Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Euromutt · 01-18-2002, 02:44 PM

A colleague of mine related a parable, if you will, about how Protestantism compares to PCs as Catholicism compares to iMacs (and other Apples).
In Catholicism, as in MacOS, it's all there, it's all very pretty, you don't have to understand how it works exactly, the important thing is that you trust that it does.
In Protestantism, as with PCs, you get to open up the casing, swap components, but you may get your hands dirty and find yourself confronted with some complex questions to which you may not have an answer. And if it doesn't work, it's your own fault.

Monkeybot · 01-18-2002, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IvanK:
Again, a Catholic would say Catholics don't worship the Pope. As the head of The Church and the successor of Peter they revere him; Catholic priests, including bishops and such, obey him (theoretically at least); and (according to relatively recent doctrine) when he speaks ex cathedra he's infallible and his pronouncements are binding on Catholics (or those who wish to stay in God's good graces anyway).

I've heard Protestants say they were glad there were no priests or Popes standing between them and their God, but that's not quite accurate either. While a priest (or his properly appointed designate) is neccessary for certain functions and rites I think most Catholics would say his role is to assist the parishioner rather than to act as a God-substitute.

IvanK, you are of course correct about the Catholic answers to these misconceptions and/or misunderstandings. I myself used to be a Catholic before I became an atheist, and was just repeating what I've heard Protestants accuse "us" of. Actually, a friend of mine is the son of a Baptist minister, and has been known to rag on Catholics (and by extention, me, since I'm a former Catholic) for exactly the things I mentioned.

Mad Kally · 01-18-2002, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KweschunThEAnserz:

True. But much of what I know is just through observance and relationships I have with people who are Catholic. They are more worried about missing Mass than what they're going to learn from it. Prayer time just consists of repeating the same thing over and over and when asked what the prayer really means, don't really know.
Thats why I said that their reason for religion seems to be more out of obligation, rather than love for God.

Oh yeah sure! I was raised by protestant fundies and I was always told that Catholics are not real xians. They were all a bunch of idol worshippers (Mary) on the Highway to Hell.. They confess to a priest instead of Jebus! HOLY CRAP!

The Catholics I've met in the real world have always been much more tolerant than the fundies and don't feel a need to constantly threaten people with Hell and all that other fire and brimstone bullshit. You are just spouting the crap you were brainwashed with as a child.

Do you actually think that protestants have some special knowledge that Catholics are unaware of?

They are all a bunch of made up myths, Zeus, Allah, god, Santa Claus, etc.

Queen of Swords · 01-18-2002, 07:04 PM

Prayer time just consists of repeating the same thing over and over

Regarding this statement...

When there was a pro-choice rally on campus, the True Christians (TM) showed up with pictures of bloody dismembered fetuses (to which they had given Bibilical names) while the Catholics stood off to a side and said the rosary.

On the whole, I think I preferred their repetition; it was soft, rhythmic and soothing - and it allowed people to listen to the speaker without having pictures of Malachi, Joshua and Obadiah waved in their faces.

Plus, I'm willing to bet that the Catholics had the lower blood pressure when the event was done.

HelenM · 01-19-2002, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by QueenofSwords:
When there was a pro-choice rally on campus, the True Christians (TM) showed up with pictures of bloody dismembered fetuses (to which they had given Biblical names) while the Catholics stood off to a side and said the rosary.

Ack...don't get me started on those photos...!!!

Recently I heard at church that pregnant women who have ultrasounds are significantly more likely not to have abortions. Now, I think that's fine, to offer ultrasounds to pregnant women. But those photos...I hate that [some] Christians do that!

Last I heard, my church is going to take a special offering in a week to help buy an ultrasound machine for a local "crisis pregnancy center" (pro-life place that provides resources) and that's fine with me.

love
Helen

Megatron · 01-19-2002, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Euromutt:
A colleague of mine related a parable, if you will, about how Protestantism compares to PCs as Catholicism compares to iMacs (and other Apples).
In Catholicism, as in MacOS, it's all there, it's all very pretty, you don't have to understand how it works exactly, the important thing is that you trust that it does.
In Protestantism, as with PCs, you get to open up the casing, swap components, but you may get your hands dirty and find yourself confronted with some complex questions to which you may not have an answer. And if it doesn't work, it's your own fault.

That is both hideous and hilarious, and... somehow strangely accurate. I don't quite get how yet, but it sounds like every protestant and catholic I've ever known... great post... hehehehe.

sullster · 01-19-2002, 06:21 AM

My interest lies in history and the historical period of the Reformation explains the antipathy between the catholics and protestants. In my view the fundies are the radical wing of the modern protestant movement and like their predecessors of 16th century Germany, continue the war against the "papists".

There would be no protestants if there was no catholic church. The modern protestants are historically ignorant when they claim lineage to the christian myth's founders. Protestantism is explained by its very name which incorporates the word "Protest". They were protesting catholicism and have ever since defined themselves by what they were not.

A vast array of social and technological changes,(the printing press in particular), brought about the Protestant Reformation. The utter corruption of the catholic popes and the desires of Germany to be free from Roman control were big causes.

That fundies claim themselvs to be the only "christians", makes them followers of a now centuries' old conflict. As we can see from Amos, some catholics are still ready to fight back.

01-19-2002, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sullster:
 That fundies claim themselvs to be the only "christians", makes them followers of a now centuries' old conflict. As we can see from Amos, some catholics are still ready to fight back.

I'm having a ball sullster. It is the protestants that prove us right rime and time again. Heck, I don't even own a Cathechism (maybe you have noticed that I am shooting from the hip

), and my notion that Catholics are not just Christians but Christ was confirmed by a Baptist this morning when he inquired what this meant:

"Let us rejoice then and give thanks that we have become not only Christians, but Christ himself. Marvel and rejoice: we have become Christ." Pg. 210, #795

Did you know that there are more Cathechisms sold to protestants than to Catholics? It is nice to be the envy of the world.

01-18-2002, 07:04 PM	#34
Queen of Swords Contributor Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Canada. Finally. Posts: 10,155	<strong>Prayer time just consists of repeating the same thing over and over</strong> Regarding this statement... When there was a pro-choice rally on campus, the True Christians (TM) showed up with pictures of bloody dismembered fetuses (to which they had given Bibilical names) while the Catholics stood off to a side and said the rosary. On the whole, I think I preferred their repetition; it was soft, rhythmic and soothing - and it allowed people to listen to the speaker without having pictures of Malachi, Joshua and Obadiah waved in their faces. Plus, I'm willing to bet that the Catholics had the lower blood pressure when the event was done.

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01-18-2002, 02:44 PM	#31
Euromutt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The Netherlands (the Kingdom of the Dammed) Posts: 687	A colleague of mine related a parable, if you will, about how Protestantism compares to PCs as Catholicism compares to iMacs (and other Apples). In Catholicism, as in MacOS, it's all there, it's all very pretty, you don't have to understand how it works exactly, the important thing is that you trust that it does. In Protestantism, as with PCs, you get to open up the casing, swap components, but you may get your hands dirty and find yourself confronted with some complex questions to which you may not have an answer. And if it doesn't work, it's your own fault.

01-19-2002, 06:21 AM	#37
sullster Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: North of Boston Posts: 1,392	My interest lies in history and the historical period of the Reformation explains the antipathy between the catholics and protestants. In my view the fundies are the radical wing of the modern protestant movement and like their predecessors of 16th century Germany, continue the war against the "papists". There would be no protestants if there was no catholic church. The modern protestants are historically ignorant when they claim lineage to the christian myth's founders. Protestantism is explained by its very name which incorporates the word "Protest". They were protesting catholicism and have ever since defined themselves by what they were not. A vast array of social and technological changes,(the printing press in particular), brought about the Protestant Reformation. The utter corruption of the catholic popes and the desires of Germany to be free from Roman control were big causes. That fundies claim themselvs to be the only "christians", makes them followers of a now centuries' old conflict. As we can see from Amos, some catholics are still ready to fight back.

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