I have but one question for you GonzoII, and other Catholics on FR who have been itching for a fight with FR Protestants lately.....
Why do you wish to pick a fight with those who hold to the Protestant and non denominational faith?
Do you really desire to debate, or just incite a fight? What purpose is there in questioning the very legitimacy of the protestant reformation, which in turn would pit the reasons for it against the well documented heretical practices of the Catholic Church leading up to and since the reformation?
It seems that many Catholics on FR lately are itching for a fight.
My question is why?
What to you expect to gain by it. Do you even realize that all you will accomplish is the ridicule of those on both sides? I say that because history proves that neither the FR Catholics, nor the FR Protestants ever back down. At least never on FR.
Yet you tempt fate anyway?
So far, I personally I have not yet taken the bate. Not in the twelve years of my membership, and very active participation in apologetic Christian discussions. I do admit that it is tempting, but each time I am almost drawn in I back off. Not for fear of losing the debate, but from fear of making us all look like the fools the left desires to see on display here.
All you do, both sides who push the issue here, is divide Christian conservatives who see eye to eye. I ask myself if some of you who wish to start this fight are even true conservatives. After all, the liberals have been wanting to divide Christians for a long time, and what better place to start then with the Catholic vs the Protestant faiths.
It is, after all, a proven fact that election after election Catholics overwhelmingly vote Democrat while Protestants overwhelmingly vote Republican. I also have noticed that in the last few years there has been an increase of new freeper members who are Catholic. It has been since that influx that we have had more divisive arguments here about the reformation vs the legitimacy of the Pope.
I know for a fact that the Catholic Church has been pressing hard to increase the membership of the Catholic Church because of so many who have left because of all the scandals. You and others on FR seem to be like the many Catholics I have ran into in my dealings the last few years, who are beginning to get very aggressive in attacking the legitimacy of the Reformation and thus the Protestant faith itself.
So, I ask you again sir.
What do you expect to gain by picking a fight with the Protestants and Non denominational Christians of FreeRepublic?
Got your back, brother. There’s a word for those who profess a Divine Right: SINNER!
I must admit to having the hair on the back of neck raise as I scanned most of the above. However, it is somewhat tempered by the quotes from “Catechism of the Catholic Church” he offers.
Still, it’s making me want to start a consistent series of daily threads against Catholicism.
Well Said. I’ll stand by you on that.
Who's picking a fight? This concerns doctrine about which Protestants and Catholics have their differences.
cAt FiGhT
These threads are for Catholics who have an interest in learning more or being more edified about their faith and all others who may be interested in the Catholic faith.
If you choose to define that as picking a fight that is your right of opinion.
In this day and age of PC I would think the straightforwardness of the Fathers would be appreciated if not their doctrine.
It is not the method; it is the very acting on a desire to be more than this earthly existence offers through practice of 'religion' is what I am concerned with.
Do either of you think God cares about this? Does Jesus?
I got pinged. This is the first time I’ve opened one of the “Radio Replies” threads. (I read the books when I was in late grade school—forty years ago.)
If you don’t want to get into fights, just ignore the threads. Seriously. The Moderation Nazis will take care of it if it gets out of hand.
What evidence do you have that Catholics are picking a fight lately?
It seems to me that Catholics are posting as they always have. Gonzo has been posting these three classic books, bit-by-bit, for months and months.
Why? We are Soldiers of Christ. That is why.
Speaking for myself, when I see a falsehood said publicly, that has a substantial impact on the reader at FR, I feel like pointing out the falsehood.
The notion that Protestatism genuinely respects the Holy Scripture and follows it, is such falsehood. The notion that the Church somehow contradicts the Holy Scripture is another. These falsehood lead many into error. They need to be exposed. Alongside with that I enjoy explaining the teachings of the Catholic Church and love reading and discussing the Scripture. I would not call that preoccupation a "fight".
The political stuff is neither here or there. I agree with many Protestants politically, as well as with many members of other religions, and disagree with many Catholics.
This is a great article, by the way. If you are wondering why so many Catholics reject and despise Protestantism, just read it and find out.
Thank you for sharing your concerns, dear brother in Christ!