Why is it that Protestants question everything?

[c659smith]

Episcogirl,

But in order to remain Catholic one must fully follow ( not lead with own ideals ) in the Church of Christ.

I believe in one holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

In order to stay in communion with the Catholic Church one must follow Sacred Scripture, Sacred Traditions, and Sacred Teachings.of the Church.

If you do not then you are out of communion with the Church and as such not a practicing Catholic.

To say one is a Catholic and not follow these that I have mentioned than you are a hypocrite and possibly committing a sacrilidge if receiving the Sacraments to include Holy Communion esspecially in a state of Mortal (Grave Sin) Sin.

Which would possibly be a sin aganist the Holy Spirit and one knows where that leaves you.

 

[episcogirl]

But if Catholics cannot question things, then as the other poster suggested, why have the “Ask an Apologist” thread? That is the type of question I am referring to that would advance knowledge…someone who had a valid question, as I have seen them in that section, they are truly wondering about something, they ask, receive instruction, and thus are edified.

I think you and I were not on the same page as to the meaning of the phrase “to question things;” I was not suggesting that they were necessarily “questioning” something in order to refute it; as when a disobedient child “questions” his parent’s authority. Rather, I was referring to asking questions in order to receive knowledge.

I also have seen questions advanced on both sides of the coin in this forum that appear to be inflammatory and hurtful in nature. Whether or not they truly mean them in that fashion is in their own hearts, I suppose.

 

[Syele]

And that is the whole crux of the matter. It’s the intent behind the questions that count. If the questions are to go forward then you are advancing your knowledge. If they are to hurt others then you are using it with a false purpose.

Asking questions of others to learn or arguing facts as you believe with others can only strengthen your understandings.
I read these discussions to learn and when folks question to learn I have no problem with it.

When have I asked questions in order to hurt others?

This thread was generally directed at Protestants. That is awfully general and unfair. there are just as many “questions” asked here that are hurtful to protestants as there are otherwise.

 

[paarsurrey]

Obviously, lots of Catholics ask questions too. Otherwise these forums would not have the Ask an Apologist section. We cannot learn unless we ask questions. This applies to people of any religion.

Hi

There is no harm in asking a question. True enquiry is half knowledge; however, unnecessary questions should be avoided as these are unproductive.

Thanks

 

[Benedict16]

The point of this whole thread is if you hold up a banana in front of a Protestant, he’ll say it is an apple, even though it clearly is a banana. In other words, they question everything, even though it is right in front of them, the answers, the Early church Fathers, the writings on the Catacomb walls, that everything was truly belief in Catholicism back then. It is so obvious which faith Jesus started…

 

[O.S.Luke]

The point of this whole thread is if you hold up a banana in front of a Protestant, he’ll say it is an apple, even though it clearly is a banana. In other words, they question everything, even though it is right in front of them, the answers, the Early church Fathers, the writings on the Catacomb walls…

More vitriolic çrap. Untrue and prejudicial. Give us all a break Benedict. Please.

 

[Righteousone]

No Luke, I will not give you a break. I just spent 3 weeks in Europe, 5 days in Rome. I was blessed by the pope and also had a general audience with him. I WAS IN THE CATACOMBS. I SAW THE WRITINGS AND THE SCRATCHINGS OF THE BLESSED MOTHER AND THE EUCHARIST. I WAS THERE. You can call what I’ve seen **** because you just cannot face the fact that this is true.
I went to 5 countries, everything is Catholic. There is a church on every corner! Dating back centuries! the Blessed Mother is everywhere. Her face and pictures are all over Europe.
I stood in the prison of Peter and Paul. Very emotional for me. I walked through what is left of Nero’s palace. I saw the chains of St. Peter. Let me tell you, you need to go to Europe to see what is beyond here, because if you are not a Catholic when you go, you will be one on return.

 

[Righteousone]

But if Catholics cannot question things, then as the other poster suggested, why have the “Ask an Apologist” thread? That is the type of question I am referring to that would advance knowledge…someone who had a valid question, as I have seen them in that section, they are truly wondering about something, they ask, receive instruction, and thus are edified.

I think you and I were not on the same page as to the meaning of the phrase “to question things;” I was not suggesting that they were necessarily “questioning” something in order to refute it; as when a disobedient child “questions” his parent’s authority. Rather, I was referring to asking questions in order to receive knowledge.

I also have seen questions advanced on both sides of the coin in this forum that appear to be inflammatory and hurtful in nature. Whether or not they truly mean them in that fashion is in their own hearts, I suppose.

Ask an Apologist thread seems mostly for non-Catholics. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure Catholics use it also.

 

[Ginger2]

The point of this whole thread is if you hold up a banana in front of a Protestant, he’ll say it is an apple, even though it clearly is a banana. .

I guess that is your perspective, but my experience in this forum tells me your perspective is not necessarily based in reality.

Catholics in this forum have often told me what I believe - after I have said the exact opposite.

I then tell them that is not what I said, or at least not what I meant.

Far too often, the response is that I do not really believe what I claim to believe.

They seem to think I don’t know what I believe, but they do!!!

So, my perspective, based on my real experience, is that some Catholics have a preconceived notion about what any Protestant believes, and that hinders their ability to understand what is actually being said.

It makes productive dialog very difficult.

Your quote above, is a generalization that demonstrates your bias. Not to mention rude and insulting.

 

[Ginger2]

Ask an Apologist thread seems mostly for non-Catholics. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure Catholics use it also.

I just checked the last twenty questions in Ask An Apologist. They were all Catholics, except the last one said n/a.

 

[kell0618]

I am Catholic and I ask questions all of the time. It is what is in the heart that matters when posing a question.

Sometimes people ask questions because they honestly want the (name removed by moderator)ut of another.

Sometimes people ask questions because they don’t know where to look to find the answer on their own.

Sometimes people ask questions knowing full well what the answer already is. The purpose of this is to bait someone and by doing so, exposing the proposed falsehood of the information shared.

Sometimes people ask questions merely to inflame and insult.

The excellent thing about being asked a question, especially on an online forum, is that you may a) reply honestly and to the best of your ability, b) ignore the question or c) respond with uncharitable commentary or sarcasm. I personally have witnessed a blend of all three options by folks of all creeds as well as those without.

Peace be with you!

Kelly

 

[mickey94558]

When have I asked questions in order to hurt others?

This thread was generally directed at Protestants. That is awfully general and unfair. there are just as many “questions” asked here that are hurtful to protestants as there are otherwise.

Was speaking of the generality of conversation. Wasn’t meant to imply that you personally used this to hurt someone.

 

[Ginger2]

I am Catholic and I ask questions all of the time. It is what is in the heart that matters when posing a question.

Sometimes people ask questions because they honestly want the (name removed by moderator)ut of another.

Sometimes people ask questions because they don’t know where to look to find the answer on their own.

Sometimes people ask questions knowing full well what the answer already is. The purpose of this is to bait someone and by doing so, exposing the proposed falsehood of the information shared.

Sometimes people ask questions merely to inflame and insult.

The excellent thing about being asked a question, especially on an online forum, is that you may a) reply honestly and to the best of your ability, b) ignore the question or c) respond with uncharitable commentary or sarcasm. I personally have witnessed a blend of all three options by folks of all creeds as well as those without.

Peace be with you!

Kelly

Most questions, I think, are asked as an opportunity for a two-way street for sharing “why I believe what I believe”

However, I have asked questions, on rare occasions, for other purposes.

The last time to show that you can’t believe everything you read on the internet. The internet is a great tool that makes it far too easy to mislead people.

That time the person told me he didn’t have the answer. I jokingly said “Too bad I was setting you up to squash you like a bug” (or something to that effect)

Afterward I thought I probably shouldn’t have said that as some people may have thought that was my true intent.

The only other time, was to lead the person into clarity. Not so I would understand, but so those who assumed the best of him and the worst of me would see I was I was not guilty of the accusations being raised against me.

I’m glad I did it. My relationship with many of the Catholics on this site improved in an instant!

But I am sorry that I did it with a certain amount of ill-intent. I was suffering much frustration and hurt feelings.

Anyway, I don’t think asking leading questions is always a bad thing. Sometimes it is the best way to get your point across.

The problem, as someone else stated, lies in the heart. Are you doing it to promote some sort of good benefit? Or are you doing it to achieve some self-serving goal?

 

[O.S.Luke]

No Luke, I will not give you a break. I just spent 3 weeks in Europe, 5 days in Rome. I was blessed by the pope and also had a general audience with him. I WAS IN THE CATACOMBS. I SAW THE WRITINGS AND THE SCRATCHINGS OF THE BLESSED MOTHER AND THE EUCHARIST. I WAS THERE. You can call what I’ve seen **** because you just cannot face the fact that this is true.

I have been to Europe. And I am not disagreeing with you. Not all Protestants question what Benedict said we question. That is the anti-Protestant çrap that Benedict seems to excel in - pigeonholing all of us by the actions of some.

I have seen the catacombs too, Righeousone.

 

[Benedict16]

I am not anti-Protestant. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I am just trying to make you see the history of the Catholic church and how Jesus started it. Simple.

 

[O.S.Luke]

I am not anti-Protestant. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I am just trying to make you see the history of the Catholic church and how Jesus started it. Simple.

And I’m trying to tell you that I know the history of the Catholic Church and have no argument with you. That’s fairly simple, isn’t it? Why do you persist, then?

 

[whatevergirl]

Asking questions of others, can help one to see that his/her own answers are often wrong and really just opinion.

 

[jmcrae]

I think asking questions is really important. I didn’t consider becoming Catholic until I started asking questions about it. But, you have to be open to receiving answers that you are not expecting.

There is very little point in asking questions if you think you already know the answers - it would be nice if people would try to be at least somewhat teachable, even if they have unrelated reasons for not wanting to convert right now.

 

[Benedict16]

And I’m trying to tell you that I know the history of the Catholic Church and have no argument with you. That’s fairly simple, isn’t it? Why do you persist, then?

Because if you know the history, why do you follow John Wesley when Jesus never commanded him to start his own church? Why do you follow another when you know that Catholics have been around since Jesus? Must be that Jesus started the Catholic church.

 

[thomasf]

It’s not the questions that bother me. It’s the refusal to listen to the answers.

I have a protestant friend who has decided that she knows better about everything in christianity. She refuses to celebrate Christmas because it isn’t really Christ’s birthday, and she believes she’s the only one that realizes this. Same with Easter. She throws out a lot of anti-catholic rhetoric and questions, but then refuses to listen to the responses I give. She claims she’s seeking the truth for herself and researching christianity to find the truth, yet she refuses to read the early church fathers. She’s a prime example of protestant attitude that is pervasive in the US, that everything can be voted on, everything can be decided by majority popular opinion, and that she knows better than 2000 years of tradition and faith. It’s like talking to a wall, and I can’t stand it. It is very frustrating.