why?

[otjm]

Like protestants and family I have this problem. I cant even talk about my faith b/c I went to Catholicism from being brought up Methodist it stinks

My mother had a way of dealing with people who were, to put it politely, “disagreeing” with her.

They would carry on a bit, trying to make their point (and thereby showing her how wrong she was).

When they came to a point of stopping to take a breath, she would just say “Oh”.

It is near impossible to have an argument with someone who simply looks at you and says “Oh”.

Which is somewhat related to the alleged comment made by St Francis (which apparently he did not make - but it is worth considering anyway): “Preach the Gospel; if necessary, use words.”

People get sucked into arguments, as opposed to exchanges if information, or inquiries as to why someone does or does not do something. Too often, it is not so much about the subject matter as it is about “I am right and you are wrong” - in other words, one-upsmanship.

You may have a great desire to “clarify” and 'correct" your family, all in the name of evangelization.

However, if they don’t want to be evangelized, then you will continue with arguments and conflict until they either quit talking with you about religious subjects, opr you are no longer welcome in their gatherings.

Try praying for them, and using the word “Oh” - nothing else, just “Oh”. It will defuse a lot of what you have been experiencing. It might even allow some of them to become curious and ask questions in a thoughtful manner.

 

[Michael85]

Because they need to know the Lord Jesus Christ, who said " I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me" (St John 14:6).

The Catholic Church has infallibly defined the dogma that outside the Church there is no salvation. From the Council of Florence:

"It [the Catholic Church] firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart “into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels” [Matt. 25:41], unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock; and that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is so strong that only to those remaining in it are the sacraments of the Church of benefit for salvation, and do fastings, almsgiving, and other functions of piety and exercises of Christian service produce eternal reward, and that no one, whatever almsgiving he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church."

 

[Kielbasi]

Why do Catholics argue with other religions ?

In the United States particularly, arguing about religion is a long standing tradition dating from colonial times.

Many of the original colonists came hear because of their religious differences with the states in Europe.

Catholics picked up on this tradition from the earliest days, and subsequent wave of Catholic immigrants did the same. Its more part of our national culture, as opposed to religious one.