Author Topic: Whats your, "Why traditional Catholocism is right speech?" (Read 941 times)

s2srea · « **on:** November 13, 2011, 11:49:56 AM »

Some time ago, a few months maybe, Raoul76 wrote that he was talking to a Realtor and either was about to give his 'Catholicism' speech, or actually gave it to her. I've thought about this for a while and realized I don't have a really good approach to people when I proselytize. Is this normal. Is it different for everyone? What's your approach? Do you make sure to hit key points? In order?

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2011, 08:26:07 PM »

Sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin. But if you know your Faith, you can blow them out of the water. I've always said that a Traditional Catholic layperson who knows their Faith can easily refute a Protestant (or Novus Ordite), even if the person they're trying to convert happens to "excell" in theology. Now, I'm better making my point(s) in written/typed form (which is easy for me to say, since I have over a year of experience on forums). But I am pretty strong when debating in-person as well.

TKGS · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:09:48 AM »

I don't have a "speech". The problem I have found is that most Americans simply turn off anyone whom they perceive as having gotten on a soapbox, so to speak.

I am ready to discuss Catholic issues with anyone who asks or is open to such discussion, but I don't throw pearls before the swine.

s2srea · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2011, 03:35:55 PM »

I guess my question was, what you do when someone is indeed ready to hear you.

stevusmagnus · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2011, 06:52:51 PM »

TKGS makes a good point. Most people will write you off as nuts or a zealot immediately.

As for people who are open, a lot depends on the audience.

The more you know about your audience the better. Are you talking with a Neo-Cath who thinks the Pope is an absolute monarch? A Prot who thinks the Church is the whore of Babylon? An atheist or agnostic?

With Neo-Caths I'd appeal to the Church's own Tradition.

With Prots I'd appeal to simple Church history and where the Bible came from.

With atheists I'd almost not bother, but I'd try to appeal to logic and demonstrating the absurdity of their view, if possible (something from nothing and chance and a meaningless life).

With agnostics I'd talk about the person of Jesus Christ and how unique he was in history (being pre-announced, headings, Resurrection, Son of God, founding a Church).

TKGS · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2011, 10:11:13 AM »

Quote from: s2srea

I guess my question was, what you do when someone is indeed ready to hear you.

It depends upon what information is desired. If I know the truth, I explain it without apology. If I am asked a question on some obscure issue, I explain that I do not know. Actually, the Conciliar church that most people think is the Catholic Church gets in the way much more often than true doctrine.

It is unfortunate, but it is very difficult to explain the Catholic Faith to someone who has met a Conciliar priest who has told them something very different; for example, that aborted babies go to heaven or that salvation is based on how "good" or "nice" a person is and it really doesn't matter what church one belongs to.

By the way, I find indifferentism is much more prevelant amongst the Novus Ordo faithful than among the Protestants.

I've had only one opportunity to discuss the faith with a Muslim. The opportunity came when she explained that Islam considers Jesus to have been a great profit. I replied that if that is true, Islam has proven itself wrong. I explained that Jesus is either God or he is a liar and a fool. I then showed her the numerous instances in the Gospels in which Jesus specifically and unambiguously says that he is God and not merely a profit. (I am frankly amazed at the number of times Jesus clearly claims to be Divine.) I explained that a person who specifically claims to be God clearly cannot be His profit. Did she convert? Well, unfortunately, no. She did after a time abandon Islam but she returned to her childhood Southern Baptist religion. I could no longer discuss Christianity with her as our conversations were held over a period of some weeks while we were in the U.S. Army stationed in Korea our transfers prevented me from getting her steered to the Catholic Church.