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PRmerger
Guest
Non Catholic.
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CuriousMike
Guest
Personally, I don’t know whether “hate” is the sort of word we’re looking for in a discussion of Catholics vs. Protestants.
I mean sure, there are people who “hate” the Church for what they might see in the people who attend… But surely, those people must see that any legitimate church is filled with people who admit they sin, and often do sin. No-one is perfect, and as such, we shouldn’t try to pretent that we are somehow perfect. Afterall, if we were all perfect, they’d be no need for heaven, or Jesus, since we’d already have everything!
In reality, what I think it boils down to is whether the Church’s teaching ‘agrees’ with said Protestant, and their outlooks on life. Remember “Protestant” means they Protest against the teachings and/or beliefs of our our Church, for one reason or another… Funnily enough, this is why thousands upon thousands of Non-Catholic “denominations” tend to exist.
A person who is set in their ways, or holds strong moral or ideological points of view are hard to change. For example, as I made my initial steps towards Catholicism this time last year, I had discussions with an Ex. Catholic, Protestant friend of mine, who I was attending Church with. While we agreed on some matters, a lot of what I could present to defend my decision (Note, it wasn’t an argument. Just a friendly discussion) was seen as “Out of context.” Where sites, such as this one, were saying that verses in the Bible mean one thing, and the original Greek, Latin, Aramaic (etc) writings were “XYZ” and meant “ZZZ,” his collection of books (on a computer with professional Bible software) didn’t agree. Uh-oh!
So all in all, if a person holds the ideology that “Catholic = Non-Christian,” then they may find means of justifying this belief, and then using that as an attack on Catholics.
A person who was taught what a particular passage of scripture meant might have it wrong, and might be ignoring other, similar (but clearly different) passages. Personally, you can seriously forgive a person for having misconceptions about your faith when they were taught wrong in the first place (especially as a child, who would look up to their parents as authoritative figures).
I’m interested in seeing where this discussion might turn… Some good points put across here.
I mean sure, there are people who “hate” the Church for what they might see in the people who attend… But surely, those people must see that any legitimate church is filled with people who admit they sin, and often do sin. No-one is perfect, and as such, we shouldn’t try to pretent that we are somehow perfect. Afterall, if we were all perfect, they’d be no need for heaven, or Jesus, since we’d already have everything!
In reality, what I think it boils down to is whether the Church’s teaching ‘agrees’ with said Protestant, and their outlooks on life. Remember “Protestant” means they Protest against the teachings and/or beliefs of our our Church, for one reason or another… Funnily enough, this is why thousands upon thousands of Non-Catholic “denominations” tend to exist.
A person who is set in their ways, or holds strong moral or ideological points of view are hard to change. For example, as I made my initial steps towards Catholicism this time last year, I had discussions with an Ex. Catholic, Protestant friend of mine, who I was attending Church with. While we agreed on some matters, a lot of what I could present to defend my decision (Note, it wasn’t an argument. Just a friendly discussion) was seen as “Out of context.” Where sites, such as this one, were saying that verses in the Bible mean one thing, and the original Greek, Latin, Aramaic (etc) writings were “XYZ” and meant “ZZZ,” his collection of books (on a computer with professional Bible software) didn’t agree. Uh-oh!
So all in all, if a person holds the ideology that “Catholic = Non-Christian,” then they may find means of justifying this belief, and then using that as an attack on Catholics.
A person who was taught what a particular passage of scripture meant might have it wrong, and might be ignoring other, similar (but clearly different) passages. Personally, you can seriously forgive a person for having misconceptions about your faith when they were taught wrong in the first place (especially as a child, who would look up to their parents as authoritative figures).
I’m interested in seeing where this discussion might turn… Some good points put across here.
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spedteacherita
Guest
Protestant was a name given to those who turned against the teachings of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages. There were some corrupt men at the time abusing the ignorance of the people to bring in money to Rome. We are not in the process of “protesting” at this time. For the most part we have not been a part of the Catholic Church as it is today, which is a church with many beautiful Christians, just as many of the Protestant churches today. For many of us, we have grown up in our Christian traditions in churches who teach Jesus love for us which He showed by becoming the sacrifice for our sins on the cross. God incarnate!!
The name “Christian” was used as a negative to those who were involved with “the Way” and were followers of Jesus’ teachings.
I don’t disagree with you that there are people who do not like the Catholic Church because they misunderstand some of the teachings but in all my years of involvement in Protestant churches I have not seen any hatred toward Catholics in any of them.
While I don’t think we should forget all the hatred and the serious “abuse” from both sides as they tried to settle the difference for many years after the Reformation, I think it’s time we leave that and focus on looking forward - debating our differences but not “bashing” each side. It’s time we forgive those times and look forward - all of us. It’s time we work together to spread Christ’s gospel!
We have been doing this in our efforts to stop the killing of innocent unborn babes, working with homeless, and other great services for those who need help.
God bless all of you!!
In Christ’s love,
Rita
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gcnuss
Guest
This is good. We should focus on the things we share and work to understand how we differ on others. I realize that there are some mighty hurdles to overcome if unity is to be achieved.
However, despite our differences, I do not hate Catholics and I admire much about the Catholic Church. I am happy to claim Catholics as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
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Randy_Carson
Guest
Are the issues which led so many to leave the Catholic Church in the 16th century still present today to such a degree that if you were a Catholic right now, you would leave the Catholic Church?
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Peter_J
Guest
Even if they define themselves as an NCR (note that’s Non-Catholic Religion in this case, not North Carolina Resident
) they’re still indicating their identity as one of opposition to Catholicism.
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Izdaari
Guest
I don’t call myself a Protestant, but I am a non-Catholic. I don’t hate the Catholic Church. It just needs a lot more reform before I could consider joining it. I’m Episcopalian, and happy there.
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spedteacherita
Guest
Very good question! I don’t see the Catholic Church as corrupt as it was at that time - and of course, that comes from the perspective of people who aren’t Catholic.
I can’t say, though, that I would be comfortable becoming a member of the Catholic Church for some of the teachings are still rather large hurdles for my comfort level. That doesn’t mean I hate the CC in response to the OP - it means at this point in my spiritual journey that I could not choose to embrace some of it’s doctrines.
I’m still learning…I take a couple steps forward and then I learn something difficult to take in and it sends me back several steps. Whether I ever join the CC or not does not lessen my need to learn - hence why I am here.
My original answer here was to plead for all of us to recognize the horrifying way we treated each other throughout the ages and recognize that we need to go forward with Christ’s admonition:
John 13:34-35
34"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Blessings!
Rita
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Peter_J
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No argument there, but the question is how?
There was a document a couple decades ago, Uniatism, Method of Union of the Past, and the Present Search for Full Communion, by the Joint International Orthodox-Catholic dialogue, which included this statement:
but I don’t know how many NCs could say the same. (Incidentally, some articles mentioning said document will add a note that it has “angered” some Catholics.)
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spedteacherita
Guest
The answer, at this point, does not mean that we have to agree on everything but to just forego the anger and hatred of the past and begin to share Christ’s love.
Mark 16: 14-16
14 Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.…
Unfortunately, we will have differences - but we should try to look past those differences and continue the work He started.
Many are already doing that. Look at those who are out in the Missionary fields - translating Bibles into languages, giving orphans homes and education, sharing food for those hungry…so much we can do instead of arguing and hating…
God bless!!
Rita
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Peter_J
Guest
I don’t disagree, but that’s rather non-committal, isn’t it? A Protestant could say “We must show our love for Catholics by bringing them to Protestantism.”
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spedteacherita
Guest
I don’t mean that at all…I mean to focus our attentions onto those who need to hear Christ’s message -
I know we’ll always have disagreements but does anyone here really believe that we will become a solid united force agreeing on everything before Christ returns? I don’t…
So, can we work with that so those who haven’t heard and are lost come into His Presence?
I know it’s very Pollyannish to think we can stop but is it a foolish way to think?
I don’t know…
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paziego
Guest
It has been described as a natural consequence of supersessionism (or replacement theology).
When a religion believes to have superseded another, either through a new covenant or a renewal, there is often a strong reaction against what is perceived to be a “dark and ignorant era” with which the old religion is associated.
For comparison, imagine the way the early Bolsheviks regarded the Russian monarchy and old institutions, or the way the early Americans portrayed the British, from whom they recently seceded.
Of course, not all protestants hate the Catholic church.
When a religion believes to have superseded another, either through a new covenant or a renewal, there is often a strong reaction against what is perceived to be a “dark and ignorant era” with which the old religion is associated.
For comparison, imagine the way the early Bolsheviks regarded the Russian monarchy and old institutions, or the way the early Americans portrayed the British, from whom they recently seceded.
Of course, not all protestants hate the Catholic church.
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Peter_J
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Well, it would be kind of weird if *you *meant it, given that *I’m *the one who said it.
But seriously, I think my point remains valid, which is that a Protestant could agree with everything in your last two posts, and then add “The way to show our love for Catholics by bringing them to Protestantism.” (or words to that effect)
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spedteacherita
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Stop messing with my brain!!! LOLWell, it would be kind of weird if *you *meant it, given that *I’m *the one who said it.
But seriously, I think my point remains valid, which is that a Protestant could agree with everything in your last two posts, and then add “The way to show our love for Catholics by bringing them to Protestantism.” (or words to that effect)
I agree with what you are saying - and that’s the problem with humans. They can’t keep anything simple - always have to complicate it. LOL
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Picky_Picky
Guest
That’s an interesting view. I know there is an occasional spat about just who we include as Protestants, and I don’t want to start that again, but do you think an Anglican, say, would be likely to think that the way to show love for Catholics was to turn them Anglican? (You detect I would be surprised if that were so, except among the most motley of them). Or are your thoughts turning more towards, you know, sort of, (how shall I put it?) more “Protestant” Protestants?Well, it would be kind of weird if *you *meant it, given that *I’m *the one who said it.
But seriously, I think my point remains valid, which is that a Protestant could agree with everything in your last two posts, and then add “The way to show our love for Catholics by bringing them to Protestantism.” (or words to that effect)
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GKC
Guest
I, personally, not only don’t try to move Roman Catholics to be Anglicans, I occasionally move Anglicans to become Roman Catholics. As long as they can affirm all the Roman particulars, why shouldn’t they? RCs got valid orders and all that, and in Anglicanism, you have to be careful. Given that the range of Anglican motley can extend to the extremes, the RCC is likely safer, for the unwary.
GKC
Anglicanus Catholicus, posterus traditus Anglicanus
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Captain_America
Guest
I believe both Catholics and the Protestants should focus on those who know nothing about Christ.
Next step: I see the Catholic Church as having worked much more substantially with deeper questions connected to faith and the practice of Christian living. I see life as a very complicated matter, and faith also, and I’m leery of simplification.
Next step: I see the Catholic Church as having worked much more substantially with deeper questions connected to faith and the practice of Christian living. I see life as a very complicated matter, and faith also, and I’m leery of simplification.
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Peter_J
Guest
Well, it would be kind of weird if *you *meant it, given that *I’m *the one who said it.
But seriously, I think my point remains valid, which is that a Protestant could agree with everything in your last two posts, and then add “The way to show our love for Catholics by bringing them to Protestantism.” (or words to that effect)
Yes you could say that. The more “Protestant” of protestants … Or the more conservative of “Protestants”.
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