Is it worth it?

A reader asks:

I know you are a very busy man so I understand if this email is not at all on your list of things to respond to/make time for. I just thought I would write in case you had a moment.

I have some questions for you in how to deal with Protestants in discussion (generally debate, unfortunately) regarding Mary and Catholics. I know you have written several beautiful books dealing with Mary and the Church (I have yet to read them, I’m sorry), and I also know that you are a convert to the Church from Protestantism and so I thought you would be a good person to get an objective opinion/advice from. (I am also a convert, I entered the Church last Easter as a catechumen and I thank God everyday for this gift).

My particular situation has to do with some threads on the CARM forum. I know you are probably already thinking “what are you doing going on there”. But, I have. I will post a link to the thread if you feel so led to read it for a better understanding of what is being discussed on here.

The Catholics are showing how scripturally Mary is clearly the Mother of Christ, and also her unique relationship with God the Father (as His daughter) and God the Holy Spirit (as His spouse in a mystical/mysterious way). Also, Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant. And basically just in general defending or at least trying to explain why Catholics believe what we believe about Mary. Although, it seems it often falls on deaf ears and they will just say we worship Mary (immediately after you have explained that we do not), or that we don’t understand the nature of Christ, etc.

I guess my main question is: is it even worth it? Is more harm being done to Our Lady & Christ and the Church by even talking with these people about these things? Sometimes, I feel that maybe it is not worth it. But, then sometimes I feel like why hide the truth? I can’t change the hearts of any man, but the Truth is what sets us free and maybe God wants us to do this if we can do so charitably and with His glory and honor as the basis. I don’t know, maybe I am not being humble enough in my latter statement. I have tried to be charitable on the forum, but I know I have failed at times.

Whether or not it is worth it to continue engaging with these particular people, can you lead me in the direction of some good resources that I can learn more about the Marian teachings myself? (I know this won’t be the last time these things come up as even some members of my family are quite anti-Catholic/anti-Mary).

Also, if you do get a chance to read the thread, could you let me know if you see the Catholics (particularly myself) failing to present the truth as the Church teaches it? The last thing I would want to do is not present a Church teaching properly.

Or just forget about me.. if you feel so inclined, could you write a post sometime about engaging Protestants on Mary- do’s and don’ts, etc? Or if you already have done this- send me a link???

In any event, thank you, Mark.
May God bless you and your family abundantly!

I haven’t the time to read that very long thread, but I’ve seen many a conversation like it in cyberspace. As to whether it’s worth it, I would generally say that, yes, it is. However, it’s also important to approach it by being wise as a serpent.

Generally, a conversation with Ferrous Cranus types will not change their minds. But if you have a reasonable confidence that some people in the audience *are* capable of reason and open to hearing what the Church has to say, then the conversation can still be profitable–for their sake. If there are no such folk in the audience and you are simply dealing with a howling mob of pitchfork wavers or an incestuous group of mutually reinforcing bullies and bigots, then the advice of Jesus is still best, “Do not cast your pearls before swine. Do not give what is sacred to dogs.”

So the question to ask is: Are there people on CARM who are open to reason? If so, then soldier on. If not, then I’d invest my energies in more profitable conversations elsewhere.

God bless your work in the Vineyard!