I see. What you and others say about so-called "Protestantism" is true, so it can't be nasty. What topcat said is untrue, so it's nasty. Are you kidding me? Would you like to be called a heretic? Would you like to be told you're not a Christian? If you don't think that's offensive, we're not on the same planet.
I'm called that every day. I don't appear on Protestant threads and pick fights. It's a patently absurd debate. There's only one Truth and, so far, no one on earth has ever proven the Catholic Church to be false. Anyhow, there are enough people on FR who think I'm going to hell for partaking in Holy Communion. I don't need to get in the gutter to feel better.
Would you like to be called a heretic?
If the right person calls me it, I could be extremely happy. I could never be happy about anyone calling my mother a whore.
What you and others say about so-called "Protestantism" is true, so it can't be nasty.
First, I haven't called anyone a heretic. But if I did, it would be based on theological evidence, not hocus-pocus gymnastics performed with the book of Revelation.
Second - in general - a charge of heresy has an intellectual, theological basis, whether or not it's correct. Using the word "whore" is intellectually equivalent to calling someone you don't like a "Nazi" - its only purpose is to shock or offend.
On the other hand, some could use the term "heretic" as just a slap and without substance. If the context of calling someone a heretic is simple payback, then I agree, it's not good. If it's purpose is to teach, then it shouldn't be offensive.
Religion is innately emotional, but without intelligent conversation, the end result is Islam. Maybe the best advice is what Jesus taught, "shake the dust from your feet", i.e., avoid people who will only raise your ire when they disagree.
If you don't think that's offensive, we're not on the same planet.
People get offended by a lot of things. It would be politically correct folly to never call someone a heretic for fear of "offending". It would be common decency to avoid calling someone's mother a whore.