There has been an escalation in the number of anti-Catholic imagery and rhetoric in recent times. This is the result of traditional anti-Catholicism and fundamentalism as well as the secular anti-Catholicism of contemporary culture.
Traditional anti-Catholicism:
It is not uncommon to find anti-Catholic extremist equating Catholicism with Satanism.
Some popular anti-Catholic allegations include:
• The Pope is the Anti-Christ. (Usually, “Papist or Popery” is used)
• The Catholic Church is the Great whore of Babylon. (Usually, the word “church
of Rome or Romanism” is preferred)
• The Holy Eucharist is the death [SIC] cookie.
• Catholics worship Mary. (Sometimes called “Mariolatry”)
Some examples of anti-Marian allegations include:
• Mary of Catholicism is not the Mary of the Bible.
• Catholic devotions deeply sadden the real Mary and make her cry.
• Mary had other children and was a sinner just like us.
Some examples of anti-Jesuit allegations include:
• The Jesuits instigated the American Civil War.
• Jesuits worked closely with Marx, Engels, Trotsky and Lenin to create Communism.
• The Jesuits created the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, Unity, Christian Science, and other religious groups.
• The Jesuit priests are the agents of Lucifer and the “Black pope” conspiracy, etc.
There would be little or no opposition between Catholics and Protestants if the Catholic Church would drop her claim to being the only true religion of Christianity. In Protestantism, there may be differences of beliefs and worship, but since they all proclaim that one religion is as good as another, they are mutually tolerant of one
another. Protestantism is usually intolerant about Catholicism because, they are false if the Catholic Church is true. One religion however cannot be as good as another because, both cannot be right that affirms what the other denies.
Secular anti-Catholicism:
Secular anti-Catholics argue that:
• The Catholic Church is the enemy of science and individual freedom.
This is because of the Church's strict opposition to pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, same sex marriages, masturbation, birth control, divorce, abortion, euthanasia, genetic cloning, etc.
I have over the years realized that all these allegations and conspiracy theories about the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is nothing but falsehood.
I can say with all certainty that I am a Proud Catholic , without any regret.
If the Church must suffer like Christ, and if Christ was called Beelzebub (c.f. Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15), the true Church must expect a similar reproach.
"No pupil is greater than his teacher; no slave is greater than his master. So a pupil should be satisfied to become like his teacher, and a slave like his master. If the head of the family is called Beelzebul, the members of the family will be called even worse
names!" (Matthew 10:24-25, GNB)
To judge or not to judge that is the question
My Scripture reply to anyone who sincerely thinks that Catholics are going to Hell is this:
• "Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others." (Matthew 7:1-2, GNB)
• "No," Jesus answered, "even though I do testify on my own behalf, what I say is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. You do not know where I came from or where I am going. You make judgments in a purely human way; I pass judgment on no one. But if I were to do so, my judgment would be true, because I am not alone in this; the Father who sent me is with me." (John 8:14, GNB)
• "Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed." (Romans 14:4, GNB)
• "You then, who eat only vegetables---why do you pass judgment on others? And you who eat anything---why do you despise other believers? All of us will stand before God to be judged by him." (Romans 14:10, GNB)
• "Now, I am not at all concerned about being judged by you or by any human standard; I don't even pass judgment on myself." (1 Corinthians 4:3, GNB)
• "So you should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds. And then all will receive from God the praise they deserve." (1 Corinthians 4:5, GNB)
My Catholic Brethrens, please always remember that Catholicism is the fullness of Christianity. This may sound very strange to many people (It did for me for a very long time), You are graced to be Catholic. Kindly accept all the teachings (especially the defined Dogmas) of the Catholic Church and live your Catholic Faith fully to the Glory
of Jesus Christ our Lord, Saviour, Judge and King. Amen.
Thank you for your precious time and attention.
From the book: Catholic Apologetics Guide 101 available online at
http://www.pdf4u.co.ccYour brother in the Lord,
Adadzie, Godwin Delali GADEL
Sts. Peter and Paul Catechism Ministry
http://www.amen.co.nr
