Why do Protestants bother asking, if they reject the answer?

[aidanbradypop]

Okay since people are getting too caught up in my choice of words for title… I’ll just say the Protestant “response” not “attitude”

Jeez.

The same can be said with Catholic posters on here as well. I see many threads in the non Catholic section that “ask a question” only to lay the ground work to prove the answers wrong.

Example: Why do you not believe in Purgatory?

The poster will reply and then the Catholic poster will give link after link to support the theory of Purgatory. Goes both ways my friend.

 

[livingwordunity]

One time at my previous job, a female coworker started going off on Catholicism saying that we worship the Pope, that the Pope caused the sexual abuse scandals, etc. So, I explained to her why she was mistaken. Then the boss of our boss came to me right afterwards and told me that she had gone to him in his office to complain that I was talking about religion and that she didn’t feel comfortable talking about that. I got a verbal warning just for responding to her.

 

[AbideWithMe]

One time at my previous job, a female coworker started going off on Catholicism saying that we worship the Pope, that the Pope caused the sexual abuse scandals, etc. So, I explained to her why she was mistaken. Then the boss of our boss came to me right afterwards and told me that she had gone to him in his office to complain that I was talking about religion and that she didn’t feel comfortable talking about that. I got a verbal warning just for responding to her.

Was your coworker a Protestant, or simply against religion in general or Christianity in particular?

 

[Avila123]

Seems very well covered by others. I have had a lot of help from Catholics, Pentecostals, Evangelicals etc when I asked for help with defending the faith. The blessings I received from non-Catholics and reverts were explanations of the differences in the Evangelical churches and an understanding of what my questioners may believe and some of the language differences. This information is important to respectfully defend the faith without attacking or insulting the person asking the question. It may just offer a patch of common ground.

As for the blank looks and sudden deafness, as a previous person said, just move on, maybe a seed has been planted. You can take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

PS. Of course the Catholics gave me the blessing of sound advice, Biblical references and apologetic sites etc.

 

[livingwordunity]

Was your coworker a Protestant, or simply against religion in general or Christianity in particular?

According to her, she was a Baptist. Baptists are usually very theologically and politically liberal unless they are a Southern Baptist. Both are anti-Catholic.

 

[Son_of_Niall]

To Protestants guilty of this: Why bother asking?

Most of the time people react that way because you are not giving them the answer they want to hear. I don’t think it’s fair generalize all Protestants that do this.
One way of handling it is by asking, “did you want a different answer?”

 

[JRKH]

Most of the time people react that way because you are not giving them the answer they want to hear. I don’t think it’s fair generalize all Protestants that do this.
One way of handling it is by asking, “did you want a different answer?”

Good answer -

Sometimes the looks one gets is because the reply was not what they have been led to expect. We hear repeatedly about how badly catechized many Catholics are…and undoubtedly there are protestants who, in learning to evangelize to Catholics, take this into account. Then they run into someone who is able to reply intelligently - often using Scripture - and this throws them off. So it is they, instead of their target, who gets teh “deer in the headlights” look on their face.

Peace
James

 

[jmcrae]

Many times, Protestants ask me questions such as: Why do you worship saints? Why do you pray to Mary?

I usually respond by explaining to them that this is a misunderstanding and proceed to point out Bible passages and so on to make whatever point I am trying to make.

I am almost 100% greeted with a bland expression which translates to: I really do not care for your explanation but I am going to believe what I want regardless of what you say and still call you Mary/Saint worshipers.

To Protestants guilty of this: Why bother asking?
To Catholics: How often do you encounter this when you sincerely try to explain something?

Often, they are trying to sow the seeds of doubt in your mind, and get you to reject your Holy Catholic faith. Some, though, are genuinely curious about what we believe, and are interested in learning new things.

 

[jmcrae]

How can you speak to dead people? Quite clearly you are trying to communicate with the dead. Either way you are praying to them, since pray is a method of communication.

First, when we pray to the Saints, we aren’t trying to bring them back to earth, as with a necromancer or medium. Second, we don’t expect them to give us direct answers, as with a ouija board.

Asking intercession from the Saints is praiseworthy because we are all one body, the Church, and it’s good for us to help one another.

 

[jmcrae]

One time at my previous job, a female coworker started going off on Catholicism saying that we worship the Pope, that the Pope caused the sexual abuse scandals, etc. So, I explained to her why she was mistaken. Then the boss of our boss came to me right afterwards and told me that she had gone to him in his office to complain that I was talking about religion and that she didn’t feel comfortable talking about that. I got a verbal warning just for responding to her.

Yes, it’s important to consider your context. If you work in a secular environment, avoid speaking about religion at work.

 

[Jezebel]

Consider what Jesus said about God…He is the God of the Living, not of the dead.
Therefore, when we communicate with someone in heaven, we are not communicating with the dead.

it’s really that simple.

Peace
James

In witchcraft, the mediums try to consult the dead. This is what happened with King Saul when he went to call-up the spirit of Samuel. The medium was used to impersonating spirits but at that time she saw a different spirit and cried out.
Actually, by then all mediums had been destroyed in Israel as it was detestable to God. By King Saul consulting the Spirit of the dead, he was judged by God.

Thus the teaching of the Church to ‘consult’ or to pray though the spirits of the dead/saints is incorrect and detestable before God.

Was Samuel in heaven when King Saul sought his help?

 

[Avila123]

In witchcraft, the mediums try to consult the dead. This is what happened with King Saul when he went to call-up the spirit of Samuel. The medium was used to impersonating spirits but at that time she saw a different spirit and cried out.
Actually, by then all mediums had been destroyed in Israel as it was detestable to God. By King Saul consulting the Spirit of the dead, he was judged by God.

Thus the teaching of the Church to ‘consult’ or to pray though the spirits of the dead/saints is incorrect and detestable before God.

Was Samuel in heaven when King Saul sought his help?

I would respectfully point out that you have given your opinion on the subject and in such a manner designed to be offensive. Stating that the Teachings of the Church founded by Jesus Christ is detestable to God beggars belief. I have no doubt that other posters will point you to Maccabees and Paul etc. but in the meanwhile may the Lord have mercy on your soul.

 

[JRKH]

One time at my previous job, a female coworker started going off on Catholicism saying that we worship the Pope, that the Pope caused the sexual abuse scandals, etc. So, I explained to her why she was mistaken. Then the boss of our boss came to me right afterwards and told me that she had gone to him in his office to complain that I was talking about religion and that she didn’t feel comfortable talking about that. I got a verbal warning just for responding to her.

Gee - I hope that she also got a verbal warning since she was the one who brought up the subject in the first place.

Regardless - you learned something valuable about this person…they don’t believe in Scripture as much as they claim. St Paul, in 1 Cor 6, speaks negatively against going outside of the body of believers to settle disputes.

Of course if this happens again, you can know how to act. Instead of replying to her directly, simply get up and immediately report her to the supervisor - not for here talking religion so much as her creating a “hostile work environment”.

Peace
James

 

[Peter_J]

Many times, Protestants ask me questions such as: Why do you worship saints? Why do you pray to Mary?

I usually respond by explaining to them that this is a misunderstanding and proceed to point out Bible passages and so on to make whatever point I am trying to make.

I am almost 100% greeted with a bland expression which translates to: I really do not care for your explanation but I am going to believe what I want regardless of what you say and still call you Mary/Saint worshipers.

To Protestants guilty of this: Why bother asking?
To Catholics: How often do you encounter this when you sincerely try to explain something?

Good post, walnutleviosa. I’ve never been protestant (I’m cradle Catholic) but I imagine I’ve done the same thing in reverse (ask a protestant a question then reject the answer) at times.

 

[DharmaBum]

Just take a look at some of the other threads here in the “other religions” section. “Protestants, why are you not Catholic?” and “Why do you believe what you believe” and you can quickly see it’s not a “Protestant” trait but a human one.

When we are talking matters of religion we are discussing faith. We all have to accept what we believe on our faith. As such, we rely on sources and interpretations that sometimes differ. Charity and understanding are the best ways to learn about our differences and why they exist. I live in an area with a high concentration of Catholics. I have great conversations in person all the time. In a forum such as this some people are much less charitable than I venture to say they would be face to face. I wish more people would consider this before they type some of the things they do.

 

[aidanbradypop]

Just take a look at some of the other threads here in the “other religions” section. “Protestants, why are you not Catholic?” and “Why do you believe what you believe” and you can quickly see it’s not a “Protestant” trait but a human one.

When we are talking matters of religion we are discussing faith. We all have to accept what we believe on our faith. As such, we rely on sources and interpretations that sometimes differ. Charity and understanding are the best ways to learn about our differences and why they exist. I live in an area with a high concentration of Catholics. I have great conversations in person all the time. In a forum such as this some people are much less charitable than I venture to say they would be face to face. I wish more people would consider this before they type some of the things they do.

well said.

 

[Razanir]

To Catholics: How often do you encounter this when you sincerely try to explain something?

I get into religious discussions all the time at college. Of everyone I’ve talked to, most people’s responses have been along the lines of “I’ll agree it’s an acceptable practice; I just think it’s unnecessary.” The only exceptions are my Baptist friend and my friend’s roommate from last year who was non-denominational and didn’t think Catholics were Christian.

(And on a similar note, I’ve actually convinced a Lutheran friend of the existence of Purgatory)

 

[MommaduckofMany]

It’s because most people are interested in talking but not so interested in listening.

It’s not just a Protestant problem, more of a humanity problem.

Exactly. They don’t really care to discuss, unless THEY are doing the discussing and you are sitting there listening and being “corrected”.

 

[spina1953]

It does not happen very often,but there has been times when I was asked why I pray to the saints etc. I try to answer them in a polite way. Smetimes they accept what I say and sometimes they do not… However, I do realize that there are those who are only wanting to argue and try to convience me that I am wrong. Also there are those who are trained to asked certain questions in order to try and confure one and get one to have doubts on what Catholic’s believe. I try to be polite and not argue with them when they start to argue in a way that shows that they are not wanting to learn but only to convience me that I am somehow wrong and that Ido not understand the Bible or ever read it. All one can do is plant the seed and if it is to grow it will and if not, it is thei choice.

 

[Amo_a_Jesus]

Last time My wife and I talk about Religion, she was mad so we end the conversation right there… she states things like why you have Jesus in the cross? He is alive and he went to heaven? why yo pray to Mary… where in the Bible say that ? etc… I never question her “non- denominational” because I know she will get offend it, she told me once why you always listen to catholic stuff? read Catholics books? you need to be open mind … so I have that in home,Hey but i will say that I love my wife she is a great women, great Mother and she love Jesus… My hope and Faith is that one day she will be with me at Jesus Church.

also we as Catholics need to recognize that some people take the devotion of any Saint of even Our Mother to the extreme and they need to be corrected, Jesus is the head, the Body, the number one, the only Savior, we need to be careful because many “popular devotions” are misinterpreted by our separated Brothers.