[Obadiah]

People need drama in their lives?

[cripplecreek]

I’ve never experienced it much. Part of my family is Catholic.

[Vendome]

Most Protestants don’t understand their history and how the Protestant and Episcopalian movements started.

As a Protestant, I have no problem with the Catholics. Heck, they are the progenitors of all other New Testament Religions and from that well spring, we should learn from them while also holding our value system for worship.

[PGR88]

Animosity? Says who?

[hinckley buzzard]

I would say that at this time, animosity between protestants and catholics is at or near an alltime low. The real divide is between revisionist and orthodox Christians within the several denominations, and between Christians as a whole and seculars.

[Trailerpark Badass]

I only see it here, on FR.

Like much on the internet, people will say things they'd never dare to say to someone in person.

[DesertSapper]

I’ve been a “protestant” my entire life and I have ZERO animosity toward Catholics as a group. Certain individuals of various religious stripes are a different matter.

[Vendome]

Are you going to explain the differences or is this a thought provoking piece?

It would help others to explain the differences in particular areas such catecism, Apostles Creed and even the whole praying to Mary thing.

I myself have not put much thought into as I accept the Catholics as Christians and a unique franchise within the body of Christ.

[ctdonath2]

Question: "Catholic vs. Protestant - why is there so much animosity?"

Answer: ...

Methinks that's the problem right there: enthusiasm to declare such answers, unbidden, unto judgement of others.

BTW: mea culpa.

[bethelgrad]

I’ve been in ministry for 14 years, 6 as a Military chaplain. I don’t think Christians are spending a whole lot of time worrying about these things. I think most think of Catholics and Protestants as just different flavors of Christianity.

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Our society itself is constantly attacking Catholicism. I’d wager if you haven’t noticed this you are not Catholic.

As a non-denominational Protestant most of my adult life, I was amazed when I and my family converted over a decade ago at the level of antagonism. I agree with Newman on this that such hostility simply indicates ignorance.

And attacks on Mary is just school kids insulting each other’s mom.

[Chi-townChief]

I’m Roman Catholic but Protestant on my dad’s side and I see no such animosity.

[Andonius_99]

I blame the Zoroastrians...

[AdamBomb]

[Revolting cat!]

Why d’ya think they call themselves ‘Protesters’?

[DouglasKC]

There really shouldn’t be much, if any, debate between Protestants and Catholics about doctrine. If one claims that scripture is the final authority and the other claims that tradition holds the final authority then there’s really nothing to discuss. There’s no common authoritative source so trying to “prove” something is fruitless unless one grants tradition or the other grants scripture.

[strider44]

Can’t all us Christians just get along so we can bash the Muslims together?

[NavyCanDo]

Never experience the animosity in my family. My Mom had a Catholic Mom and a Protestant Dad.
They had an agreement between them. The first child would be raised Catholic, the next Protestant and so on. They had 12 kids all together. My Mom just happen to fall in with the Protestant six.
I am very aware of the doctrine differences between the two, but who am I to judge who is right or wrong? I'll attend the church I feel fits my spiritual need the best which happens to be The Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and I'll let God do the judging.
I have too many more important things to do that to spend my time worrying about the doctrine of other churches. But sadly others thinks its the most important thing. I have an older sister that calls my church “baby Christians” because we don't speak in tongues. That's the kind of silliness that happens even within the Protestant churches.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Oh, I engage in "the disputed questions" as much as anybody, but without animosity. I hope!

Some of the FREEKIN SQUEEKIN FREEPER FREEKOUTS ON RELIGION are downright disedifyin', but I've finally learned to bow out before it gets to that point for the most part. I am mighty appreciative of people who competently explain their principles, and have the courtesy of listening to others who do the same.

Having most of the principal "flavors" of Christianity all in my immediate family (Catholic, Southern Baptist, Russian Orthodox, and more!) I find great peace in our shared and heartfelt conviction that "any friend of Jesus is a friend of mine."

[RobbyS]

People always get emotional about things they care about. Sisters will fight over their dead mother’s mirror, and all because they each were jealous of the mother’s love way back when. Have a look at the fury of the religious wars begun by the Reformation. Greeks still hate Roman Catholicism for the sack of Constantinople in 1204. Christians still hate Jews, and vice versa because of Jesus.