AmericanPapist Comments
Recently discovered your blog. You have used a very narrow definition of "Papist." Historically the term has been an extremely derogatory term applied to Catholics (check any unabridged dictionary) and normally is not capitalized. The term has always been offensive to Catholics. Have you addressed this issue previously? Thank you.
Charles, yes I have. American Papist reclaims the title "papist", inasmuch as I believe following the Pope is a very good thing, something Catholics ought to be proud about.
Forgive my ignorance, but I had not realized that "papist" was ever a term used by Catholics and then hijacked by antagonistic Protestants. But if "papist" was never a term in the Cathoic lexicon, is it meaningful to say it has been "reclaimed?" I'm not arguing with the overall thrust of your blog, but the term does grate.
I agree with Thomas, the term is something to be proud of.
If the term bothers you, it's only because you allow others to define you.
Empower yourself. Be proud to be a Papist.
I'm proud to be a Papist! Yes the Protestants use it to degrade us but I think we should proudly wear it with honor and humilty.
Charles:
"Historically the term has been an extremely derogatory term applied to Catholics (check any unabridged dictionary) and normally is not capitalized. The term has always been offensive to Catholics. Have you addressed this issue previously?"
It appears you are unable to appreciate how the use of such a term (which previously had been perjorative) in this context has ironically been turned upside down in order to rob it of its previous meaning, its previous power.
Think of it how members of the black community had done likewise with the term "n*gga" where a term that previously denigrated them became a source of pride & strength instead.
I always thought of it as a good thing, to be a papist, specially since JPII and Benedict are such wonderful Popes. Be proud. Be a Papist!!!
Papist and Proud!!
Now THAT's ironic - someone named Savonarola being a Papist!
lol
Savonarola Supported the Papacy as the institution set down by God, what he rejected was the corrupt and immoral lifestyle of alexander VI
Papist is a term, usually disparaging or an anti-Catholic slur, referring to a member of the Catholic Church. It was coined during the English Reformation to indicate that a Christian's loyalties were to the Pope, rather than to the anti-papal Church of England. Over time, however, it came to mean one who supported Papal authority over all Christians and thus became a popular term, especially among Anglicans and Presbyterians. The word, dating from A.D. 1534, derives via Middle French from Latin papa, meaning "Pope".[1]
It was originally coined to describe someone who was loyal to the Pope, which the Church of England considered an insult. I think the term is very appropriately used here, Catholics are by definition Papists. Whether someone considers that derogatory or not is their problem.
Heck, there are many people in the U.S. who consider the label "Catholic" to be derogatory.
Thank you for all the feedback. I am now a Proud Papist!!
If you go to cafepress.com and type in "papist" you can get t-shirts and hoodies that have it on there. I'm ordering one tomorrow!
Cafepress bothers me because they will put anything on a t-shirt to make money. I'd rather give my money to a company with values I believe in.
Speaking of which...does anyone know of a CATHOLIC company that sells a t-shirt with "I {a heart shape} my German Shepherd"?
There are t-shirts on ebay that say "I (heart) BXVI.
Welcome, Charles!
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