What's the Deal?

[Journey322]

Why is there so much animosity and defensiveness directed at Protestants on this site? To be sure, it is largely wasted energy. I have been a Prostestant all of my adult life and I have to say, never did I encounter so much anti-Catholicism as a Protestant as I have anti-Protestantism from Catholics lately. In fact, it has been a fairly rare occassion that the Catholic church has even been mentioned among the Protestants I know.

I recently begain attending Faith Formation classes at a local Catholic church, having been invited by a friend. It was the first class meeting and I was the only new-comer in attendance. I sat in silence as the rest of the class discussed the differences between the Protestant interpretation of scripture (which, by the way, differs among the various Protestant churches) and that of the Catholic church. There seems to be a great deal of comparing/contrasting Catholicism and Protestantism here on this site as well, generally in a negative light toward non-Catholics. Why so much focus of attention and energy on what we (Protestants) believe? Is this typical of the Catholic church or just a recent trend here?

 

[CountrySteve]

i guess cause the CC is the original Church founded by our Lord and people like to make sure they have all the truth not just part and btw theres was some anti Catholicism in my former church (former free will baptist) like they said crucifixes were bad to use

 

[Contarini]

Why is there so much animosity and defensiveness directed at Protestants on this site? To be sure, it is largely wasted energy. I have been a Prostestant all of my adult life and I have to say, never did I encounter so much anti-Catholicism as a Protestant as I have anti-Protestantism from Catholics lately. In fact, it has been a fairly rare occassion that the Catholic church has even been mentioned among the Protestants I know.

I recently begain attending Faith Formation classes at a local Catholic church, having been invited by a friend. It was the first class meeting and I was the only new-comer in attendance. I sat in silence as the rest of the class discussed the differences between the Protestant interpretation of scripture (which, by the way, differs among the various Protestant churches) and that of the Catholic church. There seems to be a great deal of comparing/contrasting Catholicism and Protestantism here on this site as well, generally in a negative light toward non-Catholics. Why so much focus of attention and energy on what we (Protestants) believe? Is this typical of the Catholic church or just a recent trend here?

Mostly the latter. Obviously if you’re attending something like RCIA, which is geared toward converts, you’re going to hear a lot about Protestantism. And I’ve heard plenty of stories about Irish priests in the old days denouncing Protestants. But in my experience real-life contemporary Catholics don’t sit around thinking about Protestantism that much unless they live in an area where they’re exposed to aggressive Protestant evangelization. The folks on this forum come disproportionately from such areas and are often looking for support; they also reflect a conservative resurgence in contemporary American Catholicism (obviously not all of them are Americans, but the majority are) which has plenty of evangelistic/proselytizing/polemical zeal of its own.

Your experience is that Protestants don’t attack Catholicism much. That’s great–I keep trying to tell the folks here that this is true of many Protestants. However, many of the Catholics here come from areas (geographical or social) where attacks on Catholicism by Protestantism are routine. I grew up in that kind of Protestantism. I heard derogatory references to Catholicism (sometimes coyly veiled, as when Baptist missionaries to Catholic countries or regions would speak of people being led to Christ away from “their religion” without naming the religion) on a regular basis. I knew many ex-Catholic evangelicals and fundamentalists who spoke frequently of when they were Catholics before they “became Christians.” Anti-Catholicism is a very important part of a good deal of conservative American Protestantism.

 

[followingtheway]

Why is there so much animosity and defensiveness directed at Protestants on this site?

I don’t hate Protestants! I Protestants, many of my friends are Protestant, my aunt is a Protestant convert, my cousin is a Protestant convert and his wife and his children are Protestants.

To be sure, it is largely wasted energy. I have been a Prostestant all of my adult life and I have to say, never did I encounter so much anti-Catholicism as a Protestant as I have anti-Protestantism from Catholics lately. In fact, it has been a fairly rare occassion that the Catholic church has even been mentioned among the Protestants I know.

That’s the Protestants you and I know. You haven’t seen all the wacked out fundamentalist extremist anti-Catholics like Jack Chick, Alberto Rivera (a fake ex-priest), David J. Stewart, and Fred Phelps.

You haven’t seen all those anti-Catholic videos on YouTube… such as “bibleortraditions”, “zkueker88”, and videos calling our Church a harlot and us idol worshippers.

generally in a negative light toward non-Catholics. Why so much focus of attention and energy on what we (Protestants) believe? Is this typical of the Catholic church or just a recent trend here?

It’s not against the regular Protestants but against Anti-Catholic Fundamentalists. If you haven’t noticed this site isn’t to fond of Militant Anti-Religious Anti-Theistic Atheists either.

God bless you Sorry you’re encountering this problem.

David

 

[SteveVH]

Why is there so much animosity and defensiveness directed at Protestants on this site? To be sure, it is largely wasted energy. I have been a Prostestant all of my adult life and I have to say, never did I encounter so much anti-Catholicism as a Protestant as I have anti-Protestantism from Catholics lately. In fact, it has been a fairly rare occassion that the Catholic church has even been mentioned among the Protestants I know.

I recently begain attending Faith Formation classes at a local Catholic church, having been invited by a friend. It was the first class meeting and I was the only new-comer in attendance. I sat in silence as the rest of the class discussed the differences between the Protestant interpretation of scripture (which, by the way, differs among the various Protestant churches) and that of the Catholic church. There seems to be a great deal of comparing/contrasting Catholicism and Protestantism here on this site as well, generally in a negative light toward non-Catholics. Why so much focus of attention and energy on what we (Protestants) believe? Is this typical of the Catholic church or just a recent trend here?

This is a Catholic forum so by its nature you are going to find Catholics defending their faith. If they are uncharitable in doing so I can guarantee you that the moderators on this forum will take them to task on that point. Not sure which threads you have been reading but I find most Catholics reasonably charitable in their responses. Pointing out what we would consider errors in doctrine and belief is not being uncharitable. Do you have some specific examples?

 

[lizaanne]

There is a very good reason. We want all souls to go to heaven. And the most assured way to do that is through the Catholic Faith. So, when we hear people saying things that are heretical or misleading, we will do all we can to ensure that the Truth is made very clear to all involved in the discussion.

The charitable thing to do is to ensure that someone knows the Truth, and sometimes that’s not easy, pretty, or nice to do. But it is the most loving thing anyone can do.

~Liza

 

[adrift]

I have seen this charge leveled before.
When asked for examples none were put forth.
Perhaps it is the lens you are viewing through.
Many non-Catholics come here and are genuinely interested in a Christian exchange.
Some come and are surprised and beligerant that we aren’t blown away with their arugments that has been refuted a 1000 times.
You say there is animosity and defensiveness but is there?
I would say probably. But then again I would say that there are non-catholics that are also guilty of the same thing.
Your join date says say June 2011
You have six post.
Have you been lurking? If not this does not seem a lot of time to arrive at this question.
So now I ask you to point to the offending post.

 

[Journey322]

This is a Catholic forum so by its nature you are going to find Catholics defending their faith. If they are uncharitable in doing so I can guarantee you that the moderators on this forum will take them to task on that point. Not sure which threads you have been reading but I find most Catholics reasonably charitable in their responses. Pointing out what we would consider errors in doctrine and belief is not being uncharitable. Do you have some specific examples?

I know this is a Catholic site and have no problem with people defending their faith or pointing out what they believe to be errors in doctrine. I also know the difference between “charitable” and “uncharitable”. Nevermind…

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

I the end truth is at stake. I would expect these discussion to get heated. We are not exactly discussing our favorite professional sports team What is not acceptable is the miss information of both camps about the other that is unfortunately perpetuated. Most of the time unknowingly but sometimes knowingly. That is the reason for this site, not to attack the Protestant traditions but answering their question of our faith. Since Protestants are welcome here on CA, and some have become valuable posters here, it is natural that we will ask questions of their faith. Why should we be the only ones on the defensive? I for one was challenged very early on after my conversion by a fundamentalist Protestant and I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today in my faith without those challenges. Perhaps there are Protestants who have been here that have had the same type of experience?

Welcome to the forums.

God bless

 

[BigDave31]

As an evangelical “protestant” I came here over six years ago. It is here that I learned that so much of what I heard in my churches was not true. I thank God for this site for it has been a large part of my education in what the Catholic Church really believes. You will find much more of anti-catholic talk on the protestant sites. I am so happy since my conversion. THe fulnes of the Truth is surely in the church that Jesus founded.

 

[JoshuaNY]

I do not really see the Catholics here as being anti-protestant. I have had many good conversations with the Catholics and Non-Catholics alike.
What I see are Christians who believe with their whole hearts, who would defend their faith with their last breath. Which I applaud, as I would do the same. They passionately discuss their beliefs and answer questions as well as guide those that they believe to not have the complete truth about Christianity.

Now you will find sometimes someone can be uncharitable, but on the whole I have not encountered any type of anti-protestant or anti anything on this site that was tolerated.

I find this forum full of loving Christians discussing their faith and answering questions.

As a Lutheran I may have a different view then most Protestants as Lutherans to Catholics in their beliefs then most other denominations. But I just do not see what the OP sees.

I am a proud member of Catholic Answers and find it more fulfilling then any other Christian Forum I have seen

 

[loneviking]

I’ll second what JoshuaNY just posted. Gee, if you think this site is anti-Protestant, go hang around at some other forum that I can’t mention. I’ve also seen sites that include Catholics, but the Catholic bashing is enough to make me sorry to ever be included with that Protestant crowed.

No, the Catholics here are good folks and most of the time the conversations between Catholics and Prots are very civil. We learn a lot, and often become friends.