I'm a cradle Catholic, and I have noticed that there is a bit of acrimony on the threads, but no more or less than I have ever seen since I joined FR a number of years ago. There is also a lot of nasty interaction at the political threads, as well.
While some have bemoaned this as a new phenom, I kind of think it's just the nature of the beast. I don't think that a lot of conservatives are in a very happy space. While I don't particularly like all of the backbiting I believe this medium is a healthy place for people to place their snarky comments, sarcastic quotes and cynical dramas.
In the religion threads I pretty much have learned to bypass the folks that just want to argue about doctrine. I generally don't read their comments and definitely don't engage them. Most of these individuals, Catholic, evangeilical or otherwise, are involved in serving their own ego, more than they are interested in advancing the work of Christ. I'm quite certain they are tiresome bores in every medium and interaction ~ and I mean that in a Christian way, of course. I think these individuals represent a very small cross section of FR, but they do seem to use a lot of band width.
I wouldn't let your experience here reflect on your relationship with our Christian brothers and sisters. If you haven't already, it may prove more productive to reach out to people of different traditions in your home community; maybe work on an ecumenical service project or volunteer where you can actually come together and pray with some of our friends. As John XXIII says, if they can say the Lord's prayer they are still our brothers and sisters.
I used to live a pretty secluded Catholic life now I find that I work in service projects with other Christians; my wife was baptized a Methodist but attends my church, my children attend a very cross-denominational, private Lutheran school, many of the children that I serve as a catechist have one parent who is not Catholic (one of my students has 2 parents who are NOT Catholic and they bring him to Sunday School! Isn't that a blessing?) many of these children have parents who are Catholic in name only and they are looking for something for their children that they do not have in their own lives.
While I may get a little flustered with many of the scathing posts at FR, I also take a lot of comfort from the prayer threads. No one seems to ask what denomination you are when someone that they love is sick or dying. What could be more pleasing to our Lord than to have complete strangers, who may never even meet praying for each others families?
We have our differences. I've always felt that the nature of ecumenism is to know and understand the differences between one's faith traditions and respect them ~ that's what I teach my own children ~ not to reshape our faith into something that we can not abide in. In doing this I think that we can also serve as evangelists in a way that will not be dishonorable to our own Catholic teachings. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar,...or other elements (so I am told.)
“Teach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words” ~ St. Francis of Assisi
Very nice post, Joe. And a terrific FReeper page, too. I’m not so much an ecumenicist as a “live and let live” type of person. The acrimony really bothers me, especially when I find myself feeling it, not just reading it. Not that I can’t handle it, just that it’s not what I think God wants for my life.
I’m as vulnerable to insults as the next person. I have many religions among my family and friends in the meat world, and I have never had the experiences with them that I’ve had here.
Apparently, my effort to change the noise to music ratio has been pretty well wasted; nevertheless, I thank you and others on this thread for the quiet, supportive comments.
Life has enough conflict all on its own without adding to it by participating in the crap that goes on, on the religion threads.
Sorry to hear your wife is sick. Please accept my prayers for her speedy return to health, and my prayers for you as you stand by her and your terrific kids.