Are Apologetics Necessary?

[In Ipso]

Upon listening to the wisdom of the Brothers of St. John, in Indiana, I have some newfound thoughts concerning apologetics.

Do apologetics breed argument or understanding?

I think it may be quite possible that the apologetic, however well intended it may be, only seeks to correct and retain correction rather than probe for understanding, which seems to be more along the lines of the way Christ taught.

I know that it is of utmost importance that we bring clarity where there is little, but do our methods need to change?

This is a question intended to gain thoughts from anyone- especially apologists.

Peace

[Thy Geekdom Come]

It depends on the level of charity used in employing them.

[StColette]

The question you asked is a great one And it has been asked and answered many times But it's also one of my favorite ones to think about and to answer

The more you are around phatmass you will notice that charity is very important. We are all human and we do slip up occasionally and become a little uncharitable, but we also have the ability to make right what we said by apologizing.

Apologetics is quite important in understanding what one believes and why one believes it. Anyone can jump in blindly into something that they may think it to be true, but sometimes without proper research or knowledge their findings of what is true could possibly be false.

The main purpose of Apologetics on Phatmass is to discuss teachings of the Catholic faith, but not in the form of a debate. Questions about certain doctrines are asked, and we will research and post like crazy until the one asking the question feels that they now understand the answer to the question which they were asking.

Apologetics isn't used to be a means of bashing someone else into the ground just because they believe something differently. The number of Apologists we have on Phatmass know that the purpose of Apologetics is to gain knowledge about one's faith, be able to defend one's faith if it came to that, clear up an misconceptions about what the Church teaches, etc. We don't use Apologetics to go and bash the living daylights out of someone. However, there are those who do feel that that's what Apologetics is for, when in truth it should not be used that way. Apologetics is for those who do not understand something, who have been misinformed, or those who willingly attack the teachings of the Church.

Apologetics should always be carried out with a manner of being charitable, because sometimes our actions in our words can sometimes take away from what we are saying. If I were to be talking to someone about a Marian doctrine, and I was being rude to them while explaining it, they won't pay much attention to what I'm saying about the Marian doctrine but rather they will pay attention to the way I'm handling the situation. Actions speak louder than words, thus with keeping that in mind our actions should be those in which God would be pleased with us for, not disappointed.

God Bless,
Jennie Catherine