Yes, articles that talk about papists, romanists, etc. are generally going to be considered inflammatory. Articles that speak to the whore of babylon as an equivalence to the Catholic Church can likewise be considered to be inflammatory, as well.
Of course, there are exceptions. On another board I frequent, a fellow-poster will occasionally say that I'm not bad...for a papist. I tell him in turn that he's pretty orthodox for a heretic. Good-natured banter...and we both know it. (We find ourselves more often than not on the same side of theological discussions with pagans, monophysites, atheists, and arians)
But, seriously, though, I find it highly objectionable when an a thread is opened with an article from a protestant 'ministry' website that talks about how wrong the Catholic Church is (it's never the Catholic Church...it's always the Roman Catholic Church or the RC's...so I guess if I switched to the Chaldean rite, the Byzantine Rite, or the Maronite Rite, rather than the Latin Rite, I'd be OK?). Articles with titles like "Why nobody should be Catholic," "Just how acurate is Catholic Church history," etc., particularly when the assertions in those articles are just-as-likely not accurate, are likely to be viewed as an intentional affront by myself and, I would reckon, most Catholics.
Seriously, if you have a question about a point of Catholic doctrine, why not just ask it in a vanity post?
Or if you have a problem with a point of Catholic doctrine, the same thing?
I bet if you do, you will be flooded with well thought-out, very polite posts!
If you don't buy the reasoning provided, if you think that it is logically flawed, please, please point it out. But the counter can be made politely...and then an actual discussion can happen where we can have respect for each other or at least politeness.
Other than reciprocation (i.e., avoiding articles that call protestants heretics, apostates, or whatever), are there some guidelines that Catholics can use to have legitimate discussion without inadvertantly opening a flame war?
The point is that the majority of us our Christians by mutual agreement...there is a far wider majority of us who self-designate ourselves as Christian.
1 Cor 10-13: 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you; but that you be perfect in the same mind, and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been signified unto me, my brethren, of you, by them that are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith: I indeed am of Paul; and I am of Apollo; and I am of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul then crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Seems to me that we suffer a bit from that disease that afflicted the Corinthians.
Phil 1:18 But what then? So that by all means, whether by occasion, or by truth, Christ be preached: in this also I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
I am again very glad that Between the Lines started this topic...
After all, there are plenty enough problems with the ACLU (atheist civil liberties union), mohammedans, and socialists, we really don't need to argue among ourselves.
GOOD POINTS.
THX.
Sure. I think everyone recognizes good humor when it's offered. I exchange a few elbow-nudges with both Orthodox and Protestant FReepers ... not to mention my Presbyterian mother and some Evangelical friends. We all have our quirks, and it's not rude to make a joke of them.
I find it highly objectionable when an a thread is opened with an article from a protestant 'ministry' website that talks about how wrong the Catholic Church is ...
I agree. I don't think there's any Catholic or Orthodox or Jewish or LDS equivalent of the Catholic-bashing articles that are sometimes posted. It's funny that Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox seem to be totally off their radar, since the arguments against Roman Catholicism apply universally to Eastern Catholics, and almost always (except Peter) to the Orthodox.
Sometimes you just have to say, "Oh, Whatever!"
St. Paul mentions something about "the strong being considerate toward the weak," (major paraphrase, a better quote has dropped out of my mind), and I think that all of us Christians who are confident in our faith need to avoid engaging in hostilities with those who are obviously so weak that they need to attack others.
Yes, we have differences, and we can't all be right on many points of disagreement. However, we don't have to be hostile toward those who disagree. That is, as John Wayne said, "a sign of weakness."
There are many articles posted here that are intended to inflame. Catholics are not the only ones who see these types of articles as an affront on Catholics as it is sometimes only thinly veiled and at other times blatant. And even though we see our own brothers posting such tripe, we do little or nothing. I am not proud of it, but I tend to avoid such threads saying nothing, thus letting my brethren have their fun at someone else's expense.
Quix in his post #100 suggested a way with how we might fight this abuse and hold ourselves and our brothers accountable. Perhaps you could offer some suggestions. All help is appreciated.
Or if you have a problem with a point of Catholic doctrine, the same thing? I bet if you do, you will be flooded with well thought-out, very polite posts!
I will testify that what you said here is true. I have asked Catholics some tough questions sincerely and in kind receive sincere replies.
Other than reciprocation (i.e., avoiding articles that call protestants heretics, apostates, or whatever), are there some guidelines that Catholics can use to have legitimate discussion without inadvertently opening a flame war?
That is what this whole thread is about. We are just trying to figure out how to bring back civility among all of the Christians who share God's grace and share this forum.
Thank you.