what's the Catholic view of Protestants?

[hawkeye]

My view is get on with yor faith, live and let live, as the Bible says “Arm yourself with the lord Jesus Christ”.
Just because some can quote the Bible from cover to cover doesn’t mean a thing if we preach hate, lets not just be a sayer of the word but a doer as well :tiphat:

 

[MGEISING]

hawkeye:

My view is get on with yor faith, live and let live.

hawkeye

Oh, I go on and on with my faith … but it is always interesting to see how other’s deal with such abusive thoughts on our faith.

Some of us are a little closer than other’s to the sadness that is seen. Feel it every day … and we you love your Lord and faith … it is hard to close an eye.

Praying is the best … with God all things are possible.

Thanks for your post!

 

[hawkeye]

MGEISING:

hawkeye

Oh, I go on and on with my faith … but it is always interesting to see how other’s deal with such abusive thoughts on our faith.

Some of us are a little closer than other’s to the sadness that is seen. Feel it every day … and we you love your Lord and faith … it is hard to close an eye.

Praying is the best … with God all things are possible.

Thanks for your post!

Don’t have a clue how my post got mixed up with yours, but it was addressed to other faiths, mainly Protestants.

 

[Little_Mary]

fatman:

I stumbled onto this site today, and I can’t stop reading the various posts concerning the divide between Catholics and Protestants. While I realize that I’ve wandered into an online community of predominantly Catholic apologetics, I’ve been quite intrigued, perhaps even surprised, by the seemingly fervent desire to “convert Protestants.” However, I haven’t quite been able to guage what you Catholics (or the Catholic church) really think of Protestants like myself – is one’s identity as a Catholic/Protestant ultimately a salvation/sanctification issue? (And if not, why pursue conversion of protestants with such intensity?) Is one’s eternal reward ultimately at stake here?

Thanks,

Andrew

Andrew,

I, for one, do not so much have a fervent desire to “convert” Protestants as I do to educate protestants. I am so, so very tired of all of the misconceptions about the Catholic faith that are taught to protestants (either by their own ministers, or family members or whomever). All I want to do is clear up those misunderstands. Some I’ve talked to listen and understand (not necessarily believe, but understand) and some I’ve talked to don’t want to understand, they just want to hear themselves criticize.

I’m also very tired of all of the Catholic bashing that I see on TV - some of it is blatant and some of if is suttle - but all of it is prejudiced.

To quote my friend, John Martignoni “I don’t care if you disagree with what I believe, but disagree with what I really believe.”

 

[Didi]

Hi Andrew –

I have been a Catholic all of my life, almost left the Church twice, and in the last five years have been going through a major reconversion in my faith. I had a LOT of questions and there were a LOT of issues and beliefs that I was questioning and had in the past rejected.

I fully expected to study my way out of the Catholic Church. But, **SUPRISE ** – I ended up falling head over heals in love with Our Lord all over again and in love with His Bride – The Catholic Church.

I share this with you because, for me, it’s not so much a matter of trying to convert my friends or family, as it is helping them to understand that Our Lord has given us a **GREAT GIFT ** in His Church and a **PRICELESS TREASURE ** in the Holy Eucharist, where HE IS PRESENT, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. I long for everyone I know to be able to share in this Gift, this Giving of Jesus to all of us in intimate Communion with Him.

If you knew and believed with all your heart that Jesus is present on every Catholic altar of every Catholic Church during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, wouldn’t you want the whole world to know?! Wouldn’t you run to Him?

 

[cnelms]

fatman:

I stumbled onto this site today, and I can’t stop reading the various posts concerning the divide between Catholics and Protestants. While I realize that I’ve wandered into an online community of predominantly Catholic apologetics, I’ve been quite intrigued, perhaps even surprised, by the seemingly fervent desire to “convert Protestants.” However, I haven’t quite been able to guage what you Catholics (or the Catholic church) really think of Protestants like myself – is one’s identity as a Catholic/Protestant ultimately a salvation/sanctification issue? (And if not, why pursue conversion of protestants with such intensity?) Is one’s eternal reward ultimately at stake here?

Thanks,

Andrew

Speaking for myself, I feel that our protestant friends are our ‘separated brethren’. We seek re-unification of all Christians into Holy Mother Church. Christ founded one church, not 33,000 different churches. The apostles and the early fathers worked their tails off trying to keep the church unified. The purpose of St. Paul’s writings were to keep the church unified, to keep it universal, to keep it Catholic. I’m intrigued when protestants use the writings of St. Paul to justify their protestantism. Its as if they ignore the context of the writings themselves, what the writings were originally intended to accomplish. I’m going to butcher this quote, but here goes: Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said ‘there are millions of people who hate what they think the Catholic church is. There probably aren’t 100 people who hate what the Catholic church actually is.’

 

[Sparky]

Hey, Chris, here’s the exact quote from Sheen:

“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

In any event, Andrew - the idea is indeed to save souls not condemn them. Truth is, I love my protestant bretheren, separated though they are, but - I have often experienced treatment that the feeling is not mutual. They’ve been taught to hate us - and hate us wrongly because they believe we are a kind of church that, really, only exists in their own minds. If they were to truly know what the church teaches, and if they’d listen, they’d cease to hate her. Sadly, they like to plug their ears and continue on in their ignorance.

I know that’s not true for all of them, so I take each person I meet on an occasion by occasion basis. It’s all I can do, right?

Truth is - the church teaches that everyone has a chance at heaven. Catholics just have a greater chance because they’re using all the tools of grace that Christ himself gave them to get there - namely the sacraments.

Hope that makes sense.
–Ann

 

[Shoshana]

This is a leaflet written by CATHOLIC TRUTH PUBLICATIONS:

If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517.

If you belong to the Church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534, because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to re-marry.

If you are Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560.

If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582.

If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1601.

If you are of the Dutch Reformed church, you recognize Michaelis Jones as founder, because he originated your religion in New York in 1628.

If you are Protestant Episcopelian, your religion was an offshoot of the church of England founded by Samuel Seabury in the American colonies in the 17th century.

If you are a Methodist, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1744.

If you are Unitarian, Theophilus Lindley founded your church in London in 1774.

If you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, N.Y., in 1829.

If you worship with the Salvation Army, your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865.

If you are a Christian Scientist, you look to 1979 as the year in which your religion was born and to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.

If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as ‘Church of the Nazarene,’ ‘Pentecostal Gospel,’ ‘Holiness Church,’ Pilgrim Hoiliness Church,’ ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses,’ your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past hundred years.

If you are Roman Catholic, you know that your religion was founded in the year 33 by jesus Christ, the Son of god, and it is still the same Church.

I will share my experience with my brother who was raised Catholic turned Anglican, turned Calvary Gospel, turned Faith Tabernacle in another post. He believes all Catholics are going to hell…:crying:

Shoshana

 

[Katholikos]

I still recall vividly my hatred of Catholicism and the suspicion I felt toward individual Catholics as a result of the bull-oney I was fed in a Southern Baptist Sunday School class and from the pulpit. After all, the Whore of Babylon was condemned by the Bible! What further license did we need to hate it?

This garbage is still being taught. I went to a friend’s funeral not long ago and had to listen to an attack on the Church from the pulpit there as well. It makes my blood boil.

Oremus pro invicem (Let us pray for one another), Jay
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!

 

[Little_Mary]

Andrew,

There have been several posts since your original question and I am curious to know what you think so far. I’m glad that you cared enough to ask the questions. Do you still think that Catholics are focused on fervently converting protestants? Did you get any answers that you probably did not expect? Again, just curious. Not trying to antagonize. You said you just stumbled across this website, hope you’ve been made to feel welcome.

God Bless

 

[SwissGuard]

Shoshana- Thanks for that post…I love that info.

Katholikos- I couldn’t agree more. One of my friends goes to a Dutch Reformed church (I believe…I could be mistaken)…but anyway, his catechism stated that all Catholics were going to hell because we believe in transubstantiation and the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Those poor, poor people.

My personal view of Protestants is that they are our well-meaning but largely misinformed brothers and sisters in Christ. As **Little Mary ** so eloquently put it: My main desire is to educate Protestants about Catholicism. I personally believe that conversion is between the person and God, and in the end people are not going to convert to Catholicism because of how compelling my argument was- They are going to convert because they know what Catholics believe and they feel the “tugging on their hearts” by the Holy Spirit. God is the true converter…I’m just the instrument.

Anyway, my girlfriend and many of my best friends are Protestants. I don’t desire anything as much as unity of faith with them.

God Bless.

 

[MGEISING]

Katholikos:

I still recall vividly my hatred of Catholicism and the suspicion I felt toward individual Catholics as a result of the bull-oney I was fed in a Southern Baptist Sunday School class and from the pulpit. After all, the Whore of Babylon was condemned by the Bible! What further license did we need to hate it?

This garbage is still being taught. I went to a friend’s funeral not long ago and had to listen to an attack on the Church from the pulpit there as well. It makes my blood boil.

Oremus pro invicem (Let us pray for one another), Jay
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!

Thanks for sharing that with us … I took a look at your info and you have the same birthday as My dad - who I pray (and would find hard not to think he was there) is in our Lord’s arms right now!

I am amazed at how Anti-Catholic SOME and I stress SOME protestants are … even at funerals … I know … I have been to a few that I wanted to just scream at! Thankfully the Holy Spirit was with me and kept my mouth shut!

 

[MGEISING]

Little Mary

so eloquently put it: My main desire is to educate Protestants about Catholicism. I personally believe that conversion is between the person and God, and in the end people are not going to convert to Catholicism because of how compelling my argument was- They are going to convert because they know what Catholics believe and they feel the “tugging on their hearts” by the Holy Spirit. God is the true converter…I’m just the instrument.]

Swiss:

As St. Francis said … teach the GOSPEL always, and if necessary, USE WORDS!

If we - here - us Catholics can live by our faith … truly live it … then more and more people woudl wonder … WHAT FAITH DO YOU BELONG TOOOOOOOO!!!

Don’t you agree?

 

[Rogo]

MGEISING:

I think sometimes people forget that there is an incredible source that should be read often, if not daily, with scripture, to help them understand what the faith is all about.

And, the great thing is - people can buy one or find it online. so if anyone wants to have a question answered … what better source … something that is documented, not what is said by another individual … (even a priest, nun, non catholic pastor) etc. and find what ACTUALLY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES!

Shock horror! You mean it’s actually WRITTEN DOWN? For anybody to read?? How irresponsible! People are going to get all kinds of true answers to all sorts of questions about our faith, simply by reading a book? How prosaic, how final, how bracingly un-vague! How Lewis and Chesterton!

But then folks will have to learn to read first. Phew that was close.

 

[Little_Mary]

Rogo:

Shock horror! You mean it’s actually WRITTEN DOWN? For anybody to read?? How irresponsible! People are going to get all kinds of true answers to all sorts of questions about our faith, simply by reading a book? How prosaic, how final, how bracingly un-vague! How Lewis and Chesterton!

But then folks will have to learn to read first. Phew that was close.

Or at least stop turning a blind eye to what they do read.

 

[SwissGuard]

MGEISING:

If we - here - us Catholics can live by our faith … truly live it … then more and more people would wonder … WHAT FAITH DO YOU BELONG TOOOOOOOO!!!Don’t you agree?

I completely agree. Living out what we believe is definitely one of the best ways to evangelize. They’ll know us by our love, friend.

Peace.

 

[Pax]

Shibboleth:

I would like to say that I have generally been accepted on this site…Between being on this website and supporting the Bengals sometimes I wonder if I am mildly masochistic.

Shibboleth,

You’ve got to be kidding! You know you’re loved on this site. Masochistic? Based on the above I might suggest that you’re a little conflicted, but certainly not masochistic.

While you might not agree with everything catholic on this site, you are truly welcome and a valuable contributor.

 

[Maggie]

Shibboleth:

Between being on this website and supporting the Bengals sometimes I wonder if I am mildly masochistic.

Shibboleth… You are GREAT. I for one am always grateful for your wisdom AND your masochism… And I’m still gonna keep trying to get you to finish answering that call .

 

[Pax]

Fatman,

If you feel like catholics are trying to convert you, then I would suggest that you rejoice. Obviously, these people love you as a brother in Christ.

We must all evangelize. We are called to evangelize, we are called to share one faith, one baptism, and one Lord. Jesus told us, “know the truth and the truth will set you free.” The catholic church offers you the fulness of the truth and the deepest understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Know the truth and the truth will set you free.

 

[fatman]

aarrrgh! i somehow lost what i was about to post…oh well
thanks to everyone for your replies. and, yes, little mary i felt quite welcome. thanx. i didnt know quite what to expect, but i feel a little stumped with what i got.

ummm…it seemed that the one universal response was that everyone, regardless of their views of protestants, wished for unity.

as to whether there is no salvation outside of the Catholic church – some people suggested that protestants and catholics are brothers and sistgers in Christ, separated by doctrine, but both saved (both fine where it really counts). others simply seemed ticked off (and rightly so, it sounds) at the nasty antangonism exuded by some protestant teachers (although i haven’t seen any of that in any of the churches i’ve attended up here in seattle). and others warned that protestants are schismatics or heretics, gamblers playing a dangerous guessing game in terms of their salvation. pnewton’s post suggested that the variety in views may be even greater since the population of posters on an apologist catholic website may not accurately represent the mainstream catholic belief.

sooo…i heard a lot of perspectives, but certainly no definitive ‘catholic view on protestants.’ a friend at work recommended consulting official catholic doctrine. Apologia100 posted part of the catechism, but it didn’t seem relevant (hope your son’s okay). the *Lumen Gentium *(vatican ii) reinforced the desire for unity and otherwise seemed open to protestants – but even that seemed quite open to interpretation. does the pope have anything to say on this? (not to sound ignorantk, which i am, but he would have the deciding vote on this, right?)

as i was writing this, a friend emailed me this reply to our thread. it seemed to quite aptly sum up my thoughts (thanks purplehippo): “it seems to me that the most basic answer to your post is that it depends on what catholicism you are talking about. Even before the Reformation catholicism was far from univocal. In fact, it’s plurality of voices in the 14th and 15th centuries is a large part of what instigated the Reformation in the first place. “No salvation outside the church” is in practice subjected to mulitple interpretations, and you’ll find Catholics who are every possible opinion regarding the legitamacy (or illegitamacy) of Protestantism.”

i guess that seems true…and, no, little mary, i guess there doesn’t seem to be a fervent desire to convert us protestants, just a sincere, and, i suppose, understandable desire for unity. thanks for asking for my response (these are my first ever posts in chat rooms – i’m a little shy!)