What Do Catholics Not Respect Non-Catholics?

[guanophore]

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.

I had this experience also, and when I rebelled and attended the Baptist teen group from my school, I fell in love with the Word. It was one of the main reasons I left Catholicism.

Fortunately, times have changed.

 

[Swan]

Hi Swan,

I don’t really have any problem with what you just posted – as a matter of fact, I think I will read it over again tomorrow.

The problem that I have with your opening post/question is that you’re not really doing an apples-to-apples comparison.

What you ought to do is look at CAF and look at a typical sampling of Protestant and Orthodox discussion forums, and then ask “Is CAF any less respectful toward non-Catholic Christians than those other forums are toward Catholics?” If you do that, I think you’ll have to answer in the negative.

Let me try to clarify my OP. When I came up with the title my tongue was planted firmly in my cheek. I’ve seen so many “why do x’s hate y’s” threads here (and I should add that I have a problem with the word “hate”) that are just rash generalizations. Not all Baptists hate Catholics, not all Catholics hate Orthodox, etc. I really didn’t mean to suggest that all Catholics disrespected non-Catholics. Sorry if I didn’t make that clear. My bad.

 

[Swan]

Interesting Swan,

I know what you mean about “God might need someone to be other than Catholic because it fits into his Big Picture” and your talk about seekers. I think we’re all on a journey and the important thing is to remain open minded and sincere in our search.

So many of us are different from one another. I tend to think that God touches us in different ways and at different times. But I don’t think that God would have wanted his Church to be shattered, either. Still, he works with us in our choices and it could be on a cosmic level that the body of Christ is being strengthened before it finally comes back together gloriously.

I have these thoughts, but I’m always mindful that I’m not following my own pride.

RAR

Actually, it was in confronting my pride that I can to this conclusion. IOW, I’m saying to God “well, I think it should be this way…” and God replies “that’s nice, and you think you should be running the universe why? You’re qualifications are?” - kind of like what he said to Job…

 

[Peter_J]

Let me try to clarify my OP. When I came up with the title my tongue was planted firmly in my cheek. I’ve seen so many “why do x’s hate y’s” threads here (and I should add that I have a problem with the word “hate”) that are just rash generalizations. Not all Baptists hate Catholics, not all Catholics hate Orthodox, etc. I really didn’t mean to suggest that all Catholics disrespected non-Catholics. Sorry if I didn’t make that clear. My bad.

No apology necessary, you made that clear in the OP. (Yes, I recall a “Why do Orthodox hate Catholics so much?” thread, and at least one other one about “hatred” from non-Catholics.) The point I was making is that to compare the behavior of Catholic posters on a Catholic website, to the behavior of Protestant (or Orthodox, for that matter) posters on a Catholic website, is comparing apples to oranges.

What you ought to do is look at CAF and look at a typical sampling of Protestant and Orthodox discussion forums, and then ask “Is CAF any less respectful toward non-Catholic Christians than those other forums are toward Catholics?” If you do that, I think you’ll have to answer in the negative.

 

[Mannyfit75]

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

Some of us are educated enough about Protestants. Their history is rather a distorted view of Catholicism. They were the heretics of 1530s and still are by imposing new doctrines like faith alone and scripture alone.

1. Ignorance about Protestantism

Not all of us ignorant. Many of the Catholics here are Former-Protestants. Some are were even Protestant ministers at one in their life.

For the most part I think Protestant in generation are ignorant of Catholicism by claiming our doctrines and belief as UNBIBLICAL, and personally that offends me as a Catholic.

1. Our Church teaches us that we are the one true Church and some people might let that go to their head ( arrogance).

There is only one Church. Jesus established one Church. It’s the Catholic Church only. The Protestants and EO are members of this Church by their valid baptism, but their communion is not perfect because they do not accept the teaching office of the Church.

 

[onetimeposter]

There is only one Church. Jesus established one Church. It’s the Catholic Church only.

This is what I call, salvation by meeting requirements…and by meeting requirements, you are working for salvation…a works based faith.

Is salvation really based upon a persons effort in meeting the requirements established by a Church?

 

[xmydreamsfadex]

growing up protestant, i was taught to look down on Catholics because they weren’t “saved” and doomed to go to Hell because they made up purgatory (to keep their pockets full of loot) and “worship” Mary. i always wondered why there was so much attention to them and not, say, the mormons or jehovahs witnesses.
then i fell out of the church as a teen because i thought they were kooks.
thank God for giving me my son because that’s when i wondered about what the Catholic Church actually taught and not what people told me. by the grace of God, i came into the Church last year.
i don’t look down at protestants since that is where i came from. i’m sad that those people can’t see the beauty of the Church because of mis-information. but if God had called a sinner like me, and believe me i have no idea why he did, to His Church, i believe, He can/will do the same for them…

 

[Peter_J]

i always wondered why there was so much attention to them and not, say, the mormons or jehovahs witnesses.

There aren’t a billion Mormons or Jehovahs Witnesses in the world.

 

[onetimeposter]

There aren’t a billion Mormons or Jehovahs Witnesses in the world.

That’s exactly what I thought!

 

[Cinette]

Let me see if I can better articulate what it is I’m trying to say. From my experience as a spiritual seeker I have come to know that we are not all at the same place on our spiritual path. Just as vital to understanding this is understanding that God is in charge. We don’t know God’s plan for ourselves most of the time let alone what God has planned for others. Perhaps God has a reason for wanting people where they are. Perhaps their presence in that place will make a difference - ripples on a pond - you know? I’ve had some experiences that were something of a let down in what I expected to achieve - finally I realized that I had to take on faith that my time wasn’t wasted, that I can only see a tiny bit of the picture. God has the wide angle view, not me. I don’t know how my presence/actions play out down the pike. I don’t know what my influence might start/stop. Spirituality is a deeply personal thing, a large part of our self-identity. Generally, folks don’t decide what faith/doctrine/creed to follow lightly. Instead it is given much thought and prayerful consideration. God might need someone to be other than Catholic because it fits into his “big picture”. Let’s give folks, and God, the benefit of the doubt here. Perhaps those folks will learn a vital truth through someone they meet as a result of that turn on their spiritual path.

Last but not least, because spirituality is such a big part of who we are, insulting/belittling or otherwise making light of one another’s paths can be very damaging, both emotionally and spiritually. It can literally turn people off to God altogether. (please note that I am talking about folks whose spirituality is positive, I’m not speaking of folks who follow some creed that includes hatred, racism, etc. - these people do not respect the dignity of others so I pretty much just ignore them).

This is just my take on it and, as I said, I’ve been a seeker all my life (still am).

Hi Swan

I do believe that you are sincere in your quest for the Truth. I am a revert to the Catholic Church and only really learned about the history and truth of the Church when I came back. I do agree with you that each of us may find ourself in a different place at any given time. I believe that it is the Holy Spirit that steers us and we must keep looking, searching and praying. But we must also learn to LISTEN and analyse always keeping an open mind. I found Patrick Matrid’s books very enlightening (Where is that in the Bible, Surprised by Truth and many others) Also Karl Keating’s Fundamentalism and Catholicism. Scott Hahn’s Rome Sweet Home and Four Witnesses by Rod Bennett. These books are very interesting even if they don’t convince you.

Often we pray for something and God gives us something else - He always gets His way. Eventually you find yourself in a place that you never imagined. This is a pray that eventually ALWAYS gets answered - you ask for truth and it will come to you.

You will be surprised. Just keep focused and pray. I also enjoy watching EWTN very much.

Let me tell you that Protestants are very cool. I am talking about serious ones not the goofy kind. The debate in Faith and the History of the Church is very gripping, even more exciting than the John Grisham books.

I wish you well Swan. You keep searching

Cheers
Cinette

 

[Pro_Domina]

Another thing is the ultimate love/hate reaction.

When someone is confronted by something superior to himself,
there are two reactions possible.

Admiration or Hate.

There is no neutral. As much as one would try to ignore, their soul made up their minds. Either I admire and want to serve that which is superior to me or I will hate it.

And what is more superior on thie Earth than the
Holy Roman Catholic Church?

 

[Deconi]

growing up protestant, i was taught to look down on Catholics because they weren’t “saved” and doomed to go to Hell because they made up purgatory (to keep their pockets full of loot) and “worship” Mary. i always wondered why there was so much attention to them and not, say, the mormons or jehovahs witnesses.
then i fell out of the church as a teen because i thought they were kooks.
thank God for giving me my son because that’s when i wondered about what the Catholic Church actually taught and not what people told me. by the grace of God, i came into the Church last year.
i don’t look down at protestants since that is where i came from. i’m sad that those people can’t see the beauty of the Church because of mis-information. but if God had called a sinner like me, and believe me i have no idea why he did, to His Church, i believe, He can/will do the same for them…

WELCOME …er…“faded-dreamer”

I like the “KofC” in your moniker.
What is it? “Knight of Columbus”?

I, myself, am the founder and sole member of “KFC” !!

Knight For Christ.

 

[Lilyflower]

Very good observation. I agree with you here. And I also apologize for offending any non-Catholic if I came across as disrespectful while trying to explain my faith.

Ditto, I too!

I can categorically and empatically state that I love ALL my brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of denom or none.

As far as I am concerned, I think we celebrate our faith in the Saviour Our Lord Jesus Christ not our differences in belief

Blessings and peace

 

[Pro_Domina]

Ditto, I too!

I can categorically and empatically state that I love ALL my brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of denom or none.

As far as I am concerned, I think we celebrate our faith in the Saviour Our Lord Jesus Christ not our differences in belief

Blessings and peace

Let us go sing Kumbaya!

[SIGN]Will the real Church please stand up![/SIGN]

 

[onetimeposter]

Let us go sing Kumbaya!

[SIGN]Will the real Church please stand up![/SIGN]

You will first have to determine if that song is permitted by the magesterium.

 

[Mannyfit75]

This is what I call, salvation by meeting requirements…and by meeting requirements, you are working for salvation…a works based faith.

Is salvation really based upon a persons effort in meeting the requirements established by a Church?

Catholicism isn’t a work based faith as you assumed. It doesn’t believe in the so called “ALONE doctrine” like you protestants do.

You tend the divide the two while in Catholicism, it’s grace that saves and with the grace of God, it allows us to do good deeds like obeying God’s commandments and helping your fellow member. This is done out of love not some legalistic law that you Protestants thinks us Catholics believe.

Consider baptism for instances. That requires action. In Baptism, we are save just as Peter said in his letters.

I recommend these passages.

Ezek. 36:25-27 - the Lord promises He will sprinkle us with water to cleanse us from sin and give us a new heart and spirit. Paul refers to this verse in Heb. 10:22. The teaching of Ezekiel foreshadows the salvific nature of Christian baptism instituted by Jesus and taught in John 3:5, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 3:21 and Acts 22:16.

It’s through this baptism every Christian are consider members of the Catholic Church even those who are not in full communion. Whether you like it or not, you are a member of the Catholic Church indirectly speaking.

 

[onetimeposter]

Catholicism isn’t a work based faith as you assumed. It doesn’t believe in the so called “ALONE doctrine” like you protestants do.

( I’m baptized, confirmed and up until about 2 months ago, was a RCC…I’m in the middle of a conversion)

You tend the divide the two while in Catholicism, it’s grace that saves and with the grace of God, it allows us to do good deeds like obeying God’s commandments and helping your fellow member. This is done out of love not some legalistic law that you Protestants thinks us Catholics believe.

**Grace is only given in the RCC if a person meets the requirements of the Church. If the laity do not meet the requirements imposed by the Church…they do not receive graces.

In order to receive salvation as a member of the RCC, the Church has declared that its members must meet various requirements. Because you have to do something in order to receive graces, by definition, the free gift of the gospel is no longer free, as you have to work to receive it and obtain the approval of the Church leaders.**

Remember, their is no salvation without the Church…or so the teaching goes.

Consider baptism for instances. That requires action. In Baptism, we are save just as Peter said in his letters.
**
Baptism is a free gift. A person can be passive upon receiving a baptism. No work, no action, they don’t even have to conscious when receiving baptism.**

 

[Mannyfit75]

onetimeposter:
Exactly without the Church because there is no salvation. This is because the head of the Church is Jesus, the Church’s soul is the Holy Spirit. Jesus and his Church are one. I recall reading Acts when Saul persecuted the Church, Jesus said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Paul replied, “who are you, Lord?”

Jesus replied. I am Jesus Christ whom you are persecuting. In Catholicism, the Church and Jesus are not divorce. They are One. Christ the Lamb of God, the Church, the Bride of the Lamb.

Secondly, Jesus demands us to obey him. He also require his believers to be baptized and be saved. These are words from Christ himself. In Catholicism, this is practiced.

 

[onetimeposter]

without the Church because there is no salvation.

I believe their is salvation through the promises of Christ.

I believe you do not need to achieve various requirements of the Church in order to have a relationship with God.

If you complete A and B, you will receive C. That is a requirement, that is work, that is a works based faith.

 

[Mannyfit75]

I believe their is salvation through the promises of Christ.

I believe you do not need to achieve various requirements of the Church in order to have a relationship with God.

If you complete A and B, you will receive C. That is a requirement, that is work, that is a works based faith.

That is a false dichtomy. You cannot separate the Church and Jesus Christ. How could Jesus be against his Church? This is an error in belief by many Protestants. Woah to them for separate the Christ and His Church.

It’s like. I don’t the Church, all I need is Jesus. Tell me is that Bride of Christ; the New Jersulem as stated in the Book of Revelation? Do you not wish to become a member of that Church?

What you are preaching brother is not taught by the Apostles, nor their successors.

and again, my Non-Catholic Christian, it is apparent you DO NOT KNOW Catholic belief by continuing to preach that we are saved by works alone. That is a lot bull. The Church teaches that we save through grace of God.

However, I like to add that it is not by faith alone that we are saved.