Why does the same old anti-Catholic rhetoric come up?

[Memaw]

It seems to me there’s something of a need to believe anti-Catholic rhetoric.

Imagine you’ve been told such things all your life by people who love you and whom you love and trust. Imagine you’ve passed them down to your children. Imagine you’re so glad you’re Protestant because the Catholic Church “went off the rails.”

And then one day a Catholic tells you all those things you’ve been brought up to believe about the Catholic Church simply aren’t true.

I imagine there would be a huge psychological resistance, *even if the Catholic can prove what he’s saying. * Wouldn’t you want to believe you hadn’t been misled? Wouldn’t you want to believe you hadn’t gotten it wrong all those years? Wouldn’t an urge to hold on to what you’ve been taught be especially strong if you’ve been telling others the same anti-Catholic rhetoric for years?

Someone–I think it may have been Scott Hahn–once said something like, “You cradle Catholics don’t know what it’s like to wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat with the realization that all those things you’ve believed and taught could have been a lie.”

So, unless they’re being totally obstinate by refusing to even verify what I’m saying, I try to cut anti-Catholics a little slack. They’re dealing with a lot.

A neighbor, (whose Dad was a very Anti Catholic preacher,) once told me he liked me in spite of the fact that I was a Catholic. I told him that I liked him in spite of the fact that he wasn’t." We had many, many discussion on the subject. He was very anti-Catholic too but his wife was not so much.Two of his daughters grew up to marry Catholic boys. His wife told me he actually cried when their first grandchild was Baptized a Catholic. He died about 5 years ago and his wife told me he had asked for a priest before he died. God works in Mysterious ways. God Bless, Memaw

 

[steve_b]

A neighbor, (whose Dad was a very Anti Catholic preacher,) once told me he liked me in spite of the fact that I was a Catholic. I told him that I liked him in spite of the fact that he wasn’t." We had many, many discussion on the subject. He was very anti-Catholic too but his wife was not so much.Two of his daughters grew up to marry Catholic boys. His wife told me he actually cried when their first grandchild was Baptized a Catholic. He died about 5 years ago and his wife told me he had asked for a priest before he died. God works in Mysterious ways. God Bless, Memaw

Good story

 

[Ignatius]

A neighbor, (whose Dad was a very Anti Catholic preacher,) once told me he liked me in spite of the fact that I was a Catholic. I told him that I liked him in spite of the fact that he wasn’t." We had many, many discussion on the subject. He was very anti-Catholic too but his wife was not so much.Two of his daughters grew up to marry Catholic boys. His wife told me he actually cried when their first grandchild was Baptized a Catholic. He died about 5 years ago and his wife told me he had asked for a priest before he died. God works in Mysterious ways. God Bless, Memaw

Wonderful. God is good . . . . All the time.
All the time . . . . God is Good!

 

[Patti_M]

I wonder if showing these misguided souls the Catechism of the Catholic Church would do any good? Maybe if they saw in writing our Church teaching validated by the Vatican/Holy See, that might give them the idea that there is a Catholic source if they were really interested in what we believe. Who knows…they may become more educated then a lot of Catholics.

 

[edwest2]

I am curious - why does the same rhetoric come up, time and time again, when the rhetoric has been thoroughly debunked time and again?

Here is my latest example. In a conversation I just had with someone who identifies as a “none” - no specific religion:

*“Since when does Catholicism equal Christ? There are lots of different Christian religions not based on Rome’s reign. Catholics pray to Mary…she can’t help you at all.”

“I’m bewildered at your reverence to a religion based on tyranny…trying to control the masses…that’s probably why Catholics call it mass.”

“Jesus was no Catholic. I’d rather convert to Judaism than Catholicism.”*

I countered with this:

"Wow. Lots of hatred and misinformation there. Completely wrong about Mary. There are examples from scripture involving intercession. And sorry, the early church is the Catholic church (I did mention the schism and Orthodox as well).

I’m curious - were you probing for a chance to slap down this anti-Catholic rhetoric given an opportunity? That’s a part of my identity and I am not asking you or anyone else to believe or embrace it. Please don’t stomp all over the Eucharist and prayers to Mary (both of which are practiced by some mainline Protestant religions as well)."

Granted I could have countered with a lot more, but there is so much misinformation here. My feeling is that if someone is trying to decide between Buddhism, Judaism, and Christianity (this person is someone I know well), that person is thoroughly confused and needs to research all of these faiths.

Mentioning that Jesus was no Catholic is irrelevant - we all know that. The “praying to Mary” and “embracing a religion based on tyrrany” comments are just offensive.

Sorry to vent. These arguments get really old. I am no apologetic, but wow. Venting done!

It has to. It must. To keep it on the minds of others. To confuse people or try to encourage them to turn away from the Church. This must keep going.

Why do we still see ads for Coke and Pepsi? So people will have a new memory or reminder, and decide to buy one or the other.

Ed

 

[Kay_Cee]

I wonder if showing these misguided souls the Catechism of the Catholic Church would do any good? Maybe if they saw in writing our Church teaching validated by the Vatican/Holy See, that might give them the idea that there is a Catholic source if they were really interested in what we believe. Who knows…they may become more educated then a lot of Catholics.

If you can even get them to look at it . . . some refuse to read what they call “Catholic Propaganda.”

My sister debates non-Catholics, and sometimes when she quotes the Catechism, she is actually told it’s not at all what we believe, that the whole thing is a lie, and was published to fool non-Catholics.

Many don’t want to see it. They’re convinced the Church is the Whore of Babylon, and therefore anything it says must be evil.

 

[Patti_M]

If you can even get them to look at it . . . some refuse to read what they call “Catholic Propaganda.”

My sister debates non-Catholics, and sometimes when she quotes the Catechism, she is actually told it’s not at all what we believe, that the whole thing is a lie, and was published to fool non-Catholics.

Many don’t want to see it. They’re convinced the Church is the Whore of Babylon, and therefore anything it says must be evil.

I once directed an anti-Catholic coworker to the Catholic Encyclopedia website. He just looked at me and said “Your church has it’s own encyclopedia?” I told him he could look up anything he had questions about himself. They really have no excuse to not research things themselves. If only they would.

 

[steve_b]

I once directed an anti-Catholic coworker to the Catholic Encyclopedia website. He just looked at me and said “Your church has it’s own encyclopedia?” I told him he could look up anything he had questions about himself. They really have no excuse to not research things themselves. If only they would.

It’s why ignorance isn’t always innocent 1791

 

[Peter_J]

He just looked at me and said “Your church has it’s own encyclopedia?”

 

[SuS33]

Those questions are meant as an attack not as genuine inquiries about the CC. These people are not waiting for you to give an explanation, they wont be receptive to sound reasoning and educational debate. Their only desire is to put you down. There is only one thing you can do for them. Pray! Do not waste time and anergy refuting their arguments cuz the more sense you make, the more they’ll attack you. Remember in the book if Acts when St. Stephen explained to the Jews about Jesus starting with Abraham, he made so much sense they stoned him to death. They were ready to attack him not to reason with him.

 

[SuS33]

I once directed an anti-Catholic coworker to the Catholic Encyclopedia website. He just looked at me and said “Your church has it’s own encyclopedia?” I told him he could look up anything he had questions about himself. They really have no excuse to not research things themselves. If only they would.

Ok! That’s Epic!

 

[old_sarge]

I hope this does not get me banned, but on the topic of anti-Catholic rhetoric (I maintain it is hatred) (Edited) . To be fair, the first site does condemn abortion in strong and graphic terms and promotes all things good. However, on the subject of Catholicism, it is quite vicious. Not for the faint of heart.

Again, I hope I do not get banned from this site, but to call hatred rhetoric is simply wrong.

 

[GideonCaleb]

As a former Evangelical Protestant from the Bible Belt of the US, I can tell you that nearly 100% of the information I heard on catholicism came from non-catholics.

In fact, there were only two exceptions to this, and these were two catholic friends I had in college. I always thought it curious that they remained catholic, because their faith in God seemed so genuine. And after all, I KNEW that the only “true” believers were Evangelical Protestants.

I never once asked them about their faith. But when it came time for me to pass critical judgment, their faithful witness is what tipped the balance. My sister fell in love with a catholic, and decided that she should convert so as to be truly one with her husband. Our mother was ready to disown her! She asked my opinion, and I assured her that she could follow God just as faithfully as a catholic, and that she was doing the right thing by accepting her husband’s faith.

That simple assurance from a family member whose faith she respected cleared the way for what has been a happy and fruitful marriage of over 20 years now. But really, she needs to thank my two catholic friends from college. For it was their witness that gave me the assurance that their faith was as real as my own.

The story does not end there. Years later God would get my attention through circumstances with no connection to my friends or my sister, and this would lead me to look objectively into the Church for myself. I was astounded by what I found. All the propaganda I had heard for all those years was completely wrong. I converted to catholicism myself by the following Easter.

I would then discover such rich resources as the Catholic Encyclopedia, and find that many questions I had as a believer, and which Protestantism gave very unsatisfactory answers to, had been answered with clarity by the Church centuries ago.

So here are my suggestions for answering those who attack your faith:

1. Just be a witness to the reality of Christ in your life. That speaks more loudly than any words, and people do notice. What was unnerving to me about my two friends in college was how unwavering they were in their position. They felt no need to defend their faith. They just smiled and continued to be friends even if I or others said uncharitable things that we thought about the Church.
2. Turn the question back on the person. If they start talking about Mary, ask them to tell you what they think you believe about Mary. When they are done, say “What if I told you that that is not what I believe about Mary at all. Would you like to know my understanding of Mary?” If this makes them pause, you will probably get to be the very first person who ever explains to them a catholic position on Mary. If they counter that your position is not what the Church teaches, then ask them to talk to other catholics and suggest resources such as the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Protestants have no similar “authoritative” reference. So the thought has never occurred to them that they can find a single answer to a question that speaks for the entire Church. Tell them not to argue with you. Tell them to find the “heresy” they are presently condemning in an official catholic source, as opposed to quoted out of context by a Protestant publication, and you will be happy to discuss the Church’s official position with them if they still consider that it contradicts the Bible. The ones who are the most serious about their faith will be amazed at the clarity they find in the official publications, just as I was.

1. Unfortunately, as my own dear mother bears witness, there are some who simply won’t consider your position no matter how much sense you are making. She now prays regularly for the souls of both my sister and I. For these people, there truly is nothing you can say. They are caught in a form of Salvation-by-works which gives them a need to compare themselves to others so as to constantly reassure themselves that they are more acceptable to God than the next guy. Their practice is in contradiction to their stated beliefs, but if you try to point this out to them, you will only make them madder.

 

[Memaw]

As a former Evangelical Protestant from the Bible Belt of the US, I can tell you that nearly 100% of the information I heard on catholicism came from non-catholics.

In fact, there were only two exceptions to this, and these were two catholic friends I had in college. I always thought it curious that they remained catholic, because their faith in God seemed so genuine. And after all, I KNEW that the only “true” believers were Evangelical Protestants.

I never once asked them about their faith. But when it came time for me to pass critical judgment, their faithful witness is what tipped the balance. My sister fell in love with a catholic, and decided that she should convert so as to be truly one with her husband. Our mother was ready to disown her! She asked my opinion, and I assured her that she could follow God just as faithfully as a catholic, and that she was doing the right thing by accepting her husband’s faith.

That simple assurance from a family member whose faith she respected cleared the way for what has been a happy and fruitful marriage of over 20 years now. But really, she needs to thank my two catholic friends from college. For it was their witness that gave me the assurance that their faith was as real as my own.

The story does not end there. Years later God would get my attention through circumstances with no connection to my friends or my sister, and this would lead me to look objectively into the Church for myself. I was astounded by what I found. All the propaganda I had heard for all those years was completely wrong. I converted to catholicism myself by the following Easter.

I would then discover such rich resources as the Catholic Encyclopedia, and find that many questions I had as a believer, and which Protestantism gave very unsatisfactory answers to, had been answered with clarity by the Church centuries ago.

So here are my suggestions for answering those who attack your faith:

1. Just be a witness to the reality of Christ in your life. That speaks more loudly than any words, and people do notice. What was unnerving to me about my two friends in college was how unwavering they were in their position. They felt no need to defend their faith. They just smiled and continued to be friends even if I or others said uncharitable things that we thought about the Church.
2. Turn the question back on the person. If they start talking about Mary, ask them to tell you what they think you believe about Mary. When they are done, say “What if I told you that that is not what I believe about Mary at all. Would you like to know my understanding of Mary?” If this makes them pause, you will probably get to be the very first person who ever explains to them a catholic position on Mary. If they counter that your position is not what the Church teaches, then ask them to talk to other catholics and suggest resources such as the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Protestants have no similar “authoritative” reference. So the thought has never occurred to them that they can find a single answer to a question that speaks for the entire Church. Tell them not to argue with you. Tell them to find the “heresy” they are presently condemning in an official catholic source, as opposed to quoted out of context by a Protestant publication, and you will be happy to discuss the Church’s official position with them if they still consider that it contradicts the Bible. The ones who are the most serious about their faith will be amazed at the clarity they find in the official publications, just as I was.

1. Unfortunately, as my own dear mother bears witness, there are some who simply won’t consider your position no matter how much sense you are making. She now prays regularly for the souls of both my sister and I. For these people, there truly is nothing you can say. They are caught in a form of Salvation-by-works which gives them a need to compare themselves to others so as to constantly reassure themselves that they are more acceptable to God than the next guy. Their practice is in contradiction to their stated beliefs, but if you try to point this out to them, you will only make them madder.

AMEN, Thank you and God Bless, Prayers for you and your Mother. God Bless, Memaw

 

[unstoppable_II]

…
People are gullible. People are fallible. The devil is active.
…

And there is a new crop every year.

“Cows may come, and cows may go, but the bull goes on forever.”

 

[Patti_M]

And there is a new crop every year.

“Cows may come, and cows may go, but the bull goes on forever.”

Love it.

 

[unstoppable_II]

… That means our next president will be decided by about 10% of the population.
…

Not to get too OT, but it’s less than that when you consider that more than a 50% turnout is unusual.

 

[Church_Militant]

I hope this does not get me banned, but on the topic of anti-Catholic rhetoric (I maintain it is hatred) (Edited) . To be fair, the first site does condemn abortion in strong and graphic terms and promotes all things good. However, on the subject of Catholicism, it is quite vicious. Not for the faint of heart.

Again, I hope I do not get banned from this site, but to call hatred rhetoric is simply wrong.

It’s okay. We’ve all seen it before and I have to agree with you. But at the same time we must remember what wiser Catholic saints have told us about such things.

Bishop Fulton Sheen once put it this way.

There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church - which is, of course, quite a different thing. These millions can hardly be blamed for hating Catholics because Catholics “adore statues”; because they “put the Blessed Mother on the same level with God”; because they say “indulgence is a permission to commit sin”; because the Pope “is a Fascist”; because the “Church is the defender of Capitalism.” If the Church taught or believed any one of these things it should be hated, but the fact is that the Church does not believe nor teach any one of them. It follows then that the hatred of the millions is directed against error and not against truth. As a matter of fact, if we Catholics believed all of the untruths and lies which were said against the Church, we probably would hate the Church a thousand times more than they do.

 If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true      Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get      along well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which      the world hates.

Read on.

 

[icamhif]

If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hates.

Then I guess I should be a Westboro Baptist (kidding)

 

[Jesse92]

As I step closer to converting to catholicism, and turning my back on what I used to believe, I see more clearly how the propaganda works for the anti - catholic movement. Yes there are books, blogs, websites, along with word of mouth that lay out the warning that catholicism is not God’s true church and will leads souls to hell. Usually those sources all come from an outsider point of view and are based on false claims. But if you are raised in a protestant environment you don’t know any better so you just grow up accepting it as fact that it’s a church you need to avoid. I mean there are claims that the pope will be the false prophet in revelations that will stand by the anti-Christ. Some claim that the catholic church is the white horse in revelations. Some claim that the miracles the catholic church document are just satan tricking those poor souls into believing a false doctrine that will send them to hell. Of course there is the old stand by claim that the catholic church brought pagan influences into their faith in order to get Rome to accept them while the true Christians had to go into hiding. I mean there is crazy stuff out there and an unknowing person wanting to look into the church will run across those kinds of claims. It’s a scare tatic that keeps protestants in line so to speak. One of the strongest arguments against catholicism is when an ex-Catholic converts to protestantism and warns them of the wrongs that’s in the catholic faith. Over a year ago when I was researching catholicism, I was close to deciding to convert then I found a website ran by an ex catholic who pointed out all the wrongs in the church and how they take you away from a relationship with God etc…along with claims that Fatima was not the holy event that is claimed ( he hints demonic activity). Anyway at that time it was enough to scare me into changing my mind and sticking with protestant beliefs. Although a year later I reconsidered my decision and am close to converting to catholic now, other people may be in those same shoes and never reconsider. They may be scared away for good and there is enough anti catholic material out there to reassure them to stay away.