A Convert's Pilgrimage

Catholics United for the Faith / Lay Witness Magazine ^ | Jul/Aug 2005 | Christopher Cuddy

[HoosierHawk]

As a convert to Catholicism, I have many years behind me full of Protestant Bible study, and truth be told, not once was the Catholic Church discussed in anything but a respectful manner.

Thank you for making that important point.

As a Protestant, only one time were differences mentioned by our longtime pastor; specifically, the criticism of Protestants to neglect the importance,(sanctity), of the Virgin Mary.

"And the critics are right," he added.

He then proceeded to teach of the extraordinary life of this wonderful and gracious lady.

[Alex Murphy]

IMHO, LK and AM don’t fall into that group (Catholic bashing).

Honestly StAth, that's one of the nicer things anyone's ever said about me here. Many, many thanks!

Guess Alex isn’t quite as anathemized as he would like.

ROTFL!

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

Wow, it’s the truth. There are anti-Catholics on the site, you aren’t one of them. You just like to keep us on our toes. And you post lots of good news stories, so I appreciate what you do, even if we don’t see eye to eye. God Bless

[ears_to_hear]

Have you ever read Scott Hahn? He uses scripture a great deal, perhaps not in the interpretation you would prefer, but scripture is the focus of his writings.

When you read his stuff you should always have your Bible open next to it because he misquotes and takes scripture out of context to support his personal theology

[ears_to_hear]

Is holding a different opinion or debating the same as “bashing” ?

As a conservative I can not understand playing the victim card, salvation. Better to step up and explain or defend what you believe than to whine IMHO

[GCC Catholic]

And the Theology classes you took, did they not teach you from the bible that, " Salvation meant being made a son of God."

We talked about sonship, but we also talked a whole lot about imputed righteousness and forensic justification too. I'm sure he had a far better background though than I did, that he knew it, but in never really sunk in until that point that he mentioned; I fall in the "Catholic with mediocre catechesis" category. I was far too busy taking it all in that freshman year of college.

That said, really understanding that salvation meant being a son of God had a profound effect on my life, and has truly been a great gift.

[OpusatFR]

“... Better to step up and explain or defend what you believe than to whine IMHO.”

Using emotionally laden words is a form of bashing. Whining implies a certain childish behavior.

It might be better not to choose words that are pointedly angry.

When I choose to bash, I don’t make any attempt to claim it isn’t. When I’m angry, it shows and I don’t pretend I’m not.

To do so, is rather slippery and dishonest. Anger is enough of a sin without adding that to it! LOL!

[marsh_of_mists]

It's from his book The Catholic Church and Conversion, chapter 4.

[marsh_of_mists]

I think it was his abrasive way of saying that the countless Protestant demoninations are so different the only thing they have in common in their schism from the Catholic Church.

[Flo Nightengale]

Protestant demoninations are so different the only thing they have in common in their schism from the Catholic Church.

I was raised a Methodist, but have attended services at numerous churches over the years. Whether Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Nazarene, Wesleyan, Lutheran, etc., I never witnessed these horrible divisions I'm always seeing claimed. The important things are those which unite us, primarily our belief in the resurrected Lord Jesus.

[Alex Murphy]

I almost hate to say this. This thread is not the first thread in which Catholic Protestant bashing appears, and unfortunately, it will not be the last one. It’s almost as though, it’s OK to make fun of Catholics Protestants and belittle their beliefs.

There. Fixed it.

[Salvation]

There you go again.....trying to be funny!

[Salvation]

May the Holy Spirit surround you and inspire your through the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Charity    |     Joy    |    Peace    |    Patience     |    Kindness     |    Goodness
Generosity    |    Gentleness    |    Faithfulness    |    Modesty
Self-control    |    Chastity