they believed, why they believed it, about the reformation, about the various splits etc…

So, I think that some Catholics may look down upon Protestants due to three reasons.

1. Historical Biases
2. Ignorance about Protestantism
3. Our Church teaches us that we are the one true Church and some people might let that go to their head ( arrogance).

very well said. I find much of the treatment of non-Catholics such as myself very harsh. Some of the questions are blatantly pointed and asked with arrogance with no intent of ever obtaining a fair and informative answer. Are some Protestants ignorant of Catholic doctrine and teaching? Absolutely! I concede that easily, but likewise it is very obvious that many Catholics are ignorant of many Protestant faiths. I have spoken with Catholics that i used to go to mass with that have no clue what the difference bewteen an Anglican and a Baptist is.

 

[pigtown]

I’ve also found that too many people do not show any respect to those of other religions. I was brought up in the Catholic faith, went to Catholic schools, married in the Church, went to Confession, etc. For several reasons I have left the Catholic Church. When I was little we couldn’t even read the Bible! It was left on the shelf in the closet to be opened only to record family events. Now I can read the Bible, study it and learn from it. If Catholics feel they have the only truth and only they will get to Heaven, that’s fine with me. Personally, I feel that there are many others who will also get to Heaven. I even know some people (Catholics included) who I’d hate to have to spend eternity with but I’ll just leave the decision on who gets in and who doesn’t to God. If we could all get along and not try to push one religion down everyone’s throat we’d do much better. Let’s agree to disagree and let it go. No one religion is perfect unless, possibly, the Jewish religion. After all, Christ was a Jew so He must have thought pretty highly of the Jewish people.

 

[Ridgerunner]

very well said. I find much of the treatment of non-Catholics such as myself very harsh. Some of the questions are blatantly pointed and asked with arrogance with no intent of ever obtaining a fair and informative answer. Are some Protestants ignorant of Catholic doctrine and teaching? Absolutely! I concede that easily, but likewise it is very obvious that many Catholics are ignorant of many Protestant faiths. I have spoken with Catholics that i used to go to mass with that have no clue what the difference bewteen an Anglican and a Baptist is.

I can’t speak to your experiences, nor to your reaction to them. I will say that most Catholics I know do not disrespect non-Catholics at all. In fact, I’m not sure I know any who disrespect non-Catholics. I do think a fair number of Catholics do not respect Protestantism, and that’s an entirely different thing. Some do, some don’t. Most Catholics I know do not know the differences between, e.g., the Methodist and Episcopalian churches (and I’m not too sure many Protestants do that are not members of either.)
but most Catholics I know have at least a basic understanding of the fundamental differences between Catholicism and many Protestant denominations.

I think what it probably comes down to is this. The Catholic Church holds that it has teaching authority and that, therefore, it has the fullness of truth. While some Protestant denominations might believe that of themselves, most don’t. Most, around here at least, hold that an individual does have a God-given right to interpret the Bible in his own way and that he’s just as right as anyone else when he does it. There is a terrific gap between those two things. And it is unreasonable to expect such polar opposites to have much respect for the other point of view. But again, that does not mean disrespect for the person necessarily follows.

 

[SIA]

I can’t speak to your experiences, nor to your reaction to them. I will say that most Catholics I know do not disrespect non-Catholics at all. In fact, I’m not sure I know any who disrespect non-Catholics. I do think a fair number of Catholics do not respect Protestantism, and that’s an entirely different thing. Some do, some don’t. Most Catholics I know do not know the differences between, e.g., the Methodist and Episcopalian churches (and I’m not too sure many Protestants do that are not members of either.)
but most Catholics I know have at least a basic understanding of the fundamental differences between Catholicism and many Protestant denominations.

I think what it probably comes down to is this. The Catholic Church holds that it has teaching authority and that, therefore, it has the fullness of truth. While some Protestant denominations might believe that of themselves, most don’t. Most, around here at least, hold that an individual does have a God-given right to interpret the Bible in his own way and that he’s just as right as anyone else when he does it. There is a terrific gap between those two things. And it is unreasonable to expect such polar opposites to have much respect for the other point of view. But again, that does not mean disrespect for the person necessarily follows.

You have some valid points here but I cannot agree with the idea that most Catholics know the difference between themselves and many Protestant denominations. I was listening to a Catholic men’s group leader talk to his group at a restaurant one morning and his knowledge (or lack there of) about what Catholics believe vs. most Protestants was downright laughable. This guy also had no concept of what his own church teaches. Can you imagine what those poor men in his group are going to believe about the RCC after listening to this guy ramble?

 

[Deconi]

Hmm…interesting!

Firstly, Catholics DO NOT disrespect any non-Catholic for we are ‘forbidden’ to. It must firstly be the non-Catholic who QUESTIONS a Catholic doctrine or understanding that prompts the response, which then may include, views that ARE disrespectful, or PERCEIVED to be disrespectful!!

Catholics do not go door to door to ram Catholicism down anyones throats! Catholics do not question an individual’s “Christianity” and then cite or produce some ready made publication that DISCOUNTS what has been held from antiquity as FALSE and that the ‘publication’ produced somehow professes the truth which had been hidden from mankind until now!

Cathollics do not ask you whether your understanding of “I am the Way, Life, and The Truth” is actually correct according to the Bible. Catholics do not "question’ The Bible since The Book is immersed in the The Church that “produced” Holy Writ for the faithful.

“Respect” in the context used here, is EARNED! If you query with respect, the response will be respectful. If the query is a “charge,” then the response will be a rebuttal.

Catholics are ‘silent’ on most issues because it is forbidden by Our Lord, to trick, coerce or drag anyone INTO Catholicism. Every individual soul has free will. That freedom, NOT EVEN GOD will interfere with, for He does not GIVE and then RETRACT what He does!! Individuals become Catholics, leave, return and free to leave again, if they wish.

Catholicism is FREEDOM.

Many Catholics seem to answer from a HIGH MORAL GROUND. Granted. But when you learn that it is because they UNDERSTAND that Catholicism encompasses EVERY denomination of Protestanism, then one can understand, “why.”

For instance, Mormonism, Evangelical, Jehovah’s Witness, Anglican, Assembly of God, et al, ALL POSSESS some aspect of Catholicism, because they spintered from Catholicsm. Whatever aspect ‘they’ cite as the “truth” of Christ, Catholicism can ‘see’ THE REST OF THAT ASPECT !! Catholics do not have to ‘understand’ every aspect of a particular denomination because if every denomination has a piece of “The Treasure Map” (Salvation) The Catholic Church already has the ENTIRE MODEL of the map in 3-D and engraved on all four walls !!

Unfortunately, when Catholics point that out, then the ‘disrespectful’ finger begins to rise.

Catholics are NOT disrespectful. THEY ARE REACTIONARY!

 

[Tonks40]

I think conversations conducted on forums such as this tend to amplify the notion that Catholics are disrespectful to non-Catholics. IRL, it seems to not exist!

I never really had any sort of anti-non-Catholic thoughts ever!

 

[drno]

As a Catholic (and I consider myself well-informed on my faith as well as on basic protestant beliefs and differences between major protestant groups), I must say that I DO respect protestants. We Catholics can learn some things from them. But, as Deconi said, it is not new things that we can learn from protestants, only some things that we (individually) forgot. For example, few years ago when I didn’t read/study Bible a lot, I was amazed by the faith of one Southern Baptist in God’s word, and that woke me up.

Another story: a friend of mine (also Catholic) was stopped on the street by protestant evangelizators. And he told them that is he Catholic, and does not intent to leave the Church, but he told them that he is happy someone is preaching the word of God on the streets, and “keep up”. They thought he was making fun of them!

And as much as I respect my protestant brothers for many things , I wouldn’t exaggerate by saying that my heart hurts when I see how we Christians are divided between ourselves. Our Lord prayed that we all stay together, but we like to ignore this prayer.

God bless

 

[AlegreFe]

For several reasons I have left the Catholic Church. When I was little we couldn’t even read the Bible!

I’m sorry to hear that. That was not right of your parents not to allow you to read the bible. Are you sure you just didn’t misinterpret whether you could read it or not? Did you ever ask if you could read it? Did you have any interest at all that you could remember, so much so that you would really ask more than once if you could read the bible?

It was left on the shelf in the closet to be opened only to record family events.

Perhaps that bible was one of those “special” bibles that parents did not want messed up. Did you ask if you could read another bible that is not a “family heirloom” or something?

Now I can read the Bible, study it and learn from it.

I’m Catholic and I could read the bible too. Why would you think that Catholics cannot or do not read the bible? That’s rediculous if you think that.

If Catholics feel they have the only truth and only they will get to Heaven, that’s fine with me.

Whoever told you this is giving you wrong information. The Catholic Church never claims or has ever claimed that we are the only ones going to heaven. We also know that there are protestant denominations that do have the truth. But they do not have ALL the truth or the fullness of truth. They would have to have some truths because they came from the Catholic Church. Your bible is a Catholic book after all. The little raft on which you float came from the big ship, the Catholic Church. But those “rafts” only have some of the truth because the first one to “jump ship” only took some of what the mother ship has.

Personally, I feel that there are many others who will also get to Heaven.

True.

I even know some people (Catholics included) who I’d hate to have to spend eternity with

Why is that? If those people you can’t stand are in heaven, then they won’t have those qualities you can’t stand anymore. Otherwise they wouldn’t be in heaven now would they? But you never know anyway. Those people who you can’t stand might just have a second chance or third or fourth with Jesus because of His patience and mercy for us… as long as they’ve repented and accepted the grace of God that is.

but I’ll just leave the decision on who gets in and who doesn’t to God.

(bold emphasis mine)
That’s exactly what the Catholic Church does.

If we could all get along and not try to push one religion down everyone’s throat we’d do much better. Let’s agree to disagree and let it go.

Sorry, no can do. I won’t shove it down your throat but Jesus did command us to go out and preach the gospel. And since Jesus established the Catholic Church there is no better Church to interpret the bible the way the Holy Spirit conveyed it.

I can’t be one of those people who are complacent about their faith and say, “I’m okay, you’re okay”… just can’t. I’ll respect you as a person but I don’t have to agree with anything that you believe if it’s not what the Catholic Church believes. I do like looking at all the common beliefs that we have. And there are many of those.

No one religion is perfect

The Catholic religion is perfect because God established it. I think you’re confusing “religion” with “people.” The people in the Catholic Church are not perfect. We are ALL sinners in the Church. That is why Jesus established the Catholic Church, so that we can become holy the way the Church is holy. Now mind you, the CHURCH is HOLY, not the people in it. We are to become holy as we live out our Catholic faith. We are all called to holiness whether Catholic or not.

unless, possibly, the Jewish religion. After all, Christ was a Jew so He must have thought pretty highly of the Jewish people.

Well, the Jewish religion was not quite perfect. If it was there would be no Catholic religion. If it was perfect then Jesus would not have to fulfill anything. God started Judaism. It was “perfect” for that time to fulfill the purposes needed at that time. But with all the prophecies, Jesus had to fulfill everything including the Jewish religion. Out of that came Catholicism. I hope you are aware that Catholicism is the fulfillment of Judaism.

 

[AlegreFe]

Hmm…interesting!

Firstly, Catholics DO NOT disrespect any non-Catholic for we are ‘forbidden’ to. It must firstly be the non-Catholic who QUESTIONS a Catholic doctrine or understanding that prompts the response, which then may include, views that ARE disrespectful, or PERCEIVED to be disrespectful!!

Catholics do not go door to door to ram Catholicism down anyones throats! Catholics do not question an individual’s “Christianity” and then cite or produce some ready made publication that DISCOUNTS what has been held from antiquity as FALSE and that the ‘publication’ produced somehow professes the truth which had been hidden from mankind until now!

Cathollics do not ask you whether your understanding of “I am the Way, Life, and The Truth” is actually correct according to the Bible. Catholics do not "question’ The Bible since The Book is immersed in the The Church that “produced” Holy Writ for the faithful.

“Respect” in the context used here, is EARNED! If you query with respect, the response will be respectful. If the query is a “charge,” then the response will be a rebuttal.

Catholics are ‘silent’ on most issues because it is forbidden by Our Lord, to trick, coerce or drag anyone INTO Catholicism. Every individual soul has free will. That freedom, NOT EVEN GOD will interfere with, for He does not GIVE and then RETRACT what He does!! Individuals become Catholics, leave, return and free to leave again, if they wish.

Catholicism is FREEDOM.

Many Catholics seem to answer from a HIGH MORAL GROUND. Granted. But when you learn that it is because they UNDERSTAND that Catholicism encompasses EVERY denomination of Protestanism, then one can understand, “why.”

For instance, Mormonism, Evangelical, Jehovah’s Witness, Anglican, Assembly of God, et al, ALL POSSESS some aspect of Catholicism, because they spintered from Catholicsm. Whatever aspect ‘they’ cite as the “truth” of Christ, Catholicism can ‘see’ THE REST OF THAT ASPECT !! Catholics do not have to ‘understand’ every aspect of a particular denomination because if every denomination has a piece of “The Treasure Map” (Salvation) The Catholic Church already has the ENTIRE MODEL of the map in 3-D and engraved on all four walls !!

Unfortunately, when Catholics point that out, then the ‘disrespectful’ finger begins to rise.

Catholics are NOT disrespectful. THEY ARE REACTIONARY!

:clapping: I couldn’t have said it better myself!

I would never shove anything down anyone’s throat. But I can and do let people know about the Catholic faith. Whether they want to listen or not is up to them. That is why I started my YouTube channel, 1Hope4All. I also have an account on Gloria.TV. If people want to tune in fine, if they don’t fine. But I make it available in case anyone is interested. I have some subscribers who are Protestant. They just like my videos and some are interested to learn more about the Catholic faith.

 

[ralphinal]

There are some ecellent posts on here.

I would like to add that internet sites, like this one, allow for a type of behavior that most people would not dare to do in face to face conversation. It is too easy to be harsh or rude on here, sometimes unintentionally. We should try to be extra charitable on this site.

 

[Salonika]

I think what it probably comes down to is this. The Catholic Church holds that it has teaching authority and that, therefore, it has the fullness of truth.

I agree with Ridgerunner’s comment that some of the non-respect (probably on both the Catholic and non-Catholic side) comes from this, especally when both sides consider they have they have the monopoly on truth.

Also, especially to traditional Catholics, non-Catholics who question, not only Catholicism but all religions including their own, must be a puzzle. And those non-Catholic questioners find those who accept without questioning strange. The scene is then set for conflict which if not well-handed can become disrespect or even worse.

Think it is interesting that there is less conflict (and disrespect) on forums such as family life. So okay, some subjects are not contentious or have little theologocal conent but some are one or the other or both. People seem to be better able to identify or at least understand the situation the poster is describing and try to be helpful.

Have also noticed that some Catholic posters (and other posters do the same thing but I will stick to the what the thread is about) do not read posts carefully and get stuck into people for things they have not said. On a thread about God and feminism I got firmly told that women will never beable to become priests in the Catholic Church. The posters had decided that that was what I was advocating, even after I said that I was not raising the topic. I felt disrespected when this happened.

 

[onetimeposter]

Hmm…interesting!

Firstly, Catholics DO NOT disrespect any non-Catholic for we are ‘forbidden’ to. It must firstly be the non-Catholic who QUESTIONS a Catholic doctrine or understanding that prompts the response, which then may include, views that ARE disrespectful, or PERCEIVED to be disrespectful!!
**
Catholic’s also aren’t supposed to use artificial birth control, and many do, so I don’t see how you can claim that Catholics don’t disrespect anyone because it is forbidden. That’s looking through rose coloured glasses if you really believe that.**

Catholics do not go door to door to ram Catholicism down anyones throats! Catholics do not question an individual’s “Christianity” and then cite or produce some ready made publication that DISCOUNTS what has been held from antiquity as FALSE and that the ‘publication’ produced somehow professes the truth which had been hidden from mankind until now!
**
We don’t need to, we are the majority. I have been visited one time in my 30+ year life by a Protestant…I live in a large city. I don’t think it’s that common.**

Cathollics do not ask you whether your understanding of “I am the Way, Life, and The Truth” is actually correct according to the Bible. Catholics do not "question’ The Bible since The Book is immersed in the The Church that “produced” Holy Writ for the faithful.

We do however question how it is that Protestants don’t interpret John 20:23 the same as us.

“Respect” in the context used here, is EARNED! If you query with respect, the response will be respectful. If the query is a “charge,” then the response will be a rebuttal.
**
Respect is given. People demand respect be earned, in my experience, are very tough to please.**

Catholics are ‘silent’ on most issues because it is forbidden by Our Lord, to trick, coerce or drag anyone INTO Catholicism. Every individual soul has free will. That freedom, NOT EVEN GOD will interfere with, for He does not GIVE and then RETRACT what He does!! Individuals become Catholics, leave, return and free to leave again, if they wish.
**
How could you trick someone in going to RCIA every week for 6 months! **

Catholicism is FREEDOM.

Except, you don’t have the freedom to miss Mass on Sunday, or you commit a mortal sin,( according to the Church) and you have to get married in the Catholic Church, or you commit a mortal sin ( according to the Church) and you can’t use artificial birth control or you commit a mortal sin ( according to the Church) but other than that, and few other rules, it’s total freedom…

Many Catholics seem to answer from a HIGH MORAL GROUND. Granted. But when you learn that it is because they UNDERSTAND that Catholicism encompasses EVERY denomination of Protestanism, then one can understand, “why.”
**
Yeah, don’t believe this one.**

For instance, Mormonism, Evangelical, Jehovah’s Witness, Anglican, Assembly of God, et al, ALL POSSESS some aspect of Catholicism, because they spintered from Catholicsm. Whatever aspect ‘they’ cite as the “truth” of Christ, Catholicism can ‘see’ THE REST OF THAT ASPECT !! Catholics do not have to ‘understand’ every aspect of a particular denomination because if every denomination has a piece of “The Treasure Map” (Salvation) The Catholic Church already has the ENTIRE MODEL of the map in 3-D and engraved on all four walls !!

I don’t believe that anyone has a monopoly on the Truth.

Unfortunately, when Catholics point that out, then the ‘disrespectful’ finger begins to rise.
**
It can come across as arrogant by some people.**

Catholics are NOT disrespectful. THEY ARE REACTIONARY!
**
Catholics, like Protestants, are capable of being good, bad, respectful and dis-respectful.**

 

[onetimeposter]

There are some ecellent posts on here.

I would like to add that internet sites, like this one, allow for a type of behavior that most people would not dare to do in face to face conversation. It is too easy to be harsh or rude on here, sometimes unintentionally. We should try to be extra charitable on this site.

In fairness,** it is not just this site**, it is the nature of impersonal, anonymous internet communication.

This site is actually excellent…it allows for heated debate, but does not permit insults.

 

[ibkc]

For several reasons I have left the Catholic Church. When I was little we couldn’t even read the Bible!

Why was this? How odd. If you touched it, was your body racked by electric shocks, or something?

 

[onetimeposter]

Why was this? How odd. If you touched it, was your body racked by electric shocks, or something?

I too grew up attending Catholic School until age 14 and did attend weekly Mass. I received no instruction or direction that I was to read the Bible.

It just wasn’t done or taught.

I brought this up in a former post around here and was met with near mockery by many fellow Catholic Posters.

Some posters did respond that they too experienced the same thing.

Nothing like a good jab when you disclose your experiences in the Catholic Church.

This post is all about dis-respect and your post is dis-respectful and sarcastic…and all because you think that someone elses Catholic experience is odd.

I assure you, his experience is not odd for a Cradle Catholic.

 

[ibkc]

Yes, maybe I’m being harsh, but I honestly don’t understand this attitude of “I couldn’t read the Bible until [insert Protestant religious group here] told me it was OK to do so”. I was raised without religion at all until I was around 11 or 12, then my family became Episcopalian, and no one ever told me to read the Bible at any point. I just I had the intellectual curiosity to open one on my own and check it out. Now if Bible studies were neglected in Catholic churches, that is a shame and it is certainly to the Church’s detriment because we apparently have large groups of people who have no clue about their faith’s scriptural basis. That is a situation that is changing in many places; my own parish has no less than three Bible study groups ongoing at any one time. I still think it’s funny to cite “not being able to read the Bible” as a reason for leaving any church, UNLESS you are physically restrained from reading it.

 

[Salonika]

Hmm…interesting!

“Respect” in the context used here, is EARNED! If you query with respect, the response will be respectful. If the query is a “charge,” then the response will be a rebuttal.

I think we should look at it the other round and say that respect is lost. That posters are entitled to respect until proved otherwise.

And that just asking a particular question does not lose respect (but how you ask it may), that saying you disagree with a particular Catholic doctrine does not lose respect (but how you disagree might) or saying why you disagree with a defence of the answer does not lose respoect (but how you phrase it might.)

A practical suggestion, which I’ve used, is when I feel strongly about a post, is to draft a reply away from the site and look it over later in the day or next day and make any necessary changes.

 

[onetimeposter]

Yes, maybe I’m being harsh, but I honestly don’t understand this attitude of “I couldn’t read the Bible until [insert Protestant religious group here] told me it was OK to do so”. I was raised without religion at all until I was around 11 or 12, then my family became Episcopalian, and no one ever told me to read the Bible at any point. I just I had the intellectual curiosity to open one on my own and check it out. Now if Bible studies were neglected in Catholic churches, that is a shame and it is certainly to the Church’s detriment because we apparently have large groups of people who have no clue about their faith’s scriptural basis. That is a situation that is changing in many places; my own parish has no less than three Bible study groups ongoing at any one time. I still think it’s funny to cite “not being able to read the Bible” as a reason for leaving any church, UNLESS you are physically restrained from reading it.

You may think it’s funny, but that does not change the fact that that is still some cradle Catholics experience.