[boatbums]

I am not "anti-Catholic".

I'm reminded of an article you recommended to me on another thread. I still remember the first line: "In order to be a good Protestant, you must be a good anti-Catholic."

I repeat that I am not anti-Catholic. Take it or leave it. I am disappointed that this is the only thing you remember from that link. Here is that sentence in context:

In order to be a good Protestant, you must be a good anti-Catholic. I am not Catholic. I am Protestant. There are many doctrines of the Roman Catholic church that I am against, but there are many things that I appreciate about them. Both Protestants and Roman Catholics have our lineage in the catholic church. Yes, I just said that. I am catholic, but not Roman Catholic. I’ve got some info for you: If you are a Christian, you are catholic too. This differentiation between catholic and Roman Catholic is part of a solid Protestant polemic against Roman Catholicism. It normally drives Roman Catholic apologists crazy, since it undermines their belief that they are the one true church. But it is true; Protestants are catholic Christians, but not Roman Catholic Christians. The word “catholic” was used very early to describe the church. It simply meant “universal,” describing the church’s universality. The church is not exclusive to Gentiles, Jews, Greeks, Romans, those in the East, or those in the West. The church that Christ built is universal, or “catholic.” (http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2011/06/the-rise-of-rome-in-a-nutshell/#comment-53232)

Maybe a start of that, "let's everybody get along" meme should be we should be honest and accept constructive criticism when it is given and to know the difference. I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving. I feel as stuffed as a turkey right now. :o)

[PeevedPatriot]

I am disappointed that this is the only thing you remember from that link.

My reference to the opening line of an article doesn't mean that's the only point I recall. It means I chose not to make this personal and instead pointed to one of your recommended sources. The article's notion that protestants are catholic isn't something anyone I know IRL buys into. It's just a softer way to venture into anticatholic territory. And yes, I do consider that article anticatholic because it makes false statements about the Church. And curiously, the author doesn't seem to be against infallibility or the papacy. It's just the infallibility and papacy of Rome he rejects. He seems quite comfortable ascribing to himself the infallibility and ability to define doctrine that he would deny to the Pope.

Maybe a start of that, "let's everybody get along" meme should be we should be honest and accept constructive criticism when it is given and to know the difference

Point taken if you're referring to me personally. If, however, you're referring Protestant comments about Catholics and the Catholic Church, then surely you're aware that use of emotionally laden terms or thinly veiled insults hardly come across as "constructive" or well intentioned, even if they are honestly held beliefs of the commenter. I'm speaking in general, not of you specifically. And I speak of both Catholics and non. There's a way to state something objectively, and a way to do it with venom. Threads like this seem to be invitations for venom. And like you and I have said before, if something lacks the fruit of the Holy Spirit, it's difficult to believe it was Spirit-inspired.

I'm stuffed too :) Peace be with you.