Why Are Protestants Here?

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Church Militant:
Frankly, I enjoy a dialogue with other faiths, but I refuse to sit here and let someone use this forum as a pulpit for their misdirected sense of evangelism and slanderous propaganda villifying the Catholic faith that I hold dear. As most of you know, I have (and am still) studying my faith and I praise God for what I am able to share. I realize that it’s not ALL non-Catholics or Prots that bash holy mother church, but this forum seems to draw a few who have no other purpose but to harrangue us and tie up the boards with their A/C diatribes full of erroneous statements and (sometimes) outright lies. Really. that’s no biggie because it just reflects the real world. (as does the net) My point is that we should welcome honest seekers and their questions with all charity. We do however, sometimes have to remind folks of the rules of respecting Catholicism here. As I’ve said before, we are really very tolerant here, unlike the n-C boards that many of us have been tossed off of for simply posting the valid answers to A/C posts there. Hence, I don’t bother to go there anymore.

Finally, to those who seem to feel that we come on too strong, I would suggest that you take a stroll through the threads where we have had to deal with vehement A/C posters and see if we haven’t sought to give them respectful and concise answers before they unload on us. I think we do a pretty decent job on the overall, but I for one will keep on trying to get the point accros to those who really want answers.

Finally, Ahimsaman72,
I’m sorry that we seem diminished in your eyes. (or so it sounds) You have been a good poster to date and I look forward to your thread on Buddhism and Christianity and I think you’ll be hip-deep in questions. I readily confess that I think you’d make a good Catholic (Shhh…I hope I didn’t say that too loud…those Bible Nazis will rip me a new one!) and maybe the Holy Spirit will do what we have been so lame about. 🙂

Pax vobiscum
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Thanks for your kind words. Let me say - I totally respect you guys. I respect Pope John Paul II tremendously. I respect the values and morals of the Catholic Church.

I will start the thread soon. I’m up to my neck at work with projects right now and I believe in sticking with a thread till it’s done. So, please be patient.

God bless…
 
Exporter said:
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Please don’t misunderstand this post. It’s straight from the shoulder. Look at what you wrote, I put it in bold type.

Your thinking is like a dirty little kid who says he can’t climb in the bath tub until he is very clean - all over. You want to feel like you are as Holy as the Bishop before ( I said BEFORE) you seriously start to become involved in entering the Catholic Church.

It’s not that way. When a Catholic goes to connfession and confesses all his sins, and later he starts to ask if all of his sins were really forgiven. Who puts that into his mind? I will tell you…it is the Devil (Satan). The Devil is a liar and he wants you to loose you faith. If you do then Satan wins and claps his hands.

Sorry Pal, but if you have to outdo the Bishop BEFORE you start to enter the Church – ya’ know what? You never will.
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I’m not concerned with being “clean”. Wouldn’t you agree that unless one is ready to submit to the Church authority and accept the teachings of the Church one should not “sign up”? At this point, I would only be going through the motions and would be untrue to the Church and myself.

There are several teachings that are expected of every faithful Catholic that I cannot agree to at this point. So, how could I join the Church honestly and faithfully? Surely you would not suggest I join even though I still hold some of my present beliefs which are contradictory to Catholic Church beliefs?

I realized at the age of 14 that I can never be “good enough” for Christ to save me. I humbly submitted my life to Him at that point knowing that He would cleanse me throughout my lifetime. It’s not a matter of sinfulness concerns - it’s a matter of mental assent and submission of the heart.

Peace…
 
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ahimsaman72:
Given the spirit of the questions - I have to decline. And, it would be hijacking this thread to continue on the topic of your questions. I will soon begin a thread of Buddhism in relation to Christianity when I have more time to devote to it. If you were truly open and wanted your questions answered I would oblige.

Peace…
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You are on the quest for knowledge that I was on several years ago. I wish you peace on your journey to enlightmnent. Birth is painful, life is painful, death is painful, rebirth is painful. Only when we learn to live with out pain and cease to crave by following the Eightfold Path will we achieve and enter Nirvana. But what if I could show you that path right here, right now. First thing you must understand is that the FOUR TRUTHS consist of circular logic which goes where. No matter how hard you try, you can’t excape.
The Eightfold Path:
  1. Right View - Keep your eyes fixed on the prize (Life in Nirvana/Heaven)
  2. Right Intention - Live a selfless life (Christians are to be Christ centered, many are still working on it).
  3. Right Speech - Christians are called to talk to/with/about others with truth, love and compassion.
  4. Right Action - To live as a follower as Christ is to show love and compassoin to others.
  5. Right Livelihood - Right livelihood means that one should earn one’s living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully
  6. Right Effort - Christians try to live a life of self-discipline, honesty, benevolence, and kindness.
  7. Right Mindfulness - To focus on the things of Christ and not of this world.
  8. Right Concentration - Putting Christ as the center of our lives and hearts. Putting Christ first in all things.
Nirvana can be achieved here on earth.

ahimsaman72, I have taken the quest and found Nirvana not only in the Christian faith, but in the Catholic Church. Yes there are a lot of problems with the people in the Church, the the Catholic Church as a whole is perfect.

May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power, and may people think of befriending one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wilderness-- the children, the aged, the unprotected-- be guarded by beneficial celestials, and may they swiftly attain Peace.
 
Why would you wish to exclude anyone who was looking to understand the Catholic Church…

Even if their intentions were dishonerable, they might screw up and learn something… i have learned a lot from non-catholics… heck, i’m married to one…

she’s a definite challenge… nice leggs too:thumbsup:
 
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dhgray:
You are on the quest for knowledge that I was on several years ago. I wish you peace on your journey to enlightmnent. Birth is painful, life is painful, death is painful, rebirth is painful. Only when we learn to live with out pain and cease to crave by following the Eightfold Path will we achieve and enter Nirvana. But what if I could show you that path right here, right now. First thing you must understand is that the FOUR TRUTHS consist of circular logic which goes where. No matter how hard you try, you can’t excape.
The Eightfold Path:
  1. Right View - Keep your eyes fixed on the prize (Life in Nirvana/Heaven)
  2. Right Intention - Live a selfless life (Christians are to be Christ centered, many are still working on it).
  3. Right Speech - Christians are called to talk to/with/about others with truth, love and compassion.
  4. Right Action - To live as a follower as Christ is to show love and compassoin to others.
  5. Right Livelihood - Right livelihood means that one should earn one’s living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully
  6. Right Effort - Christians try to live a life of self-discipline, honesty, benevolence, and kindness.
  7. Right Mindfulness - To focus on the things of Christ and not of this world.
  8. Right Concentration - Putting Christ as the center of our lives and hearts. Putting Christ first in all things.
Nirvana can be achieved here on earth.

ahimsaman72, I have taken the quest and found Nirvana not only in the Christian faith, but in the Catholic Church. Yes there are a lot of problems with the people in the Church, the the Catholic Church as a whole is perfect.

May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power, and may people think of befriending one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wilderness-- the children, the aged, the unprotected-- be guarded by beneficial celestials, and may they swiftly attain Peace.
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Excellent post from someone who knows what they speak of. Thank you kindly. You are one of the first people I spoke with when I came here. You welcomed me - we discussed some things. You’ve been open-minded, fair and humble. And from that many could learn from you.

I love the correlation you made in the eightfold path in relation to Christian principles.

God bless friend…
 
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dhgray:
From your questions, it is clear that you know NOTHING about Buddhism. It’s not that they refuse to answer the questions, it’s that posters like ____ that only offer a violent defense of the Christian faith and refuse to debate peacefully that keeps them on the defensive.

It’s the “I’m right, you are wrong, now sit down and convert you heathen!” attitude that gets me about a lot of people (reguardless of denomination/religion).
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Sorry, but it’s the Catholic Faith that is right, and Buddaism that is in error. *It has nothing to do with ME. *
If I realize the Catholic Faith is right, then really, EXACTLY how much do I need to know about Buddaism? Tell me.
The ONLY reasons one should need to know about buddaism is:
  1. To see if it is something to be accepted.
  2. To see if it is something to be rejected and keep others from falling into the pit.
    In fact, I asked some straight questions about buddaism, and no answers were supplied! NONE.
    BTW:
    Here is a “violent defense”:
    zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=38824
    Now, you know what a violent defense is!
    Still, not one question answered. Maybe you could step in and supply them, since you imply that you know about buddaism ?
    So far, your only into “these questions would reveal buddaism’s fundamental beliefs, so let’s flog the questioner”.
    Yes, I am an adversary of buddaism, are you an advocate of it?
    Tell me.
 
TNT,

Peace be with you.
The profit Isaiah wrote in the 7th chapter, 18th verse, It’s easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar. Your ranting and raving only makes you look like a fool and puts Catholics in a bad light. I sincerely hope ahimsaman72 does not see your "holier than thou’ attitude as being representation of all Catholics. Jesus told us to go out and evangalize (Acts 1:8) not to go out and beat up or beat in to submission.
 
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TNT:
Sorry, but it’s the Catholic Faith that is right, and Buddaism that is in error. *It has nothing to do with ME. *
If I realize the Catholic Faith is right, then really, EXACTLY how much do I need to know about Buddaism? Tell me.
The ONLY reasons one should need to know about buddaism is:
  1. To see if it is something to be accepted.
  2. To see if it is something to be rejected and keep others from falling into the pit.
    In fact, I asked some straight questions about buddaism, and no answers were supplied! NONE.
    BTW:
    Here is a “violent defense”:
    zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=38824
    Now, you know what a violent defense is!
    Still, not one question answered. Maybe you could step in and supply them, since you imply that you know about buddaism ?
    So far, your only into “these questions would reveal buddaism’s fundamental beliefs, so let’s flog the questioner”.
    Yes, I am an adversary of buddaism, are you an advocate of it?
    Tell me.
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When we stop being adversaries we can then discuss some things. As long as the parties are at odds, true dialogue cannot take place. You haven’t listened very well to my previous two posts. You are baiting.

Peace…
 
I don’t mind that there are Protestants reading and contributing to this forum, maybe they’ll learn and become Catholic.

But I am both surprised at the numbers of Protestants and annoyed that I find myself defending Catholicism on a Catholic Answers Forum?

All of a sudden a post is criticizing Catholic dogma and tradition or answering a question using Protestant doctrine. So I too sometimes wonder why there are so many Protestants on a Catholic forum?
 
Hey, that is the new wave now, Ecumenism for ever! We are meant to blend into the One World Religion, you know that will end all wars, stop all of the fighting, forget about Jesus and the One True Faith, nah it is now read your Koran so you can learn about the Mohammads and when you get around to reading that New Testament passage or that Papal Bull (has to be after 1965, anything before V2 has been thrown out as anti _fill in the blank). Sad Sad Sad
Kevin Walker:
I don’t mind that there are Protestants reading and contributing to this forum, maybe they’ll learn and become Catholic.

But I am both surprised at the numbers of Protestants and annoyed that I find myself defending Catholicism on a Catholic Answers Forum?

All of a sudden a post is criticizing Catholic dogma and tradition or answering a question using Protestant doctrine. So I too sometimes wonder why there are so many Protestants on a Catholic forum?
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ahimsaman72:
When we stop being adversaries we can then discuss some things. As long as the parties are at odds, true dialogue cannot take place. You haven’t listened very well to my previous two posts. You are baiting.

Peace…
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How is it that you so easily mutated:
" Yes, I am an adversary of buddaism"
to : “**we **stop being adversaries” ?

Anything but answers, still.
And your spiritual partner continues to add more flogging to the questioner. In hopes that the questions will be buried under personal attacks… So predictable, indeed.
Still, the abundance of no answers grows over as weeds upon the questions
 
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TNT:
How is it that you so easily mutated:
" Yes, I am an adversary of buddaism"
to : “**we **stop being adversaries” ?

Anything but answers, still.
And your spiritual partner continues to add more flogging to the questioner. In hopes that the questions will be buried under personal attacks… So predictable, indeed.
Still, the abundance of no answers grows over as weeds upon the questions
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You are not my adversary - however it is apparent that I am yours. I wish you only peace and happiness.

Incredibly, at the request of Church Militant, you and others who are interested in such discussions I have provided a thread to discuss such things. Hopefully, though your approach will be somewhat more congenial and conducive to discussion.

The link to get there is here:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=33914

Peace…
 
Look guys, this is really not the board for a discussion of Buddhism vs Catholicism. Nor are we in attck mode like some of our less friendly visitors.

The question before us is: Why are Protestants here? and I’m really a bit surprised that our resident http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/AN878.gif haven’t appeared to offer their (name removed by moderator)ut.

I am deeply grateful for the fellowship of those people like SPOKENWORD. Michaelp, and ahimsaman72, we are not attackers, but reasonable and charitable seekers who discuss the faith and offer what insight they have, as well as all those folks who’re in RCIA and bring their questions to the forums as well. There are also those whose parishes have no classes and they need us to help them get correct answers for their faith formation.

I believe that we can often refer folks to places to get the answers that they need if we don’t have one that is comprehensive enough, and that’s a good thing. I honestly don’t see Prots as a threat, but a challenge and an opportunity to share this treasure that we have been given by the grace of God.http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/chest.gif
 
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Curious:
Hm. Well, I guess whatever people run into in books and the internet would be okay then, huh? Oh never mind. I guess I’d get tired of the same questions too, but I thought I was doing a good thing by coming directly to Catholics to get answers about Catholics. Guess not. I’ll not bother you and go find a book or look something up on our beloved Google.
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Hello, you are welcome here.In defense of TNT and Exporter.You feel like this was directed at you.We have some respectful protestants that come in here really wanting to find out what Catholics believe and want to dialog with us.Lately,we have had an insurgese of them coming in here saying we are damned to hell,worshiping statues,Mary and any other thing you can think of to perpetrate a full attack.I am sure you can understand that does get very old.If we went to a protestant forum to attack them,we would be wrong.There is nothing wrong with dialog and for you to ask Catholics about what their beliefs are and why they believe it.Look through some of the scripture threads and you will see the insulting and uncalled for attacks and you will understand where the frustration is coming from.God Bless:)
 
Kevin Walker:
I don’t mind that there are Protestants reading and contributing to this forum, maybe they’ll learn and become Catholic.

But I am both surprised at the numbers of Protestants and annoyed that I find myself defending Catholicism on a Catholic Answers Forum?

All of a sudden a post is criticizing Catholic dogma and tradition or answering a question using Protestant doctrine. So I too sometimes wonder why there are so many Protestants on a Catholic forum?
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Because people like to discuss politics and religion along with many other subjects. Everyone has an opinion and others have questions which they always wanted to ask and didn’t have an opportunity.

Actually I have met three kinds of “unbelievers” here: those who are Christian but not Catholic. Many of them are delightful, have wanted to ask questions not just about our faith but how we come to those conclusions. This has offered the opportunity for many of us to ask them questions about how they came to their historical and theological conclusions. Additionally, it has allowed me at least, to make the acquaintance of many Catholics here that I haven’t met in other threads and so that has been an added plus.

As to the second group, I have seen the truly ignorant, both Catholic and non-Catholic. You’ve seen them too, the less said the better. They bring no credit to themselves or to their faith, they shed no light, they consume all who attempt to deal with them because of their rudeness and crudeness, not to mention, often an abysmal knowledge of what they are talking about.

The third group are the losers - they come to harass , to subvert, to “witness” and somehow this seems to empower them in some strange way. You learn to simply scroll on by.

It’s all interesting. 🙂
 
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Lisa4Catholics:
Hello, you are welcome here.In defense of TNT and Exporter.You feel like this was directed at you.We have some respectful protestants that come in here really wanting to find out what Catholics believe and want to dialog with us.Lately,we have had an insurgese of them coming in here saying we are damned to hell,worshiping statues,Mary and any other thing you can think of to perpetrate a full attack.I am sure you can understand that does get very old.If we went to a protestant forum to attack them,we would be wrong.There is nothing wrong with dialog and for you to ask Catholics about what their beliefs are and why they believe it.Look through some of the scripture threads and you will see the insulting and uncalled for attacks and you will understand where the frustration is coming from.God Bless:)
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Where I too agree with TNT and Exporter’s message, I disagree with the method of delivery.
 
Look through some of the scripture threads and you will see the insulting and uncalled for attacks and you will understand where the frustration is coming from.God Bless:)
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I know Lisa, I’ve seen 'em. The whole thing just struck me the wrong way. And as soon as I got over the initial “why do they even come here” statement, thinking, “well I overreacted, that person really didn’t mean every single protestant.” Then comes along the “I’m sick of their same old questions, why can’t they read books” guy.

I dunno. Maybe that’s true. BTW…I FINALLY got ahold of some Catholic books today (bear with me on this off-topic bunny trail…I’m kind of excited). “Surprised by Truth” - 11 different conversion stories. Also a small book called something like “Handbook for Today’s Catholic” which has all kinds of the Catholic prayers, an explanation of the rosary, a breakdown of a typical mass, and a ‘why we believe this way’ section, referenced with the Catechism. And another one I can’t remember the title of. So yeah…I’ll be busy reading those, so I probably won’t be bothering people with these ‘same old questions’ for awhile. 😉

Sorry for the bunny trail. Just thought I’d share
 
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Curious:
I know Lisa, I’ve seen 'em. The whole thing just struck me the wrong way. And as soon as I got over the initial “why do they even come here” statement, thinking, “well I overreacted, that person really didn’t mean every single protestant.” Then comes along the “I’m sick of their same old questions, why can’t they read books” guy.

I dunno. Maybe that’s true. BTW…I FINALLY got ahold of some Catholic books today (bear with me on this off-topic bunny trail…I’m kind of excited). “Surprised by Truth” - 11 different conversion stories. Also a small book called something like “Handbook for Today’s Catholic” which has all kinds of the Catholic prayers, an explanation of the rosary, a breakdown of a typical mass, and a ‘why we believe this way’ section, referenced with the Catechism. … So yeah…I’ll be busy reading those, so I probably won’t be bothering people with these ‘same old questions’ for awhile. 😉

Sorry for the bunny trail. Just thought I’d share
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BTW:
There’s 3 volumes of **“Surprised by Truth” **and they just get better.
NOW YOU’RE MAKIN ME ADMIRE YOU! :love: :clapping:
 
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Curious:
I know Lisa, I’ve seen 'em. The whole thing just struck me the wrong way. And as soon as I got over the initial “why do they even come here” statement, thinking, “well I overreacted, that person really didn’t mean every single protestant.” Then comes along the “I’m sick of their same old questions, why can’t they read books” guy.

I dunno. Maybe that’s true. BTW…I FINALLY got ahold of some Catholic books today (bear with me on this off-topic bunny trail…I’m kind of excited). “Surprised by Truth” - 11 different conversion stories. Also a small book called something like “Handbook for Today’s Catholic” which has all kinds of the Catholic prayers, an explanation of the rosary, a breakdown of a typical mass, and a ‘why we believe this way’ section, referenced with the Catechism. And another one I can’t remember the title of. So yeah…I’ll be busy reading those, so I probably won’t be bothering people with these ‘same old questions’ for awhile. 😉

Sorry for the bunny trail. Just thought I’d share
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Go ahead ask questions.What you experienced was total frustration,from the attacks we experience.It will make you feel like this:mad: The mere ferocity they come at you with is unbelievable:eek: We have even been damned to hell by a poster;) Please,talk to us:D God Bless
 
I come here to learn and fellowship. I think that iron sharpens iron, and there are alot of people here with some iron in their blood.
 
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