Why do Protestants hate the Catholic Church?

[Frank_J]

Sorry to hear that.

I think you have a fair argument vis a vis you saying “Roman Catholic in communion with Orthodox Church” vs. GCs saying “Orthodox Christian in communion with Rome”.

I believe “Orthodox in communion with Rome” is a rather sticky subject anyhow. I would compare the situation with the old “telephone” game (not to be too original or anything ) because I’ve read actual statements from the Melkite Patriarch that include that phrase, and I always find them to be excellent … and yet when the phrase it adopted by most Catholics, about 90% of the time (just based on my experience that is) it is made to serve polemics that can’t be found in the Patriarch’s statements.

Hello Peter J

Thank you for saying my statement was a fair argument.

May you a wonderful lenten season and that your eyes look aways to God.

God bless.

 

[CompSciGuy]

I hope that there has not been too much protestant-bashing in this thread. I myself grew up Evangelical (Presbyterian Church of America), and converted to Catholicism from a goopy pseudo-protestant agnosticism, much to the dismay of my father, a pastor. In the midst of the painful yet joyful journey to my newfound faith, I remember having an unfortunate tendency to protestant-bash, perhaps as a form of retaliation, perhaps as a means of vindication for my own decisions, or perhaps because I thought Catholicism was so great that I couldn’t understand why anyone would be Protestant. Five years later, though I am still maturing, I am a long way away from that old mentality. My fervor is still the same. I still evangelize to Protestants and pray that all Protestants (along with everybody else) would come into the Catholic Church. However over the years I have found in evangelical protestants an ally in the pro-life cause, they stand by me in the defense against the secularization of the culture, I have enjoyed sharing in prayers with them, and also have been sharpened by them in the battle against sin. I have to say I love my evangelical brethren. Our discussions on theology are cordial and I feel that I am actually sharpened by them because it deepens my own knowledge of the Catholic faith. I still obviously disagree with a lot of what these churches teach, and it pains me to know that these close friends are so close to God yet fall short of the sacraments. At the same time I cannot deny the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The source of their strength is the holy scripture. It is the only real grace that they have (other than their baptism) since they have no sacraments and no magesterium, but they are so devoted to it. This I think is why some of them are so close to God, because of their devotion to the scripture. That is why I think it is wrong for people to say that evangelical protestantism is a joke, that their faith is a joke or is worthless, the way people have been saying in this thread. I don’t need to tear down someone else’s sincere devotion and search for God in order to feel secure in my own faith. I guess something that I have also learned from the way that atheists have mocked, insulted and disparaged my faith, is that I should never do the same to others, I should always respect people’s beliefs, whether I agree with them or not, for the sake of that person’s dignity. That doesn’t mean I don’t evangelize, it just means that I treat their beliefs with respect, as their beliefs are a very big part of who they are.

 

[Dorothy]

CompSciGuy,

Thank you for your post!

I am very aware that our Lord honors the faith of those who believe in Bible only. And, like you, I try to answer questions that are posed to me that come from a sincere desire to know what Catholics believe.

I remember often that our Lord Jesus Christ prayed “that all be one”.

There is only one critique I have: Please leave spaces after forming small paragraphs, as it is difficult for aging eyes to read a large block of text. (probably difficult for younger eyes as well).

Peace,

Dorothy

 

[PRmerger]

The reasons many Protestants hate Rome are manifold:
a) Rome claims that communion with the pope of Rome is the measure of catholicity and the summit of the true church
b) Rome asserts its magisterium (certainly practically) over the normative authority of God’s Word alone
c) Rome anathematizes the Protestant gospel of justification by faith alone
d) Rome teaches a synergistic view of salvation
e) Rome practices invocation of saints and other acts of piety that Protestants argue are unbiblical
f) Rome’s whole salvation system, also including the propitiatory role of ordained priests, the mass, purgatory, the treasury of merits and indulgences granted therefrom
g) the papacy

Then, it would appear, that Protestantism hates the Bible–for all of the above are nothing but what the Scriptures profess.

 

[spedteacherita]

Then, it would appear, that Protestantism hates the Bible–for all of the above are nothing but what the Scriptures profess.

While I agree that there are some Protestant churches who teach negative topics about the Catholic Church I can actually say in my almost 35 years as a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, I have never been taught to hate Catholicism.

I lived almost 20 years in a southwestern Michigan village where there were a LOT of Seventh Day Adventists who do not teach hatred towards Catholics but do consider the papacy the Anti-Christ or a major component of that.

I hope that we can soon do away with the negative feelings and begin to work together to spread the good news of Jesus to those who have not had the opportunity to hear it. We may disagree on a lot of doctrine but I think we do agree that Jesus is the only Way to eternal life.

God bless everyone!
Have a blessed Sunday,

Rita

 

[PRmerger]

While I agree that there are some Protestant churches who teach negative topics about the Catholic Church I can actually say in my almost 35 years as a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, I have never been taught to hate Catholicism.

Rita

Oh, I am quite certain that Lutherans (and Lutheranism) have no antipathy towards Catholicism. Heck, they are Catholics Lite!

My response was to Indifferently–who made some objections to Catholicism which are tacit objections, then, to Scripture.

 

[spedteacherita]

Oh, I am quite certain that Lutherans (and Lutheranism) have no antipathy towards Catholicism. Heck, they are Catholics Lite!

My response was to Indifferently–who made some objections to Catholicism which are tacit objections, then, to Scripture.

I have been wanting to post in here for a couple of days but I couldn’t get my brain to put the words in a way that I hoped would be clear to those who have posted. I’ve just been “sad” the last few days as I “listened” to the conversation along the way.

Are conversations have taken some heated paths not just in this thread but in others. It’s time we start trying to get our focus on sharing the love of Jesus - which many churches do - but we need to begin to share that between our traditions. I don’t see a unification imminent between Protestant churches let alone between Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

My prayer is that we can pool our forces in getting those lost souls for Jesus with whatever strengths we do have…I think that would be the utmost ecumenical movement! Yeah, yeah…I’m an idealist - have always been…

Thanks, PRmerger and all!!

God bless!

Rita

 

[Denise1957]

Are conversations have taken some heated paths not just in this thread but in others. It’s time we start trying to get our focus on sharing the love of Jesus - which many churches do - but we need to begin to share that between our traditions. I don’t see a unification imminent between Protestant churches let alone between Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

My prayer is that we can pool our forces in getting those lost souls for Jesus with whatever strengths we do have…I think that would be the utmost ecumenical movement! Yeah, yeah…I’m an idealist - have always been…

Thanks, PRmerger and all!!

God bless!

Rita

Hi Rita,

Just want to post a thought or two here. I understand that it can be a bit disconcerting that debates here get heated at times. But that’s just the nature of debate, especially when it comes to religion! It’s a good thing that we have moderators to keep us in line. God bless them for all of the hard work that they do.

We can indeed share a love of Jesus. But the truth is, there are serious differences between the various faith traditions. It can actually help us to grow in charity by learning to state our views in a charitable manner, but for some of us it takes awhile to learn this (especially me).

 

[spedteacherita]

Hi Rita,

Just want to post a thought or two here. I understand that it can be a bit disconcerting that debates here get heated at times. But that’s just the nature of debate, especially when it comes to religion! It’s a good thing that we have moderators to keep us in line. God bless them for all of the hard work that they do.

We can indeed share a love of Jesus. But the truth is, there are serious differences between the various faith traditions. It can actually help us to grow in charity by learning to state our views in a charitable manner, but for some of us it takes awhile to learn this (especially me).

I understand, Denise and I appreciate all that I’ve been learning here. It’s been much better since I first started but I think I worded my questions a bit differently that probably provoked more than I wanted them to.

We have our differences and, unfortunately, I don’t think they’re going to change anytime soon. But, what we do with this knowledge is what’s important - I have not really met people who say bad things about Catholics but I am prepared now to be able to thwart any misinformation that may be shared.

What I was really trying to point out is not necessarily what we debate about in here as much as our perceived differences out in the world. It would be great if we could take what we learn here about each other and spread it out in our circles. It’s from there that we must move to share our “unity” so that those who complain that Christians can’t even get along with each other can see that maybe we can.

Thanks, Denise! I appreciate everyone in these forums and value the cyber-friendships that have been developed

Take care!

Rita!

 

[Vanez]

This forum and this thread has made me think how tight it is between Catholics and Protestants in the USA, forcing others to believe what the others believe.

I really hope we all can respect each others and do not spread hatred. It is much better to evangelize those people who don’t even believe in Jesus as there still are a lot of works to do to reach the unreachable instead of hating Catholics or hating other Protestant denominations. When Protestant from one denomination meet with other Protestant from another denomination and discuss about belief, there is still a chance of debate and fight, why don’t they first try to be one before spreading hate against CC? They have the same Bible after all

Once a month, Catholics and Protestants gather together at Dom church in Utrecht to pray, so I don’t think there is a pressure between Catholics and Protestants in my country; Someone out there might think that there’s a tight debate/hatred between Protestants and Catholics because we are neighbours with Germany, but apparently…no!

i have never been to the USA, but i think if i lived there and got visited frequently by those who aim to evangelize, i’d feel the pressure and would get tired.

I am praying for peace tonight.

 

[Kevin_Keith]

There was an early Peanuts cartoon in which Charlie Brown and Shermy were laughing at a picture in the newspaper. Patty walked up and asked what they were having so much fun doing.

Charlie Brown: We’re laughing at this picture in the newspaper!
Patty: Why?
Charlie Brown: Because we don’t understand it.

Most of the time it’s so much easier to laugh at and dismiss those things we don’t understand.

 

[Peter_J]

I hope that there has not been too much protestant-bashing in this thread.

If I might ask the obvious question, Is there “too much” bashing of Catholics on Protestant forums?

Now don’t get me wrong … I’m not suggesting that two wrongs make a right, but simply that bashing is not a characteristic of being Catholic (though maybe a characteristic of being on Internet forums).

 

[Scears]

many protestants are afraid, jealous and ignorant about the catholic church.

their religion is divided into a tens of thousands of splinters; they see the catholic church as a monolithic monstrosity, rather than The One True Church that has survived the eons & that the gates of Hell will never prevail against

when “Pastor Bob” passes, well then there is always the gathering across the street

“Their religion”? Protestants are Christians just like Catholics.

 

[CompSciGuy]

If I might ask the obvious question, Is there “too much” bashing of Catholics on Protestant forums?

Now don’t get me wrong … I’m not suggesting that two wrongs make a right, but simply that bashing is not a characteristic of being Catholic (though maybe a characteristic of being on Internet forums).

I was mainly trying to sow seeds of peace amidst some rather harsh posts that people made, saying that evangelical protestantism was a “joke,” or that their worship was watered-down and entertainment oriented, etc. I thought that some of the things people said were unfair and wanted to put in a good word, so as not to drive other evangelicals away.

 

[spedteacherita]

This forum and this thread has made me think how tight it is between Catholics and Protestants in the USA, forcing others to believe what the others believe.

I really hope we all can respect each others and do not spread hatred. It is much better to evangelize those people who don’t even believe in Jesus as there still are a lot of works to do to reach the unreachable instead of hating Catholics or hating other Protestant denominations. When Protestant from one denomination meet with other Protestant from another denomination and discuss about belief, there is still a chance of debate and fight, why don’t they first try to be one before spreading hate against CC? They have the same Bible after all

Once a month, Catholics and Protestants gather together at Dom church in Utrecht to pray, so I don’t think there is a pressure between Catholics and Protestants in my country; Someone out there might think that there’s a tight debate/hatred between Protestants and Catholics because we are neighbours with Germany, but apparently…no!

i have never been to the USA, but i think if i lived there and got visited frequently by those who aim to evangelize, i’d feel the pressure and would get tired.

I am praying for peace tonight.

 

[jonathan_hili]

Why is it that most non-catholics (protestants) hate the Catholic Church? Every time someone knocks on my door, the first thing out of their mouths is something bad about the Catholic Church. I have a co-worker who, every time he sees me at work, he starts talking about the Catholic Church and how the Catholic teachings are not correct…

Hi Gabbanelli, I can only speak from my own experience, but I don’t find that most non-Catholics hate the Catholic Church. I have many close Orthodox, Anglican and Baptist friends and they treat the Church with respect. It doesn’t mean they don’t criticise the Church or our beliefs, but I expect that, since I am equally critically of theirs. I think it’s good just to take a deep breath and distance yourself a little. Most people who are livid at the Church to the point of irrationality might be ignorant of the faith or else suffering from a bad past experience. Try to be understanding, defend the Church and if nothing good is coming from it, pray and avoid such encounters.

 

[Peter_J]

I was mainly trying to sow seeds of peace amidst some rather harsh posts that people made, saying that evangelical protestantism was a “joke,” or that their worship was watered-down and entertainment oriented, etc. I thought that some of the things people said were unfair and wanted to put in a good word, so as not to drive other evangelicals away.

If any man claim that Protestantism be not a joke, let him be anathema.

 

[Peter_J]

Okay, I may have exaggerated a little by saying “anathema” there. But I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to say that the NC posters on this forum are, by and large, their own worst enemies.

 

[timmylee87]

“Their religion”? Protestants are Christians just like Catholics.

Amen!
Protestants believe in the holy trinity, the exact same as catholics.

To be honest each group needs to stop bickering with each other, stop pointing out who’s right or who’s wrong, pointing out our differences and BEGIN to point out our similarlitys!

I’m protestant, and I attend my church every Sunday, I attend bible studies, I even attend catholic mass every now and then to show how we are not different!
Every morning I pray for forgiveness and help from God to be a good person, and to follow my teacher.

Protestant, catholic, are we all not gods children? Are we not bothers and sisters?

I pray for the one day this family fued will be over and we can be united and use each others strengths to help each other, and spread the word.

So to answer the question, no Protestants do not hate the catholic church.

 

[CompSciGuy]

Okay, I may have exaggerated a little by saying “anathema” there. But I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to say that the NC posters on this forum are, by and large, their own worst enemies.

What does NC stand for?