The Catholic-Protestant debate has been a feature of social media since its inception. But in recent weeks, previously civil exchanges have devolved into an increasingly acrimonious tit-for-tat. To be sure, there are real disagreements between Catholics and Protestants (and among Protestants themselves). However, their substance has not significantly changed since the 16th century. Moreover, hard ecumenical work has shown that some disagreements are, in fact, tractable.
So why the upswell in bitterness? Take a step back and it becomes clear: Anti-Christian political forces want to tear us apart and we, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, are taking the bait.
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To spot our real enemies, just consider what the world looks like when Christians are united, living according to our faith, and promulgating Gospel values:
- Every human life, from conception to natural death, has inalienably equal moral value that preexists any society or governing body.
- Marriage between one man and one woman, conjugally committed to creating children and raising them in a stable household, is the cornerstone of the civil order.
- The economy exists to serve and promote the good of families.
- People do not live only for their parochial self-interests. Sacrifice for others, including future generations, is the rule rather than the exception.
- “Responsibility” rather than “autonomy” is the mature person’s guiding light. Individual freedom, including freedom of conscience and expression, is sacred, but it has an objective purpose: to serve the authentic good of others.
- The goal of education is not only to transfer information or to prepare for employment, but also to cultivate virtue.
- Likewise, public order, economic stability, and a law-abiding citizenry instantiate respect for human dignity and the common good.
- Utopianism, theocracy, and cults of personality are rejected as antithetical to the nature and purpose of the civil order.
To the extent we are unified, we can advance this sociopolitical vision. To the extent that we turn on each other, this vision will wither and die, with calamitous consequences.
We should therefore ask: Who’s really benefiting from Christianity’s circular firing squad? Two groups: The first is click-hungry grifters who feed off division. The second is much more dangerous: the anti-life, anti-family, anti-peace, anti-freedom, and anti-civic-order forces of our age, both domestically and internationally, who never tire or get distracted from their totalitarian aims.
So what can we do to reunite?
First, we must recognize the psyop. There are people online, especially on X, whose sole goal is to sow division among Christians. And yes, some of the worst offenders publicly identify as Catholics. But they do not speak on behalf of the Catholic Church. Ignore them.
Second, those genuinely interested in how Catholicism relates to politics shouldn’t look for answers on social media. They should instead read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (especially paragraphs 2419-2449), the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, and some of the great encyclicals of the Catholic social thought tradition. There are indeed diverse political strands within Catholicism, yet all of them support the same fundamental individual, social, economic, and civic values of the vast majority of Protestants.
Third, we must avoid the temptation to generate or augment division for the sake of engagement farming. This often takes the form of, “I don’t mean to offend anyone. I’m just asking a question.” If you genuinely want to know something about Catholicism or the teachings of a Protestant denomination, research an answer online or ask someone you trust. Posting “Why is it that Catholics and Evangelicals always seem to …” just casts chum in the digital waters.
Fourth, we should consider refusing to air our putative disagreements (“putative” because they might be misunderstandings rather than disagreements) in social media posts altogether. One of the internet’s blessings is the easy availability of long-form discussions among knowledgeable, thoughtful people. There are ample opportunities to observe Protestants and Catholics engaging in civil exchanges. There is no reason that we need to debate in the form of back-and-forth volleys that are usually shot from the hip.
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Finally, all influencers, Catholics and Protestants, many of whom I follow and respect, should consider whether their platforms are actually protecting Christians and advancing the common good. Words and video content are cheap. All should consider what they are doing in the flesh to advance the values we promote. Charlie Kirk was a paradigmatic example of this. His online presence was mostly derivative of his on-the-ground work to change the culture. Why don’t we honor his sacrifice by following his path?
The United States will either resurge or collapse depending on whether we stick together. Our alliance is not only one of theological and moral substance. It is also one of survival.
Matthew R. Petrusek, PhD, is the senior director of the Word on Fire Institute
