What is it with fundies and hating Catholics?

[JeseC]

I've been wondering about this. Now fundies aren't that big on anyone else, but my church at least seemed to have a special hatred for the Catholic church. Generally this hatred was bolstered by a rather large amount of misinformation that was held to be absolutely true, despite any comments from any actual Catholics or people who talk to them.

Does anyone know what it is with this?

[boymom]

I think its cause the Catholics took all the good rituals first.

[myotch]

There's misinformation. Sure.

There's also differences that cannot be breached.

[JeseC]

(07-26-2012 10:10 AM)myotch Wrote:  There's misinformation. Sure.

There's also differences that cannot be breached.

There are differences, sure. But differences don't by themselves lead to the level of hatred most fundies show towards catholicism. They have differences with a lot of denominations, but I never saw the same level of pure vitriol. Or the same refusal to even discuss what someone else actually believes (as opposed to what fundies think they believe).

[Scorpio]

This is just my opinion based on my experiences and observations. I cannot back up any of these assertions with fact.

If you were not a cradle fundy, there was a good chance that you were raised Catholic. During the 60s and 70s the Catholic Church did not do a good job explaining their theology to the average parishioner (I know, I was one of them). Many Catholics stray from the Church as they grow up and get out on their own.
When a non-practicing Catholic gets shown the Gospel the fundy way, it does bring about a "I never saw that before" or "They never taught me that" revelation. Non or ex Catholics are easy prey for fundies or any "Bible-believing" church to convert.
Now back to the OP question. With all of these ex-Catholics swelling the ranks in fundy churches, the first thing the pastor has to do is re-enforce the notion that the Catholics are wrong about EVERYTHING. This will include flat out lying about what Catholics really believe. It is imperative that the ex-Catholic turned fundy has it pounded into his or her head that the Catholics are sending people to hell. This keeps them in the fundy fold, helping the pastor increase his numbers and his tithes.

In the last couple of years, since leaving fundyland, I learned what the Catholic Church really believes, teaches and why. I now appreciate my upbringing even more. One of these days I will journey back into the Church.

[elfdream]

I always heard these grand conspiracy theories. The Catholics WANTED to keep everyone in darkness and keep the 'true' gospel hidden for political reasons. If the 'true' gospel came out they would loose all their power.

This despite the Catholic saints who lived Holy Lives and were models of genuine piety...and Popes who left behind writings that said otherwise.

I also heard that when Christianity was legalized the Catholics 'stole' rituals from the previous pagan religion to keep everyone comfortable. That was true to a point...for example the celebration of Christmas came out of the Solstice Holiday (it was similar to the Harvest festivals that concerned Christians developed in place of Halloween). Finding out that most of the practices in a Catholic Mass actually grew out of Jewish rituals was an eye opener to me.

Another thing is similar to what Scorpio said. Badly catechized Catholics went out from the church with bad information given to them by some unorthodox Priest or nun which gave people all kinds of wrong ideas of what was going on. (an aside-just because a former Priest or nun says a thing that doesn't make it 'true'. If you are in doubt check the OFFICIAL TEACHINGS of the Church. A Catholic Catechism is easy to find and is online.)

[C_Fresh]

Since we are talking about Catholics, I have a question. I was channel surfing a few weeks ago and came across the Catholic channel and they were having the opening service to the Fortnight of Freedom (I think) in Baltimore. When they got to the mass part, he put these square things on top of the cups. I thought it was matza at first but it wasn't the wafers they handed out. I ended up watching the whole thing: singing, homily, stuff I didn't understand and the sacraments. Interesting.

[elfdream]

(07-26-2012 11:10 AM)C_Fresh Wrote:  Since we are talking about Catholics, I have a question. I was channel surfing a few weeks ago and came across the Catholic channel and they were having the opening service to the Fortnight of Freedom (I think) in Baltimore. When they got to the mass part, he put these square things on top of the cups. I thought it was matza at first but it wasn't the wafers they handed out. I ended up watching the whole thing: singing, homily, stuff I didn't understand and the sacraments. Interesting.

I believe you are talking about the 'pall'.

From wiki

The pall (pallium or palla) a stiffened square card covered with white linen, usually embroidered with a cross, or some other appropriate symbol. The purpose of the pall is to keep dust and insects from falling into the Eucharistic elements.

[JeseC]

I wonder if some of it is also necessary for them to justify their whole "we're the only true Christians around" mentality. The Catholic church was pretty much the only church in the west for a long time, and is still the largest single group around. Plus they make a good target for the persecution conspiracy theories that fundies are so fond of.

Re: the square things. I don't know what they're called, but I think they're just meant as a cover so nothing gets into the cup.

[Sophie]

IFB's are the one true church, remember? We can trace our lineage all the way back to John the BAPTIST (see, he was the first Baptist, haymen?) and the Catholics try to say they're the one true church because they can trace their lineage all the way back to Peter.

Also, the word "Catholic" means "universal" which clearly means that they are supporters of the One World Government.