At one board there was a "debate a Calvinist" sub-forum. I was amused by it. There was a thread where a Catholic brother was being told that he was "an Arminian" because he believed in Free Will. The Catholic brother insisted he was NOT Arminian - never heard of Arminius - but the Calvinists insisted he was indeed an Arminian.
The Calvinists launched out at Arminius himself with accusations that
1. Arminius got his ideas of free will from Molinas - that in fact Arminius had "gone to Rome and SAT AT THE FEET OF MOLINUS" and copied his thoughts.
2. It was also said of Arminius that while in Rome - he "kissed the Pope's slipper' guffaw
Unfortunately, among Protestants who disagree, when actual facts are absent -- an all-too-common way to proceed with an argument is to say that the Protestant theologian one disagrees with WAS INFLUENCED BY A CATHOLIC -- That'll smear him!!
That'll do it!! Make it a JESUIT and that is even MORE evil!!
The most reliable source I have read of Arminius' trip to Rome was that he only saw the Pope from a distance - in a procession. He went with a
buddy - a fellow seminary student - to tour the Vatican and Rome.
Oh, the fact that Arminius had a copy of Molinas' book in his private library was supposed to be the PROOF that Arminius "got all his stuff" from Molinas.
The simple truth is - a professional theologian wanted volumes from other theologians which related to subjects he was interested in.