Why do protestants love to bash our church so much?

[Gaber]

…
So - When Saul was persecuting Christians, the body, he was persecuting Christ. Those who hate any Christian - hate Christ.

Actually, I would submit that he was persecuting his thoughts about Christians. As soon as he met the Christ, and knew the Christ, he ceased his pesecutions. He saw that he had not known the Christ, only his own hatred of something he thought to be different from himself.

One of the chief features of our views on such things as this is that we really don’t know the nature of our own mind. Being so ignorant, we don’t know the tools we are using for thinking we know. That results in belief, since the mind abhors a vacuum. If you don’t know, you will construct a belief. That is why it is so radically vital to go beyond the discursive mind for a foundation concerning knowledge.

 

[JRKH]

Actually, I would submit that he was persecuting his thoughts about Christians. As soon as he met the Christ, and knew the Christ, he ceased his pesecutions. He saw that he had not known the Christ, only his own hatred of something he thought to be different from himself.

OK…Basically the same thing stated differently…
Saul discovered that his thinking was wrong. That in essence, his persecuting Christians, he was persecuting “The Body” of Christ - and persecuting Christ Himself.

One of the chief features of our views on such things as this is that we really don’t know the nature of our own mind. Being so ignorant, we don’t know the tools we are using for thinking we know. That results in belief, since the mind abhors a vacuum. If you don’t know, you will construct a belief. That is why it is so radically vital to go beyond the discursive mind for a foundation concerning knowledge.

Interesting - and I tend to agree with this (I’m drawn more to the “mystical”). That said though it is probably a bit far off topic here. Perhaps in a new thread…

Peace
James

 

[AbideWithMe]

I would say it’s more of a personality thing than a religion thing. That is to say, members of one religion don’t bash another religion more than others…
There are many people who follow an organized religion and respect other people’s faiths and don’t knock 'em.
But there are also people who will always want to put down what other people believe, to make them feel better about themselves and feel that they are “right”.
I see many Catholics on this site do the same thing you describe, bashing Protestant religions, very, very often.

If a person is respectful, they are.
If they are not, they are not.
Doesn’t matter who’s putting down who or which camp you belong to.

 

[JRKH]

I’m just “thinking out loud here” but I sometimes wonder if part of the problem comes about when people put more emphasis on “Faith” than on “Love”.

Being “Faith” oriented can lead to confusing “faith” with “religion” and specific dogmatic sorts of statements/beliefs. For instance - the Bible says that there is no other name that saves but “Jesus”. Some take this to mean that, no matter how loving a “non-christian” is, that they will not be saved.
This kind of thinking can become more and more constricting placing more emphasis on the “word” (scripture) than on the “Word”(Christ).
When this happens, not only can one conclude that non-Christians are lost, but that any who do not agree with “my” version of Christianity are lost…

On the other hand, Love is core to our faith. Love is generally more tender and more understanding and inclusive. Of course this can run into the opposite problem by becoming **too]/b] inclusive - too lax - to the point where faith means essentially nothing.

The proper balance seems to me to be one of Faith, built out from Love, and with the eye fixed firmly on there being only two real options - Good (Love) and evil (hate).

Peace
James**

 

[JonNC]

This is a good verse to consider and is one that is often overlooked.
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us. (Mark 9:38-40)
Let us all consider the implications of this - especially when considered in the light of what Jesus said to Paul at Paul’s conversion…
And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting (Act 9:4-5)
So - When Saul was persecuting Christians, the body, he was persecuting Christ. Those who hate any Christian - hate Christ…

Amen to this. Love is the key. Love for all - even for our enemies.
However among Christians, among the brethren, Jesus did not simply command Love, He also prayed for unity.
John 17:20-21
20 "I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, 21** that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.**
This sentiment is echoed in the NT letters…
Rom 15:5-6
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 1:10
I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

2 Cor 13:11
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Php 1:27
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

1 Pet 3:8
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind

One of the goals of every true disciple of Christ should be such unity. Not simply agreeing to disagree, but to come together in “one mind”. This desire is what drove those in Antioch to appeal to the Elders in Jerusalem - as it is written in the book of Acts and it is what has driven every Church council from that time to this. The desire to be one and to preserve the truth of the Gospel.

My appeal to all Christians - most especially to those who are children of the reformation - is to seek this kind of unity. There cannot be the kind of unity described in John 17:20-21 where different groups disagree on things like the meaning of the Eucharist or on the necessity of water baptism.

Such unity requires of us, Love, humility and the ability to surrender our own personal views to those of the Holy Spirit given through the Church in council.

Peace
James

His peace also with you, James.

You know, we haven’t posted each other in a while, but I make it a point to read your posts, because they often look like this one. You are indeed one of the very charitable members of CAF.

Jon

 

[AbideWithMe]

His peace also with you, James.

You know, we haven’t posted each other in a while, but I make it a point to read your posts, because they often look like this one. You are indeed one of the very charitable members of CAF.

Jon

I agree, James. I’m glad you’re here. (I keep forgetting that I owe you a response from a thread way back and on another forum, but thank you for the kind PM’s concerning my friend. Similarly to Jon, I make a point to click on a thread if I see you’ve been the latest poster.)

 

[JRKH]

You guys make me……and I gladly return the compliment. Why should I be the only one blushing…

Truly, the more we grow in faith, we must grow even more in Love. We all know what St Paul says about faith without Love…

Peace
James

 

[hn160]

I don’t bash the Catholic Church, I might not agree with all your teachings, but I respect them. I would rather have a Catholic that agrees with their teachings than one that doesn’t. At least with the one that agrees, you know where they stand, the same goes for non-Catholics.

 

[Miriam1947]

I don’t bash the Catholic Church, I might not agree with all your teachings, but I respect them. I would rather have a Catholic that agrees with their teachings than one that doesn’t. At least with the one that agrees, you know where they stand, the same goes for non-Catholics.