Why do Protestians hate us so much?

[reacon341]

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?

 

[IowaLutheran]

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?

I know you asked this question to your "fellow catholics", so I hope you don't mind if I answer - please accept my apologies.

I certainly don't hate you, and the Protestants I know don't hate Catholics. I'm sorry if your experience has been otherwise; I thought there were just a few loony fundamentalists out there that spew forth hatred against Catholics. Sometimes its gets a little heated on these forums, but for the most part, I think the disputes are generated by well-meaning people on both sides who are trying to express their faith. While things get out of hand sometimes, I rarely see "hate" as a motivator, at least here.

I view you as a member of the body of Christ - a Catholic Christian cherished and loved by God as one of His own! Don't ever forget that, even when it seems like people are saying bad things about your faith.

 

[TheListener]

They dont hate Catholics.

They love Jesus and the Bible so much and they are really bought on this 'sola scriptura' and 'sola fide' so much that they see the Catholic Church teaching unbiblical things and so they hate the church and want to convert Catholics to become Christians.

 

[CrystalBrooke]

They don't really hate Catholics, as they shouldn't hate anyone, but they think that Catholics are wrong in most, if not all, of their teachings so they try to shine them a light, so to speak. At times they get just plain rude about it and won't listen when you try to explain things to them, but some do it out of love because they fear for the Catholics' souls I suppose...some fear what they don't understand.

 

[Highway of Life]

I have very, very rarely seen Protestants "hate" Catholics.
And I suspect that only fundamentalists truly hate Catholics.
Many believe they are "unsaved" as Crystal noted.

But as a matter of fact, if you plunk yourself in any pew, Catholic or non, does not make someone saved.
And likewise, not going to a Catholic church, or not going to a non-Catholic church does not make someone condemned either.

 

[HisKid1973]

Excellent response brother..

 

[tadoflamb]

I don't think they really hate us and the ones that do don't know what they're hating. The Truth will prevail. Be not afraid.

God bless you,

Tad

 

[chickenutbread]

i, for one, do not hate catholics but i do disagree with some of their beliefs. in that same way, i think i can say why do Catholics (sometimes, not all the time) judge Protestants for being too much of fundamentalists & saying some things that aren't true about the beliefs of Protestantism? i really hate when some people do that, but i just live with it & trust that God will deal with that accordingly. all God wants is a relationship with us, not for us to fight over our beliefs.

 

[tadoflamb]

i, for one, do not hate catholics but i do disagree with some of their beliefs. in that same way, i think i can say why do Catholics (sometimes, not all the time) judge Protestants for being too much of fundamentalists & saying some things that aren't true about the beliefs of Protestantism? i really hate when some people do that, but i just live with it & trust that God will deal with that accordingly. all God wants is a relationship with us, not for us to fight over our beliefs.

What are the beliefs of Protestantism? They are as wide and varied as the Protestants themselves. There are over 50,000 Protestant denominations and sects, which one aren't we saying the truth about?

Peace be with you,

Tad

 

[Fantine]

Beyond the generalization I can see that you, in particular, have felt hated for your Catholic beliefs.

And I'm sure that, at some time or another, we all feel rejected because of our beliefs, or our opinions, or other factors.

And when I am faced with those situations, I find that what's best is not to assume that everyone in a particular demographic group hates me, or to project my feelings of rejection on to them, but to look at each person in that group individually.

 

[Rhamiel]

"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." Bishop Fulton Sheen
Jesus was mocked and hated when He was here, is the Church not the Body of Christ, how do you think they will treat us?

 

[chickenutbread]

in that same way of the many different sects and groups within Protestantism, there are many different people at different degrees of Catholicism? for instance, i have friends who are born into Catholicism and go to church because that's how they were raised. others are Catholics but go only on holidays. not many of my Catholic friends (that i know of) actually mention a personal relationship with Christ but rather talk about Confirmation class and duties they may have within their respective churches

 

[Foundthelight]

Protestants are taught from an early age that only they hold to the true teachings of Christ. Protestants are taught that the veneration of Mary and the Saints is not veneration but worship, which is idolatry. Protestants are taught that Apostolic succession is merely a ruse to maintain control of Christianity by Rome. Protestants are taught that the concept of Papal infallibility means that the Pope cannot err, at all, that it means the Pope is free from sin which is not true. They do not understand that it means that the Pope cannot lead the Church into error.

They are, sometimes, taught that the Pope is the Anti-Christ.

It 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.

These are not excuses, they are reality.

Please, as someone new to Catholicism, If I have anything wrong in my comparisons above, be gentle in explaining my misunderstanding!

 

[MikeK]

Why do Protestians hate us so much?

Us? They don't hate us, at least they don't seem to hate me. Most Protestants who know me like me well enough. Most Atheists and Catholics seem to as well. The only Muslim I know thinks I'm a good guy and the only Mormon familty I know (and probably the best family I know) positively adores me.
They might hate the teachings of our Church, because they believe some of them to be incorrect - but we can hate the false teachings of Islam and still love it's practitioners, why do you assume the Protestants feel any differant about us? I don't think they do.

 

[stivvy]

...and want to convert Catholics to become Christians.

What?????? Are you serious. The catholic church is the base of the Christian church formed from all the original churches that didn't go astray. We are Christianity at its purest.

And when you hate the church you are hating us. For we are the church and the church us! We take complete offense to to attacks and challenges to our laws and Traditions.

"Lord forgive them for they know not what they are doing"

 

[Tigg]

Protestants are taught from an early age that only they hold to the true teachings of Christ. Protestants are taught that the veneration of Mary and the Saints is not veneration but worship, which is idolatry. Protestants are taught that Apostolic succession is merely a ruse to maintain control of Christianity by Rome. Protestants are taught that the concept of Papal infallibility means that the Pope cannot err, at all, that it means the Pope is free from sin which is not true. They do not understand that it means that the Pope cannot lead the Church into error.

They are, sometimes, taught that the Pope is the Anti-Christ.

It 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.

These are not excuses, they are reality.

Please, as someone new to Catholicism, If I have anything wrong in my comparisons above, be gentle in explaining my misunderstanding!

I agree with you. What you say has been my experience and worse. It can go swiftly downward. City of seven hills, harlot of Babylon, read Rev. about the woman wearing purple and scarlet - think around Rev. 17 or so. I have heard that is supposed to be the Catholic Church. If you are taught hatred, toward the Catholic Church or any organization or people, you show it, one way or another. All manner of evil can and has been applied to the Catholic Church. Delight is taken when any sin is publicly brought to light. Horrible stuff, much more than this, is said or taught.

In defense of Protestants, not all of them are hateful etc. No one can put a whole group of people into one bin, so to speak. There are wonderful Protestants as well. I am soooo thankful for them.

But you ask why the hatred. In some eyes, The Catholic Church has corrupted the teachings of Christ and or God, worship idols, Mary etc. Have lead people very far astray from Christ in many ways. Some might disagree with what I say. But I have seen and heard the above and much worse, that I could not put on this board without being banned from CF. And it really isn't necessary to include here either.

My prayer is for both Catholic and Protestants. They will never be united, IMO, till our dear Lord returns, but I pray they can try to understand and at least show love toward one another. If not that, at least tolerance. God bless and help us all.

-Peace-

 

[shadowravenfox]

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?

I personally don't hate Catholics nor anyone else whose beliefs may vary from my own.

 

[Tigg]

"

 

[UberLutheran]

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?

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.

 

[Rhamiel]

Thank you Shadowravenfox