Catholic vs. Protestant – why is there so much animosity?

[SecularMotion]

This is a simple question with a complicated answer, because there are varying degrees of, and reasons for, animosity between any two religious groups. This particular battle is rooted in history. Degrees of reaction have ranged from friendly disagreement (as reflected in the numerous ecumenical dialogues produced between the two groups), to outright persecution and murder of Protestants at the hands of Rome. Reformation teachings that identify the Pope as the Beast of Revelation and / or Roman Catholicism as Mystery Babylon are still common among Protestants. Clearly, anyone with this view is not going to “warm up” to Rome any time soon.

For the most part, today at least, the animosity comes from basic human nature when dealing with fundamental disagreement over eternal truths. Passions are sure to ignite in the more weighty matters of life, and one's faith is (or at least should be) at the top of the heap. Many Protestants think Roman Catholics teach a works-gospel that cannot save, while Roman Catholics think Protestants teach easy-believism that requires nothing more than an emotional outburst brought on by manipulative preaching. Protestants blame Catholics for worshipping Mary, and Catholics think Protestants are apparently too dull to understand the distinctions Rome has made in this regard. These caricatures are often difficult to overcome.

Behind the particular disagreements over the role of faith and works, the sacraments, the canon of Scripture, the role of the priesthood, prayers to saints, and all the issues surrounding Mary and the Pope, etc., lies the biggest rift between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism: the issue of authority. How one answers the authority question will generally inform all the other issues. When it comes down to deciding a theological issue about defined Catholic dogma, there isn’t really much to discuss on the Catholic's side because once Rome speaks, it is settled. This is a problem when trying to debate a Roman Catholic – reason and Scripture are not the Catholic’s final authority; they can always retreat into the “safe zone” of Roman Catholic authority.

http://www.gotquestions.org/Catholic-vs-Protestant.html

[rug]

1. I don't know how old that is but it's a strange site.

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Here is something more recent about a region that has been emblematic of the issue.

http://news.ulster.ac.uk/releases/2013/7196.html

[Historic NY]

2. Really, I thought it was about the money....

the money one paid to have their sins forgotten.

[rug]

4. Maybe the OP's link will help you.

Statement of Faith

Section 1: The Bible

We believe the Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). In faith we hold the Bible to be inerrant in the original writings, God-breathed, and the complete and final authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). While still using the individual writing styles of the human authors, the Holy Spirit perfectly guided them to ensure they wrote precisely what He wanted written, without error or omission (2 Peter 1:21).

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/faith.html#ixzz2nHoxZ0KW

[longship]

3. I think it's the wine vs. grape juice thing.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

[The_Commonist]

5. The People's Front of Judea

will ALWAYS be at odds with the Judean People's Front!!!

[skepticscott]

6. That's what happens

when both parties in an argument think they have god on their side, and when they both think they have the correct interpretation of words they can't even show came from their god in the first place.

[cbayer]

7. I've observed competition but not so much animosity, except maybe in the UK.

But that was always political, imo.

Did you catch their articles on women, homosexuality and masturbation?

I'm not sure this is a site I want to give much credence to (or even see links to).