First, has it occurred to you that your frequent posts of this nature might offend nonCatholics? That posting them so repeatedly cannot help but suggest your triumphal attitude? Is that really the message you want to send?
Second, regarding conversions: I was not referring to Jewish converts, as in the example you recall. Rather, I was asking if your rejoicing was due to your belief that new converts result from these Protestants becoming Catholics. Anytime someone moves from the damned column to the saved, we can all rejoice rightfully. Is that your opinion--that only Catholics can be saved? You respond that is neither your nor the Church's position (sitetest might take exception there). But that is certainly the impression you leave by these victorious postings. Each time, it's as though you're holding aloft another Protestant scalp. How would you react if Protestants responded in kind?
It might help here to describe mission experiences I have had which inform my inquiry. For example, I have gone door-to-door seeking specifically the unchurched (not to mention the unsaved) to visit our church. When we encounter people who are already churched, we do not attempt to pry them from their present church--God's kingdom would have no net gain. That includes those who attend other Protestant as well as Catholic churches. In our view, God's kingdom would not only have no net gain, but it would suffer loss from such divisive acts.
As is implicit in my original inquiry, I have been noticing these posts of yours for some time now--perhaps a dozen or more. I was offended by the first, and by each since. I refrained from comment until now because I did not know whether you would persist, or whether something or someOne might intervene. Obviously, you do persist unabashed. For your sake, then, I felt a duty to inform you of my reaction. I may be alone, though I doubt it. But you should know, in order to have the opportunity to take that into account in considering how best you should fulfill your Lord's call.
Anti-Catholicism, Hypocrisy and Double Standards
Hauled Aboard the Ark
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part I: Darkness
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part II: Doubts
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part III: Tradition and Church
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part IV: Crucifix and Altar
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part V: The Catholics and the Pope
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part VI: The Biblical Reality
His Open Arms Welcomed Me
Catholic Conversion Stories & Resources
My Personal Conversion Story
My (Imminent) Reception into the Roman Catholic Church
Catholics Come Home
My Journey of Faith
LOGIC AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF PROTESTANTISM
"What is Truth?" An Examination of Sola Scriptura
"Have you not read?" The Authority behind Biblical Interpretation
The Crisis of Authority in the Reformation
Our Journey Home
Our Lady’s Gentle Call to Peace
A story of conversion at the Lamb of God Shrine
Who is Mary of Nazareth?
Mary and the Problem of Christian Unity
Why I'm Catholic
A Convert's Response to Friends
My Story
Courage to Be Catholic
Finally Catholic! My Conversion to the Catholic Church
Southern Baptist Pastor Leaves Everything for the Eucharist
The Short Version (the Way International convert)
Shower of Roses-- An Independent, Fundamental Baptist Becomes Catholic Through Mary's Intecession
Confessions of a Catholic Convert
Alex Jones: the evangelical who became a Catholic deacon
A TRIUMPH AND A TRAGEDY
Women's Ordination Was Non-Negotiable
Catholic Mariology, Authority, and Various Other Qualms of Protestants Considering Conversion
Also see:
Sheep That Go Astray
Pope Benedict Goes to Washington Ecumenical Meeting at St. Joseph's Church, New York
Orthodox and Catholic Churches are allies, (Orthodox) Bishop Hilarion says
How to become a Catholic
The deal with either Protestants converting or in a few cases atheists or agnostics converting. That is because I think that Protestantism is a serious theological error that since its invention by Luther endangered countless number of souls, and I want to encourage more Protestants to convert.
I do not have the same attitude toward the Orthodox Church, and in fact if one for some reason has a grudge toward the Catholic Church I would advise him to join the Orthodox Church. That is because the sacramental means of salvation are available, in the Orthodox Church, and our theological differences with them do not put souls in peril.
I thought we have a religion forum going; why is it offensive for you what I or NYer do? We are proud of our faith and want you to come to it, too.
First, has it occurred to you that your frequent posts of this nature might offend nonCatholics?
Given the high volume of posts I make to the forum, I have not kept track of those on the topic of conversion. There is another freeper who maintains a Conversion Ping List. That said, you are the first person to indicate a sense of offense at posts regarding converts. This is an open forum with threads that span every range of views - the intent being, discussion. You and I have the option of participating in the discussion ... or not.
Anytime someone moves from the damned column to the saved, we can all rejoice rightfully. Is that your opinion--that only Catholics can be saved? You respond that is neither your nor the Church's position (sitetest might take exception there). But that is certainly the impression you leave by these victorious postings.
How do I leave that impression when I post a thread on an open forum and only ping Catholics? Am I happy when a protestant theologian like Dr. Scott Hahn reads himself into the Catholic Church? Of course! He did not cross the Tiber as the result of proselytization but through the Holy Spirit.
Each time, it's as though you're holding aloft another Protestant scalp. How would you react if Protestants responded in kind?
God calls us to the faith; not me! I am more than happy to read threads of Catholic theologians who have read their way into a Protestant denomination. Post some and ping me, okay?
It might help here to describe mission experiences I have had which inform my inquiry. For example, I have gone door-to-door seeking specifically the unchurched (not to mention the unsaved) to visit our church. When we encounter people who are already churched, we do not attempt to pry them from their present church--God's kingdom would have no net gain. That includes those who attend other Protestant as well as Catholic churches. In our view, God's kingdom would not only have no net gain, but it would suffer loss from such divisive acts.
Missionary activity is very important! God bless you in this work. In which country do you serve as a missionary and to what denomination do you belong?
I have been noticing these posts of yours for some time now--perhaps a dozen or more. I was offended by the first, and by each since.
I'm sorry you feel offended. Is there something in the content of these conversions that truly bothers you? And why? If a man is suffering from a dreadful disease and finds a doctor with the cure, should he refuse treatment?
For your sake, then, I felt a duty to inform you of my reaction. I may be alone, though I doubt it. But you should know, in order to have the opportunity to take that into account in considering how best you should fulfill your Lord's call.
Dear friend, missionary activity began with the Apostles - the witnesses to the life of our beloved Lord, Jesus Christ. The first christians were Catholics who upheld Christ's instructions to go out and preach the "good news". Is there to be only one Church or many? According to Scripture, Christ wanted us to be one (John 17:22-23). We are all as a Church to be of one mind and to think the same (Philippians 2:2; Romans 15:5). There is only to be one "faith" (Ephesians 4:3-6), not many. For the Church is Christ's Body and Christ only had one Body, not many.
“First, has it occurred to you that your frequent posts of this nature might offend nonCatholics?”
There is no reason to be offended if you choose not to read such posts and perhaps you should stop reading them as you seem to have an adverse reaction. There is no need for you to read them as there are so many others who do read them and there are so many, many other posts you could be spending your time reading pleasurably. As for the thread being posted, this is a free country, a free republic. You have a plethra of threads on FR to choose something more to your liking. Go in peace.