Allow Us to Put You On the Defensive...

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Do You Always Put Catholics on the Defensive? Allow Us to Put You On the Defensive... 

* How can you accept the theory of "Bible alone" when it is not in the Bible? Note: Click here for more on this topic.

* If you believe in the Trinity but the word 'Trinity' is not in the Bible, why do you believe in it?

* How much of your faith's origin have you examined critically? Consider the wise advice of one living in the second century: "nothing ought to be believed rashly - and anything is indeed rashly believed if it is believed without an examination of its origin." You may find, as others had, that "you wouldn't even buy a used car from the founders of your religion - yet you base your eternal salvation on their teachings!" Further, have you ever critically examined the fruits of your religion over time? 

* Where is virginity, so praised by Christ and St. Paul, in your religion? Or did your religion exempt itself from this teaching? (cf. Mt. 19:10-12, 1 Cor.7:8, 38, Rv. 14:4) And don't point to those who have yet to find the right person, but show those who are renouncing marriage for the kingdom of heaven. And not just one person, but a lot of them.... 

* Where is fasting in your religion? Or did your religion exempt itself from this teaching? (Mt. 6:1)

* Why does your religion believe there was a "great apostasy" in the Catholic Church but you rely on the canon of Scripture that was determined by the Catholic Church after the so-called apostasy? (Or, why is it you reject the authority of the Catholic Church, but accept the New Testament which was determined by her?)

* If the Catholic Church is so 'corrupt', how is it that she has survived and is virtually alone in teaching against abortion, birth control, divorce, homosexual acts, etc.?

* How can you criticize the Church that has produced St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Theresa, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, St. Jerome...?

* Why is it that Christ says He will build His Church on St. Peter, but you say He did not do so? ["And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18)]

* How is it you believe Christ left the Church in error, despite His promises?

* How is it you reject the Church when Scripture says "If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector" (Mt. 18:17)?

* "What kind of impulse allows you to reject the Catholic priesthood which has the power to cleanse and consecrate and provide the sacraments necessary for eternal life?"

* Does it not bother you that the author/founder of your faith is a man?

* Does it not strike you as troubling that your faith is an invention of the 1500's (or later)?

* "Is it not troubling to you that your faith was started by a bad Catholic? That your Protestant 'heroes' (e.g. Luther) were former Catholics who had turned against the Church? That they were not themselves always certain of their teachings? Is it not disconcerting that you are not following the religion of the saints but that of dead heretics?"

* Why are Protestants wholly incapable of unity (as evidenced by the 30,000+ Protestant sects)? 

* "If Christ founded only one Church, how can every sect be a way to salvation?"

* Why do Protestants reject (or ignore) so many teachings of Scripture? Note: Try here for more on this topic.

* Why does the Bible clearly show that a believer's actions will keep us from or help merit us heaven, but you reject that and limit heaven's qualifications to a mere faith, regardless of actions? Note: Click here for more on 'faith alone'.

* How can you refute the charge that "Protestants are simply 'enjoying themselves on the way to heaven'"?

* Is your 'church' universal? It should be according to the Bible if it's the true Church.

* How can you say your 'church' is one?

* How do you refute the charge that with Protestants, "there are as many creeds as there are individuals"?

* If your 'truth' doesn't agree with another's 'truth', how can you be sure yours is correct? Are you claiming infallibility? Note: Click here for more on personal interpretation of Scripture.

* Why do you prefer a 'church' started by a mere man who felt he had a "calling" to the one and only Church founded by Christ - that is, God incarnate?

* Do you prefer a religion you can "design for yourself" instead of the truth?

* How can you separate "feelings of truth" from real truth?

* How can you separate opinion from truth?

* "Isn't it true that you have preconceived ideas and simply make Scripture fulfill them?"

* How important is truth to you? 

* Does it not bother you that if you have a question that you cannot answer you have no final authority to go to?

* "What right has your religion to exist in opposition to the one and only true Church established by Christ?"

* Why are your beliefs in so many areas not consistent with those of the earliest Christians (e.g. the Sacrifice of the Mass, Communion of the Saints, etc.)?

* How can you refute the charge that Protestantism leads to hedonism and the secularization of society?

* Why is it that the Catholic Church can show you an unbroken history dating from Christ to the present, but you cannot provide such a history for your denomination?

* Why is it your 'church' has changed its teachings over time? Why do you now deny doctrines that even your 'reformers' held (e.g. the perpetual virginity of Mary)?

* Your religion must be either true or false - there is no third choice. How can you prove yours is true?

* Why does your religion deny the primacy of the pope when the earliest Christians all accepted the primacy of Peter and his successors?

* Why do you deny that obedience to Church authorities is necessary when Scripture indicates the opposite?

* Why do you deny that good works are required when Scripture indicates the opposite? Click here for more on the necessity of good works.

* Why do you deny the ability of the Church to forgive sins when this power to forgive sins is clearly indicated in the bible (see Jn. 20:23)?

* Since Scripture tells us to hold fast to oral traditions, how do you do this?

* Where does your religion fulfill the Mother of God's prophecy about all generations calling her blessed? (Lk. 1:48)

* Christ categorically rejected divorce. Why does your religion permit it?

* How do you explain the fact that without the Catholic Church you would not have a bible?

* Why do you essentially deny the concept of free will?

* Why is it you pay so little regard to the fact that there are angels and devils when their importance is clearly indicated in Scripture?

* Why do you add words to the Lord's Prayer that even Protestant 'biblical scholars' admit were not part of Jesus' speaking?

* Why do you allow 'women ministers' in clear contradiction to Scripture (1 Cor. 14:33-37)?

* Do females in your 'church' ever cover their heads as encouraged by St. Paul in the bible?

* How did you determine the date of Easter? Christmas? Why do you follow the Catholic Church's determination of these dates?

* What relics do you have of the true cross? Of the lance that pierced Christ? Do you have the burial cloth of Christ? 

* Where are your theologians from the 1st century? 2nd century? 3rd century? 4th century? Etc.

* How many martyrs do you have - and not "martyrs" who died fighting Catholics - those who were killed by pagans? 

* Where are your relics of the apostles? 

* Where is your authority for exorcisms? Where is your proven track record of successful exorcisms?

* Where are your countless, documented, scientifically unexplainable miracles?

* Where are your churches from the first few centuries A.D.? 

* Where are your ancient bibles? Where are your original manuscripts? Why has your 'church' never seen any original manuscripts of the bible? How do you claim your 'church' copied the bible before the printing press was invented? Where are your ancient hand written copies of bible?

* Where is your apostolic succession? 

* Where is your "one faith" and "being of one mind" (cf. Eph. 4:5, 1 Pt. 3:8 )? 

* Are you in every country in the world teaching exactly the same doctrine? 

* Do even your enemies not dispute that you existed in the first century A.D.? 

* Where did your 'church' come from? What happened during the other years since Christ? How could those during the time period before your 'church' started be saved? 

* Where is your uninterrupted history since the time of Jesus' death - can you present it to us? The Church didn't stop after the Acts of the Apostles was written! 

* By whose authority does your 'pastor' speak?

* How will your 'church' stay uniform until the end of time? 

* "How can your 'church' be unmistakably recognized as the 'one true church'?" Why should anyone believe in your 'church' over any other 'church'? Would you rather give up your life than switch churches (even "Christian" ones)? If you were in the true church, your answer should be yes!

* Does your 'church' even claim to be the "one true Church" of Christ? If it isn't, why would you want to stay there?

Also See:

Where Was Your 'Church' When...?

Who Founded Your 'Church'?

Is Your Faith Biblical?

Is Your Religion True?

Notice: The above is an exercise for your own benefit. Please do not submit any answers to us. Any such answers may be discarded automatically.