U
una_fides
Guest
Thank you for pointing that out, and I agree that such wording such as calling protestantism the quote that you provided is not in any way conducive to dialogue. Who is going to listen to you if you use such words?
I would like to point out that I’ve found it quite difficult on these forums in forming a response to answers because responses will vary greatly depending on the audience. When Catholics speak to other faithful Catholics who are trying to further the truth of Catholic faith, when they discuss protestantism, we will often emphasize the negative aspects such as the numberless interpretations of Scripture and the differences between our theologies. As a result, I’ve found that when protestants enter such dialogue, they can sometimes find it to be somewhat offensive because the dialogue assumes their faith to be problematic. I’m not undermining the fact that there are still Catholics out there who hate protestants, though I don’t know of any, just as there are very many protestants who hate Catholics, of whom I know quite a few.
Before I became Catholic three years ago, I grew up and lived in many many different variations of protestantism: baptist, fundamentalist, episcopalian, non-denominational, pentecostal, charismatic, presbyterian, and others. I’ve been to pentacostal churches that equated Catholicism with witchcraft. I’ve been in baptist and fundamentist churches that have called the pope the anti-Christ and one that said that when Pope JP2 died that if he followed Catholic teaching that he is in HELL!! (I entered the Catholic Church soon after that btw.)
There are many many points of agreement between Catholics and Protestants (depending on the beliefs of the denominational tradition); however, there are still many points of disagreement that must be worked out. So let’s have both sides cease with the pointless talk of vilifying the other side, as both Catholics and Protestants according to their tradition share one important thing in common: they both sincerely wish to follow Jesus Christ and do his will. What comes along with that is that we must humbly beg for light from him that he will guide us in his truth and lead us. We must be careful to not be prideful in assuming what we may have been taught or discovered to be automatically correct, and when something we believe is found to be wanting or lacking we must be willing to consider the other’s perspective.
That said, let’s use the many different forums here to discuss the specific differences or troubles that any given protestant may have with the Catholic faith, whether it be Mary, the saints, the pope, the priesthood, or whatever. Most hatred of Catholicism is almost certainly grounded in ignorance of what it truly teaches. That must always be remembered. I used to hate what I thought the Catholic Church taught, until I actually read what the Church taught from its own writers. The early Church fathers, btw, are a great start if you want to see what the Church believed and practiced immediately following the death of the apostles.
God bless you on your journey.
Seems to me you have a very selective mind too
I just had to reply, that you have a very possitive attitude and are a pleasent person. Jesus is not coming back for a denomination or building but for all those who truley believe on his name and that he died for our sins for he is no respector of man and all our good works are as filthy rags,for by faith we are saved not by good works lest any man should boast,for faith comes by hearing,and by the word of god(faith) James:2 Salvation John1-12, 3-36 5:24 1st John:5:11-13
Nancy