What Do Catholics Not Respect Non-Catholics?

[kell0618]

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?

I agree with you when you say that belittling and sanctimonious behavior is not Christ-like and I also agree with your statement that a lot of uncharitable behavior goes both ways. I am Catholic yet I post primarily on a very anti-Catholic forum.

I am frequently on the receiving end of negative and inflammatory statements there. It is not easy to turn and offer the other cheek, however Jesus calls us to do so nonetheless.

Peace be with you,

Kelly

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

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?

I dont think what you see is disrespect from Catholics towards non catholics. What I have been exposed to here, is that Catholics who know their faith here, have the faith Jesus told us about which is built on Rock. Non Catholics have gotten so used to Catholics not being able to defend their faith, were so easily taken in by the non catholic church’s. Today we live in a different time period, when Catholics are finally understanding our Faith, and are able to defend it against all who attack her doctrines and belief’s. I wouldn’t call it disrespectful because non catholics are not used to being exposed to the truth. The Truth “Rock” is what is intimidating to non catholic belief systems, I believe this is where offense is taken place.

The only thing that I have been told by a Priest, that to be careful about sharing my Catholic faith, because Truth carries with it a heavy “Rock”. So it is probably true that myself and others have swung the “Rock” and unintentionally may have offended non catholics, so I ask for forgiveness if I have, or in advance. The hit was not intentionally, only trying to be informative about the Truth of Jesus Christ and his teachings in the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church.

Peace be with you

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Good for you, O.S. Luke.

I will be the first to agree with you that we should, as Christians (Catholic and Protestant) be taking a ‘higher ground’ . . .and we do fall short.

Sadly, we both have respect issues. Since we do have many commonalities, those issues where we disagree can often seem even more infuriating (how can somebody who believes in God, loves Scripture, knows Christ’s teachings, supposedly is bound to obey that teaching, be so wrong-headed, thick-skinned, sarcastic, nitpicky, blind, foolish, misguided, ill-informed, prejudiced, brain-washed, ritualistic, laissez-faire. . . etc. etc. etc. and be so wrong? we ask ourselves. How can our fellow Christians get X part of the gospel ‘right’ and Y and Z wrong?

And of course we can never express ourselves, when we try to explore the differences, to suit everyone (sometimes we can’t suit anyone).

Look at poor Archbishop Williams, for example. The report that the media carried earlier today was “Christian Faith offensive to Muslims, Archbishop says.”

Now you know both Protestants and Catholics are going to find fault with that report and his words, in different ways of course, and will start disagreeing with each other. . .and then go on to other points of faith where they disagree. Soon somebody is going to call somebody else a bigot. . .then out come the references to Crusades, homosexuality, Luther, the Inquistion, and then for any practical purposes discussion is OVER.

But. . .you gotta love us, Catholics and Protestants both. . .thank God we will still keep trying. Every day that I think, "Oh no, not the same old arguments. . .–maybe it is just one poster, maybe one sentence, maybe it is just one word. . .that shows some sign of positive change. Maybe it’s the poster who always seems to have a down on X teaching suddenly wishing the poster he has been in deathly combat with for 4 years good luck as that poster’s son heads out to Iraq. Maybe it’s the poster who has insistently hammered and yammered on the iniquity of all members of X faith who, about to hit out yet another diatribe, suddenly stops (we don’t even see this) and thinks, “I don’t want to send this. . .I think I’ll just say a prayer instead.”

The respect is out there. . . I think it’s growing. . .slowly, painfully, sometimes 2 steps forward and 1 step back. . .but it is growing.

Catholics and Protestants are Christians. We need each other. We are brothers and sisters. We might bicker and quarrel but when push comes to shove, the fact that we are family is going to unite us. . .and what a day that will be.

 

[dandn5000]

I think that the OP’s concerns are amplified by the mere fact that we’re on an Internet forum here. Without a face on the other end of the computer for us to see, and without the natural inflection that vocal conversations have, it’s very easy to disrespect someone in a way they wouldn’t in real life, or to misconstrue something said to be disrespectful.

Someone else, I don’t remember who, brought up another good point. How a Catholic will respond to somebody depends on how the person initiating the conversation conducted themselves. If you ask a question and seem genuinely curious, I’m totally positive that the Catholic would be more than willing to charitably help you through, and the same the other way around. But if either party is going to simply charge the other with something that may or may not be true, then one can expect an uncharitable rebuttal in return. It all goes back to the Golden Rule - if you want a nice response, be nice yourself.

Another obstacle is ignorance, and it’s rampant on both sides of the equation. So many Catholics don’t understand Protestantism, or even more often the distinctions between denominations, and can upset certain Protestants when assumptions are made based on another denomination. It runs the other way as well, though. Many Protestants assume things about Catholics and offend them, because their assumptions are wrong and disrespectful.

The short list? Make yourself clear, be nice, and educate yourself. Do all that and maintain a sense of humility, and discussions about religion suddenly become very palatable.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I think that the OP’s concerns are amplified by the mere fact that we’re on an Internet forum here. Without a face on the other end of the computer for us to see, and without the natural inflection that vocal conversations have, it’s very easy to disrespect someone in a way they wouldn’t in real life, or to misconstrue something said to be disrespectful.

I understand your points given here, but it is hard to comment about one denomination, without offending the other protestant denomination, or non catholic for that matter. Yes it is true one needs to know who is speaking and who is making the comment. But on these forums it can be difficult at times. I was recently accused of all Protestants and non catholics holding to the theology of OSAS. I never made that statement. But others reading my comment took offense to it. See what I mean. Just a thought. There are many non catholic beliefs to distinguish which is which, so as not offend one by mistaken one for the other. I guess thats what we get, with so many different Christian denominations. I am glad their is only One faith, One Baptism and One Church, One Lord in Jesus Christ, in the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church. I can speak to any Roman Catholic around the world, and never have a problem with our foundational Truth.

Peace be with you

Peace be with you

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Carm, anyone???

Some Protestants on CARM are much kinder to Catholics than some Catholics on this site are to Protestants in general​

 

[Cinette]

AMEN!!! and ditto.

What’s this…“Catholics are not disrespectful…They are reactionary”!!! The word reactionary is not a good word in my vocabulary. In my young adult years I was a revolutionary and to be called a reactionary was a terrible insult! You use that word to a revolutionary and you will see the reaction.

:yup:

I like this forum because we can air our views and have them clarified and opposed sometimes but to debate is a good thing.

:grouphug:

 

[pigtown]

(bold emphasis mine)
The Catholic Church never forbade anyone to read the bible. I think you’re confusing some facts here. The Catholic Church and the bible forbids you to have your own “private” or “personal” interpretation. But the Church never has or never will forbid you from reading the bible.

I’m not confusing anything. Maybe the church, itself, didn’t forbid Bible reading but the priests and nuns did. At least they did back when I was in Catholic school in the 1940’s. If you weren’t in Catholic school at that time then you should not put down or try to change what we were told. I may be old but I’m not stupid! We were to go to Mass and listen to what the priests said but we were not to read the Bible on our own.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Well, pigtown, though I was in Catholic school in the 1960s, we most certainly were encouraged to read our Bibles (which we received for First Communion along with St. Joseph Missals to follow along at Mass).

And my mother, who was in Catholic school in the 1930s with priests and nuns in New Jersey and New York was also encouraged to read her bible (likewise given at first communion, along with her Latin/English missal and rosary beads). Our family bible, started by my Grandfather on the occasion of his marriage in 1912, which listed all the family births, dates, and marriages, is still kept along with my parents family bible, starting with my parents’ marriage in 1950, to which we all had access and from which we all read from a young age.

DID some Catholics receive teaching from priests and nuns ‘not to read the Bible?’ I am sure some did–as we know, error can be taught, and has been taught, by ‘well meaning’ members of the Church, though never the Church itself.

In looking at authentic Catholic teaching we can see from even as far back as the 16th century, when the printing presses were making Bibles more available to people and literacy was increasing, that the Catholic layperson was encouraged to read the Bible and was, in fact, given an INDULGENCE for doing so under the proper conditions required for indulgences.

So that official Catholic teaching has always been for the lay person to read the Bible.

During some time periods, priests and nuns unfortunately misinterpreted the Catholic teaching that Scripture cannot be ‘privately interpreted’ into thinking that the Bible should not be read at all, and only ‘proclaimed’ by said priests and nuns. Their error–but not the Church error, and not the Church teaching.

That you personally suffered under the misinterpretation of a few priests and nuns is very sad. . .but it was not and never was ‘official church teaching’ anymore than ‘women can and should be ordained’ is official Church teaching though some priests and many nuns may espouse it.

God bless.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

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?

If people really think that those whose Christian faith is different from theirs need only “try harder”, they are treating faith in Christ as just another earthly philosophy - & not as the Divine gift they profess to believe it to be. They are secularising it. But if faith is Christ is faith at all, it can’t be bludgeoned or beaten or bullied into people, because God alone can give it; not apologists, not the Church, not anything in all creation.​

The moment it becomes an ideology, for people to lam each over the head with, it’s been poisoned, & become degraded into nothing more saving or grace-filled than (say) the programme of a political party.

Maybe belonging to a Church has exactly that effect

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

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.

Theology & doctrine cannot be used to alter historical facts - the Church has frequently used coercion for that purpose; far too many Churches have ​

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.

That sounds like something from 1984 Not a good idea.​

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 !!

That’s easily said - but what reason is there for thinking it is so ? The trouble with Catholicism as it is in practice, is, that it very often gives the impression of having the mind of a miniature sect - not of a universal Church. Why is this ? Why the contradiction between the claim & the reality ? If it really believed itself to be a universal Church, it would be far more generous-minded & large-hearted; not the defensive & suspicious & narrow-minded thing it all too often is As it is, it shows what it really believes by how it treats others.​

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

Catholics are NOT disrespectful. THEY ARE REACTIONARY!

That too is an Orwellian use of language​

 

[Peter_J]

Re: What Do Catholics Not Respect Non-Catholics?

Bottom line, I think, is that many of us Catholics are, in fact, offended by the lack of respect that some Catholic posters show towards non-Catholics (whether Orthodox, Protestants, or non-Christians), but there’s only so much we can do about it.

Unfortunately, in my experience, a Catholic who makes unfair or inappropriate statements about non-Catholics isn’t going to stop just because a fellow Catholic asked him to – just as I wouldn’t expect a Protestant (for example) to stop making offensive comments about Catholics just because a fellow Protestant asks him to.

 

[Peter_J]

I’m not confusing anything. Maybe the church, itself, didn’t forbid Bible reading but the priests and nuns did. At least they did back when I was in Catholic school in the 1940’s. If you weren’t in Catholic school at that time then you should not put down or try to change what we were told. I may be old but I’m not stupid! We were to go to Mass and listen to what the priests said but we were not to read the Bible on our own.

Hi pigtown,

If you don’t mind, I’d like to “plug” another thread:

Comparing theory with practice? (Hahn)

 

[Peter_J]

CAF has little love for Protestants, in my experience.

Since we’re talking about user-generated content, it’s not too clear what it means to say “CAF has little love for Protestants”.

 

[Peter_J]

Sadly, we both have respect issues. Since we do have many commonalities, those issues where we disagree can often seem even more infuriating

I agree.

I’m reminded of how, several decades ago, many clubs would have “Gentiles Only” signs. (Not “Christians Only”, mind you, but “Gentiles Only”.) What the heck was that all about?

 

[Lilyflower]

CAF has little love for Protestants, in my experience.

I presume you are not Catholic else you would not say that because the very opposite is true.

Before I joined this forum, I spent a lot of time just reading posts and talking to Catholics who post here.

In my experience, Protestants get away with saying all manner of offensive things to Catholics but if a Catholic dares to say anything in return, the Mods jump all over them. So much so that I have heard Catholics asking why the Mods seem to be so biased towards non-Catholics.

So I think that any criticism of CAF is most unfair, untrue and total error. Please be sure of your facts before you make posts criticizing CAF.

I personally do not think there is any justification for either side being offensive. It is not Catholic to be uncharitable so support the position taken by the mods

Blessings and peace.

 

[Peter_J]

Are you the Catholic Police?

We prefer to call them inquisitors.

 

[Peter_J]

So I think that any criticism of CAF is most unfair, untrue and total error.

Thank you for informing us of that.

 

[Swan]

If people really think that those whose Christian faith is different from theirs need only “try harder”, they are treating faith in Christ as just another earthly philosophy - & not as the Divine gift they profess to believe it to be. They are secularising it. But if faith is Christ is faith at all, it can’t be bludgeoned or beaten or bullied into people, because God alone can give it; not apologists, not the Church, not anything in all creation.​

The moment it becomes an ideology, for people to lam each over the head with, it’s been poisoned, & become degraded into nothing more saving or grace-filled than (say) the programme of a political party.

Maybe belonging to a Church has exactly that effect

I’ve wondered this very thing many a time. I think it is important to remember how much Jesus emphasized humility - I think he might have seen this kind of thing coming…

It is very difficult to have something that you love, something that is a big part of your identity criticized (real or perceived) and we all tend to have knee-jerk reactions in such situations - no just religious issues.

 

[Peter_J]

Someone else, I don’t remember who, brought up another good point. How a Catholic will respond to somebody depends on how the person initiating the conversation conducted themselves. If you ask a question and seem genuinely curious, I’m totally positive that the Catholic would be more than willing to charitably help you through, and the same the other way around.

You may be totally positive about that, but I can’t agree with you, having seen cases where the uncharitable response was completely unprovoked.