Is Anti-catholicism Dead?

[cmotherofpirl]

[url="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/23/is-anti-catholicism-dead/?hp"]http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/...licism-dead/?hp[/url]

[CatherineM]

Interesting article. My dad grew up in NYC, and had some interesting stories about growing up Catholic there.

I'd like to think that anti-Catholicism is dead, but I think it is here to stay.

[dairygirl4u2c]

maybe the culture of anticatholic is lessening some, i don't know. but, it'll always be here,,,, cause it's a phase a lot of people go through. most anti catholics grow out of it.


there's some though, who stay that way for life. they're usually pieces of work, them sorts.

[Nihil Obstat]

I think that anti-catholicism is unfortunately growing.
Just not as overtly.

These Human Rights Commissions in Canada are almost blatantly anti Catholic. On top of that, I tend to get the feeling that people in general are being 'indoctrinated' to be extremely suspicious and outright hostile to most traditional orthodox theist beliefs.

Anti-Catholicism is evolving, and we need to keep fighting.

IMMHO.

[lilac_angel]

Hello San Francisco!

...I don't see anywhere in the article where it actually puts forth evidence that it's "dead" or even close to dying. Maybe I missed something? Or maybe it just exists in different forms now instead of the same archaic forms. Of course it won't always exist in the exact same way, as historical context is always different.

“To be a Catholic is not to be refused positions of influence in our society,” he said. “Indeed, one of the most acceptable things is to be a bad Catholic, and in the view of many people, the only good Catholic is a bad Catholic.”

Indeed.

So most people don't refuse us jobs as of yet and we can still achieve influential status (if we aren't too vocal about our beliefs, of course, or stand by the more serious beliefs with any backbone). Okay, still fail to see how that makes anti-Catholicism dead. It's not true, orthodox Catholicism [i]itself[/i] that gets anyone influential positions, unless it's a Church-related position.

Edited July 26, 2008 by lilac_angel

[Aloysius]

if anti-Catholicism died out completely in our society, I would take it as an indication that the Church isn't doing her job. men will revile us, Christ promised that much.

[dominicansoul]

nope. it isn't dead. proof is all over the internet with all the anti-catholic blogs and such...

[Justin86]

Saying anti-Catholicism is dead is like saying anti-Semitism is dead just because Hitler is. These sort of things take different forms, and just because one form has died out doesn't mean another form won't rise to take it's place. While America is perhaps no longer anti-Catholic because of immigration, it is anti-Catholic in the sense that our teachings on sexual actions, abortion, and euthanasia are unacceptable to our country's own moral standards.

[Dave]

If anti-Catholicism were dead, there wouldn't be any need for the Catholic League for Religious and Civil rights.

[JustJ]

I experienced a fair amount of anti-Catholicism when I joined the church, so...

[Deb]

It is not dead, it is alive and well and thriving. It just isn't so blatant because no one wants to reveal their "intolerance." I find it most in ultra left liberals.

[KOIfriend]

[quote name='Aloysius' post='1608715' date='Jul 25 2008, 10:47 PM']if anti-Catholicism died out completely in our society, I would take it as an indication that the Church isn't doing her job. men will revile us, Christ promised that much.[/quote]

At my latest job, someone told me that I shouldn't read the Bible anymore, because it's fairytales and metaphores, and not truth.

So, is there any real difference for a Catholic serving God and a Protestant serving God?

I've meet many fine Catholics, and I appreciate many people's passion for God in the Catholic Faith. To think, however, just because some people just don't agree with everything in the Catholic Faith makes them your enemy is foolish and delusional.

Focus on those who hate all Christians.

Edited July 28, 2008 by KOIfriend

[lilac_angel]

[quote name='KOIfriend' post='1610237' date='Jul 27 2008, 08:16 PM']I've meet many fine Catholics, and I appreciate many people's passion for God in the Catholic Faith. To think, however, just because some people just don't agree with everything in the Catholic Faith makes them your enemy is foolish and delusional.

Focus on those who hate all Christians.[/quote]

We're not talking about the people who don't agree. I think we're referring to the people who are openly hateful or act negatively toward us because of our religion or expression of that religion.

I have a new friend who's pulled to Christianity & considering becoming Episcopalian, but she's very interested in hearing more from me about Catholicism, even though she's been open about the fact that she has/had problems with some of its teachings. People like her, I've found, though, are rare. That's a bit of a tangent, though.

I don't view anti-Catholicism as anyone who doesn't share the same beliefs. I view it as openly hateful or blatantly disrespectful type stuff that puts our religion down on purpose. See Bill Maher. Jack Chick. For example, people who distort our faith, make up outright lies about it, mock it openly in lyrics, or make distasteful jokes about it.

Edited July 28, 2008 by lilac_angel

[KOIfriend]

[quote name='lilac_angel' post='1610244' date='Jul 27 2008, 10:21 PM']We're not talking about the people who don't agree. I think we're referring to the people who are openly hateful or act negatively toward us because of our religion or expression of that religion. I have a new friend who's pulled to Christianity & considering becoming Episcopalian, but she's open to hearing more from me about Catholicism, even though she's been open about the fact that she doesn't agree with some of its teachings. People like her, I've found, though, are rare. That's a tangent, though. I don't view anti-Catholicism as anyone who doesn't share the same beliefs. I view it as openly hateful, disrespectful type stuff that puts our religion down on purpose. See Bill Maher. Jack Chick. People who distort our faith, make up outright lies about it, mock it openly in lyrics, or make distasteful jokes about it.[/quote]

I hear you,

But at the same time, if I say I am Protestant, you will instantly think that I am Right Winged Conservative who is ruining the American Economy. Anybody who stands up for Christianity, who will say, they are utterly inability to go to heaven and trust only in Christ's death on the cross, then people are going to say evil things to those people.

Look at Orphra, and Bill Maher has said evil things about different sects of Christianity as well, so if you think it is focused on one side or the other, you're kidding yourself. There is a world wide trend to dismiss all things Christian, and to attack the Christian faith on all sides, so that they can utterly eradicate it.

For reading, if you are brave enough, go out and get [url="http://www.amazon.com/God-Not-Great-Religion-Everything/dp/0446579807/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217208499&sr=8-1"]God is Not Great[/url].

He's not just taking pop shots at Catholics, but every person who believes in God!

[lilac_angel]

[quote name='KOIfriend' post='1610254' date='Jul 27 2008, 08:29 PM']I hear you,

But at the same time, if I say I am Protestant, you will instantly think that I am Right Winged Conservative who is ruining the American Economy. Anybody who stands up for Christianity, who will say, they are utterly inability to go to heaven and trust only in Christ's death on the cross, then people are going to say evil things to those people.

Look at Orphra, and Bill Maher has said evil things about different sects of Christianity as well, so if you think it is focused on one side or the other, you're kidding yourself. There is a world wide trend to dismiss all things Christian, and to attack the Christian faith on all sides, so that they can utterly eradicate it.

For reading, if you are brave enough, go out and get [url="http://www.amazon.com/God-Not-Great-Religion-Everything/dp/0446579807/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217208499&sr=8-1"]God is Not Great[/url].

He's not just taking pop shots at Catholics, but every person who believes in God![/quote]

I don't think anyone has ever said that we're the only ones who have experienced dismissal and attack.

And no, I don't make assumptions about Protestants' political leanings... Christians color the whole political spectrum these days.

I was only using Bill Maher as an example. He's a biggie who has attacked all religions. But I wouldn't be too afraid to bet that he might make the most jokes about Catholics in his new movie. A Catholic Church was where a lot of the preview was shot, anyway. *shrugs*

It's true that all Christians are attacked by the world. But Catholics have been heavily attacked by not just nonbelievers in God, but also many Protestant denominations. Some denominations say that we're the antichrist.

Edited July 28, 2008 by lilac_angel

[KOIfriend]

[quote name='lilac_angel' post='1610266' date='Jul 27 2008, 10:37 PM']I don't think anyone has ever said that we're the only ones who have experienced dismissal and attack.

And no, I don't make assumptions about Protestants' political leanings... Christians color the whole political spectrum these days.

I was only using Bill Maher as an example. He's a biggie who has attacked all religions. But I wouldn't be too afraid to bet that he might make the most jokes about Catholics in his new movie. A Catholic Church was where a lot of the preview was shot, anyway. *shrugs*

It's true that all Christians are attacked by the world. But Catholics have been heavily attacked by not just nonbelievers in God, but also many Protestant denominations. Some denominations say that we're the antichrist. [/quote]

The reason said the political thing is that I have heard people say that the Christian Right is ruining the country. I'm a Christian Libertarian, and I see a tonne of what I would consider really Communistic behaviour from the current and preceeding presidents, and I wont be looking forward to Obama being president either, but its more of the same BS!

What I am saying, all true Christians will be presecuted, and all fake ones will go coasting. Anybody considering that their Religion is the only one that is Christian has to take a step back and realize that anybody professing Christ will be reviled by men for their stand. It doesn't matter if you're Catholic or Protestant. You stand up for Jesus and you will be presecuted for your stand because Satan hates what happened on the cross!

I'm not to big on following the doctrines of each religion, but I think a lot of protestants might have said that because they are not as in tune with the spirit. I don't think any one religion is 'the Anti-Christ', but each religion has errors in them, and really, each religion is made up of men, who will rebel every so often.

On a side note, have you considered this. Are you open minded enough to learn something of God from a Protestant. What if God shared something with a Protestant, and you dismissed it because he's not a part of your religion? Have you not done the same.

Some Protestants have been insulted by Catholics to the point they would never join the Catholic Religion, but they will still serve God and learn about him.

The Anti-Catholicism in the world is one part those who are not filled with the spirit attacking it, and one part the way some Catholics shove it down someone's throat. Every time I hear, there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church, I roll my eyes and go, wow, there goes another bigot! And there are people on this board who should blush when they read this, as that is probably their mentality.

BTW, anybody who thinks the Catholic Church is wrong, will probably look at all the other sects of Christianity in the same light, passing judgment on true Christians in those religions because they don't belong to their religion.

So, if Jack Chick ever meet me, he'd probably say I am not saved because I don't believe in the Pre-Trib Rapture.

Edited July 28, 2008 by KOIfriend

[lilac_angel]

[quote]What I am saying, all true Christians will be presecuted, and all fake ones will go coasting. Anybody considering that their Religion is the only one that is Christian has to take a step back and realize that anybody professing Christ will be reviled by men for their stand. It doesn't matter if you're Catholic or Protestant. You stand up for Jesus and you will be presecuted for your stand because Satan hates what happened on the cross![/quote]

Muslims and homosexuals are persecuted too, but that doesn't make them automatically bearers of the truth. Christianity isn't defined by who hates us; it's how we imitate Christ and make Him the center of our lives. The persecution is a side effect but not The Main Indicator of whether or not we're right in our beliefs.

The truth is, any true Christian will follow the teachings of Christ and always seek His truth, no matter where it takes them. A cloistered nun who never sees people will not be persecuted, most likely, once she enters the cloister, yet she is still a true Christian.

People are often blanketed by hatemongers into their anti-Catholicism or anti-Protestantism, and if the specific Catholic or Protestant is not paying attention to those who criticize their religion, yes, they'll go coasting, mainly because they don't care as much. Those who care will note the persecution and likely feel persecuted.

On a more personal level, those who open their mouths and be true to their religion will always come across critics. It's more politically correct, it seems, for Christians to be insulted, so people are more open about doing that, and that's a fitting and biblical response for the world. I have come across critics and feel persecuted, even by those in my family sometimes, for my religion.

[quote]I'm not to big on following the doctrines of each religion, but I think a lot of protestants might have said that because they are not as in tune with the spirit. I don't think any one religion is 'the Anti-Christ', but each religion has errors in them, and really, each religion is made up of men, who will rebel every so often.[/quote]

Each religion contains men who have erred, but the apostolic moral and dogmatic teachings of the Church are not errant. If you'd like to debate about that, start another thread.

[quote]On a side note, have you considered this. Are you open minded enough to learn something of God from a Protestant. [b]What if God shared something with a Protestant, and you dismissed it because he's not a part of your religion? Have you not done the same[/b].[/quote]

All these assumptions are kind of insulting. Yes, I find Protestants to have fine insights on the Bible sometimes. I enjoy hearing their views on a Bible passage, because it often makes fine points. Do I consider them to have the fullness of the truth revealed by Christ's Church? No, I don't. But I don't close off myself off to what they have to say. The only things that I have a problem with is when a Protestant interprets the Bible in a way that is errant or takes the Bible out of context while ignoring parts of the truth, which sadly, I have seen quite a bit of.

[quote]Some Protestants have been insulted by Catholics to the point they would never join the Catholic Religion, but they will still serve God and learn about him.[/quote]

Were these insults defensive strikes back at their religion being attacked? Just curious.

[quote]The Anti-Catholicism in the world is one part those who are not filled with the spirit attacking it, and one part the way some Catholics shove it down someone's throat. Every time I hear, there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church, I roll my eyes and go, wow, there goes another bigot! And there are people on this board who should blush when they read this, as that is probably their mentality.[/quote]

I think Catholics are some of the least "guilty" when it comes to evangelizing their faith, unfortunately. I've never heard of a Catholic running around screaming or telling everyone "there's no salvation outside the Catholic Church!" I don't condone it, either. We do believe that it is possible for a person to be saved outside of the Church (see invincible ignorance), but we also believe that we have the fullness of the truth, which Protestantism broke from. And the life-giving Eucharist. Yet another thread.

[quote]BTW, anybody who thinks the Catholic Church is wrong, will probably look at all the other sects of Christianity in the same light, passing judgment on true Christians in those religions because they don't belong to their religion.[/quote]

I'm pretty sure people are aware of the marked differences between Catholicism and Protestantism by now, if they weren't already. Actually, I have had the kind of opposite worry myself that sometimes people looked down on Catholics because of Protestants. Kind of interesting. So I suppose I'm guilty of the same mentality as you, in that regard, though it's not a thought I dwell on often, because it's pointless to do so.

Those who think Catholicism is wrong in the first place need to do some more learning and soul-searching and forget what the [u]world[/u] and Chickmongers tell them to think.

[quote]So, if Jack Chick ever meet me, he'd probably say I am not saved because I don't believe in the Pre-Trib Rapture.[/quote]

Jack Chick turned countless numbers of people against the Catholic Church. Not Protestant sects. Sure, the looney probably doesn't think anyone is saved except people who read his cartoons. But by and large his "evangelization" has had the worst effects on rumors and stupidity going around about the Catholic faith.

Edited July 28, 2008 by lilac_angel