The Catholic church has been around since Christ gave Peter the keys. Since that time a lot has happened both good and bad. Over time people decided they knew better and broke from the church and went down their own path. As we move into the modern age some go online and decide that they know better than the people who live in the faith. Thus, the Catholic church, becomes a lightening rod for various opinions and misunderstandings. With people on the outside endlessly bickering on what they think that we believe. Given the nature of things this isn’t that much of a surprise.
What becomes a problem is when non Catholics decide to make broad assumptions of what they think we believe. A majority of these people have never seen a Mass in person. Let alone step one foot inside one of our parishes. Sadly, some of those who love to attack the church are former Catholics who have left the faith for a variety of reasons. Which adds fuel to the usual online fires.
It can be fascinating that some of these non Catholics will spend an extreme amount of time trying to pick apart everything that Catholics believe in. As if looking for a lost sheep that can be easily devoured. They try and paint the the church in broad strokes of a paintbrush with almost no real and proper understanding of how things really are. When a faithful Catholic tries to point out the flaws in the arguments. The attempts will be minimized and dismissed. Some will even go on the attack claiming that our understanding of Scripture is completely wrong and that they know more about what it means to be Catholic than we do. The attackers will unleash a wave of toxic venom that would make even the calmest preacher blush.
It comes across as a deep level of pride. To hold on to clearly inaccurate understandings of what it means to be Catholic. It is hurtful and a shame that so many “Christians” do not hold Catholics as followers of Christ. Often times we (Catholics) will be told that we do not serve Christ. Instead we follow “the other guy.”
Thankfully not all non Catholics are like this. However some online can be full of a lot of venom and hatred. To the point you have to wonder who they truly serve. Are they attacking us because they feel a spirit of conversion. Is their soul searching for truth and they don’t know how to response. Or are they wolves looking for a sheep to feed on.
It is one thing to disagree with the Catholic Church. The entire history of the church tells is that this isn’t new or unexpected. However when presenting a proper argument it would be nice if some who decide to go on the attack would take the time to learn from Catholic sources on what our faith is truly about. Learning about the faith from those who follow it faith fully. Instead of making broad assumptions that were learned from third party sources.
The Catholic church has always been able to trace the history directly back to Christ. From that we have the foundations for our faith and why follow the path that we are on. These arguments are nothing new and have been replayed over and over. Even if many non Catholics don’t want to take the time to fully understand this. -
Comments