Why Do Protestants think They Know Everything There Is To Know About The Catholic Faith?

[churchcamefirst]

I am tired of Protestants thinking they know everything there is to know about the Catholic faith. One claims he knows about the attendance at Catholic churches, another claims to know how the Catholics are dwindling (which is totally false, they are getting stronger), another claims they seem to know which way to heaven is correct their way, but not the Catholic way.
Why don’t you just worry about your own self interpretation about your own church and not worry so much about mine? If Jesus didn’t choose the Catholic faith, (as you claim), then what’s all the fuss?

 

[mark_a]

I am tired of Protestants thinking they know everything there is to know about the Catholic faith. One claims he knows about the attendance at Catholic churches, another claims to know how the Catholics are dwindling (which is totally false, they are getting stronger), another claims they seem to know which way to heaven is correct their way, but not the Catholic way.
Why don’t you just worry about your own self interpretation about your own church and not worry so much about mine? If Jesus didn’t choose the Catholic faith, (as you claim), then what’s all the fuss?

The fuss is that the Catholic Church is the big dog on the porch.

 

[Mannyfit75]

I am tired of Protestants thinking they know everything there is to know about the Catholic faith. One claims he knows about the attendance at Catholic churches, another claims to know how the Catholics are dwindling (which is totally false, they are getting stronger), another claims they seem to know which way to heaven is correct their way, but not the Catholic way.
Why don’t you just worry about your own self interpretation about your own church and not worry so much about mine? If Jesus didn’t choose the Catholic faith, (as you claim), then what’s all the fuss?

Because many hardcore Protestant listen on deaf ears and many of them are Ex-Catholic. However, for every Catholic leaving the Church, there many others who join the Catholic Church. It sort of balances it out…

 

[JonNC]

I am tired of Protestants thinking they know everything there is to know about the Catholic faith. One claims he knows about the attendance at Catholic churches, another claims to know how the Catholics are dwindling (which is totally false, they are getting stronger), another claims they seem to know which way to heaven is correct their way, but not the Catholic way.
Why don’t you just worry about your own self interpretation about your own church and not worry so much about mine? If Jesus didn’t choose the Catholic faith, (as you claim), then what’s all the fuss?

I certainly don’t, and never claimed to. In fact, I came here to learn more about it. And what I have learned is that there are many things that form a groundwork for future unity. I, sadly, have also learned that there are some, both Catholic and non-catholic, that are more interested in increasing division.
It would be easy for me to back away from CAF, but I won’t. There is more that I want to know.

Jon

 

[mark_a]

I certainly don’t, and never claimed to. In fact, I came here to learn more about it. And what I have learned is that there are many things that form a groundwork for future unity. I, sadly, have also learned that there are some, both Catholic and non-catholic, that are more interested in increasing division.
It would be easy for me to back away from CAF, but I won’t. There is more that I want to know.

Jon

Honestly JonNC, the forums on this site are probably the worst place to get info about Catholicism. Instead, invest your time wisely by visiting this site’s library. You’ll at least get the correct Catholic teachings whether you agree or disagree with the teachings.

 

[sambos671]

I certainly don’t, and never claimed to. In fact, I came here to learn more about it. And what I have learned is that there are many things that form a groundwork for future unity. I, sadly, have also learned that there are some, both Catholic and non-catholic, that are more interested in increasing division.
It would be easy for me to back away from CAF, but I won’t. There is more that I want to know.

Jon

Mark A makes a good point. You’ve got extremes on both sides of the issue here. I found out about Catholism from many sources but I think these are the best sources.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church Documents from the Vatican two
The Catechism of the Council of Trent.
Follow Church history and involve yourself in the Ecuminical Councils.
The ECF writings.

I’ve also read Karl Keating Catholicism and Fundalmentalism
Scott Hahn Rome Sweet Rome
David Curries Born Fundalmentalis born again Catholic.

These have given me a great understanding of Catholicism.

 

[JonNC]

Mark and Sambos,
Thanks for the good advice.

I might also add that we would all do well not to tell others what they believe. Instead, tell what one believes, listen to find out what others believe, and at all times be charitable.

Jon

 

[RobHom]

I might also add that we would all do well not to tell others what they believe. Instead, tell what one believes, listen to find out what others believe, and at all times be charitable.

Jon

 

[O.S.Luke]

I am tired of Protestants thinking they know everything there is to know about the Catholic faith. One claims he knows about the attendance at Catholic churches, another claims to know how the Catholics are dwindling (which is totally false, they are getting stronger), another claims they seem to know which way to heaven is correct their way, but not the Catholic way.
Why don’t you just worry about your own self interpretation about your own church and not worry so much about mine? If Jesus didn’t choose the Catholic faith, (as you claim), then what’s all the fuss?

I am tired of some (some=not all) Catholics lumping all Protestants into the same category. I don’t think I know everything about the Catholic faith. I also have a lot of appreciation for Catholicism.

Just because I am not Catholic does not mean I am against the Catholic Church. Good grief.

 

[Mannyfit75]

I am tired of some (some=not all) Catholics lumping all Protestants into the same category. I don’t think I know everything about the Catholic faith. I also have a lot of appreciation for Catholicism.

Just because I am not Catholic does not mean I am against the Catholic Church. Good grief.

Protestantism itself by its own doctrines make it impossible for having a unified set of beliefs since each man “is his own magisterium”

So I agree with you not all Protestants share the same beliefs.

 

[O.S.Luke]

Protestantism itself by its own doctrines make it impossible for having a unified set of beliefs since each man “is his own magisterium”.

That’s not entirely true either. Many communions, such as my own, have a very specifically stated belief system. That doesn’t mean everyone adheres to them, just as some Catholics do not adhere to all the beliefs of the Magisterium.

We were called METHODists because we were so rigid, Manny.

 

[RobHom]

I certainly don’t, and never claimed to. In fact, I came here to learn more about it. And what I have learned is that there are many things that form a groundwork for future unity.

I, sadly, have also learned that there are some, both Catholic and non-catholic, that are more interested in increasing division.

Unfortunately…this is true.

It would be easy for me to back away from CAF, but I won’t. There is more that I want to know.

Jon

Jon, I am happy to hear that you intend to stick around. You are an asset to the forums. I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut, and your charity in doing so. I think that if more people were like you…unity would be far easier to attain… Even “TU” is good people… Don’t tell him I said that though…he still has a rough edge or two But he’s good people.

On an entirely different subject…the OP… I think that sometimes forums like this attract a certain number of people that are of the mind that “they must be right” and right all of the time. I’m speaking of a mentality that if proven wrong hundreds of ways…that mentality will claim its “correct”. I read somewhere a little while ago that there is some research being done on the possibility of the existence of something akin to a psychosis that manifests itself in this manner. And that there are certain things that attract this mentality. Politics and Religion are two of the things that attract them.

Beyond that… I think, and my thoughts here are based on personal experiences, that many people who think they know… do in fact know what they know…but the problem is that what they know is erroneous. May sound like a goofy statement but bear with me…

If I teach a group of children, or pliable adults a series of classes on a particular subject, and they learn everything I teach them, and they pass all the tests with perfect results, then they know what they were taught. But, if what they do not know is that what I taught them was false, they will believe it to be right, even though it is false, and can be proven to be so. It is the barrier of proving their lessons false that is large. It is a very large hurdle to leap, and many people resist that leap…and ardently so. This may be because in making the leap and learning truth or facts…(even if they do not change anything in their life)…it would be incumbent upon them to acknowledge their teacher to be a teacher of “falsehoods”. This is very difficult to do when one has placed trust in a teacher.

For instance…recently in a post someone mentioned the two girl singing duo “Prussian Blue”. They are proponents of the Aryan Nation…and appear in pictures with “Hitler Smiley Faces” on them. Could you imagine breaking down those barriers? It would probably take a battalion of deprogrammers to dent their beliefs.

 

[Mannyfit75]

That doesn’t mean everyone adheres to them, just as some Catholics do not adhere to all the beliefs of the Magisterium.

True but the teachings of the Church are consistent. The difference I refer to Protestantism which differ is some Churches have infant baptism, while other Protestant Churches do not baptise infant. This is their own interpretation of the sacraments.

In every Catholic Church, the teachings on moral and faith remain the same. When I say Catholics, those who are in full communion with the Rome.

Some Protestant Churches believe in Rapture and some do not. Many cases, these beliefs are not as strictly enforced compared to Catholicism.

Any Catholic who openly disagree with all the Church teachings are condemned as heretics.

 

[ralphinal]

Cut them some slack. I know way too many Catholics that think they know everything about the Catholic church and know less than many Protestants.

I think some of the mis-information is from mis-informed Catholics.

 

[hays1122]

Not all protestants are created equal.
I have never met a catholic who said,“Hey you want to hear about my church?” As a matter of fact, I don’t know any Catholics. And the first time I heard a catholic talk about the catholic church was when I discovered EWTN.
All I know is what I was taught since I was a child. Just as many Catholics only know what their parents taught them. And of course what we learn attending church.
I know Catholics hear negative things about protestant churches. I’ve heard a few things said by the priests and other speakers on EWTN. One speaker said that he couldn’t get over how the Baptists are always talking about how Jesus died on the cross.“Jesus died on the cross for my sins ,They never talk about the resurrection.” Well, I know Baptist do talk about the resurrection,but that speaker was picking on something he wanted to say against another religion. He thought it was funny.
I think he was rude. So you hear a Baptist say,“Catholics just pray to Mary”. It’s the same think as saying “the only thing Baptists talk about it how Jesus died for their sins”.
It’s sad that we can’t have one christian faith.
We believe in God the Father almighty,creator of all that is was and every shall be. And Jesus his only begotten son as our Lord and saviour. But men have to make their changes and add their restrictions. Then it’s not a Christian faith but a denomination.
As Christians we should be working together instead of against each other. There are people out there that don’t even believe in God much less that he sent Jesus. They don’t believe in the miracle of the virgin birth. They don’t believe in eternal life.
We are all going to live an eternal life. And they don’t even care where they will spend eternity. That’s what these church leaders should be working on and talking about. Instead of talking about what’s wrong with the other guy that believes in Jesus but not in the same way or worships incorrectly.
How can Christians lead a Hindu or a Buddist to Christ when the Christians can’t get along with each other.
So it isn’t only Protestants that think they know everything about someone elses religion. Even an athiest will tell you what’s wrong with our Christian religion.
I have a feeling you’ve heard a few things that are wrong with the protestant religion. And you think it’s true. Maybe one thing?

 

[sambos671]

Another source to help me understand Catholicism is the Liturgy of the Hours. Many Protestants (myself included) tend to seperate devotions out into two aspects. Prayer and scripture reading. Many will add a third aspect which is praise. Protestants are taught not to say repetitious prayers but will quote scipture verses in their prayer. Keeping this in mind, consider the accusations that Catholics focus on Mary and the saints and “other intermediaries” to the Father. They will refer to the Hail Mary and specified prayers to the saints. I think if protestants really want to see the heart of the Catholic that commiting to perform the liturgy of the hours (even privately) for 1 week (at least) as a devotion, that they will gain an appreciation for were the Catholic heart is focused. (especially if they have an knowledge of church history.) They can even leave out the prayers to Mary which is primarily in the night prayer. I know for myself keeping up with this devotion has kept God at the forefront of my mind through out the day. For a catholic everything about the church and prayer is about devotion. Keeping God at the center through out the day.

 

[CalCatholic]

Honestly JonNC, the forums on this site are probably the worst place to get info about Catholicism. Instead, invest your time wisely by visiting this site’s library. You’ll at least get the correct Catholic teachings whether you agree or disagree with the teachings.

I found the Catholic Church by reading the Church Fathers, the history of the Church and by reading the Bible before becoming a Christian. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I found my way to the Church. Had I read this forum first, I would not know what to believe, with strong opinions on both sides.

 

[hays1122]

I found the Catholic Church by reading the Church Fathers, the history of the Church and by reading the Bible before becoming a Christian. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I found my way to the Church. Had I read this forum first, I would not know what to believe, with strong opinions on both sides.

What were your beliefs before you found Christianity through the Holy Spirit? And did you study other religions during your search?
I’ve been studying about the history of religions. And reading about the saints and other important Catholic people. I could read all day!
I feel like I had been kept in the dark all these years. So much to find out about.

 

[bpbasilphx]

The Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen once said something like this:

Nobody really hates the Catholic Church, but many millions hate what they think the Catholic Church teaches.

And if what they hated were really the Catholic Church, Catholics would hate it, too.

 

[churchcamefirst]

The Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen once said something like this:

Nobody really hates the Catholic Church, but many millions hate what they think the Catholic Church teaches.

And if what they hated were really the Catholic Church, Catholics would hate it, too.

Huh?