Why is it the Catholic Church is SO HATED among Christians? I've just got finished reading a bunch of junk from anti-Catholic sites. Though I was looking for re-views of "The Passion" I came across "The Church of Greenville" and they re-view the movie in despise of Catholics. I read their site and like all protestant sites they are so ignorant of Catholicism...and then some! Countless commets they had of people against the Catholic Church made me sick. Then I was on a Catholic site called "Catholic Answers" and was reading a section on anti-Catholicism. It talked about protestants decieving A Catholic Priest for a video and had lots of ignorant things that protestants have said and done against Catholics. The Catholic site was in defense of Catholicism though of course. I'm just felling sad right now because it seems that compared to all religons and all forms of Christianity Catholics are most hated. But Christ said that would happen. The world hates the truth and Satan has so indeed Darkened Christianity. Times like these I cling closest to God.

-- Jason (Enchanted fire5@aol.com), March 16, 2004

Answers

Hi Jason,

I always wondered why (as a Protestant) I was not being persecuted or hated, when Jesus said of Christians that all men will hate us because of Him. I wondered what it would be like to face persecution (and our persecution is a cake-walk compared to that of some!).

However, this is the way it should be (sadly), due to the claims that the Catholic Church makes (such as being infallible in faith and moral teaching and being the one, true Church). These claims are quite arrogant (as a Protestant friend I know frequently points out). That is, they are arrogant for man to say, but not for God. Since Jesus established His Church, then it's not an arrogant claim. However, Protestants must deny it in order to have integrity in their claim that they are in the truth (as opposed to the Catholics). Attacks on Catholic teaching stem mainly from these areas:

1. misunderstanding what Catholics teach

2. bad experiences in the Catholic Church or hearing about those of others

3. hearsay about untrue teachings or the general "wrongness" of the Catholic Church is merely assumed, perhaps just by looking at them (the stuff about the Saints and Mary is especially visible and difficult for Protestants to accept). Also anything that seems to be outside of the Bible and not already generally accepted by Protestants is put into question.

4. coming from a preconceived notion of hostility toward Catholicism, so that one has blinders on and can only see its doctrinal "errors"

5. intentional twisting of Catholic teaching to promote one's own evil purposes, knowingly deceiving others with falsified materials

I have an odd level of respect for Protestants who oppose Catholicism (when it is all other categories above except 5), because at least they possess integrity in their claim that they are in the truth by denying the teachings those whose views contradict their own.

On the other hand, I do not agree with those Protestants who include Catholics and Eastern Orthodox in an "ecumenical" Christian movement, saying that we all have the truth. They cannot say this and remain in their Protestant churches because both Catholics and Orthodox claim to be the one, true Church that Jesus established. I appreciate their respect for Catholics and desire for unity, but I do not think they can approach that view with complete integrity and remain where they are.

I hope that helps clarify some of the reasons for anti-Catholicism, in my view. God bless,

-- Emily (jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), March 16, 2004.

P.S. Jason,

I also think that those who oppose Catholicism are more likely than the "ecumenical" types to study history and theology. In this sense, I hope and pray that God will speak to them in their studies and cause them to convert, twarting their efforts to prove Catholicism wrong. Many people have converted to Catholicism after being anti- Catholic.

-- Emily (jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), March 16, 2004.

Hi Jason,

I too have been sad about how Catholics are atacked by some. I come across such when I go to some Christian web Sites. It really sickens me when they attack our Blessed Mother. I sincerely hope and pray that this attitide will change in the future. My husband who is a Baptist is really devoted to our Blessed Mother and prays the Rosary always with us and carries the Rosary with him where ever he goes. I am sure Our Blessed Mother loves him very much.

God bless, Ramanie.

-- Ramanie Weerasinghe (lilanw@yahoo.com), March 16, 2004.

jason,

your concerns are warented. but remember, Jesus tells us, "No servant can be greater than his Master. If they have hated me then they will hate you."

When you become catholic, you sign on to be persecuted by the world, because the world hates what is not its own. Yes, there is alot of anti catholic rhetoric out there. USE IT!!!

Whenever i see anticatholic, i feel vindicated in my belief. WHY? because for every ounce of hate that is displayed towards catholics, there is that much patience by the catholics, there is that much dedication despite persecution, there is that much understanding. Why is it that of all of the churches I've been to, the catholic church is one of the few that didnt slam on others? because it is the one true and holy church, defending rightousness from the world. Feel pride. Every time they persecute you and your church, it is because you have something that they LACK.

-- paul h (dontSendMeMail@notAnAddress.com), March 16, 2004.

Whoa paul. Thats quite a broad generalization. Youre attitude is commendable. Just recall that the world is populated by individuals.

-- Pat Delaney (pat@patdelaney.net), March 17, 2004.

Not all protestants Hate catholics. However most of the issues of dislike and distrust stem form the past.

Catholisism was never much of a friend ot alternate poits of v eiw, and starying a the reformation the Protestant chruches where seen as enemeis, and likewise the Catholic Church as an enemy of the reform churches.

This, of course, never relaly went away.

However, you cannot say that all protestant Chruches dislike Catholics. Indeed, in my pld Chruch, I never heard anyhtign about Catholisism, except that one of the elders int eh Church was once Catholic. ( No real details on why he left. Merely joined the Church of Christ.)

We focused more on studying the Bible itsself, and not on denominationalism.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), March 17, 2004.

I would say that the attitude of the "great" Protestants Churches such as the Lutheran, the Episcopalian, the Anglican, etc. and their members are not so aggresive to Catholics as are many of the small sects like the ones we find working in Latin America, which in general are terribly anti-Catholic, for instance the Presbitarians, the Adventists, etc. and of course special mention is to be made of some secterians that are not even Christians any more: Mormons, Jehova Witnesses, etc. My family recieves frequent visits from the last ones I mentioned and the first thing they do is to attack the Virgin Mary, the Pope, the Priests and Religious men and women. Their manner is revolting since not only they come with sword in hand, but they are so heavely insistent that you have to be very firm to get rid of them.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), March 17, 2004.

Zarove said: you cannot say that all protestant Chruches dislike Catholics

This is true. The church I grew up attending (Nazarene) never put down other churches, and our pastor said that he was thankful for any Church that preaches the gospel. Aside from that, however, there were individuals who put down other churches, when not teaching in the church.

-- Emily (jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), March 17, 2004.

not to be misunderstood: I did not say that all protestants hate catholics...

what i did say is that of the churches i have been to, MOST of them based their doctrine around hating other religions.

And yes, I have notice that the formal protestant denominations for the most part are less hostile to catholics, with a few exceptions like the Wisconsin Synod of Lutherans and some forms of baptists.

-- paul h (dontSendMeMail@notAnAddress.com), March 17, 2004.

Hostility toweard Christaisn in general is more a concern of mine, and is growign worldwide. As well as an increase in Antisemetism.

This coupled with an open embrace of Islam ( Yeah, tis actually our fault they attacked us if tou listen to the Libbies) as well as an increased imposition of secularism, an deemign rleigious items belonging to Christendom as "Offensive" has lead to a dangeous world for the faithful.

In America, we are still safe, but just North of the Boarder Canada has made some statling and rather frightful laws oflate.

mainly int eh "Hate speach" area.

In europe, Christaisn are now int he Monority as the bulk of the populac eis secularised, and as a consequence hostile to anythign Christain. ( Crime rates as well as depresion rates are also on the upswing their... yet they dont seem to see the connection.)

One has to not htat Cahtolics and Ptrotestants work togather to advnace their rights. such as in India, where Hindd exteremist groups hav attacked Christains, and both Protestants and Cahtolcis have stood togather in attemptign to get the Goverment to do its job and protexct them.

In othe rnations, like saudi Arabia, Christainity isoutlawed flat out. In China, where Christainity is growing slowly, it is stil heavly resricted.

I recocmend we cease bickering over the denominational issue and begin to stand up more for our rights. As Aesop once said , "Togather we stand, divided we fall."

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), March 17, 2004.

Zarove, you write:

"I recocmend we cease bickering over the denominational issue and begin to stand up more for our rights. As Aesop once said , "Togather we stand, divided we fall."

I agree.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), March 17, 2004.

I just praise the Lord for drawing me to Catholicism! I thought from being an athiest to a christian (protestant) was the other side of the coin, but when I learned and had faith of the Catholic faith it was truly amazing. I know I'll be persecuted by the world but God will carry me. Praise the Lord!

-- Jason (Enchanted fire5@aol.com), March 17, 2004.

Certainly, Jason, now that you have found the true faith it will give you happiness and a quiet and peaceful life.

I'll be praying for you.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), March 18, 2004.

We don't hate catholics, but honestly ,alot of your teachings are either anti biblical or extra biblical. An example , Mary as our madiator, I would not have any problems with this but clearly the bible states that "there is only one God and one mediator Jesus Christ" If the pope speaks for God then why does he contradict the bible ? this is something I can't understand about catholics. The bible was inspired by The Holy Spirit , The Spirit does not say one thing today and another thing tomorrow. Also , haven't you guys read what the scriptures say about idols? only Christ saves according to the bible, yet a catholic told me that I had to pray to Mary, Peter and angels !! Lord!! read Revelation 22:8 and see what the angel told John not to do .Iam not making these things up, read and see, but if you dont believe the scriptures then how can you believe me? either the scriptures are correct or not.

-- rj (thaclipse77@yahoo.com), March 20, 2004.

rj,

Take it from a recovering protestant you cant win the arguement with scripture. Scripture proves the catholic right ALWAYS. Why? Because the catholic church is the Church founded 2000 years ago by Christ Himself.

Matthew 16 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. She has the benefit of the Apostolic succession and the greatest theological minds. Her clergy are imbued by the Holy spirit.

John 14 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 20 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

The Lord himself commands people to make graven images.

Exodus 25

18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold; of beaten work shalt thou make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end; even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. 20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another. Toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. 1 Chr 28

18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

Ezekiels vision Ezekiel 41 17 To that above the door, even unto the inner house, and without, and by all the wall round about within and without, by measure. 18 And it was made with cherubims and palm trees, so that a palm tree was between a cherub and a cherub; and every cherub had two faces; We are not to WORSHIP graven images (see CCC) but we can use them as tools like God has commanded to grow closer to Him.

"Idolatry is a perversion of man’s innate religious sense. An idolater is someone who ‘transfers his indestructible notion of God to anything other than God’" (CCC 2114).

I have fought many battles trying to remain loyal to the protestant church of my 36 years but I find scripture proves the catholic right time and time again. I am done fighting and will be confirmed next month.

-- David F (notanaddress@nowhere.com), March 20, 2004.

Hi rj.

I for one have never felt hated or persecuted by Protestants. I know many, and get on fine with them. I have however, seen here at this forum, it is sometimes a bit of a different story. "Some" Protestants ... certainly not all, come here with an aggressive accusing manor, suggesting we're all heretics... the Pope is the Anti-Christ etc. They misunderstand Catholicism and our relationship with Mary and the saints. There is plenty of information contained in archived threads that could clarify these issues, but certain Protestants (and I'm not referring to you) either do not investigate them or simply refuse to accept the explanations preferring to maintain their own original misunderstanding/bias.

Catholics don't worship Mary, saints or statues. I do believe there are some, maybe more than a few Catholics who don't themselves fully understand Church teachings which in turn contributes to the spread of this fallacy.

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), March 20, 2004.

Well, you jhave to realise this is the Internet, and though their are good, sensable people on the net, theirs also a disproportionate amount of , shall we say less reputable sorts. Mainly those who ae venting, usign the net as a eman of release.

It is largley annonymous, the Internet. They dont actally face their accusors, see their pain, ect. At the same time, they can feel powerful for attackign them, though many wont attakc peopel offline, and are often themselves either overlooked or bullid.

Another thing, the lonely come online a lot. They can be normal peopel who, like me, simpley have nohtign better to do and use it to connect with peopel globally. OR they can be wirdo's who are shunned form society for extremist veiws. Often they have their own agenda. Look at Anti-Bush.

Thedn their are the peopel who want to "defeat the evil doers." They wish to feel like heroes, standing up for soemthign righeous.

This sort is on a sort of mission of their own. This mission is to make themselves feel powerful and important. They need a villain int he drama in which they are fighting agaisnt. In te case of this orum, its the Cahtolic Church, so Armed with Chick Tracts and articles, and fueled with a burnign desire to stnd up and face soem evil foe to define thei own existance, they come here to combat the evil that is Roman Cahtolisism.

Likewise, protestant boards are havens for atheist trolls who come to attack them, it helps them to rationalise beign an atheist.

In reality, they are insecure withtheir beleifs, and need to make themselves feel strong by tearign into what you beleive.

I know I am rambling, I can do better, but I am writing in a hurry, hope I made sence.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), March 20, 2004.

Zarove,

Sounds like a pretty good analysis to me.

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), March 20, 2004.

One point i will say about the Catholic church is that, it IS the only Church that can reach back to St Peter for its root in authority, this NO other church can claim. The Pope is either false, or is truly the head of Gods council on earth. But remember Jesus charge to Peter on being the guide of Word after the Lords assention."The gates of hell shall not prevail against it". More and more people are leaving the Catholic faith because it doesn't jive with modern times and see other Christian faiths as an alternative. But there is a silent but very real resentment to the Catholic faith shared by all of them. Yet though none of them are in harmony with another, they share resentment in the One. so can they all be of The true faith. The destinction here is, the Catholic church takes more critisism from other faiths than any other, yet its true to say .. it retorts to none of the accusations made against it. "This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire to follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.Bold and arrogant these men are not afraid to slander slander celestial beings; yet even angels although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand" Peter 2-2-10. though i do not quote this as a resemblence of everyone against catholicism only just a stark reminder that the Catholic church teaches its flock.. and hinders no others in doing so but others seek to slander things about the church on just about any ground applicable regardless of how groundless. It must also be remembered that its also the most vocal of all faiths when coming to the causes of others, regardless of faith. Its tireless efforts to thwart poverty in the third world, its fight against the gay lobby to acceptance as equality with hetro's. Which lets face it, God did say He abbhores it. and now protestantism make it acceptable for a practacing gay man to speak the very Word from the pulpit, the protction of the unborn, even going as far as to offer financial support to mothers, towards the upbringing of their child of which they were considering aborting. Where will we truly look to for guidance in faith when morality in time is completely dead ? the gay man preching us modern touchy feely values. Or something perhaps were uncomfortable about hearing, because the Church doesn't bend on morals and on its catechisms."Christian" faiths are springing up now more than ever.. their carismatic leaders fill halls and churches across the world and the overall majority have Catholicism as their enemy No 1. Take a look at your own faith.. and wonder.. why aren't u targeted by the multitudes of diversties in the Word of God. It must be taken seriously when slander is made against the Pope as b Catholic belief, the Pope is guided by the Holy Spirit, now just supposing that this is true, and in turn you slander the teaching of the Pope, u must also accept that you have also blasphemed the Spirit and as such forgiveness is unanswerable. as jesus did warn that Whoever blasphemes against the Son of man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Not that the Pope is given significance here over Jesus but that the Spirit is the one who is working in him. Bless all Damo

-- damo (vega808@hotmail.com), April 22, 2004.

One point i will say about the Catholic church is that, it IS the only Church that can reach back to St Peter for its root in authority, this NO other church can claim.

It's better than that, Dano. The Catholic Church can reach back to God, to Jesus Christ Himself, for her authority. This NO other church can claim.

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), April 22, 2004.

People who truly believe in Jesus and in the Christian faith in who Jesus really is, must take a look at the Catholic faith and its catechisms. There you will find that its teachings are for the total rigidity of remaining true to the source of Truth. Constant suspicion is harboured against the Pope or his title. But does he reject that Christ died and rose, does he reject the Father and the Son, does he reject the Promise of the Holy Spirit. No.. the trinity is upheld as stong as ever by his leadership. If you read the writtings of Paul,John and Peter.. they tell you clearly The one who rejects The above mentioned Is an antichrist. One man came and fulfilled all of these warnings,his name was Muhammed the founder of Islam. Just a few key points that Islam stands by.: 1: Muhammad was the Last and greatest prophet (believing Jesus to be merely a prophet and not the Son of God which could be interpreted as him exaulting himself above Christ).

2 Although they aknowlege Jesus, the take many prophecies about Christ 1st coming in the OT and attribute them to Muhammed and not Christ.

3 They do not believe Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of The Almighty. Placing him instead in some kind of third heaven.

4 Jesus said "the world and everything in it will pass away, but my word will never pass away". Muslims must accept Muhammed's version of Jesus words; being taught that the NT is corrupted.( which one could regard as blasphemy against the work of the Spirit).

5 They believe it was Ishmael and not Issac that was placed on the sacrificial alter by Abraham and spared by God.

6 They are taught in the Quran by "God's" own words to subdue and overcome both Jews and Christians.

7 Muslims believe that the parcelot (Holy Spirt) promised by Christ is actually Mohammed.

I really could list many more teachings about Islam which are in reality "anti-christian". So why all the fuss about what what the Catholic church holds as truth. Its certainly the one despised most out of all Christianity in the Muslim culture and might i add, once established in strength, what did Islam do.. marched onto Jerusalem and done exactly as was commanded.. they did take over and subdue the early Christian holyland and built Mosques and shrines on the very Sacred land that was theirs. Just imagine the uproar if it was the other way around. Islam has an objective in that .. whenever it becomes the majority faith in any country, it automatically assumes Islamic law over that country. There are even some Islamic countries that do not even permit the Bible within its borders. So take a step back, is hostiliy towards the Church and the Pope justified. The stark truth is there for all to see. Its not the Catholic church that is the one to be suspicious of. My comments may seem harsh to many Muslims who are ofcourse like any other people both good and bad. But the stark realiy is, that if a Muslim is to live by his book strictly, then his duty is to rise up against Christianity. Though i must also point out that we by our faith must not follow in this manner. We are taught to love our enemies. A tough teaching givin the extremes that can come upon some in hostile situations. Thats why we must always treat our Muslim neigbour with mutual respect and integrity. Never judge

-- damo (vega808@hotmail.com), April 22, 2004.

rj said "a catholic told me that I had to pray to Mary, Peter and angels !! "

He/she was not necessarily ignorant or a bad Catholic, but was trying to say "pray THROUGH Mary, Peter and the angels". I think it was G K Chesterton who said "They start with bad English and finish with bad theology."

Re the larger Protestant denominations being less anti-Catholic, this is not always true. The Anglican diocese in Sydney is the largest, richest and most powerful in the world. Its "archbishop" is on record as calling Catholics "sub-Christian".

-- Peter K (ronkpken@yahoo.com.au), April 22, 2004.