First, the thread that was posted is one full of slant and anti-Catholic whoppers (even if there is some truth to it). It's puts the Catholics in a position of first defeating the whoppers, then actually talking about the doctrines. Not worth the time for most of us.
Second, nobody "hijacked" the thread. It was never a discussion to begin with - only self-congratulation amongst the Protestants, and the complaints of the few Catholics who felt like confronting it tonight.
Third, theology and civil discourse is scarce here. From both sides.
If the article is so full of slants and lies, then why not start with your favorite few and speak about why they are untrue. I know I would be more than happy to engage with you as would the poster who put it up. Nobody even tried and the nastiness started almost immediately. Tell me why we have Catholic threads that consistently trash the "Protestant" differences? Are not Catholics just as worthy of criticism?
Second, nobody "hijacked" the thread. It was never a discussion to begin with - only self-congratulation amongst the Protestants, and the complaints of the few Catholics who felt like confronting it tonight.
Well, the most virulent initial posts have been deleted by the Moderator so you cannot see them now. Believe me, they started nasty and went up from there. There was no interest in disputing any facts from the article, only Molotov cocktails thrown in every response. How can you then expect a respectful dialog?
Third, theology and civil discourse is scarce here. From both sides.
It is scarce only on those threads that get sidetracked into flame throwing. I have even seen some of them go for thousands of posts with only a few dishonest or hateful comments. People who are interested in apologetics seem to manage just fine with others who oppose as long as respect is mutual. There are many Roman Catholics on this site with whom I have a loving and congenial relationship. We exchange prayer requests, blessings and disappointments. I am convinced that there are very few Freepers who have no point to share other than in flame-baiting, but ignored, they usually slink away.
I absolutely love the opportunity I have here on Free Republic to "talk" to people from all walks of life and I am grateful we have such a forum to do so. I would hate for the few "ingrates" to spoil it for the rest of us and, if we let them, we have only ourselves to blame.
Certainly true enough.
Second, nobody "hijacked" the thread. It was never a discussion to begin with - only self-congratulation amongst the Protestants, and the complaints of the few Catholics who felt like confronting it tonight.
When you have so little, anything that makes you feel a little better including slander and hate against the Church, well, it's worth celebrating to some.
Third, theology and civil discourse is scarce here. From both sides.
Oh, I don't know. People mistake me for St. Francis of Assisi all the time. :)