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"Now, if we could only get them our separated brothers to see the logic of this. If you find a way that seems to work, let me know! I've been writing the same stuff for awhile now... "

Jo kus,

Well, for starters, this site is great, because it allows us to hash through the issues and clear up a lot of misconceptions.

It would be very helpful if Protestant seminaries dropped the an-historical approach to Christianity. Protestantism is a man-made invention of the 16th century and later. If someone wants to show me "saved by faith alone" in the bible, or as a teaching of the Church prior to the time of Martin Luther, I'm open to seeing it. We have extensive writtings documenting Church teaching that date back to the first century, so if it exists, it should be easy to find.

Also, the conspiracy theory history of the Catholic Church is one that we could do well without in order to make honest progress in dialog. Anti-Catholicism, to the extent that it exists, needs to be dropped from the Curricula and the pulpit.

I have never heard a sermon preached against the Protestant Faith in a Catholic Church. It is my distinct impression, on the other hand, that anti-Catholicism is a fundamental point of faith for many protestant traditions. Given that Protestantism depends upon Catholicism for its legitimacy, this is a dysfunctional situation.

We also need to assure our brothers and sisters in Christ that we respect and care for them, and appreciate their Christian witness. I'm also open to suggestions from our Protestant brothers and sisters.

The fractured faith of Christianity is a scandal to the Body of Christ. I have on numerous occasions heard people interested in exploring Christianity ask which denomination of the 33,000+ rival communities is the correct one. It does not help when a seeker enters a Christian Church, and is presented with an attack against other sincere Christians.

Recognizing that it is a problem is a good place to start, and the more mature ecclesial communities have done that.

"I have never heard a sermon preached against the Protestant Faith in a Catholic Church. It is my distinct impression, on the other hand, that anti-Catholicism is a fundamental point of faith for many protestant traditions. Given that Protestantism depends upon Catholicism for its legitimacy, this is a dysfunctional situation."

There are several reasons behind this, I think. First, if you vilify the Church, you can justify leaving it, even though you are aware that it WAS (according to some) the Church of Christ.

Second, nothing like a simple message for the people. Why is Islam so popular? It is a simple message. Protestantism is based on faith, almost to the exclusion of reason. Theologically, it stands on two axioms that are found nowhere in the Scripture or Traditions of Christianity for 1500 years.

Which leads to another point. Some that I have met here have an aversion to rational thought, as if it demeans their faith in Christ. We also see this in Fundamentalism that refuses to see that science does not have to disagree with religion (like the creation of the world)

I think much of it also must be blamed on ignorance of Catholics. Part of this is "our" fault, as most Catholics don't know their own faith. How can they witness to others then?

And finally, as you mention, they often have a skewed idea of history - from 100 AD to 1500 AD was the Dark Ages of Catholicism, where people were under the thumb of a huge heirarchy of a church that loaded people with burdens of rituals, rather than the freedom of a relationship with Christ. Of course, all stereotypes and false, but this is difficult to show them, especially when the bible is the only book that has any authority for them. Other history books are meaningless.

It is paramount that we, as Catholics, heed the words of Christ, to love our neighbor and to show others that we are in Christ through our love of others. If we come across as arrogant or triumphant, it is not difficult to see why a Protestant would just turn and leave our presence. We are judged by our fruits, not by how many Masses we go to or books that we read or rosaries that we recite.

Take care