[Robert Wilson]

“If Catholicism is a religion of love and forgiveness, why did Catholics kill thousands of people during the Crusades?”
How would you respond?

Below are some of the best answers from our SPSE – Catholic Apologetics Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SPSE.Apologetics

Love and forgiveness do not preclude justice, which is what the Crusades were all about.
Joel B

The Crusades were expeditions undertaken to deliver the Holy Places from Islamic tyranny. The Christian crusaders main goal was to reconquer their lands that were stolen from them. The Christian soldiers were the heroes of the story & it is written n the history books. Some folks don’t want to teach this side of history, because of their implicit bias against Christianity.
Carlos G

Have you studied the reason for the crusades? If not for the crusades much of the Holy Land would not have the beautiful places for people of any religion to go on pilgrimage. The people of that time believed that they were saving “holy” ground, and they did just that. If we believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, then we have a duty to protect the most holy places where He spent His time on Earth. We shouldn’t judge history in a lofty ivory tower.
Lorraine H

The crusades was a defensive war against Muslim aggression. Had it not been for the crusades the entire world would be Muslim. A great book to read on this topic is “The Glory of the Crusades”.
Beto A

Catholics only went on an aggressive war 400 years after the Muslims began invading Europe. Given the opportunity the Muslims would have killed every man, women, and child in Europe. No where in the Bible does God say that one must not defend yourself, your family, or your neighbor. If anything, God would be very displeased if one neglected to do this. I always wondered why it took so long for the Catholics to smash the invaders.
Charles O

There are 4 conditions that make a war a just war. They are: If the damage inflicted by the aggressor is lasting, serious and certain AND
all other means of putting an end to it are impractical or ineffective AND there is a real prospect of success AND the use of weapons don’t produce evils more serious than the evil to be eliminated. I think it’s safe to say that the Crusades were just. Having said this, however, men are fallible and there were numerous instances where individual actions did not align with Church teaching.
Chad K

What would you do if someone broke into your home to rob, rape and kill? Being loving and forgiving doesn’t mean you shouldn’t defend your family and your home.
Anthony P

Catholicism is all about love and forgiveness for those who repent, but evil gets dealt with.
Carlos T

[Robert Wilson]

what a great idea!

[Robert Wilson]

Whaddaya Say when someone asks, “Why should I listen to sinful leaders in the Catholic Church?”

Below are some of the best answers from our SPSE – Catholic Apologetics Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SPSE.Apologetics

I follow the church teachings not teachings of men. Just because someone within the Church is wicked, it doesn’t mean I should let my faith be ruined because of it.
Kaylee E

The Bishops in the Catholic Church are the successors of the Apostles. Jesus spent all night praying before he chose His Apostles, and He called Judas, even though He knew he would betray Him (Luke 6:12-16). Leaving the church because of some sinful clergy would be like leaving Jesus because of Judas.
Giuliana P

You don’t reject Peter for the sins of Judas. Kinga David was once a murderer and an adulterous man, but he remained God’s chosen one upon which Jesus kingship is founded and the angel Gabriel said the seat upon which Jesus sits is a seat of David.
Israel would worship idols, reject God and insult him, but they remained God’s chosen ones.
Lindokuhle CC

Jesus said there would be weeds with the wheat. We’ve had some horrible Popes over the centuries who plotted murders, had babies with women, etc. None of that changes any of the teachings of the Church created by Jesus.
Paul M

Many turn from Jesus because of a bad experience with religious leaders. Jesus had a bad experience with religious leaders too. He was crucified by them. But, Jesus, speaking of the leaders of the Catholic Church said, “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me” (Luke 10:16).
Ashley SF

Our faith is in God; not man. God’s Truth will always prevail. Think of what Peter said to Jesus after the Bread of Life discourse when many of the disciples were leaving him. Jesus asked if they would also leave? Peter answered, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life”. God’s Word is always True; men are fallible; God is not. Thank God for the Church!
Suzanne C

Your faith is not between you and the clergy, it is between you and God. Every person ever born is sinful except for The Blessed Virgin. Hold tight to your faith and pray for our clergy.
Kathleen S

First, I would empathize: “I hear ya, it’s hard to listen to people moralize when they are themselves immoral.” Then I would use the Socratic method to bring them to the weakness in their position: “Let me ask you, though — who WILL you listen to?” Invariably, that person will be a sinner, too. And a follow-up: “Can someone make a true statement, even though they are a sinner?” And finally, “Wouldn’t it be better then to judge a statement on its own merits, instead of according to the holiness of whoever said it?”
Nick H

As said in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, ex opere operato: the teachings & works of the Church are not effected by the righteousness of the clergy, but by the power of God. God has no choice but to use men for each other’s salvation, but He knows all of us are sinful but He promises to give grace since all of us will be given a gift and talent to be used for our salvation.
Let G

Unfortunately, there are sinful leaders in every walk & group in life. But for the Church, DESPITE sinful leaders, the Church has never gone astray in teaching Truth.
Molly M

[Robert Wilson]

Great answers, Ed, Dan & Brian!

Here’s the best of the answers from our SPSE Catholic Apologetics Facebook page:

It is possible to stretch and exercise without practicing another religion. Hinduism is at the root of yoga which professes a belief in many fake gods and the worship of creatures which are not divine.
Chris P

Practicing yoga is Hindu and a sin against the first commandment. The poses are representations of different gods. Plus it’s a portal for demons to enter. If you want to keep your kids calm, the rosary is a far better option.
Emily D

Some of the yoga poses give honor and glory to the hundreds of yoga gods. It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe it. It opens a person up to demonic activity. The devil still exists and has power even if people don’t believe in the devil.
Irmmy A

I’m a former instructor (10 years and 25 practicing) and I would say that they should stay away from it. There are too many insidious things attached to it to redeem it. They can find other activities for calming their child. I would do simple stretches and try to avoid poses specific to yoga. I had a very direct instruction from our Lord that became impossible to ignore right after returning to the Church and sacraments. My priest taught against it during a homily-also, priests known for exorcism warn against it. I taught secular and Holy Yoga. My experience was that the yoga community in general is filled with gender confusion and general sexual behaviors contrary to God’s law. I’m talking about people who were married, getting divorced, and re “marrying” same sex. Or raising their tween as the opposite gender publicly on social media. The point is that it’s a door that has been opened and will not easily be shut if it begins to be a problem.
Valerie B

[Robert Wilson]

That was great, Susan!

Here’s the best of the other responses:

That’s great that you have all that, but how’s your prayer life? How’s your relationship with Jesus? When’s the last time you went to church? What kind of progress have you made in overcoming the bad habits in your life? (everybody’s got ’em). If you died right now, where do you think your soul would go?
As a part of the “Listening” and “Befriending” steps in the SPSE method for evangelization, you can use the Socratic method to move them beyond a surface-level existence down into the deeper questions in life. These questions are a way for you to go with them on a journey of self-discovery, until they realize that they don’t have it all figured out and they do in fact desperately need Jesus.
Nick H

I think everyone knows they are a sinner, deep down. If they believe in God, they probably know they can’t get to heaven without loving Him and making Him a priority in their lives. They can’t love him and make him a priority if they don’t pray and do the things he wants them to do and avoid the things he doesn’t want them to do. Questions like, “How’s your relationship with Jesus/God?”…”If you died right now, where do you think your soul would go?”
Steve D

Praise God that you’ve been blessed with so many great gifts! But at some point, no matter how great things are going, we all know that the things of this life aren’t forever, and so we should explore the bigger questions. Does God exist? What is He like? Does He love me? What does He want for me? Is there life after death? The answers to these questions should shape how we live our life. Have you ever thought about these questions?
Bob W

[Robert Wilson]

Why doesn’t the Church sell their riches and feed the poor?

Best answers so far:

Actually the church does feed the poor through St. Vincent de Paul and other Catholic organizations. The Catholic Church has always been the most charitable organization in the world.
I am not sure if I agree with the premise of your question concerning the Catholic church’s riches. Many of our local churches struggle to keep financially afloat. We can’t say because the church owns the local property and buildings that they are rich. If you look at our world church and look at all the church properties, it may appear rich to you. It would be inappropriate to sell these properties because the people would have no houses of worship. Our local priests, bishops and the Pope have a meager salary that will not make any of them rich. They do not personally own any of the property.
Maybe you were thinking about some of the Protestant local churches that acquire great wealth which include a high pastor salary with expensive buildings and airplanes.
Clarence B

Jesus himself said in Matthew 26:11 “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.” The first part of the verse is thought to be a reference to Deuteronomy 15:11 “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”
The Catholic Church has always been among the first to respond to the corporal works of mercy, being “open handed” in founding food shelves, orphanages, and hospitals. The same is true today with organizations such Sharing and Caring Hands (based in Minneapolis), Missionaries of Charities and other religious orders, Knights of Columbus and other charitable organizations.
Selling off works of art and cathedrals would only feed the hungry for a short time and those priceless treasures would be gone forever. Beautiful churches and works of art are an opening to heaven to allow us to glimpse in a small way the beauty of heaven that awaits us and is, in some fashion, a way to keep Jesus with us because we can not begin to fathom His beauty, His love, and His mercy.
Sharon H

1. The Catholic Church is the largest charitable organization in the world.
2. The Catholic Church doesn’t own its “riches”, they belong to us, all of us, the Church is merely a custodian so we can all enjoy it.
3. Most “riches” were bought by little people like us and given to the Church for the glory of God.
Mark L

Which poor are not being helped? Do you see a need? Why not fill it? Maybe you’re seeing a blind spot God has brought to you to get handled. Rather than complaining about an organization that does large amounts of work to help the poor, maybe God is calling upon you and me to help them. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 that we will be judged based on whether or not we helped the poor.
Joshua J

These works of art are beautiful and draw people to God so that they can be converted and have eternal life. If they were sold off and hidden away, less people would be drawn to God.
Lee H

[Robert Wilson]

Hello Ryan –
Were you able to reach out to that acquaintance of yours?
I’d love to hear how that went.

[Robert Wilson]

Thank you, my friend!

[Robert Wilson]

@waznyf Praise God.
What do you think about laying out the Gospel message like I did in this thread?

Kerygma

[Robert Wilson]

Thanks for your story, as well as your thoughts on the activity, nmcvicker.
We suggest that the time it takes for you to share your testimony be 2-3 minutes.

[Author]

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