When does a protestant become an antiCatholic

[deb1]

I realize that Protestants by definition are protesting the Catholic Church. When though does a Protestant cross the line from disagreement with Church teachings to actually being anti Catholics. I ask because we have had a few Protestants on the board assert that they personally aren’t anti Catholics. I realize that all Protestants don’t hold the same views and some are actually pretty friendly toward Catholics.

In my opinion, any Protestant who believes that all Catholics are going to hell is antiCatholic. I’d like a better definition, though.

 

[LSK]

I agree with you that by virtue of being Protestant members of Christian denominations that do not recognize the authority of the Bishop of Rome are ‘protesting’. In my personal opinion, such a protest becomes anti-Catholic and anti-Christian when the protestants’ reasons for not being in full communion with the Christian Church is that we are not Christians ourselves. When they quote chapters or verses from the Bible to ‘prove’ we are not Christians. When they refer to us as Pagans, our Church as the Whore of Babylon, and tell us flat out that we are evil and going to hell by virture of being Catholic. I have run into that attitude since moving to the Central Valley of California in 1998 and it was my first experience with it. There are doctors that have Jack Chick tracts in their offices, people coming to my door specifically to ‘save’ me from being a Catholic, etc.

What this did was make me angry. That anger motivated me to dive into my faith so that I could defend myself and my Church. That motivated me to try and live the Gospel. That motivated me to find a saint to help me. THAT lead me to St. Therese. She is now my prayer partner. She lead me to Catholic Radio, which lead me to Catholic Answers which lead me to CAF. I am now a sober, dignified, obedient daughter of the Holy Mother Church - all because of Catholic haters!

IF THEY ONLY KNEW

 

[Roman_Army]

deb1:

I realize that Protestants by definition are protesting the Catholic Church. When though does a Protestant cross the line from disagreement with Church teachings to actually being anti Catholics. I ask because we have had a few Protestants on the board assert that they personally aren’t anti Catholics. I realize that all Protestants don’t hold the same views and some are actually pretty friendly toward Catholics.

In my opinion, any Protestant who believes that all Catholics are going to hell is antiCatholic. I’d like a better definition, though.

The very nature of protestantism is anti-Catholic. However, not every protestant is anti-catholic. If they don’t know about the Catholic Church, how can they be against it? Those that become anti-Catholic are those who try to debunk Catholic teaching and/or as you stated think that Catholics are hell bound or pagan. Those that simply only reject certain Catholic teaching, but respect it and tolerate it, are in heresy but not anti-Catholic.

** **

 

[Grace_and_Glory]

A Protestant who honestly disagrees with Catholic doctrine is not anti-Catholic, in my opinion. I have known Protestants who just didn’t agree with the Church on certain issues, but they respected the Church itself. I think things become anti-Catholic when (1) a Protestant believes that he knows the faith better than Catholics do, so when Catholics try to explain what the Church really teaches, the Protestant won’t listen; (2) the Protestant is certain that Catholics are going to Hell, that the Pope is the Antichrist, that the Church is the Whore of Babylon, etc; and/or (3) the Protestant discriminates against Catholics because of their beliefs rather than disagreeing with the doctrines but still treating Catholics as people.

 

[Roman_Army]

I’d also like to remind that some of the most cradle and practicle Catholics can also be anti-Catholic. Even some of the clergy and theologians can be anti-Catholic as well. So, it isn’t right to pick on a certain group and stereotype. We must also keep our eyes peeled within our own Church, we must stay loyal to Rome and study the faith, that way not even a bad Bishop can shake our faith up.

 

[Fidelis]

So, it isn’t right to pick on a certain group and stereotype. We must also keep our eyes peeled within our own Church, we must stay loyal to Rome and study the faith, that way not even a bad Bishop can shake our faith up.

We need to do both.

 

[spanky]

that the Pope is the Antichrist, that the Church is the Whore of Babylon, etc;

That sums it up for me right there. When they, or their church uses “anti-christ” to refer to the Pope and “whore of Babylon” for the church, they are “anti” Catholic.

 

[LSK]

good distinction, Roman Army. Being in heresy and being anti-Catholic could apply to those ‘inside the Church’. I think I understand what Deb1 means, however, because it was not until I moved to the Central Valley that I was confronted by ideas and opinions on the Catholic Church that I thought had died out in the 30’s or 40’s. My parents had told me of being in Connecticut in the 1940’s after the war and still seeing signs in windows that said things like “Catholics and Irish Not Served Here”. My father, who grew up in the South, remembered being told that being a “papist” meant being anti-American…stuff like that. I admit I was naive - I had no idea that hatefullness towards the Church still existed in any kind of organized manner. You all have educated me in this area.

 

[Church_Militant]

One problem is in nomenclature, since not all anti-Catholics are “Protestant”, but some use the names “Reformed” or “Evangelical”, or “Non-denominational”. Hence you’ll see me use the abbreviation “n-C” for “non-Catholics” in posts a lot.

Naturally, it varies from person to person, (as does their personal interps of the Bible), but you have all stated it pretty well so far.

I personally consider it anti-Catholic (“a-C”) whenever anyone alleges that the Catholic Church is not a Christian denom since this is the implication of much of what we hear on here and other forums and it is patently untrue.

The other problem is in the term Christian, since many n-Cs use this term to mean those that have complied with their personal “way of salvation” (Ever seen the tract “Four Spiritual Laws” ?) and we Catholics use it to mean all those who express faith in Christ for their salvation. That’s where it gets hairy because of eternal security/OSAS/Calvinism, which define things differently and there are (again) variants thereof.

This is the reason that we often have so many posters here that seem bound and determined that they are here to “refute the errors of Romanism” and lead us all to a personal relationship with Christ. That gets old PDQ…

I was talking about this recently with my wife who just came into full communion last Easter and voiced my thought that so many people seem to ignore the long, deep, and rich 2,000 year history of our faith during which the Catholic Church has answered every heresy to come along and how most “non-Catholics” attack the church with the same old same old things that we have either answered way early on, or else (in the case of non-Catholic denoms) over the last 500 years. I think one Bible verse sort of sums it all up for me.

Ecclesiastes 1:9: What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.10: Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already, in the ages before us.
Pax vobisum,

 

[LSK]

Church Militant:

One problem is in nomenclature, since not all anti-Catholics are “Protestant”, but some use the names “Reformed” or “Evangelical”, or “Non-denominational”. Hence you’ll see me use the abbreviation “n-C” for “non-Catholics” in posts a lot.

Naturally, it varies from person to person, (as does their personal interps of the Bible), but you have all stated it pretty well so far.

I personally consider it anti-Catholic (“a-C”) whenever anyone alleges that the Catholic Church is not a Christian denom since this is the implication of much of what we hear on here and other forums and it is patently untrue.

The other problem is in the term Christian, since many n-Cs use this term to mean those that have complied with their personal “way of salvation” (Ever seen the tract “Four Spiritual Laws” ?) and we Catholics use it to mean all those who express faith in Christ for their salvation. That’s where it gets hairy because of eternal security/OSAS/Calvinism, which define things differently and there are (again) variants thereof.

This is the reason that we often have so many posters here that seem bound and determined that they are here to “refute the errors of Romanism” and lead us all to a personal relationship with Christ. That gets old PDQ…

I was talking about this recently with my wife who just came into full communion last Easter and voiced my thought that so many people seem to ignore the long, deep, and rich 2,000 year history of our faith during which the Catholic Church has answered every heresy to come along and how most “non-Catholics” attack the church with the same old same old things that we have either answered way early on, or else (in the case of non-Catholic denoms) over the last 500 years. I think one Bible verse sort of sums it all up for me.

Ecclesiastes 1:9: What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.10: Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already, in the ages before us.
Pax vobisum,

Now that’s a nice summing up too. I know there are degrees and there are different ways to express how we recognize ‘anti-Catholic’. There are subtle distinctions, too, between those that do not worship Christ as Catholics and those that really hate the Catholic Church. I remember my late father-in-law once remarked that he thought all Catholics have ‘issues with authority’ and I couldn’t argue with that - I think all PEOPLE have issues with authority at one time or another just as a part of growing up. When I said this, his reply was something to the effect that we (meaning faithful Catholics) follow Rome while arguing with it all the time. Well, you and I all know that that kind of generalization - like this one - is always going to be false, but I understood how it could seem that way to an outsider. I know that, during my rebellious period, while I did not want to be a practicing Catholic I never stopped identifying myself as one. It was as though I knew, deep in my heart, that when I grew up I would find my spiritual expression in the arms of Mother Church.

What I was truly unaware of, and am still shocked by, was the actual existence of the visciousness of attacks against our faith. I am pleased to see how many people do not stand for it, but defend the faith in ways that are a credit to Christ’s teachings.

 

[Paris_Blues]

If only Protestants would have an open heart to the Truth, then they would learn what the Catholic faith is about. I’m a big witness to this because before I started pursuing Catholicism, I myself was a little skeptical about it too. I was thinking, why do they “worship” Mary and the Saints, how is that the Pope is infallible, what kinda religion is this? These were questions that made me extremely ignorant of the faith…the funny part is, even though I was asking these questions, deep down inside, I knew I wanted to be Catholic, yet I didn’t understand the faith!

But I had this urge to pursue it, whether or not I was skeptical about it or not. But with a open heart to it, I soon realized that it was the TRUE Church our Lord established! I swear, coming to realize that was like a “little touch of Heaven”! I was excited!

My personal opinion is I think that Protestants and even non-Catholics from other religions are so into their beliefs and all and what they teach makes so much sense to them, that they don’t want to hear any other “Truth”. They think, ha, what I believe makes sooo much sense, those Catholics are so wrong. Something like that. It could be another form of pride, yet I can’t judge on that but that could be possible too.

 

[gusano]

deb1:

I realize that Protestants by definition are protesting the Catholic Church. When though does a Protestant cross the line from disagreement with Church teachings to actually being anti Catholics. I ask because we have had a few Protestants on the board assert that they personally aren’t anti Catholics. I realize that all Protestants don’t hold the same views and some are actually pretty friendly toward Catholics.

In my opinion, any Protestant who believes that all Catholics are going to hell is antiCatholic. I’d like a better definition, though.

How about;
**“He who is not with me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me is scattering.” ** …Mat. 12:30

“Gathering with me”… as in The New Covenant.

gusano

 

[gusano]

deb1:

I realize that Protestants by definition are protesting the Catholic Church. When though does a Protestant cross the line from disagreement with Church teachings to actually being anti Catholics. I ask because we have had a few Protestants on the board assert that they personally aren’t anti Catholics. I realize that all Protestants don’t hold the same views and some are actually pretty friendly toward Catholics.

In my opinion, any Protestant who believes that all Catholics are going to hell is antiCatholic. I’d like a better definition, though.

P.S.
The most fiercely “anti-catholic protestants” I have talked with are those who were once catholics.

protestants who were brought up “protestant” from infancy usually do not have that “axe-to-grind”

gusano

 

[nagyszakall]

Beyond considering the Pope anti-christ and reverence of the saints idolatry, I would say that certain denominations (and here I mean the denomination and not just certain individuals who have subscribed to it) are anti-Catholic by actively targeting Catholics in their proselytism. I do not call it evangelization, because that would mean to announce a good news (eu-angelion); this, on the other hand, is really announcing the bad news that the target person is following the wrong religion.
This sort of anti-Catholicism is usually paired with the other (that of saying lies about the Catholic) but I would consider it anti-Catholic even if it weren’t.
What I mean to say is that if a protestant organization, which doesn’t spread hostile lies about the Church but only disagrees with Catholic doctrine, militantly and programmatically engages in this sort of proselytism, it should be still considered anti-Catholic.

The fact that the Pope apologized to the Evangelicals the other day, underlines the fact that the Catholic Church, on the other hand, is not anti-protestant.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Accusing the Catholic Church of criminal behavior or participation in conspiracies (Jesuits killing Lincoln and taking a blood oath to kill Protestants are popular), being part of the “New World Order,” one world religion, any variation of “666” relating to the papacy, all of the Jack Chick-type accusations – all these are typical “anti-Catholic” behaviors.

Disagreement on matters of theology, Biblical interpretation, etc., makes them wrong, but not “anti-.”

 

[BettyBoop416]

protestants who were brought up “protestant” from infancy usually do not have that “axe-to-grind”

Not only do most of them not have an axe to grind, most of them know very little about nor do they care anything about the Catholic Church. It’s totally irrelevant to them and not something they give any thought to.

 

[thistle]

I realize that Protestants by definition are protesting the Catholic Church. When though does a Protestant cross the line from disagreement with Church teachings to actually being anti Catholics. I ask because we have had a few Protestants on the board assert that they personally aren’t anti Catholics. I realize that all Protestants don’t hold the same views and some are actually pretty friendly toward Catholics.

In my opinion, any Protestant who believes that all Catholics are going to hell is antiCatholic. I’d like a better definition, though.

Before coverting to the Catholic faith I was a born and brought up Methodist. I never spoke badly about the Catholic Church or its members nor even thought badly about the Catholic Church or its members. I certainly did not consider myself anti-Catholic in any shape or form.

I would also add that some forum members have considered Protestants to be heretics which of course is not correct. The only Protestant heretics were the original founders (Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and Bullinger who were Catholics) and any other born and brought up Catholics at that time who turned away from the Church rejecting its teachings, and any Catholics now who rejects infallible teachings.
Heresy (as a Church teaching) applies to Catholics who reject or have a stubborn doubt about any infallible teachings of the Church. It did not apply to me when I was a Methodist.

 

[DavidFilmer]

If a protestant considers Catholics to be the same as any other Christian denomination other than his, then he is not anti-Catholic.

 

[Goya]

One problem is in nomenclature, since not all anti-Catholics are “Protestant”, but some use the names “Reformed” or “Evangelical”, or “Non-denominational”. Hence you’ll see me use the abbreviation “n-C” for “non-Catholics” in posts a lot.

Naturally, it varies from person to person, (as does their personal interps of the Bible), but you have all stated it pretty well so far.

I personally consider it anti-Catholic (“a-C”) whenever anyone alleges that the Catholic Church is not a Christian denom since this is the implication of much of what we hear on here and other forums and it is patently untrue.

…
Pax vobisum,

Good post; I agree with most of it. However, the bolded portion caught my attention.

The Church herself doesn’t view herself as a ‘denomination’. That’s how I was brought up anyway. The Catholic Church is not just another denomination; it is the One True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ Himself founded.

The idea that the Catholic Church is just another ‘denomination’ imo, plays into the protestant view that any church that professes the Gospel, is on equal footing.

Of course many protestant sects view the Catholic Church as being less than a Christian denomination–and perhaps that was the point you were making–but I’d submit that Christ left us a Church, and a ‘Paraclete’/‘advocate’–i.e.–the Holy Spirit–to guide and protect her through the ages, until He returns.

That Church is traceable to the Apostles; it is the One True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ Himself founded.

Not just another ‘denomination’, founded by some eloquent, charismatic intellectual who studied his Bible, and figured a new spin on the Faith, upon his own personal reckoning, and thereby established a new niche for his church–which competes with the One True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ Himself founded, by detracting souls, and with them, necessary resources for the Church to carry out Her mission (i.e.–misappropriates resources for his/her own benefit, at the expense of the One True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ Himself founded).

 

[Goya]

Protestants are ‘separated brethren’ when they are born into protestantism through no fault of their own, or mis-guided into believing that the Bible is all they need for salvation.

They become anti-Catholic, when they seek to poach members from the One True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ Himself founded, and lead them to the fallacies of sola scriptrua and sola fide; to reject the gift that Christ actually bequeathed to us–His Church. (i.e.–what they consider ‘evangelizing’, or ‘missionary work’).

They are virulently anti-Catholic, when they seek to do the above, by slandering and/or disparaging the Bride of Christ in order to achieve that end.

Personally, I give protestants a pass (so to speak), when they seek to evangelize non-Christians. Sadly, more often than not, the more active protestant sects specifically target Catholics in their evangelistic efforts, and quite often do so, by slandering/disparaging the One True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ Himself founded–and left to us.

IMO, that’s when protestants become anti-Catholic–regardless of their ‘diplomacy’, warm fuzzy feelings, or pretense at good will.