The difference I see in your analogy is that this website (house) set up a non-Catholics forum and invited non-Catholics in, with the stated purpose to “explore the history and beliefs of non-Catholic and non-Christian faiths, dialogue with their adherents.” In my opinion, though perhaps only the moderators know for sure, no one’s purpose in coming here should be to start a thread telling someone else that their church is wrong. It is obvious, however, that people from different denominations and faiths will have beliefs that differ, and the house rules state that it is perfectly permissable to “discuss, dialogue, question, disagree with, and debate the doctrines and dogmas of both Catholicism and non-Catholic religions.”
If I’m reading the Important Forum Information sticky correctly, there should not be a “my house, your house” distinction; all participants are free to disagree and debate, with the caution that we “are not allowed to be disrespectful of anyone’s faith or religion, whether it is Catholicism or not.” Furthermore, the sticky on “Charity” states, “Catholics are NOT given preference because of their religious affiliation.”
Unfortunately, it’s probably still pretty common. When I read books by either Baptist or Reformed authors who comment on the Roman Catholic Church, it is not unusual to find statements like this one, a response to a letter from a Catholic priest, from John R. Rice, “In actual practice, I well know, and you do, too, that multitudes of Catholics give far more attention to Mary than to Jesus Christ. They bow before shrines of Mary, but you say it is not worship. They adore Mary as ‘Mother of God and Queen of Heaven,’ but you say it is not worship. They make their prayers to Mary, yet you say it is not worship, They ascribe to her the sinless perfection which the Bible gives only to Christ, and yet you say it is not worship. Common people know better . . .”
When this is the kind of teaching people are exposed to, responses like the one from your friend are probably to be expected. As a non-Catholic, I disagree with many of the teachings and practices concerning Mary that are held by the Roman Catholic Church, but I also understand and accept the distinction that Catholics make between their devotion to Mary and their worship of God. Hopefully your friend will also, at some point, be able to appreciate that distinction, but it may also be that this belief of your friend is irrevocably settled. Does it affect your friendship? As an Anglican, I have many doctrinal differences with my Baptist friends, but we can still enjoy each other’s company when going bowling, watching movies, and in reading together and discussing a variety of Christian literature. Best wishes for an amicable resolution to this possible strain on your relationship.
…apparently.
