A discussion with fellow catholics :)

[sw85]

Cable,
you may or may not be right. I consider myself an atheist because I don’t believe in the same God the Catholic Church does (neither any other God from other religion). However, I do like to believe the universe was created by a bigger entity, someone/something outside our reach that gave a beginning to everything we now. But I honestly don’t think that a God is watching us, judging us, punishing us, drawing our fate, etc.
To be honest, I don’t think much about the after life, I think it is a waste of time because there is no way of knowing for sure what’s next, the present is what matters (for me).

Can I ask if you have any reason to believe in this particularly God you believe in? Or is it just an intuition?

Sarahforgiven,
surely I don’t think that God called me here by any way (obviously ), religion is a subject I like to talk about because, in my opinion, no one holds the definite true. So, I don’t consider myself “superior” just because I believe in something much different than you, neither I consider Catholics, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, etc, superior just because they believe something I don’t.
But I’ll keep asking questions and improve my knowledge about it

I suppose believing that no one can know the truth is a nice way to innoculate yourself against faith. But you’ve admitted repeatedly in this thread that you don’t really know much about the Church’s teachings, which is why, I suspect, you keep referring to us patronizingly as if we’re making a choice that’s right for us because it makes us feel better. But that’s not the case at all – we’re not making a subjective value judgment when say “Christ is Lord”; we’re simply stating a fact (such a fact, indeed, that it’s almost tautological). We are speaking objective truths, and truths are necessarily “for everyone.” The Church is making a truth claim.

I encourage you to go back and read the post I made re: conception. Again, what I offered there was a logical proof, as sound as any mathematical proof. If you reject it or disagree with its conclusions, it’s important for you to know why you do so – what reason you have for doing so. And since it’s a logical proof, it will be necessary for you to actually point to a concrete flaw in the logic.

If you simply say “I don’t feel it’s true,” you’re misapprehending the nature of the Church’s teachings you say you want to learn about. If you said that about, say, the law of gravitation, everyone would think you’re nuts.

 

[Adonia]

I don’t know much about it, true, but I’m aware of the Catholic Church’s position about a few subjects.

And I’m here to see if I could get to know more ideas from Christians, know what you think of this generation, get it?

(besides, I’ve seen much more intimate question here, so what I said served as an introduction to some topics)

For me as a Christian I am trying to live a holy life here on earth and to that end the Roman Rite of Christianity helps me to do that within a defined structure. At 54 years old, I know what it is like to be a young person such as yourself who is perhaps tryng to find out what this life we live is all about and why we are here. Having lived many years in the abyss of a sinful life, I finally returned to the church of my youth where I find the power to help me continue living the daily grind.

My sins have been forgiven and I now have a newfound opportunity to worship my creator and to someday be in His loving embrace. Even though at times I still fall short of God’s expectations for me, He offers forgiveness and continued grace through the Sacraments. I wish you good luck in your life’s journey and applaud you for seeking the truth.

 

[mark_a]

Why is sex outside marriage a disaster? What’s wrong with it??

Sex outside marriage is wrong because besides endangering yourself, you are taking a chance on creating a life that quite possibly will not have the greatest benefit of all, a mother and father married to each other who love her and did everything that was best for her.

 

[StevenFrancis]

I’m new here. And I believe I’m an atheist (I don’t believe in god the way the catholic church preaches).

I’m here because I like to talk about religion, discuss beliefs and ideas.
I’ve got catholic friends (some of them are in Madrid to attend that big event with the Pope), I know 3 jews and 1 buddhist.
But we don’t actually discuss religion (even tough it’s something that when we do, we respect everyone’s beliefs), we’re young so, honestly, we don’t care much. Except I do care a little bit, I like to get to know new ideas and understand how people view things.

From what I understand from the Catholic Church, it represents a guideline that a man should follow. Tells them what should be done and what shouldn’t.
I personally disagree with lots of things the catholic church teaches.

What I want mostly to discuss with you is the lifestyle my generation lives in.
So, I’m 18, I’m going to college next year. I’ve always been a good student but, more importantly, I like to think of myself as a good person, here’s why:

I love my family and I do the best to keep the union.
I like to help people. (eg: As a student, I’ve aided many colleagues getting good grades). I feel great when I’m useful to someone.
I’ve done several small good deeds throughout my life.

Of course I have done bad things (who hasn’t), but I’m very conscious, hard-working and I try to make up for my mistakes.

But, like I said, I’m 18. I’m a teenager and I enjoy it.
Here is my point of view regarding some subjects that are present in my life:

Masturbation:
Started doing it when I was 13. Can’t figure something wrong with it, I see it as a way to get to know our own body (and it feels good). Why is the Catholic Church against it?

Sex:

My sex life started when I was 16 and, like every other human being, I love it. The best thing of it is that I can spend a great time having sex with someone I really care about, so we have lots of fun doing it.
With my girlfriend I do it safely (condom and pill), of course we don’t want any children at this age, neither we think of marrying, but we honestly like each other and sex is a part of our lives.

Even my catholic friends have an active sex life, and no one sees anything wrong with it.

It’s something that belongs to this generation and I think that’s positive (when it’s done safely, otherwise it’s too risky).

Is this lifestyle guiding us to hell (or some other bad place) according to Catholic beliefs?

Thank you for reading

I just wrote a LONG post in answer to this, which I decided to erase, as it lacked charity. I’m going to pass on this one, and read what some others here have to say. To be honest the questions, but more importantly, the attitude that underlies them. The moral relativism, rediculous philosophies based on paper mache axioms, and the whole prideful, self-indulgent tone of frighteningly large number of youth who live thinking this way puts me in a bit of downer right now, so I should leave this stuff to the more upbeat among us who have a gift of getting the gospel out without repelling the inquisitor. I would only be able to guide you to the catechism, the bible, numerous papal documents, the Church fathers, and 2000 years of good philosophy and wisdom stemming from the incarnation of the living God upon earth as a fully human/fully divine entity, and the apostles who he left under the care of the Holy Spirit. You’ve said you’re an Atheist, or think your are anyway, so all of these sources would be meaningless to you.

I don’t know how to present Catholic apologetics to a secular culture, and I will read the responses you get with deep interest so that I can understand how to approach someone already stripped of their belief of God by our thoroughly corrupt and demoralizing public education system, life-hating, culture and virtual black hole of in-home parental teaching on faith and morals. In all sincerity, I wish to learn how to address your questions. I can now just offer my prayers for you and your peers, and for the Holy Spirit to speak his wisdom through some of the truly gifted apologists who inhabit these forums. Please listen to them. They know of what they speak.

May God bless you and fill you heart,

Steven

 

[johnmarston]

Can I ask if you have any reason to believe in this particularly God you believe in? Or is it just an intuition?

I’d say it’s an intuition. But the universe is so hard to understand that we may never know… Probably I don’t want to think of dead as the end. It’s much more comforting to thing there’s something else. That’s why I’m not decided and like I said, I rather not think much of it because I’m sure I won’t conclude something precise.

I suppose believing that no one can know the truth is a nice way to innoculate yourself against faith. But you’ve admitted repeatedly in this thread that you don’t really know much about the Church’s teachings, which is why, I suspect, you keep referring to us patronizingly as if we’re making a choice that’s right for us because it makes us feel better. But that’s not the case at all – we’re not making a subjective value judgment when say “Christ is Lord”; we’re simply stating a fact (such a fact, indeed, that it’s almost tautological). We are speaking objective truths, and truths are necessarily “for everyone.” The Church is making a truth claim.

Oh… I’ve always seen it as a theory. I mean, you can’t prove God exists, you truly believe in him, but there’s no concrete proof of his existence, therefore I don’t consider it a objective truth.

I encourage you to go back and read the post I made re: conception. Again, what I offered there was a logical proof, as sound as any mathematical proof. If you reject it or disagree with its conclusions, it’s important for you to know why you do so – what reason you have for doing so. And since it’s a logical proof, it will be necessary for you to actually point to a concrete flaw in the logic.

“If God approved of contraception, he would have created condoms when he created man”​

If God wanted us to fly, he would have created us with wings.
If God wanted us to communicate with everyone, anywhere, at any place, he would have granted it.

Contraception, Human Flight, and even the Internet (for example), were created by Men. Men’s intelligence has broken many barriers trough thousands of years.

6. The human sexual faculty points toward the end of procreation;
That’s true, but it can also creates bonds between 2 persons. Sex brings lots of benefits to a human being and to his life.

I don’t know how to present Catholic apologetics to a secular culture, and I will read the responses you get with deep interest so that I can understand how to approach someone already stripped of their belief of God by our thoroughly corrupt and demoralizing public education system, life-hating, culture and virtual black hole of in-home parental teaching on faith and morals.
Steven

Well, my mother has faith in God. I know what faith is from her example. She may not be consider herself a Catholic because she doesn’t attend mass. But she prays a lot and I know her beliefs are truly genuine (for many reasons I won’t discuss here). However I think differently, not because of society and its flaws nor lack of teaching on faith and morals. When I reached a certain age, I became more mature and started raising some questions, and that’s very natural in my opinion.

 

[sw85]

Oh… I’ve always seen it as a theory. I mean, you can’t prove God exists, you truly believe in him, but there’s no concrete proof of his existence, therefore I don’t consider it a objective truth.

You *can *prove He exists though. We’re not called on to accept the truth of the Church merely on blind trust – in fact the Church affirmed its rejection of fideism in the First Vatican Council. If you like, I can briefly relate one or two of Aquinas’ proof so you can see the rationality in the case for God.

“If God approved of contraception, he would have created condoms when he created man”​

If God wanted us to fly, he would have created us with wings.
If God wanted us to communicate with everyone, anywhere, at any place, he would have granted it.

Contraception, Human Flight, and even the Internet (for example), were created by Men. Men’s intelligence has broken many barriers trough thousands of years.

That has nothing to do with the argument I outlined in the previous post.

6. The human sexual faculty points toward the end of procreation;
That’s true, but it can also creates bonds between 2 persons. Sex brings lots of benefits to a human being and to his life.

Agreed; as the Church has pointed out, there is a unitive aspect to sex. But it is subordinate to the procreative end: sex unites couples because it is capable of producing life; this is nature’s way of creating family bonds that provide for the child which sex produces. If sex were not intrinsically fertile, it would not be unitive. So to separate the procreative aspect of sex from the unitive, whether through premarital sex or using contraception or masturbating, etc., is a sin.

 

[johnmarston]

You *can *prove He exists though. We’re not called on to accept the truth of the Church merely on blind trust – in fact the Church affirmed its rejection of fideism in the First Vatican Council. If you like, I can briefly relate one or two of Aquinas’ proof so you can see the rationality in the case for God.

That would be interesting for me

 

[sw85]

That would be interesting for me

I’ll walk you through two such arguments – the Unmoved Mover and the First Cause. There are three others but we’ll just focus on these two for the moment. They’ll be long and heady, so bear with me.

First, the Unmoved Mover. First, we know that there is movement and change in the world. We also know that movement and change do not happen spontaneously but as a result of something else acting on them. For instance, a rock does not simply start moving without cause: if it moves, it moves because it was pushed (say, by a stick held in your hand) or pulled (say, by force of gravity down a slope). But, in the former case, for the stick to have moved the rock, it would have had to have been moved as well: in this case, by your hand. And your hand, too, would need to have been set into motion by something, i.e., the muscles in your hand. And those muscles would need to have been set in motion, i.e., by your motor neurons, which would need to have been set into motion, i.e., by your central nervous system, and then by some part of the frontal lobes of your brain, and then we start getting into atomic sources of causation such as the strong and weak force, etc.

You can see where this is going. If everything that moves had to have been set into motion by something other than itself, than it follows that there must be a beginning to this chain. (That is, it cannot be infinite in length; or rather, it can be infinite in the sense that it has no end, but cannot be infinite in that it has no beginning). And moreover, it follows that the beginning of that chain must be something which cannot itself have been moved (since it is at the beginning of the chain): thus, the Unmoved Mover. “And this, we call God.” (The same argument applied to change, of which motion is simply a special case, that is, a change in position: thus you could just as easily call it the Unchanged Changer).

Since this is an argument from ontological priority, the logical implication of it is that literally everything which moves or changes – which is literally everything in the universe – does so because the Unmoved Mover enables it to; because it kicks off the chain of causation that allows them to move.

The second argument is the First Cause, which relies on two philosophical terms: act and potency. Act (we’ll say actuality) is simply the state of being something: i.e., a book. Potency (we’ll say potentiality) is the state of having the potential to be something else, i.e., a pile of ashes. Now, the potentiality of something is realized only if acted on by something actual, so that a book’s potential to be ashes can be realized only if acted on in some way, e.g., if I set it on fire. But the potentiality of something can only be actualized by something which possesses the trait which it’s endowing, which is to say, I can turn a book with ashes with something that is itself on fire or which produces fire (e.g., a lighter), but I can’t turn a book to ashes with something that doesn’t have that characteristic (e.g., a banana). A similar causal chain winds up working here, because if the lighter can produce fire, then it’s potentiality to produce fire has to be actualized by something else (i.e., the gas); and the gas’ potential to burn must be actualized by something else (i.e., the striking mechanism); and the striking mechanism’s potential to cause the gas to light must itself be actualized by something (such as some inherent property of flint and steel). This causal chain, too, must have a beginning, and it’s beginning must be something that is itself without a beginning. “And this, we call God.”

A few important things follow from this. First, if all actualities ultimately derive from God, then God Himself must be all-powerful (and therefore all-knowing, all-present, etc.): He must have the ability to do anything we see in the world today. Second, God himself must be purely actual, that is, He must not have any potentiality: to have a potentiality means that something could act on Him to produce a change in Him, and as we see from the Unmoved Mover argument, God is unchanging. Third, God must be one entity, for to be distinct from someone is to have a potentiality which is unrealized in some respect (e.g., if I’m taller than you, than you have an unrealized potentiality for height); and as I established previously, God is pure actuality – Pure Being – with no potentialities to realize. He is therefore perfect, and cannot be distinct from anything without that thing being subordinate to Him.

Hope that gets some gears running!

 

[johnmarston]

Hope that gets some gears running!

It sure did. I have to leave now, but I’ll ask a few more questions tomorrow Thank you for your patience on writing all this

 

[Debora123]

Is this lifestyle guiding us to hell (or some other bad place) according to Catholic beliefs?

Thank you for reading

The life style you describe above has some good and some bad. You seem to be a genuine person with good intentions, and you say you like to help people - that’s good!

Going to heaven isn’t just about following a strict set of rules (although those rules certainly are important as well).

These set of guidelines are important as well:

Feed the hungry;
Give drink to the thirsty;
Clothe the naked;
Harbour the harbourless;
Visit the sick;
Ransom the captive;
Bury the dead.
Instruct the ignorant;
Counsel the doubtful;
Admonish sinners;
Bear wrongs patiently;
Forgive offenses willingly;
Comfort the afflicted;

…Following these can be a simple as volunteering at a soup kitchen, or stretching out a hand to a friend in distress, or visiting the old widowed lady who lives alone next door.

You say you like to help people, so that is some good news.

The things you described in your OP above, are in fact considered sins in the Catholic Church - masturbation and premarital sex.

However, this does not automatically mean you will go to Hell, and whoever tries to tell you otherwise is wayyy out of line. Only God knows the intentions in your heart.

 

[HannahBroussard]

I just want to say that it is really great that you are asking questions and opening your heart for answers. Keep asking and searching for truth.

I also want to point out that just because it feels good to you and society ‘tells you it’s right’ does not mean that it is. Rapists feel good when they rape and murder little kids. Terrorists feel good when they kill people and their ‘society’ worships them for it. Same thing for gangs. Anyway, my point is, sometimes we don’t know what it right for us and for the world. That is why we need people who are older and wiser than us to guide us and keep us in line. That is what the Church does for us.

I recommend you listen to or read some Theology of the Body. I know you are a self proclaimed atheist but you may find some truth to what you hear or read outside of religion. (Just google it and you will find tons of resources.) I do also recommend that you learn more about Christianity in its entirety, from the beginning.

Good luck and God bless!! I will keep you in my prayers!!

 

[Saint_Anonymous]

Masturbation:
Started doing it when I was 13. Can’t figure something wrong with it, I see it as a way to get to know our own body (and it feels good). Why is the Catholic Church against it?

I started masturbating when I was 12 and only recently have I started on the road to recovery. While I do not have any side effects like hairy palms, cancers, or growths: I do however have anxiety, depression, loneliness, and over developed fantasy life which masturbation helped intensify and If you keep going down this road you will to but I’m getting a head of myself. You see John we humans tend to build a resistance to things. Talk to anyone with an addiction and you will find there is something common amongst all of them (besides a godless life) that got them to the point of where they are today. This thing is called the “line.”

The “line” is a border that you create in your head that marks the spot where you tell yourself you won’t go any further. We all do it, and we all end up crossing it. The reason why we cross it is because we build a resistance to things and so we find the need to increase them to get the desired effect. This is largely because we have a chemical imbalance due to our nasty habit and because we have an intellect that constantly needs to be fed especially on new things (this is why you see a child play with a toy for only 20 minutes until they drop it to find something different regardless of how exciting that toy was 20 minutes ago)! Lust works in the same way because it is the adults version of a toy and so It starts small and then grows because what was interesting or satisfying for you when you were 12 does not cut it anymore now that your oh let’s say 27. You might be able to see this in your own life if you look back in the past. When I was 12 it started with comic books, then sears catalogs, then Victoria secret, then playboy (you know because of the articles), then hustler, then something more taboo, then something that I don’t want to mention and that’s just the beginning John because you reach a point where fantasizing doesn’t cut it anymore and the desire to act out the fantasy starts to rear its ugly head.

Now I know what you’re probably thinking because it was the same thing I thought when I was 18 and an unbeliever and that is **“pfft this won’t happen to me. I’m just a perfectly grounded individual practicing a safe and natural thing. Plus I have self-control and will power. I will be fine.” **Well my friend if this is what you find yourself saying then you are sadly mistaken and I hope you don’t have to learn what I learned but maybe it’s good that you do because my problem helped me find God and I’m eternally thankful for His mercy. Sad thing is I used to laugh at addicts that preached about how they found Jesus but I finally understand how they found Him. It’s because addiction humbles you! It brings you low to the ground and exposes your distorted view of reality and how misplaced your love is. It shows you that your will-power only has the power to bring you to addiction and that the only power that can free you is one that is greater than you. As Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen said: "Sometimes the only way the good Lord can get into some hearts is to break them".

At first you pray to God to just take this addiction away, but He doesn’t do this because He permitted you to have the addiction so you will always be able to see just how weak you are and to teach you an important lesson about trust and true love.

[BIBLEDRB]2 Corinthians 12:7-10[/BIBLEDRB]

Anyway that’s just a little of what I have to say regarding the dangers of masturbation. I do find it odd that someone that thinks masturbation is perfectly fine would be on a Catholic forum asking about the Catholic position regarding it. I used to do the same thing for two reasons; 1. My pride and 2. My guilt! But then again that was me and maybe not the case with you. Although I would like you to ask yourself if your truly happy and please don’t respond back to me with the answer. Just simply ask yourself if you’re truly happy.

As for your other questions I will be happy to touch on them later. I’m going to take a break to collect my thoughts and write out my responses.

God bless you John.

 

[Equites_Christi]

sw85 is doing a fantastic job of answering your questions, so I will only add this:

I am 17, and I am entering college in a few days, so I know the generation you talk about very well. However, I would like to present myself as a counterexample. I discovered masturbation around age 10 or 11, and struggled with it for years, miserable years. But I overcame it, through the power of Jesus. People always say that smoking is one of the hardest addictions to break, but I’m not so sure it’s harder than masturbation. First off, smoking is largely frowned upon and there is a huge medical literature about its serious dangers. Masturbation is smiled upon, and does not do any physical harm (that I am aware of.) Secondly, in order to smoke you need the physical cigarettes, which I hear are very expensive now. For masturbation, all you need is your own body and privacy! And if you want pornography, it’s widely available for free on the internet. And if that’s not enough, masturbation preys on a natural urge, the sexual urge, which is one of the strongest forces a man will ever grapple with.

How did I beat it? I didn’t, Jesus did. All I can say is it takes a great amount of perseverance - the material on that subject is ubiquitous here, so I won’t say more. But just because everyone else does these things, doesn’t mean you have to. I hope that the Lord will let my account give you hope!

And I have a girlfriend now. We are both virgins, and we both are waiting until marriage to give ourselves to each other, in accordance with Church teaching. Sometimes we are sorely tempted, but we just carry on. We know that the reward will be more than worth all the waiting and all the pain.

If there’s anything you take away from me to muse on, let it be this: sex is so much more than what we are taught. My teen friend, we are lied to. What’s so special about sex, if it’s just fun? Are not lots of things fun? If it can be done at any time, with anyone, for any reason, then what is all the fuss about? Shouldn’t backscratchers be considered on the same level, if the two serve the same function - scratch an itch?

But that’s not sex. That’s like saying food is a nice thing to put in your mouth for flavor. Then why not just chew gum? Sex is the ultimate fusion of two people, uniting their bodies and their very souls in an act of love which may help to bring into the world a whole new soul. Since this bond is so special, the Church teaches that it must only take place within a covenant that cannot be broken - marriage (What an idea eh? Marrying someone you don’t want to divorce! :roll eyes This experience cannot be had in the world of today. We are cheated of it by the filth that has flooded us since our childhood.

My friend, you have a good heart. This world is no place for good hearts. He begs you, I
beg you, come home.

 

[johnmarston]

First, the Unmoved Mover.

Well, we move based on energy we get. From the sun, the food we eat, the water we drink, etc…
The food we it does the same, and that’s nature and it’s balance.
However, Earth was once on a state of no life. What happened so small organisms appeared “out of nowhere” and then evolved to what we are now? We’ll, if you say the source is God, I won’t oppose to that in any way. I do believe there might be a superior force that gave a beginning to the inexplicable, that’s the only way I imagine such things happening.

The second argument is the First Cause

I actually don’t see a connection to God from a lighter burning. A spark cause the gas to burn. This requires oxygen. And there’s fire.
Now, once again, if you say fire exists this way because God wanted to, I won’t oppose to that

Debora123,
Personally, I think there are much more important things to care about than what a couple does in their intimacy. The set of guidelines you mentioned are very honorable indeed, and, being religious or not, they serve as an example to everyone. It should be society’s responsibility to promote good morals and values but unfortunately, that does not happen.

HannahBroussard,
I’m young, so I do not intend to rush anything, but I’ll definitely keep searching for new answers. So I do intend to learn more about religion

Saint Anonymous,
That line you mentioned… We can see another example of it when we look at drug addicts. They also start with small drugs but then they push their limits and find themselves trapped. And exiting the addiction is very very hard.
So I say moderation is very important. I don’t think any kind of addiction can be positive. So when someone is addicted to pornography, they’ll spend too much time watching it, and as a result they will be always looking for new things. What for the rest of us may be disgusting, the addicted will be enjoying it. Moderation is the key. (that’s the way I see it).

I asked about this subjects because I knew the Church does not support them (at least in the way I described them) but I didn’t actually knew why.
Now I do, and I thank you all for that

You asked me if I’m truly happy.

I do not believe in happiness.
I really think the state of permanent happiness is out of reach. Throughout our lives, we experience good and bad moments. Some makes us happy, others sad.

However, I can affirm the following:

I truly enjoy living. I’ve found some problems of course, but had to overcome and learn to live with them, accept them.
But I really do love my life, I love my family, I’ve got fantastic friends and a lovely girlfriend. I get happy when I think of them.
But sometimes I get angry and/or sad, and sometimes it happens really stupid reasons (some days just go wrong). But that happens to everyone of us.

Equites Christi,
Being 17 and committing to someone the way you do is remarkable.
Well, I did mention sex was fun. And it really is, because I do it with the girl I love. The smiles we see from each others faces are genuine, that’s why I said it was fun. It wouldn’t be genuine if I did it with someone I don’t like. But this girl… Well, we really like each other
However, we are aware that from some valid reason, we may break up. But I’ll always like her, and she will always like me.

 

[Debora123]

sw85 is doing a fantastic job of answering your questions, so I will only add this:

I am 17, and I am entering college in a few days, so I know the generation you talk about very well. However, I would like to present myself as a counterexample. I discovered masturbation around age 10 or 11, and struggled with it for years, miserable years. But I overcame it, through the power of Jesus. People always say that smoking is one of the hardest addictions to break, but I’m not so sure it’s harder than masturbation. First off, smoking is largely frowned upon and there is a huge medical literature about its serious dangers. Masturbation is smiled upon, and does not do any physical harm (that I am aware of.) Secondly, in order to smoke you need the physical cigarettes, which I hear are very expensive now. For masturbation, all you need is your own body and privacy! And if you want pornography, it’s widely available for free on the internet. And if that’s not enough, masturbation preys on a natural urge, the sexual urge, which is one of the strongest forces a man will ever grapple with.

How did I beat it? I didn’t, Jesus did. All I can say is it takes a great amount of perseverance - the material on that subject is ubiquitous here, so I won’t say more. But just because everyone else does these things, doesn’t mean you have to. I hope that the Lord will let my account give you hope!

And I have a girlfriend now. We are both virgins, and we both are waiting until marriage to give ourselves to each other, in accordance with Church teaching. Sometimes we are sorely tempted, but we just carry on. We know that the reward will be more than worth all the waiting and all the pain.

If there’s anything you take away from me to muse on, let it be this: sex is so much more than what we are taught. My teen friend, we are lied to. What’s so special about sex, if it’s just fun? Are not lots of things fun? If it can be done at any time, with anyone, for any reason, then what is all the fuss about? Shouldn’t backscratchers be considered on the same level, if the two serve the same function - scratch an itch?

But that’s not sex. That’s like saying food is a nice thing to put in your mouth for flavor. Then why not just chew gum? Sex is the ultimate fusion of two people, uniting their bodies and their very souls in an act of love which may help to bring into the world a whole new soul. Since this bond is so special, the Church teaches that it must only take place within a covenant that cannot be broken - marriage (What an idea eh? Marrying someone you don’t want to divorce! :roll eyes This experience cannot be had in the world of today. We are cheated of it by the filth that has flooded us since our childhood.

My friend, you have a good heart. This world is no place for good hearts. He begs you, I
beg you, come home.

Wow, this was truly an amazing, AMAZING post. :clapping:

 

[sw85]

Well, we move based on energy we get. From the sun, the food we eat, the water we drink, etc…
The food we it does the same, and that’s nature and it’s balance.
However, Earth was once on a state of no life. What happened so small organisms appeared “out of nowhere” and then evolved to what we are now? We’ll, if you say the source is God, I won’t oppose to that in any way. I do believe there might be a superior force that gave a beginning to the inexplicable, that’s the only way I imagine such things happening.

The point is that there is nothing we observe in nature that causes itself to move or change; everything is acted on by something else. And yet there’s no sense in saying this is a “closed” system because that would presuppose that the causal chain in question has no beginning, which is absurd. You can say, “We move because of energy,” but where does the energy come from? It’s emitted from the sun? What causes the sun to emit energy? And what causes *that *cause? And so on and so on and so on.

This applies even to times before life: things still moved and changed before we came along, after all.

I actually don’t see a connection to God from a lighter burning. A spark cause the gas to burn. This requires oxygen. And there’s fire.

The point is that the fire is produced because there is some power inherent in the spark to cause fire. The flame causes things to burn, not freeze; and it inherited this power from the spark, which caused the flame. And the spark itself must “inherit” this power from whatever caused it (i.e., some ignitive property of striking flint and steel). Since everything must “inherit” its powers from something, and since we already know there is no such a thing as a causal chain that exists but didn’t begin, it follows there must be one thing from which all powers are inherited, and which is therefore all-powerful. “And this, we call God.”

That said, both of these are logical proofs, meaning saying “I don’t believe in it” is not really acceptable unless you can point to a flaw in the operation of the logic. This is not mere irrational belief we’re talking about after all but facts – the nature of things. Can you point to a flaw in the logic? If not, then you must acknowledge there is a thing that is ontologically prior to all other things, that is one, irreducible, all-powerful, and purely being: and what else could such a thing be but God?