Dealing with challenging conversations on Christianity on MN and elsewhere

[GentleSheep]

I am very sure some of you will know exactly what I mean! I have been trying to get into spreading the gospel online (since I don't get out due to being housebound) and am finding it challenging, although every day I learn something new about how to handle situations.

If you have been involved in this in some way, do you have any tips or strategies? I don't want to avoid talking about the gospel or Christ on this site, there are so many people in need of salvation, but it's hard when coming up against quite militant opposing views. I'm aware there may be people reading threads and lurking who never post when Christianity's being discussed so I do think it's important to witness so they can have something to mull over.

I didn't make a comment on the view from the Catholic church by Pope Francis. I thought it was interesting on one of the subjects that had been discussed and had another point of view. Some of this was clear to me what was in the article and some was not, but I didn't want to AI the answer as we can all do that.

Grateful thanks to references above thread.

Roman Catholic doctrine: The bishops with the pope as their head, rule the universal church. The Bible says: Christ, the Head of the Body, rules the universal church: Col 1

Roman Catholic doctrine: God has entrusted revelation to the bishops. The Bible says: God has entrusted revelation to the saints: Jude 3

Roman Catholic doctrine: the pope is infallible in his teaching. The Bible says: God alone is infallible Numbers 23, Acts 17

Roman Catholic doctrine: Scripture and tradition together are the word of God. The Bible says: Scripture alone is the word of God John 10, 2 Tim 3, 2 Peter 1, Mark 7

Roman Catholic doctrine: Mary is the co-redeemer, for she participated with Christ in the painful act of redemption. The Bible says: Christ alone is the Redeemer, for He alone suffered and died for sin. 1 Peter 1

Roman Catholic doctrine: Mary is the co-mediator, to whom we can trust all our prayers and petitions. The Bible says: Christ Jesus is the one Mediator to whom we can trust all our prayers and petitions. 1 Tim 2, John 14, 1 Peter 5

Roman Catholic doctrine: Initial justification by means of baptism. The Bible says: Justification is by Faith alone Romans 3

Roman Catholic doctrine: Adults must prepare for justification though faith and good works. The Bible says: God justifies sinners who believe. Good works are the result of salvation, not the cause. Romans 4, Eph 2

Roman Catholic doctrine: Grace is merited by good works. The Bible says: Grace is a free gift. Romans 11

Roman Catholic doctrine: Salvation is attained by cooperating with grace through faith, good works and participation in the sacraments. The Bible says: Salvation is attained by Grace through Faith apart from works Eph 2

Roman Catholic doctrine: No one can know if they will attain eternal life. The Bible says: The Believer can know they have eternal life by the Word of God and the testimony of the Holy Spirit who indwells Believers 1 John 5, Romans 8

Roman Catholic doctrine: The Roman Catholic church is necessary for salvation. The Bible says: There is Salvation in no-one but the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 4

Roman Catholic doctrine: Christ's body and blood exist wholly and entirely in every fragment of consecrated bread and wine. The Bible says: The bread and wine are symbols of the Body and the Blood of Christ and He is bodily-present in Heaven. 1 Cor 11, Heb 10

Roman Catholic doctrine: the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated in the sacrifice of the Mass. The Bible says: The Sacrifice of the Cross is finished John 19.

Roman Catholic doctrine: the sacrifice of the Mass appeases God's wrath against sin. The Bible says: The once-for-all Sacrifice of the Cross fully appeases God's wrath against sin. Heb 10

Roman Catholic doctrine: the sacrificial work of redemption is continually carried out through the sacrifice of the Mass. The Bible says: The sacrificial work of redemption was finished when Christ gave His Life for us on the Cross Eph 1, Heb 1.

It is written! 🙏

I didn't want to AI the answer as we can all do that.

Thank you for your reply @Justmerach . Just for confirmation: I have never used AI for any of my responses anywhere on Mumsnet. Nor would I. What I write is my own, nor are my posts the words nor thoughts of others, unless I give a reference to a site that says it all for me.

As an aside, provided AI is merely rephrasing an author's own words, personally, I do not have a problem with that - but would trust the author more if they use a disclaimer.

Peace ㅤ♡†

I wasn't suggesting that you was using AI, I wrote I wouldn't use it on this question. It meant I would leave it for someone to explain who understood it well if they wanted to.

The Anglican church and Eastern Orthodox church both believe that non Christians can do moral good because they are made in the image of God and have a conscious capable of doing good. This is not a question of whether it leads to salvation for non Christians.

Jesus is the supreme head of the Catholic church and the Pope is his representative for the Catholic church on earth.

I studied conflict resolution as postgraduate study, mediation and reconciliation can be important in Christianity as well which can involve looking for a middle ground. It is not about compromising your views on scripture.

This has been raised this topic about other forums on the board, this board to can have issues.Repeatedly it has been posted that the church of England is apostate, that they have left the Bible, that people dislike women ministers and also that God can leave the church. People can have their likes and dislikes but keep in mind this can lead to friction and has done at times in this forum.

You do not know who is reading also and such comments could put someone of from going to the church of England and undermining their church to them. I attend an Anglican church as a non denominational and that is how I feel about it.

Thank you for your thoughts and opinion @Justmerach

Lord, search my heart 🙏

AI was not used in the production of this post. 🤓

I am not going to debate Catholicism / Protestantism - You picked out one point with which you do not agree. My previous post covers it all. It is written. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ who may aligned with Rome.

People can have their likes and dislikes

Yep, lots of folk pick a bit of this and pick a bit of that from all sorts of beliefs and religions (and denominations) mainly because it fits in with them and their world view - not necessarily because it is Holy.

Repeatedly it has been posted that the church of England is apostate, that they have left the Bible, that people dislike women ministers and also that God can leave the church.

You do not believe that God will leave (an expression of) a church that has left Him. That's fine for you, each to their own and all that. After all, lots of folk 'go to church' without truly believing any of it. Some folk even preach and teach in those churches. It is what it is and always has been. For me, that is why it is always important to go back to what His Word says. For me, I question everything looking through that Biblical lens. No compromise. 🙏

For me, I would rather go back to the Bible and trust God's Word especially over a 'church' (or a person) which teaches and preaches and endorses things that are not Biblical. There are some things, anti-Biblical things, that cannot be compromised. There is a reason GAFCON happened, so it is unfair to lay your assertion at the door of other posters here. As an aside, I also sometimes wonder what Jesus would say if He had to pay to enter some of the places of 'worship'.

A general observation (not personal): As another poster here said, on some things there is no fence sitting and I would add in the human desire to be all things to all people or a desire to 'be kind'. What kindness is it if we are unwittingly leading people to hell?

As you say, you do not know who is reading! I will leave it there. Let the Bible speak for itself. Peace. 🕊️✝📖

I did not mention your name, but you have replied. I am not mentioning the Catholic church here. I am writing about comments about the Church of England which I have seen on this board over some duration of time. Seeming as this thread is about how to be less hostile and approve communication. It is to let the board know to these sort of posts may cause hostility to.

Some people may have issues around a church, it doesn’t mean that it is seen that way by others or by Jesus himself. He does have a false church, but this is not it now. He wants his church to do well.

Writing more generally on church. I knew someone who was very passionate about going to one church. I know some people left this type of church over one bicker or another. I always thought that this person I knew was worshipping in the right spirit as if they could even worship alone and it would count.
One person can attend a church and each person can be different to another. I have thought that Jesus sees to the people who worship appropriately to him and I am writing about church in general here.
A church can have a variety of people with different views to outside of the main core things about the faith.

I stand by my previous comments on the CofE elsewhere, but that doesn't mean there aren't saved people attending that denomination. There are saved people across all denominations, and unsaved ones. Jesus lays out quite clearly in Revelation ch 2 and 3 in His letters to the seven churches the matters that are of concern to Him and where those churches are doing well. This is applicable to churches today, I believe.

Yes people will disagree on this forum and that's likely due to 2,000 plus years of Christianity and the various doctrines that have sprung up during that time. We're not all in one denomination here, but many. It would be a shame however if we all just kept silent in case we offended someone, I do believe constructive discussion is better, and we can all learn something that way.

@Justmerach I did not mention your name, but you have replied.

Not sure I follow your thinking. 🤔

I am not mentioning the Catholic church here

You mentioned the Pope. My post up-thread deals with all that. It is written.

I am writing about comments about the Church of England

My reply to all that is in my previous post (the one immediately preceding what I perceived to be your response above?)

@Justmerach thread is about how to be less hostile and approve communication.

The Lord knows the secrets of all our hearts and minds. Even the stuff we may try to keep hidden even from ourselves. I am sure you must agree?

I guess it is in the nature of some human beings to be 'hostile' to hearing Biblical Truth - we see it played out every day. As I have said in previous post, I will have unlimited patience with anyone who is seriously seeking Jesus. I have no patience (God forgive me! 🙏) for those who willingly or unwittingly do the work of the enemy and for that, I claim Matthew 16. I have no patience for bad actors. For that I claim the example of Christ's Righteous Anger.

I am human and also have miniscule patience for groundhog day conversations which, in part, I am presuming led @GentleSheep to start the thread? Those sorts of ping-pong debating games, I will leave to others. I state the Bible and then walk away. I also have a little patience to those who fall in between. I own it! It is a work in progress in me. We are all uniquely ourselves with our own personalities and a viewing lens that comes from 'self'. You see hostility, other opinions may vary.

He [Jesus] wants his church to do well.

What do you consider to be 'His church'? In my opinion it is not Rome, it is not the English Church, is not any building ... all that man-made stuff is faulty and flawed. I would suggest His Church is the world-wide catholic (note, lower case 'c') apostolic communion of living Bible-believing Christian saints.

I will leave it there. Let the Bible speak for itself. Peace. 🕊️✝📖

@GentleSheep I am nodding in agreement to your last post and confess "It would be a shame however if we all just kept silent in case we offended someone," made me smile. I have a close relative who regularly tells me not to speak. 😂

Hahaha! I'm too old to keep silent now. 😂

I was referring to different things in one post so may be it got confusing. The comment about the Catholic church didn't have anything to do with what I wrote about the Church of England and it wasn't directed to you.

What I wrote is something to be considered generally, take it or leave it. As this thread has mentioned it is about intention and even though something may be well intentioned some may take it as not positive still.

I would suggest Jesus church is those who believe in him, his members who are given the Holy Spirit which stays to the end of their journey.

😂Fist pump! High Five! 😂

Time is short! 🙏

Thank you GentleSheep, it was helpful that you wrote that and it was interesting to read your point of view.

Missed the last load of messages on this thread and have just caught up. I was a bit worried at one point that it had turned into a crosa denominational punch up..but i am so pleased that you have all been conversing and challenging each other in the spirit of love for your sisters in christ. This is how fellowship should be. Love to you all.

I downloaded A Christian reconciliation and wisdom from this website, a look around their resources may be worthwhile.
https://www.rosecastlefoundation.org/resources

This website has some scripture we might want to remember to when sharing the gospel-
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/ministry/continuing-ministerial-development/flourishing-in-your-role/flourishing-in-ministry/transforming-conflict-a-christ-like-approach-to-peace-and-understanding.php

I am sorry to say that somebody has been misleading you. Have you checked these claims by reading the Catholic catechism? Please quote it to substantiate the claims. It is easily accessed online. catechismonline.com.

@liverpoolnana I kindly refer you to my post up-thread 24/08/2026 16:33
I am not going to debate the subject. What are your thoughts on the subject of the opening post?

Love to you too @Geneticsbunny

Someone mentioned early in this thread not to mention any other threads on this board in another thread. I mentioned that another thread would be soon be closing and if they had any new thoughts, now might be a time to post. I spent some time after this looking at the rules and didn’t see it there this rule. Please can someone point it out to me. If this exists this rule. Also, if this exists then you shouldn’t take someone’s personal shared information from one post and post it in another thread which has happened on this forum.

Just so we know where we are. The guidelines say on the top of the forum-no theological debates in this section. What are the perimeters of this as like discussing Catholic doctrine?

Btw, I myself my education was Catholic to 19. They taught things simply in school and I knew that Jesus to asks Catholic Christians to repent and it is expected the same as it is as other Christians.

@Justmerach The 'don't make a thread about a thread' isn't an explicit rule, it's an 'unwritten' rule. It's viewed as clogging up the forums with threads about the same subject.

The guidelines say on the top of the forum-no theological debates in this section. What are the perimeters of this as like discussing Catholic doctrine?

It says "For theological debates, please visit our Philosophy/religion forum." Not the same thing as 'no theological debates' but I would take that to mean this forum is more for support amongst fellow Christians and to leave the theological discussions to the Philosophy/Religion forum. I'm not keen on discussing Christian theology over there due to the interruptions by atheists who are quite trollish at times and keep trying to throw discussions off track, unfortunately. Theological discussions are really interesting but there's only so much of 'but it's all make believe' and 'you have no evidence' that I can put up with! Whoever decided what should be discussed in each forum clearly didn't take that into account.

Thank you GentleSheep.for your reply,
I mentioned another thread-I didn't post about it from this thread. I pointed out in this thread that a thread was going to close soon and if anyone wanted to post it may be the right time. Thanks for letting me know this is an unwritten rule.
The posts in mention was here-

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christian-mumsnetters/5565213-dealing-with-challenging-conversations-on-christianity-on-mn-and-elsewhere?reply=154151621&utm_campaign=reply&utm_medium=share&utm_source=copylink

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christian-mumsnetters/5565213-dealing-with-challenging-conversations-on-christianity-on-mn-and-elsewhere?reply=154158435&utm_campaign=reply&utm_medium=share&utm_source=copylink

One of the reasons for you starting this thread @GentleSheep I guess is that we all recognise the sort of ego-driven, must have the last word, arguing that goes on about ‘theology’ and the ‘sky fairy’ assertions that do not belong on this board. This board is for Christian Mumsnetters and the advice at the top of the board is for unbelievers to take their arguments to philosophy and religion. It is ‘clunky’ but we know what it means without having to break it down into minutiae.

Here, the fact that the One True Lord God Almighty is alive and we can know Him through Christ and the Holy Spirit is a given. No argument, no debate.

This board is also not for gossiping about any other specific threads elsewhere - and, for example, not for ‘rounding up the troops’ to post before a thread closes. To do so puts, in this case, this whole thread in danger of being pulled.

Theology is one thing, and I see it time and time again from all sides, claims to having a degree in Theology, or a PhD as if it gives top trumps. It makes me smile ,,, academic study is one thing, but it does not give Spiritual understanding of The Word. Even if I read and study every paper or text book going on open heart surgery, it does not make me a surgeon. Oooh, I am glad I have gotten that off my chest 😃

I cannot see why we (as in those Born Again in Spirit and in Truth) cannot respectfully discuss differences in doctrinal issues as and when appropriate, on this board.

Here, the fact that the One True Lord God Almighty is alive and we can know Him through Christ and the Holy Spirit is a given. No argument, no debate.

Amen to that!

This board is also not for gossiping about any other specific threads elsewhere

Absolutely, which is why I kept the title general because after all we face similar issues wherever we go, as Christians.

Theology is one thing, and I see it time and time again from all sides, claims to having a degree in Theology, or a PhD as if it gives top trumps. It makes me smile ,,, academic study is one thing, but it does not give Spiritual understanding of The Word.

Well, here's my take on it. We're saved by belief in Christ, we need no theology for that. However! Once saved, I do think it's important to start to understand the theology behind our beliefs. Now this will vary (greatly at times) between denominations. This does not mean (as some athiests assert) that we simply do not agree on anything nor know what we are doing. As we grow as Christians we're going to face all manner of challenges, and there will be plenty from 'other gospels' that don't present the true Christ. We need to be aware and one of the best ways is to understand doctrine. Can you explain the Trinity? Know what allegories are? Typology? What Calvinism and Arminianism are? Explain the contents of the Nicene creed? Know how to see the foreshadowing of Jesus in the Old Testament? Understand the various heresies? Can there be prophets and apostles today? And endless other things people may question you about, both as believers and unbelievers. We don't need to know THE answer, but we do need to have AN answer, and it helps to deepen our own faith if we can do so. It is a lifetime study, but worthwhile. Can't express just how much my faith has grown in the short time of embarking upon this with my Church.

I do know there are people who study theology who aren't Christians, so there's that as well - they will have knowledge but not illumination via the Holy Spirit.