Angry again

[Biblepoe]

My recommendation would be to try to see things from the perspective of the other person.

Empathy is the key.

For example, I have this friend. He’s gay. Usually we don’t speak about that, because we have common interests other than hot button politics, for example, the latest strategy game. He does good turns by me, and I him. But now he’s jubipant about recent events and unknowingly denouncing his own friends.

I’m assuming this is the proximate motivating factor behind you starting this thread.

What exactly is he happy about, and how is it relevant to your relationship with him?

I’m assuming that the “recent events” he’s jubilant about is DOMA being rules unconstitutional and California proposition 8 being gone. Without knowing your friend, I can bet that to him these things were deprivations of his civil rights. You strongly supporting these now defunct laws is, or choosing to belong to an organization that does (the Catholic Church), to him, you supporting his civil rights being stripped away.

Would you consider someone who actively supports stripping your rights away to be a friend? Probably not. If your government passed a law banning Catholics from getting married, I’m sure you’d be an extremely vocal pro-Catholic marriage activist.

Most people can befriend others who disagree with them on religion and morality, but if one actively promotes stripping the civil rights of the other person away, that makes it almost impossible to befriend the other.

Was all he did a lie, to get me to somehow abandon my principles? Then ai’m afraid that others, the people next to me in the pew, will think I’ve surrendered my faith to get along.

I’m not entirely sure what your concern is here. Are you concerned that he befriended you with the intent of changing your mind on same-sex marriage (instead of just for the sake of being friends)? If so, that probably means that he thinks you’re empathetic enough to consider his point of view and possibly change your mind. If so, I think you should take that as a complement! In his eyes, I’m sure that would be making you a much better friend and person in general.

I say this as a gay man who is surrounded by those who want to take my rights away.

 

[iamcatholic100]

I am both angry and scared with how much power the liberals have on the government, media, and colleges. I am angry with the fact that many people are trying to take away our religious liberties to live act out our faith. I personally am afraid of what the future may hold. I don’t hate these people, I’m just very ticked off at what they are advocating

 

[JimR-OCDS]

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry* with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa*,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.q Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:21-26

*Raqa: an Aramaic word rēqā’ or rēqâ probably meaning “imbecile,” “blockhead,” a term of abuse.

Jim

 

[3DOCTORS]

I am both angry and scared with how much power the liberals have on the government, media, and colleges. I am angry with the fact that many people are trying to take away our religious liberties to live act out our faith. I personally am afraid of what the future may hold. I don’t hate these people, I’m just very ticked off at what they are advocating

^This.^

It’s not that I don’t understand that those on the opposite side of the question want more rights according to their perceptions of what rights they should have. Their expectations have been heightened by the groundswell of public opinion in recent times. The horse is out of the barn.

The thing to remember is, that horse is on the move and the consequences will affect both sides. The push for societal approval and even promotion of this huge and unprecedented change is going to push against those who will at some point push back. No sensible, decent person wants to see the war of words turn into an actual civil war, but sometimes I wonder if that isn’t where we’re heading. And whether, if such a terrible consequence does come to pass, after the dust has settled, whether anyone will feel it has been worth it. :nope:

 

[InLight247]

To OP:

I understand your angry feeling. It has nothing to do with ego. Anyone who has high moral standard, who truly loves God and truly loves our nation will lament on the destruction we are heading to and feels angry about the chaos.

One of the biggest problems of our society today is we have lost the sense of right and wrong, the true meaning of freedom, and the true meaning of love. True freedom is not to do whatever we feel like to but do right things within God’s law. True compassion is not helping the sinners continue to sin but to tell them the truth with honesty and love.

The gay couples can have all the “benefits” they want, but they simply cannot call gay sex “marriage”. Marriage is sacred, a Sacrament in Catholic faith. Why couldn’t they just make a law with all the benefits for the gays and not defy the true meaning of marriage?

The Church will NOT perform Holy Matrimony for gay couples. For Catholics who support “gay marriage”, are you saying the Church is wrong and you know better than the Church? I know many of them do think they know better than the Church. We are facing endless problems. But don’t just be angry, continue to defend the truth and pray for those deeply deceived.

 

[jen197577]

Life get very overwhelming and I can relate to your feelings. Our struggle is one moment at a time. Help where you can in your family to lead them to God. We sometime cannot see the consequences to someone’s actions because that is between that person and God. If you have kids, try to see to their spiritual needs by getting them to Sunday Mass as well as attending a Catholic School. Each one of us have to lead by our example. There is a prayer for Vocations that is very simple to say. It is as follows.

O God, who wills not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live; grant, we beseech You, through the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, and all the Saints, and increase of laborers for Your Church, fellow laborers with Christ, to spend and consume themselves for souls, through the same Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You, in union with the Holy Spirit, world without end, Amen

The power of prayer is greater than the bullet of a gun.

blessings,

 

[fred_conty]

I’ve worked in an office for more years than I would like to count. And I’ve run into all kinds of people with a mixture of thoughts and opinions, some of which were not pleasant. I’ve always managed to keep my cool and my job tho at times it was not easy. The first thing is for you to do is keep you job and your cool. It would just please your dissadent “friends” to see you damaged in some way and it would only be to your disadvantage not theirs. So if you feel that you may lose control, the better part of valor is to retreat.

The second idea is that we just may have to take to the streets and peacefully demonstrate. Prayers are important, but action is also important. If we protest for our civil rights which are being trashed, then that is an effective way to make noise and raise a bit of hair on the other guys head. They don’t like it. But then we don’t like what they are forcing down our conscience either. So I think personally we need to make things a bit unpleasant and noisy so we get their attention and make them realize that when they do wrong, bad things happen.
Unfortunately in things of this nature, nice guys come in last. The uncomfortable level is not high enough. And I’m sure all of us have heard what happens when the good guys do nothing.

Just a thought.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

Yes and I went to seminary for a year, and I was appalled at the heresies I found there. one teacher saying that the bible is not that important and one formation advisor told us that he receives communion at all churches. seminarians that think abortion should be made available, cause otherwise women may die in an alley. one other time I had an argument from a young priest that was on loan there to teach scripture and he was totally for abortion. and I am the one that needs formation. I got mad and I spoke out it got me in trouble. but at the same time, I’d much rather be a laymen in purgatory than a clergyman in HELL. But being justifiably angry, is good and warranted if coupled with prudence. When speaking out and being angry. be nice and do it with love. that is the best way be charitable and gently show people that they’re wrong.

 

[InLight247]

Yes and I went to seminary for a year, and I was appalled at the heresies I found there. one teacher saying that the bible is not that important and one formation advisor told us that he receives communion at all churches. seminarians that think abortion should be made available, cause otherwise women may die in an alley. one other time I had an argument from a young priest that was on loan there to teach scripture and he was totally for abortion. and I am the one that needs formation. I got mad and I spoke out it got me in trouble. but at the same time, I’d much rather be a laymen in purgatory than a clergyman in HELL.

It is too disheartening to hear what you said. Fortunately all the young newly ordained priests in our Diocese are very holy and authentic. We had quite a few young priests during the past years in the parishes around here, they are all holy and inspiring. The illicit seminary you mentioned should not exist.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

It is too disheartening to hear what you said. Fortunately all the young newly ordained priests in our Diocese are very holy and authentic. We had quite a few young priests during the past years in the parishes around here, they are all holy and inspiring. The illicit seminary you mentioned should not exist.

You’re right it shouldn’t. I like your diocese. The bishop is the diocese, your bishop seems to be a good one. I am for second career seminarians but they need to be heavily vetted before being accepted.

 

[InLight247]

You’re right it shouldn’t. I like your diocese. The bishop is the diocese, your bishop seems to be a good one. I am for second career seminarians but they need to be heavily vetted before being accepted.

As far as I know several of our wonderful young priests graduated from The Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio. Josephinum seems to train real authentic priests. Our Diocese is several States away from Ohio.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

As far as I know several of our wonderful young priests graduated from The Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio. Josephinum seems to train real authentic priests. Our Diocese is several States away from Ohio.

I won’t mention the name but it is not that seminary. I don’t know, but the bishop can be the one that dictates the orthodoxy of his diocese, by which investigating each seminary and send his seminarians to the most orthodox seminary and I have heard wonderful things about that seminary. I am too old for that one, (I detest with every passion “age”) but the one I went to was for second career people.

 

[InLight247]

I won’t mention the name but it is not that seminary. I don’t know, but the bishop can be the one that dictates the orthodoxy of his diocese, by which investigating each seminary and send his seminarians to the most orthodox seminary and I have heard wonderful things about that seminary. I am too old for that one, (I detest with every passion “age”) but the one I went to was for second career people.

Bishop definitely makes difference. I don’t know how it works, but I know our Diocese priests are from different seminaries all over, some are from Ohio, some Boston, some D.C. and none of those seminaries are in the territory of our Diocese. My best wishes to you. All the seminarians and people who are discerning vocation along with all the priests are always in my prayers. God bless!

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

Bishop definitely makes difference. I don’t know how it works, but I know our Diocese priests are from different seminaries all over, some are from Ohio, some Boston, some D.C. and none of those seminaries are in the territory of our Diocese. My best wishes to you. All the seminarians and people who are discerning vocation along with all the priests are always in my prayers. God bless!

Thanks. I am not upset that I am not in formation at this time. I was given what I begged God for which was a chance and to get past the application process. I am very grateful. that I was allowed to discern. They need all our prayers as it is a real hard undertaking to enter formation.

 

[bcuster]

I am convinced that every once in a while we need to have a private tantrum about the way the world is going. I like to have mine when I am alone with the Lord. He has heard many over the years. Now that I think of it, so has my husband. When I am done, I am reminded: God is is charge. We think we are, but God is in charge. This calms me and puts things in perspective so I can get to the work of praying and acting.

 

[3DOCTORS]

I am convinced that every once in a while we need to have a private tantrum about the way the world is going. I like to have mine when I am alone with the Lord. He has heard many over the years. Now that I think of it, so has my husband. When I am done, I am reminded: God is is charge. We think we are, but God is in charge. This calms me and puts things in perspective so I can get to the work of praying and acting.

Me too! :yup: