Am I turning into a religious fanatic? What should I do?

[frangiuliano115]

Off topic, but to suit your curiosity, K-pop means Korean pop–a genre of adorable Korean singing groups that dance while they sing. It’s like One Direction for Asians. You hate it, you obsess over it, or you absolutely don’t know about it, and there rarely is someone who is in between those three options.

My vocational director did tell me that. He said that all a mother wants is for me to be happy, so if mom doesn’t think I would be happy as a priest, I would expect her to be a little bit turned off about it. As with a lot of moms who are Catholic but are not into the faith, they would be concerned at first,** but become super fans of their sons when they become ordained, then become ultra religious too**.

TRUE!

Will be checking out K-pop on youtube.

Hope I don’t become obsessed!

 

[migencluz]

It’s not so much the Paris incident but rather how it may appear regarding outreach to children. I think what he was getting at is that due to the scandals of the past years, priests, seminarians, and religious have to be very careful in their actions towards children, so as not to cause any undue suspicions. This is why all priests, seminarians, religious, and church workers go through safe environment (child protection) training.

It’s sad that it has to be that way, I know, but on the other hand, it is good and necessary, both for the protection of children and for those who work with them.

As to your original post, I don’t think you’re a fanatic at all, just very zealous. Be sure to keep a balanced life, as a previous poster said. Cultivate hobbies, have fun. Enjoy life. St. Athanasius said, “The glory of God is man fully alive!” Remember that! Oh, and get a spiritual director! ASAP! A spiritual director will help you dive deeper and see things you can’t see with your own eyes.

Case in point: in my own life, I have a deep devotion to our Lady, pray the rosary regularly, keep small religious items around to give to people that might need them, etc. I carve out time every day for spiritual reading, scripture, etc. God is first in my life, or rather, that’s what I strive for (we all fail at that I think). So by the world’s standards, I’m probably a fanatic. But that’s OK. What they don’t see is that after those things, I have a deep love for astronomy, writing, and archery, but all of that gets overshadowed by some people’s opinions. Oh well.

The key: Stay healthy, stay balanced, and make God first in all things, and don’t worry too much about what the world says. I will be praying for you!

Oh my! That too. I’m sad that priests have so much more on their plate because of that scandal. Before that, priests were just concerned they are not clerical enough. Now they also have to worry about the pedophilia scandal.
I do have a spiritual director. I’m blessed to have that priest around. He is easy to relate to. I’ve talked to him about this before, and he thinks I am a perfectly normal person who decided to raise religion higher, instead of sports or politics.
I do have a lot of hobbies. I do a lot of arts and recreational sports myself.

 

[migencluz]

TRUE!

Will be checking out K-pop on youtube.

Hope I don’t become obsessed!

I recommend you check “Sorry Sorry” by Super Junior, or “Nobody” by Wonder Girls. That’s one of the popular classic K-pop out there. Lot of Asian teenagers like me fantasize over K-pop groups, and I have been in the past–down to posting pictures of them on my walls. I’m quite surprised my mom did not notice this, but got turned off when she saw a home altar in my room.

 

[frangiuliano115]

I recommend you check “Sorry Sorry” by Super Junior, or “Nobody” by Wonder Girls. That’s one of the popular classic K-pop out there. Lot of Asian teenagers like me fantasize over K-pop groups, and I have been in the past–down to posting pictures of them on my walls. I’m quite surprised my mom did not notice this, but got turned off when she saw a home altar in my room.

Already checked it out but will go back for Sorry Sorry and Nobody. I love music, Not that really now stuff - it’s too much.

I think I’ll stick to U2. Been a fan of theirs for about 30 years or more. Now that’s fanaticism!

You know, you might want to get to know their work. They’re not a christian band, but they are a band of christians. Catch the lyrics - beautiful.

Yeah. Your last sentence is typical - we spoke about this already. When a person doesn’t know God, they don’t notice some things. (lucky for you or those posters would be coming down!!)

Take care

 

[tweedlealice]

Hi,
It is hard enough to try and discern your vocation without your family challenging your thoughts. Your altars sound beautiful. Your evangelism is precious. When I was going to be a nun, I asked a priest if he would be my counselor. Every week, I would go to confession with him. One shares your name in the confessional when you have a counselor as he guides you in you spiritual life.
If you going to nursing school finish your degrees.
I HAVE A PLAN FOR YOU. IT IS A GOOD PLAN AND NOT FOR EVIL. IT HAS A FUTURE AND A PROMISE,. JEREMIAH 29:11.
in Christ’s love
Tweedlealice

Believe and hope in the Lord.

 

[golfcrickah]

Tone it down, Try a little self -control it shouldn`t take away from righteous zeal.

 

[Brendan_64]

Tone it down, Try a little self -control it shouldn`t take away from righteous zeal.

I would agree with that. Sometimes a display of too much over-enthusiasm may push people away rather than draw them to you. The aim is to draw people to our Faith and we need to adjust our approach accordingly. It should not be about us outwardly displaying our emotions, simply because of how we feel, we should consider how we should best present ourselves outwardly in a manner that will be most effective to evangelise others.

 

[migencluz]

I would agree with that. Sometimes a display of too much over-enthusiasm may push people away rather than draw them to you. The aim is to draw people to our Faith and we need to adjust our approach accordingly. It should not be about us outwardly displaying our emotions, simply because of how we feel, we should consider how we should best present ourselves outwardly in a manner that will be most effective to evangelise others.

You’re right. I’ll do that. I am an enthusiastic person in general; but as any discerning man, I have more enthusiasm for religion than many other things. So, with my natural enthusiasm, it would seem like I am being too much. It’s like adding ice cold water to solid ice, and placing it in the freezer.

 

[sticknstring73]

This is one of the first threads where I read every post super slowly. At this point anything I say will echo the above with sone minor difference.

But I just want to relate something quickly. When I went through a video game phase I had several systems, and hundreds of video games. No one batted an eye. Who knows how much time/money I wasted. When I found Jesus (who finds who?) the amount of groans and eye rolling was amazing. I too have a modest home altar on top of a dresser, not very elaborate. People have said “do you have to be so Catholic?”

The answer for me is yes. If all of this is true then how can I not be. I admit sometimes to people who are not ready to hear the gospel it can sound alarming. IMHO I think it’s like holding up a mirror that shows them what they really look like and they might see something displeasing. Sometimes persons reaction to what you are doing, or BELIEVING, is less about you and more about them. The other things you like they’ll be there and you SHOULD enjoy them, but I bet if you were 1/2 as religious as you currently are there would still be an issue.

If Jesus brings you joy that’s wonderful, you want to share HIM even better I think we’re supposed to (Matthew 5:15). God bless you and God keep you. I will certainly pray for you, Lord knows we need more like you.

 

[AttendeDomine]

What are your thoughts?

Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat.

If polls on contraception or Church attendance or marriage or homosexuals are valid, I think that the vast majority of Catholics are not at all serious about the Faith and, frankly, are probably material if not formal heretics; that a smaller percentage, like me, are lukewarm and often sold-out to worldliness in many respects; that a smaller percentage still are habitually in a state of grace, heroically avoiding even venial sin, and consistently striving to become a Saint; and that a tiny minority are living Saints, having reached sanctified perfection.

We are all called, no matter our state in life, to the fourth category.

There are many temptations to set this aside, one of which is human respect, and another of which is effeminacy, or the vice of being unwilling to set aside pleasure in order to pursue something arduous. To be blunt, our culture is awash in effeminacy, and this manifests itself in manifold ways, not least of which is our approach to God.

To set aside God out of preference for the opinions of men is absolutely horrible, and we should be ashamed of ourselves for the constant ways in which we do this.

We should know that anyone who persecutes us for having a living faith, and an ardent charity for God, is absolutely opposed to the spirit of Christ, is probably full of the spirit of the world, and, most important of all, is a source of merit for us when we resist their temptations to grow cold in our love for God.

What should be our response?

GET BEHIND ME SATAN, thou art a scandal unto me.

 

[sticknstring73]

If polls on contraception or Church attendance are valid, I think that the vast majority of Catholics are not at all serious about the Faith and, frankly, are probably material if not formal heretics; that a smaller percentage, like me, are lukewarm and often sold-out to worldliness in many respects; that a smaller percentage still are habitually in a state of grace, heroically avoiding even venial sin, and consistently striving to become a Saint; and that a tiny minority are living Saints, having reached sanctified perfection.

We are all called, no matter our state in life, to the fourth category.

There are many temptations to set this aside, one of which is human respect, and another of which is effeminacy, or the vice of being unwilling to set aside pleasure in order to pursue something arduous. To be blunt, our culture is awash in effeminacy, and this manifests itself in manifold ways, not least of which is our approach to God.

To set aside God out of preference for the opinions of men is absolutely horrible, and we should be ashamed of ourselves for the constant ways in which we do this.

We should know that anyone who persecutes us for having a living faith, and an ardent charity for God, is absolutely opposed to the spirit of Christ, is probably full of the spirit of the world, and, most important of all, is a source of merit for us when we resist their temptations to grow cold in our love for God.

What should be our response?

GET BEHIND ME SATAN, thou art a scandal unto me.

Right On!

 

[Duane1966]

I would just add that when people call others a fanatic, sometimes they are just ashamed of their own lack of zeal in their own lives. I speak as one who has come from the ashamed, or actually jealousy of another person’s greater love for Christ than I, side of things. I wonder if Cain actually thought Abel was a fanatic?

 

[Brendan_64]

You’re right. I’ll do that. I am an enthusiastic person in general; but as any discerning man, I have more enthusiasm for religion than many other things. So, with my natural enthusiasm, it would seem like I am being too much. It’s like adding ice cold water to solid ice, and placing it in the freezer.

But at the same time be joyful of how you feel inside. Keep your enthusiasm burning, but be aware of how to use this to evangelise others, use it in a controlled fashion.

 

[ChaosGamma]

Off topic, but to suit your curiosity, K-pop means Korean pop–a genre of adorable Korean singing groups that dance while they sing. It’s like One Direction for Asians. You hate it, you obsess over it, or you absolutely don’t know about it, and there rarely is someone who is in between those three options.

K-pop? You heathen! Everyone knows that true Catholics listen to nothing but chant, Mozart and Morning Musume.

This post has no relevance to anything, but I couldn’t resist.

 

[Sunbreak]

You aren’t a fanatic just because you enjoy talking about and expressing your religious beliefs. However, make sure that your life is balanced. Since you are considering a vocation, you still must be aware that priests don’t sit around and pray all the time. You must still be skilled in the practical matters of life. Take time for recreation and hobbies and social life.

 

[adamhovey1988]

I am discerning my vocation into the priesthood, so that may explain why I seem so interested about Christianity. However, my mom thought I’m turning into a lunatic. She bases it out from the fact that I have an altar in my room, and a religious study nook that kinda looks like an altar too. Every Sunday Mass, I have some holy cards in my missal that are for enthusiastic children to whom I can give these to. I always wear a cross around my neck, and I’m always so excited to talk about my faith. Two LDS men for three times this month, have been coming to my front doorstep. I don’t let them into the house, but I stick around outside with them for them to talk about the Mormon faith, and for me to talk about my Catholic Christian faith–and we three learn so much from that. My mom is a doctor, and have dealt with psychologically weak patients, and so she is comparing me to these people. As a nursing major myself, I know that it is a possibility that I may just not see that I really am turning into a lunatic, but I don’t see that I am, so I am kinda clueless, and I don’t know if my mom is right (btw, she claims she is okay if I become a priest, but I know that deep down, she full-heartedly can’t accept that) and that I should tone down a bit, or what. What are your thoughts?

Honestly I wish I had that kind of devotion. I think your piety is sincere and I don’t think anything is wrong and I would rather you be like that than become a Mormon

 

[TimothyH]

I actually do have a hobby. I am artistic, and I also do other things like bowling and cooking. I can cook Pad Thai as good as the next guy, and I try my best to get a perfect 300 on the lanes. I hand-paint t-shirts, which a lot of people buy from me. And I also do a lot of calligraphy work, like thank you cards, and invitations. I keep those separate from my religious hobbies, which I do not do a lot. I make chained rosaries, decoupage pictures of saints, write icons, etc.
Also, I walk home, so I enjoy the view to take away the exhaustion I have from school–and as a nursing major, I have a lot of that. And I dance too. I really love dancing samba no pe.

Good. It is important to be balanced and this is good to hear.

I just tried Pad Thai for the first time. Are you Brazillian? I have been taking salsa lessons.

 

[PJM]

=migencluz;13464775]I am discerning my vocation into the priesthood, so that may explain why I seem so interested about Christianity. However, my mom thought I’m turning into a lunatic. She bases it out from the fact that I have an altar in my room, and a religious study nook that kinda looks like an altar too. Every Sunday Mass, I have some holy cards in my missal that are for enthusiastic children to whom I can give these to. I always wear a cross around my neck, and I’m always so excited to talk about my faith. Two LDS men for three times this month, have been coming to my front doorstep. I don’t let them into the house, but I stick around outside with them for them to talk about the Mormon faith, and for me to talk about my Catholic Christian faith–and we three learn so much from that. My mom is a doctor, and have dealt with psychologically weak patients, and so she is comparing me to these people. As a nursing major myself, I know that it is a possibility that I may just not see that I really am turning into a lunatic, but I don’t see that I am, so I am kinda clueless, and I don’t know if my mom is right (btw, she claims she is okay if I become a priest, but I know that deep down, she full-heartedly can’t accept that) and that I should tone down a bit, or what. What are your thoughts?

PRAY Much!
Rely far less on you and a GREAT deal more on God!

Ask God and expect Him to lead you to where He whats you to be.

Back off the home altar [at least for now] and in their place endeavor to speak MORE time with God in Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

In your spare time REALLY make the effort to LEARN our faith well enough to explain it factually and with charity.

And make a POINT ASAP to talk to a priest about all of this ASAP:thumbsup:

God Bless you,

Patrick

Avoid the LDS as it is a cult; and a devious one at that.

 

[fhansen]

I am discerning my vocation into the priesthood, so that may explain why I seem so interested about Christianity. However, my mom thought I’m turning into a lunatic. She bases it out from the fact that I have an altar in my room, and a religious study nook that kinda looks like an altar too. Every Sunday Mass, I have some holy cards in my missal that are for enthusiastic children to whom I can give these to. I always wear a cross around my neck, and I’m always so excited to talk about my faith. Two LDS men for three times this month, have been coming to my front doorstep. I don’t let them into the house, but I stick around outside with them for them to talk about the Mormon faith, and for me to talk about my Catholic Christian faith–and we three learn so much from that. My mom is a doctor, and have dealt with psychologically weak patients, and so she is comparing me to these people. As a nursing major myself, I know that it is a possibility that I may just not see that I really am turning into a lunatic, but I don’t see that I am, so I am kinda clueless, and I don’t know if my mom is right (btw, she claims she is okay if I become a priest, but I know that deep down, she full-heartedly can’t accept that) and that I should tone down a bit, or what. What are your thoughts?

The longer I’m Christian the more fanatical the world seems to me. And yet the easier it becomes for me to love it anyway. Go with I say!

 

[multitude]

I would just add that when people call others a fanatic, sometimes they are just ashamed of their own lack of zeal in their own lives. I speak as one who has come from the ashamed, or actually jealousy of another person’s greater love for Christ than I, side of things. I wonder if Cain actually thought Abel was a fanatic?

Cain did want his conscience cleared, he wanted to be the golden child instead, but God wasn’t having it. Cain felt that worshipping God was something he had to do, but not necessarily something to go zealous about. It’s probably why the Cain’s of this world feel almost justified in continuing to mock and persecute the Abel’s of this world.