Me too. I don't think it helps the conservative cause either.
I was shocked by the blantant anti-Catholicism was posted on the Plan B threads. But then again, "Be good to those who hate you." If it wasn't true they wouldn't hate it so.
It is very disturbing to me too. We will just have to counter it as best we can.
I have gone away from FR for varying length of time because I have been so insulted by the anti-Catholicism regularly expressed here.
The discourse is not the type of thing I think people would ever engage in face to face but they think nothing of doing it here.
Forgive me for being contrary, but I don't quite understand why we must characterize a classical Protestant position as "anti-Catholic". Of course its anti-Catholic, in the sense that the posters/writers are theologically opposed to the Catholic Church--that is the very essence of the protest in "Protestant". On the other hand, if it's being used as an ad hominem label...as if to suggest that the posters/authors are particularly prejudiced against us rather than merely in disagreement, I think it is bandied about far too often. The Protestant apologists on this forum don't--by and large--seem to be motivated by prejudice but by honest disagreement.
Moreover, I can't see how it helps in any way, at all. The people who are firmly convicted against Holy Church will proudly wear the term like a badge of honor, as much as I wear the term "anti-abortion" like a badge of honor. The people who are just in disagreement will be frustrated and get put in the uncomfortable (and nearly impossible) position of having to defend themselves against an accusation of blind hatred and prejudice. "Anti-Catholic" has become our own version of "homophobic". I have yet to see anyone called it react positively.
IMHO, I think we would be well-served by a total moratorium on the term. Perhaps I'm wrong--and please tell me if I am-- but I really see it as more harmful than helpful in this context.