Something To Think About

[willguy]

Alright, this isn't a debate, but this is the best forum that I could think of to put it in.

I've got a hypothesis as to why the Catholics here (myself included) often tend to get a bit rude with our Protestant brothers and sisters, and was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts on the topic.

Catholics are used to being a minority. We are also used to being the black sheep of the Christian Family. We are one of the most unliked demoniations that calls itself Christian (second maybe only to the Mormons). We are quite used to other Christians(both "friends" and strangers) calling us pagans or idolaters, having our views twisted, and being confronted with lies about our religion. As we often in the real world are a minority in religious debates, we have gotten used to being rather agressive in our debating tactics, as, if we are laid back we are usually trampled upon.

Then we come to someplace like Phatmass, where we are an overwhelming majority. However, we still use our agressive tactics, only now there are a bunch of others who believe the same thing as us and can therefore cheer us on. This leads to hurt feelings by the non-Catholics who come to the site and get pounced on.

To my non-Catholic brothers and sisters:

If I have ever said anything to offend you, I offer my deepest apologies, to you and to the Holy Roman Church that I have so poorly represented. I offer you the following, not in anyway to excuse my behavior, but as something to think about -

Perhaps, when you felt your beliefs attacked and felt unable to defend them against such a fervent majority, you were able to better understand what it feels like to be persecuted as I, and I would assume most if not all other Catholics here, have felt. I will say that I myself have tried (though unsuccesfully at times) to not attack other faiths (Christian or otherwise), because I know what its like to be attacked. Perhaps you too can now say the same. Maybe, through our shared experiences of persecution, we can now better sympathize with each other and build each other, and the Body of Christ, up, and thus alow God to use pain for healing, harm for good.

Peace all and God Bless,

Willguy

Agnus dei qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Agnus dei qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Agnus dei qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

[VeraMaria]

B) Go willguy!!!! You're so cool!

[siebersusi]

ditto willguy.....

[willguy]

I stole the following from Katholikos. Hope you don't mind Katho, but its a cool way of putting it

My theory is that we have a familial relationship with the Church. The Catholic Church nurtures us, teaches us right from wrong, forgives our sins, feeds us with the Body and Blood of Christ, heals us in the Sacrament of the Sick, etc. The Catholic Church is our Mother. We are her children. When anyone disagrees with her doctrines, I discuss it objectively. But I tend to anger when anyone attacks or insults my Mother!

[Lil Red]

We are one of the most unliked demoniations that calls itself Christian (second maybe only to the Mormons)

Mormons aren't Christian, though.

[Dave]

Also, Will, remember that Catholicism isn't a denomination. It's just the Truth.

[musturde]

I heard on EWTN that one fourth of Christians (or one fourth the population) are Catholic....

[Lil Red]

(Source: 2002 Catholic Almanac)

Catholics in North America

Canada: 12.6 million (44% of the population)

Mexico: 125.8 million (90%)

US: 63.7 million (23%)

Catholics in the World

Africa: 124.2 million (15.5%)

North America: 219.1 million (46%)

South America: 293 million (87.3%)

Asia: 107 million (2.9%)

Europe: 281.7 million (41.3%)

Oceania: 8 million (27.5%)

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

Catholicism is #1 in the plurality sense. If you are classifying all Protestants as one huge body then we would be a minority.