Why do Protestians hate us so much?

[Chococat]

I have plenty of Protestant friends who love and accept me as a fellow Christian so they all shouldn't be tarred with the same brush. Plus many of the others may disagree with Catholic teaching but what they hate is not Catholics as such but rather it is what they see as heresies in Catholic teaching. Having said that I have come across hatred of Catholics on other "Christian" message boards and in some books written by stauch fundamentalists. But then such people hate not only Catholics but anyone, even other Protestants, who don't believe exactly as they do! Sad to say such people don't even try to be fair when discussing Catholicism. In my experience, the worst people for "Catholic bashing" are fallen away Catholics who have been converted to fundamentalism. Such people will tell everyone they meet how they used to be Catholic until they "saw the light" They see it as their duty to get all Catholics to leave the church and join theirs. They have often had a bad experience in the Catholic church usually with a priest although they will not admit that is why they left. IMO that begs the question what are they going to do when someone hurts them in their new church as will happen as to the best of my knowledge there are no perfect people in any church of any denomination. They'll probably go "shopping" for another church I guess.

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

People don't hate by nature, they have to be taught, so the real question is what are they being taught and why are they taught it that makes them hate Catholics.

So what caused the orginal ranker ? Power, mostly. Well, really the passage of power from one group to another as a result of the reformation.

From the French wars of Relgion to the Spainish wars to the 30 years war political wars based on religious differences racked Europe during the 1600's.

War kills people, lands change hands forceable, lives are destroyed, uprooted, and broken. Power and money is taken from people and given to enemies.

This tends to upset people and make them slightly insane, extreme and, well, hateful. They pass this to their children and so it goes.

500 years later no one remembers or is effected by the triggering events, but no one cares either.

The just hate on reflex. Its sad really

 

[Chococat]

Well said, Charlie. That is exactly what has happened in Northern Ireland where many Catholics and Protestants (not all I hasten to add) hate each other. They drink in hatred with their mother's milk and the hate is carried on from generation to generation. I've noticed some of the greatest "Catholic bashers" are actually Ulster Protestants. Again I'm not saying all Ulster Protestants hate Catholics just that a lot do. In that case it seems to be a form of elitism and eugenics in that they think they are better than us as was illustrated by the NI fundamentalist who said that the RC teaching on birth control was causing poverty to Catholics (translated "these Catholics are breeding too much") People who hate other human beings (not just Protestants hating Catholics) often don't even know why they hate, all they know is that they hate.

 

[tadoflamb]

I know I'm a Lutheran, but I saw this and thought it might be well to get a Protestant response.

I wasn't aware we hated Catholics. As IowaLutheran said, there are some looney fundamentalists who might, but the majority of mainline Protestants don't hate Catholics and in fact, we have great respect for the Catholic Church.

Speaking as a professionally-trained musician, I'm very much aware that if you take out the music of the Catholic Church, Western music as we know it would not exist. The Catholic Church formed the basic of music (including counterpoint and harmony) and music theory up into the 1500s.

We'd lose most of our great paintings, as well.

The liturgical traditions of the Methodists, Lutherans and Anglicans comes from the Catholic Church. If you attend a Lutheran service, it will seem very familiar to you because the structure of our Ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) and our Propers (Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Tract, Offertory, Communion) are virtually identical AND they came from the Catholic Ordinary and Propers.

When the sanctuary of a Catholic parish burned down several years ago, we offered our sanctuary as a place for them to worship, AND we moved our service back an hour so they could worship on Sunday morning, as well. The Catholic parish stayed until their new sanctuary was built, and our Lutheran parish (and our Bishop) and joined the Catholic parish (and their Bishop) for a joint dedication ceremony. We also shared several worship services in the meantime, and to this day that parish is our sister parish.

We don't agree with all points of Catholic doctrine, and you all don't agree with all points of Lutheran doctrine, which is why there is a Catholic denomination and a Lutheran denomination — and c'est la vie!

But offhand — I can't think of a single ELCA congregation (or an Episcopal congregation, or a Methodist congregation, or a Presbyterian Church - USA congregation) who "hates" Catholics!

And just for the record: Catholics are every bit as "saved" as Protestants; and Anglicans (and many Lutherans) also venerate Mary. "Venerate" and "worship" are two completely different things, and we're aware that Catholics do not "worship" Mary. Catholics worship God (and Jesus), just as we do.

Just for the record, the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church still maintains the pope is the anti-Christ. It's an official part of their teaching.

Also, the Catholic Church is not a denomination it is the Church. Once you leave the Church and "de-name" yourself you become a "denom"ination. The Lutheran Church is really a denomination and as a denomination it isn't a unified body. It's like alphabet soup with it's various sects. Obviously they aren't on the same page, as I illustrated above. (unless the ELCA maintains the pope is the anti-Christ as well). And so you know I'm not picking on Lutherans, this is true with every Protestian denomination. If you don't believe me, just look in your phone book under 'churches' and see what you come up with. It's amazing.

Anyway, it would make it a lot easier on us Catholics if the Protestians could get on the same page, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

God bless,

Tad

 

[HisKid1973]

Anyway, it would make it a lot easier on us Catholics if the Protestians could get on the same page, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.
God bless, Tad

Do we not both trust in Christ alone for our salvation..To me, that is like the same page to start with...How many pages do you want to have?

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

Just for the record, the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church still maintains the pope is the anti-Christ. It's an official part of their teaching.

Also, the Catholic Church is not a denomination it is the Church. Once you leave the Church and "de-name" yourself you become a "denom"ination. The Lutheran Church is really a denomination and as a denomination it isn't a unified body. It's like alphabet soup with it's various sects. Obviously they aren't on the same page, as I illustrated above. (unless the ELCA maintains the pope is the anti-Christ as well). And so you know I'm not picking on Lutherans, this is true with every Protestian denomination. If you don't believe me, just look in your phone book under 'churches' and see what you come up with. It's amazing.

Anyway, it would make it a lot easier on us Catholics if the Protestians could get on the same page, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

God bless,

Tad

This is sort of what I was talking about a couple of posts up.

Its all here. The absolute need tor correct someone's understand of the their own faith.

The necessity of showing the superitory of your faith over someone elses.

The insistance the no one is being picked on, while picking on everyone.

It just can't be left alone, and all our mother's were right, if you keep picking at it, it'll never heal.

And it never will

 

[tadoflamb]

Do we not both trust in Christ alone for our salvation..To me, that is like the same page to start with...How many pages do you want to have?

It would be nice if you all had the pages Martin Luther removed from Sacred Scripture. That would be a good start.

Pax Christi,

Tad

 

[Ave Maria]

I think a lot of it is resulting from their ignorance of what the Catholic Church really teaches and what they perceive the Catholic Church to teach.

 

[MikeK]

It would be nice if you all had the pages Martin Luther removed from Sacred Scripture. That would be a good start.

Pax Christi,

Tad

But it itches Mom, I just can't stop! Pick. pick. pick.

 

[Tigg]

I know I'm a Lutheran, but I saw this and thought it might be well to get a Protestant response.

I wasn't aware we hated Catholics. As IowaLutheran said, there are some looney fundamentalists who might, but the majority of mainline Protestants don't hate Catholics and in fact, we have great respect for the Catholic Church.

Speaking as a professionally-trained musician, I'm very much aware that if you take out the music of the Catholic Church, Western music as we know it would not exist. The Catholic Church formed the basic of music (including counterpoint and harmony) and music theory up into the 1500s.

We'd lose most of our great paintings, as well.

The liturgical traditions of the Methodists, Lutherans and Anglicans comes from the Catholic Church. If you attend a Lutheran service, it will seem very familiar to you because the structure of our Ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) and our Propers (Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Tract, Offertory, Communion) are virtually identical AND they came from the Catholic Ordinary and Propers.

When the sanctuary of a Catholic parish burned down several years ago, we offered our sanctuary as a place for them to worship, AND we moved our service back an hour so they could worship on Sunday morning, as well. The Catholic parish stayed until their new sanctuary was built, and our Lutheran parish (and our Bishop) and joined the Catholic parish (and their Bishop) for a joint dedication ceremony. We also shared several worship services in the meantime, and to this day that parish is our sister parish.

We don't agree with all points of Catholic doctrine, and you all don't agree with all points of Lutheran doctrine, which is why there is a Catholic denomination and a Lutheran denomination — and c'est la vie!

But offhand — I can't think of a single ELCA congregation (or an Episcopal congregation, or a Methodist congregation, or a Presbyterian Church - USA congregation) who "hates" Catholics!

And just for the record: Catholics are every bit as "saved" as Protestants; and Anglicans (and many Lutherans) also venerate Mary. "Venerate" and "worship" are two completely different things, and we're aware that Catholics do not "worship" Mary. Catholics worship God (and Jesus), just as we do.

What a wonderful post! It is possible to respect each other and help one another, differences aside. I am sure God has blessed you and your whole Lutheran Parish for your kindness. May He continue to keep you and bless you and your Lutheran Parish a 100 fold! Your post has certainly made my day. TY.

-Peace-

 

[UberLutheran]

Just for the record, the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church still maintains the pope is the anti-Christ. It's an official part of their teaching.

Also, the Catholic Church is not a denomination it is the Church. Once you leave the Church and "de-name" yourself you become a "denom"ination. The Lutheran Church is really a denomination and as a denomination it isn't a unified body. It's like alphabet soup with it's various sects. Obviously they aren't on the same page, as I illustrated above. (unless the ELCA maintains the pope is the anti-Christ as well). And so you know I'm not picking on Lutherans, this is true with every Protestian denomination. If you don't believe me, just look in your phone book under 'churches' and see what you come up with. It's amazing.

Anyway, it would make it a lot easier on us Catholics if the Protestians could get on the same page, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

God bless,

Tad

FYI: The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are NOT the same.

The LC-MS considers the ELCA as "heterodox" and ELCA members are not allowed to take Communion in an LC-MS church, whereas an LC-MS member (or a Roman Catholic, for that matter) may take Communion in an ELCA church.

There are many LC-MS members who don't consider the ELCA to be Christians; but the reverse is not true.

And no: the ELCA does not consider the Pope to be the AntiChrist. For us, the Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Do not make the mistake of lumping the ELCA and the LC-MS together. You'll get a funny look from the ELCA member and the LC-MS member will probably get mad at you.

 

[HisKid1973]

You know if we had actual contact and ministry one unto another, I think the thoughts and attitudes of some would change radically...Sadly, I think it will take hard times to bring all the true believers in Christ together..pax..Kim

 

[anawim]

The split in Christendom is not unlike the split in ancient Israel after the death of Solomon. The 10 northern tribes split from the reign of Rehoboam. After all, who was this upstart David, anyway, moving the center of worship from Mt. Gerazim to Jerusalem?

While not God's explicit will, never the less, He allowed it to happen, because after the ten northern tribes were taken away into captivity, they eventually established a local synagogue as their place of worship.

Fast forward to when Paul went out to preach to the Gentiles. Where was the first place he went? The local synagogue. He would eventually get thrown out, but not before he had a chance to sew the seed of the Gospel. I think an argument can be made that he would have had a tougher time, if not for the synagogue.

I can't help but think that God will ultimately bring good out of what man has wrought.

 

[krstlros]

They think we're like the devil or something and i just wanted to ask to my fellow catholics, why do they hate us so much?

God only knows.

 

[yohney]

I am not a fellow catholic, but I'd like to say something...

About each other hating so much, that's what I hate - I hate hearing people say their denomination is the right one, or so... I had so much really good conversations with catholics, and I consider them my brothers or sisters in Christ...

That is why we have different denominations, you can go to one that suits you best, and to one you feel is "rightest", but shouldnt forget we are all part of one body - the body of Christ..

 

[tadoflamb]

I refuse to bow down to the Protestant god of multi-denominationalism. I can't help it if people have a problem with it.

God bless,

Tad

 

[Highway of Life]

That's quite enough flaming Tad.
Unless you are just demonstrating what "hate" really is.

From one Catholic to another, Please uphold the teachings of the Church and the Gospel... including love your brother.
It's attitudes like this that drive protestants from the Catholic Church.

- Highway

 

[MrJim]

They think we're like the devil or something and i just wanted to ask to my fellow catholics, why do they hate us so much?

We don't all hate ya little brother...there just a lot of confused folks out here.

 

[TheListener]

PIt is difficult to shrug off the teachings of a lifetime and see the truth. Look how hard it is for a Muslim to turn to Christ.

That is so true. I come from a muslim background and my family still thinks I'm an idiot for going backwards in my faith.

The analogy some muslims use is, they liken Christianity to Windows 95 and Islam to Windows 2000. They say why use the old version when there is a newer better version out? That is what they are taught, that Islam corrected all the false teachings men introduced when Christianity was corrupted. It is so hard to overlook these things.

I dont know what it would be like to grow up in a protestant home but my 3 years or so in a protestant church after I first came to Christ was enough for me to be anti-Catholic.

Another thing I've noticed since I started looking into the catholic church was most of the most respected protestant authors like Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel often put in little bits and pieces in their books which have a small dig at the RCC. It just reinforces the whole stigma.

 

[tadoflamb]

From one Catholic to another, Please uphold the teachings of the Church and the Gospel...
- Highway

OK.

the unicity of the Church founded by him must be firmly believed as a truth of Catholic faith. Just as there is one Christ, so there exists a single body of Christ, a single Bride of Christ: “a single Catholic and apostolic Church”.51 Furthermore, the promises of the Lord that he would not abandon his Church (cf. Mt 16:18; 28:20) and that he would guide her by his Spirit (cf. Jn 16:13) mean, according to Catholic faith, that the unicity and the unity of the Church — like everything that belongs to the Church's integrity — will never be lacking.52
The Catholic faithful are required to profess that there is an historical continuity — rooted in the apostolic succession53 — between the Church founded by Christ and the Catholic Church: “This is the single Church of Christ... which our Saviour, after his resurrection, entrusted to Peter's pastoral care (cf. Jn 21:17), commissioning him and the other Apostles to extend and rule her (cf. Mt 28:18ff.), erected for all ages as ‘the pillar and mainstay of the truth' (1 Tim 3:15). This Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present world, subsists in [subsistit in] the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him”.54 With the expression subsistit in, the Second Vatican Council sought to harmonize two doctrinal statements: on the one hand, that the Church of Christ, despite the divisions which exist among Christians, continues to exist fully only in the Catholic Church, and on the other hand, that “outside of her structure, many elements can be found of sanctification and truth”,55 that is, in those Churches and ecclesial communities which are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church.56 But with respect to these, it needs to be stated that “they derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church”.57
17. Therefore, there exists a single Church of Christ, which subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him.

“The Christian faithful are therefore not permitted to imagine that the Church of Christ is nothing more than a collection — divided, yet in some way one — of Churches and ecclesial communities; nor are they free to hold that today the Church of Christ nowhere really exists, and must be considered only as a goal which all Churches and ecclesial communities must strive to reach”.64

ON THE UNICITY AND SALVIFIC UNIVERSALITY OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE CHURCH

Pax Christi,

Tad