What Protestant's Call Idolatry, We Consider...

[Ice_nine]

What is hyperdulia, alex.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='jazzytakara' timestamp='1345403760' post='2470205']
John 6 was the Gospel reading today!!
[/quote]

Nope, it was Luke 10: 23-37. Parable of the good samaritan.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Edited August 20, 2012 by Nihil Obstat

[Amppax]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1345434079' post='2470452']
Nope, it was Luke 10: 23-37. Parable of the good samaritan.

[spoiler] [/spoiler]
[/quote]

No u.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Amppax' timestamp='1345434647' post='2470454']
No u.
[/quote]

'Twas spoken by the female referred to in the implied past!
[spoiler]Translation: That's what she said![/spoiler]

[Lil Red]

[quote name='jazzytakara' timestamp='1345403760' post='2470205']
John 6 was the Gospel reading today!!
[/quote]

i love the Gospel reading from today

[Luigi]

[quote name='jazzytakara' timestamp='1345345787' post='2469976']
Thank you. Does anyone have any advice for encounters such as theses. The majority of my family are very liberal protestants and agnostics, some are athiests...and its so difficult when it comes to defending my faith at times. Especially when some choose to use less than friendly words and methods so to speak...
[/quote]

They don't want you to convince them. And they don't want you to explain Catholic theology to them. If they did, they would not be using less-than-friendly-words-and-methods.

They are trying to tell you - even if their approach is somewhat sideways - that they don't approve of your conversion, or your conservatism, or your Catholicism, or your whatever-their-pet-peeve is.

Just smile and nod. If you feel compelled to say something, let it be something generic... "Well, you know, it's been a journey," or "It's pretty complicated stuff, and this isn't the time or place to discuss theology, so let's just get back to Ermengarde's shower, shall we?"

If they keep pushing, I'd end it with, "I'm sure you're right" said with the coldest smile you can muster. That's all they really want, is for you to say they're right and you're wrong, so go ahead and say it, but in a way that indicates you're just saying it to shut them up.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Luigi' timestamp='1345435929' post='2470458']
They don't want you to convince them. And they don't want you to explain Catholic theology to them. If they did, they would not be using less-than-friendly-words-and-methods.

They are trying to tell you - even if their approach is somewhat sideways - that they don't approve of your conversion, or your conservatism, or your Catholicism, or your whatever-their-pet-peeve is.

Just smile and nod. If you feel compelled to say something, let it be something generic... "Well, you know, it's been a journey," or "It's pretty complicated stuff, and this isn't the time or place to discuss theology, so let's just get back to Ermengarde's shower, shall we?"

If they keep pushing, I'd end it with, "I'm sure you're right" said with the coldest smile you can muster. That's all they really want, is for you to say they're right and you're wrong, so go ahead and say it, but in a way that indicates you're just saying it to shut them up.
[/quote]

Another solid option is staying silent. It's common knowledge that human beings in general can't stand silence when speaking is expected. That's why it's such an excellent strategy while haggling. (On the flip side, that also makes it harder to use as a strategy, because you won't like it either.)
A reply may be expected in terms of social niceties, but from the perspective of straight etiquette you do not owe anybody a reply to something personal like that, especially when it's clearly aggressive or combative.

[Mark of the Cross]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1345358070' post='2470043']
. Read the sixth chapter of John, and you will never doubt the real presence.
[/quote]
I've studied it extensively trying to understand. I find not only is there no scientific basis, there is also no philosophical one. My conclusion is that the presence of Christ in the Eucharist has to be believed solely as a matter of faith based on, [i]because Jesus said so![/i] It's a case of when someone repeatedly tells you things that turn out to be correct, your faith allows you to believe the things that that person says that you cannot understand without it being considered gullible faith. Much the same as a child will jump into a parents arms in the faith that because the parent has always caught them then they always will. Anyone who doubts, doubts Jesus!

Edited August 21, 2012 by Mark of the Cross

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

Since converting back in 2004 I have found a number of occasions where I have had to defend the Saints from claims of idolatry. while a few have been ignorant malicious attacks on the Church the majority have been legitimate concerns for me or trying to understand the faith. Usually use the following as a simple defense.

1) Christ gives eternal life to those who are united in him...correct? Wait for affirmative /response.
2) The dead in Christ at not dead then just nearly lacking a functioning corporeal body right now...correct? Wait for affirmative / response
3 ) I can ask you to pray for me and their wouldn't be a problem with that or would there?
4) I could ask any of the Christian faithful to pray for me and the wouldn't be a problem would there?
5) We have already established Saints (dead in Christ) are not truly dead, and if they are united in Christ and we a united in Christ, and we can ask each other to pray for us (meanin of "pray" is to ask....so the asking for prayers is a prayer itself to others than God) then why not ask those we know are closest to Christ for their help.

As for images, relics, statues ect...1) It is not sinful to have a picture of dead Grand parents is it? What about dead Presidents...continue on if needed. then why is it wrong to have a statue of a Saint, image, relive ect. It serves as a tangible reminder of them. it does not replace worship due to God, but cans strengthen an individual's faith.

I hope this makes sense. I have had a number of people move from an openly hostile position to a understandable acceptance of others doing it, and even one lady who was openly hostile that ended up learning the rosary and began praying it daily. She still isn't Catholic tho...but I digress. Please feel to PM me if you have Any problems with explaining the faith to others of continue posting questions there is a wealth of knowledge in some of these Phatmassers.