Are you personally "attacked" for your faith?

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Theodora:
NightRider:

Your answer to the other “Christian” was good. They might better understand your Catholic language when you have a few Bible verses ready that you can quote to back up your position.

I found a few to show why Catholics glory in the Cross of Christ (Gal 6, 14 But as for me, God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.) Here they are:

1 Cor 1, 23 *but **we, for our part, preach a crucified Christ ***- to the Jews indeed a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness…

Reminders:

Gal 2, 20 With Christ I am nailed to the cross. It is now no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me.

Gal 5,24 And they who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.

Matthew 5:
11. Blessed are you, when men reproach you, and persecute you, and speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you, for my sake.
12. Rejoice and exult, because your reward is great in heaven.


Peace.

Theodora
Dear Theodora,

Thank you so much for these verses–they will be put to use if this ever happens to me again! God bless you!

NightRider
 
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montanaman:
Well, before we all rush off joyously to martyrdom, just keep in mind that a little aggressiveness coupled with humor goes a long way. Most people in my circle of friends–office or otherwise–know that I don’t take anti-Catholic bigotry well. I don’t get prissy, but if a Protestant takes a shot at the Faith with some snarky comment about worshipping statues or paying for forgiveness of sins, I tell them to give us back the Bible they’re abusing–it’s a Catholic publication. Or, I’ll ask them where in the Bible it says the altar should be a place for electric guitars.
You’ll never win anyone over in spontaneous theological bursts. You need to win them over to YOU first. When they respect you, that’s when you unapologetically, unambiguously, give them the truth. Know your stuff, though. They can smell insecurity and fear–and they don’t like it.
Very excellent Montanaman!!!

Yes, we need to win friends first, before we can witness! Isn’t that the truth? Too often I know for myself, I’m so anxious to run out and tell all my Fundamentalist Protestant friends and family about the Catholic faith I’ve discovered. Some of them are just not plain open. Usually the ones whom I’m not close with to begin with. Sometimes not though. This is a big lesson for me------to win friends first–then proclaim second.!!! Thanks for reminding us all of this. As Fr. Mitch Pacwa says—“find out where someone itches first, then scratch it there”…
 
Just for everyone’s information, if the kind of behaviour Sir Hubert describes was to occur in Australia, the victim would be entitled to report it to the police and the perpetrator(s) could be charged under the state’s anti-discrimination laws. It is irrelevant whether the abuse occurs at work or not because it’s not a workplace law, it’s a law that applies to the general public in all places.

So find out if New York has similar laws and you might be pleasantly surprised.
 
When I was going through my conversion process, my son’s baptist preacher, btw,I never attended this church, was telling me over the phone that me and my kids were going straight to hell for my Catholic conversion. :eek:

I expected this kind of behavior from “John Doe” citizen, but was in shock when it came from the preacher. :eek: My son loved this preacher, and it was hard for him to believe that this conversation even happened. My son took the preachers word over mine. 😦

Thank God things are not the same now. I am a faithful Catholic and both of my son’s arein the choir and both want to be Alter Servers.

Satan lost with us big time 👍

ALL PRAISE AND GLORY TO GOD. :bowdown2:
 
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mkw:
When I was going through my conversion process, my son’s baptist preacher, btw,I never attended this church, was telling me over the phone that me and my kids were going straight to hell for my Catholic conversion. :eek: I expected this kind of behavior from “John Doe” citizen, but was in shock when it came from the preacher. :eek: My son loved this preacher, and it was hard for him to believe that this conversation even happened. My son took the preachers word over mine. :(Thank God things are not the same now. I am a faithful Catholic and both of my son’s arein the choir and both want to be Alter Servers.Satan lost with us big time 👍
PTL MKW! How did you ever get your son out of this Baptist Church? How did this come about? I do worry for one of my teens who’s in a situation like this—he plays in the praise band at a very “Fundy” church mid-week and I’m concerned might be hearing some anti-Catholic sentiments as well—not as bad as yours yet–God forbid–but how did your wonderful revelation happen with your son? What made him make the break? Any advice??

Blessings~~
 
We live in an age where everything is tolerated but Christianity. On that same note, it seems that Catholic Christianity is not tolerated.

Jesus did say that if we wish to follow him, we must carry our crosses and endure until the end. My brethren, we need to carry our crosses and endure.

Always remember that we have truth on our side. We have the fullness of truth.

I too am accused of being too holy. Psh! What a misconception! We Catholics also get angry… We’re not perfect. We just chose to follow a path that gives us freedom. :gopray2:
 
The latest attacks are concerning sexual abuse by clergy. According to some people, all priests are child molesters. Some of the most rabid anti-Catholics have made clergy abuse their mission. No, none of these people I encounter were abused themselves, they are not even Catholic. :banghead:
 
I’ve been called a jesus freak and such.

A good recent example wasn’t me personally, but my fiance personally. A woman she works with has breast cancer, and when she told my fiance, at the end of the converstation my fiance hugged her and told her she’d be praying for her. The poor woman facing this tragedy went to lunch with other co-workers and complained about my fiance saying “the last thing we need is her bringing her religion into work.”

Of course, we live in a world where, right here in Illinois, Dupo High School Senior James Lords was suspended for a month for saying violating so-called separation of church and state by saying “Happy Holidays and God bless” when closing a program on the schools tv station.

I can’t believe saying “you’ll be in my prayers” was offensive. Very sad, really.
 
I am a person who believes in God, but who feels that religion can be harmful. I have been attacked for my beliefs many times. One example was a friend who is also a teacher who said that children raised in homes without religion will have no morals. Well, I have to disagree vociferously. I think many intellectual but non-religious parents have much more moral children and I have seen it in my own classroom.
 
Re: Are you personally “attacked” for your faith?

Absolutely. couple times a week if not daily. My Baptists neighbors barely talk to us. When new people move into the neighborhood they fall all over themselves to evangelize .
At work I’ve been ridiculed for my miraculous medal, pedophile priests, my five kids, etc etc.
I thank God for this. My faith has never been stronger. I read the early church fathers, catechism and the Bible more than ever. I wouldn’t be on this forum if I wasn’t challenged by the Mormons, pentecostal, Baptists etc…( though Im’ painting with a broad brush please realize they all don’t behave like this)

It’s funny how they already know who will be going to
hell.

while I deal mostly with Southern protestants I bet You have to fight extreme liberalism in Albany, NY. Bless you and be strong.

i find the attacks from within more depressing.
 
I find it is mainly protestants who attack me for my beliefs, but I have had Catholics also attack me. I have been told I am going to hell and that there is nothing to prevent me from killing someone since I am not religious. Some of the most decent people I know are not religious.
 
Yes, I have been personally attacked for my faith. I have witnessed the attacks of other Catholics as well.
Many times the attacks come from former or lasped Catholics who do not understand the reasons behind Catholic beliefs.
One time at a former job I was continually challenged by a former Catholic who became a Lutheran. The attacks stopped after one particular discussion:
He accused Catholics of worshipping Saints. He argued that there was no basis for saints, that saints stood in the way of Christ, etc etc. A few days later I asked him what was the name of his Church.
“St John’s Lutheran Church” he replied, and then an immediate expression of horror passed over his face as he recalled our conversation of a few days before. :eek:
I am constantly questioned about the annulments (a situation I am currently going thru). “It’s none of the Churches business” I am frequently told (“Then why is it any of your’s?” I want to ask)

I have witnessed an elderly woman being harrased at one of my former work places for having a Holy Card of the Blessed Mother on her desk at work. Unfortunately this woman could not defend her faith to the Protestant who challenged her regarding it. I could only say to this man “if Catholic’s have tangible items that enable them to feel closer to God why does this bother you?”
It wasn’t a very good retort to him but he left her alone after that. Many of these little incidents over the years have actually brought me closer to my faith because it has encouraged to me learn the reason’s behind the practices. We should be able to defend our faith intelligently and charitably.
We are not perfect, this is why they call it “practicing” our faith.
 
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Annunciata:
I am personally attacked for my faith from others within the Catholic Church! (the 5th column):confused: I’m considered to be old fashioned in my faith, too dogmatic, too legalistic… I’m too Pro-Life and gee there must be something wrong with me since I frequent the sacrament of Reconciliation… I am also Charismatic and can pray in tongues…:eek: Though I haven’t attend a Charismatic meeting in years…I still yearn for that wonderful shared prayer that comes from a Prayer Group .

When I announced to my pastor a few years back that I had become a cooperator with Opus Dei, he frowed on it told me that I shouldn’t get involved with “those people”… One of the best things I ever did!👍
Praise His Holy Name, Annunciata:)
I can relate to this, if I don’t get it from the members of church, I hear it from some of my own brothers and sisters.
Good for you Annuciata for being a part of Opus Dei, I heard the same thing from Diocesan priests when I joined Regnum Christi.
 
Ok, I have to tell this story that happened today at the abortion mill.

My friend Miles and I were kneeling in front as usual praying the Rosary, then the director drove up in her blue BMW (enjoying her blood money) when she got out of the car, she stood watching us for a few seconds, then threw her hands up in the air and started screaming the Hail Mary.
Then she looked up to the sky with her arms up and screamed, “God, please send me more women, so that we can be packed full today. And God, give us more jobs, so that these two (pointed at us) can get a job and not be kneeling in the middle of the street!!”
Then she laughed to herself for a while and said something to the guard and kept laughing. Then she did the same arms-in-the-air mocking thing to a sidewalk counselor.

What a horrible mockery of Mary and God. We stayed to pray another set of Mysteries for her.
 
*pro-life_teen*:
Ok, I have to tell this story that happened today at the abortion mill.

My friend Miles and I were kneeling in front as usual praying the Rosary, then the director drove up in her blue BMW (enjoying her blood money) when she got out of the car, she stood watching us for a few seconds, then threw her hands up in the air and started screaming the Hail Mary.
Then she looked up to the sky with her arms up and screamed, “God, please send me more women, so that we can be packed full today. And God, give us more jobs, so that these two (pointed at us) can get a job and not be kneeling in the middle of the street!!”
Then she laughed to herself for a while and said something to the guard and kept laughing. Then she did the same arms-in-the-air mocking thing to a sidewalk counselor.

What a horrible mockery of Mary and God. We stayed to pray another set of Mysteries for her.
I am humbled by your devotion. Thanks and keep up the good work.:blessyou:
 
I go to a Catholic high school. A lot of kids there, think that abortion, homosexuality and mostly birth-control are good things. I try to defend the church teachings, best as I can. I’ve been called homophobe and I was told a few days ago that I have a cold, black, stone and ice heart. This is an a Catholic school!
I try to help, but I still need training in being an apologist. Would anyone help me in this? I can’t think up answers as fast as questions are given, and my own knowledge is limitide.

:getholy: Thank you and God Bless!
 
american catholics should think themselves lucky only to be verbally attacked, when i was younger (about ten years ago), i was beaten unconcious by brick weilding protestants coming back from church, last year elderly man and his son stabbed in the head after they told a gang to get lost for mocking their church and virgin mother.
 
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Pro-Life_Teen:
I go to a Catholic high school. A lot of kids there, think that abortion, homosexuality and mostly birth-control are good things. I try to defend the church teachings, best as I can. I’ve been called homophobe and I was told a few days ago that I have a cold, black, stone and ice heart. This is an a Catholic school!
I try to help, but I still need training in being an apologist. Would anyone help me in this? I can’t think up answers as fast as questions are given, and my own knowledge is limitide.

:getholy: Thank you and God Bless!
If you haven’t checked it out already, you can start with the Pure Love Club:
pureloveclub.com/chastity/index.php?id=7

Also, there is an awesome talk called Contraception: Why Not? by Janet Smith which you should be able to order online. here’s the transcript, though: catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/se0002.html

I’ve also heard this awesome lecture about homosexuality, but i can’t remember the name…i’ll post it up for you when i do.

You’re doing the right thing, though. It’s important to know your stuff. It’s part of our responsibility as Catholics. And I’m sure you’ll agree…there’s a lot we are never taught in the classroom, especially the Catholic one.
 
I must admit i’m no longer a great advocate for ecumenism.Have a look at the link below.Some years ago,i had an attempted burglary at my home.When the Police came,the guy was o.k.
but his female colleague,though nice enough on the surface,was spotted by me giving my Divine Mercy Picture rather more than a disapproving glance.Perhaps it was Jesus Who awoke me from my slumber as i am hard of hearing.When he realised i was in the house the creep took off.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4030097.stm
 
My husband, a United Methodist minister’s son, has lost his faith. That is partly why I started seeking another church, because the whole United Methodist church, at least in my area, seemed to be losing the faith altogether.
When our two sons were young, we all prayed together as a family before bed. Then my husband started mocking the scriptures in front of our children. I’m E-X-T-R-E-M-E-L-Y slow to recognize serious trouble. In fact, I don’t think I can unless I’m hit directly over the head with a baseball bat. For many years now, we have been reading the Bible together as a family on alternate Sundays (my husband’s idea, as a substitute for the Protestant church services every other Sunday). I’ve wondered why my husband continues to do this while he continues to mock the faith and even the Scriptures. I thought I should continue because I thought he was genuinely looking for the Truth. Today, however, he told me that the reason he searches scripture so diligently is to find out why Jesus picked traitors, such as Judas, to lead his Church. He said that helps him explain why Christians pick certain politicians (and he named an anti-abortion politician I voted for whom he believes is corrupt). My husband seems to be blind to the fact that 11 of the 12 apostles were loyal in the end…of course that comes from Tradition rather than the cannon of scripture, so perhaps his view is that ALL of the apostles were traitors in the end. I’m afraid to ask. I just keep praying for my husband, who is SO VERY LOST. I praise God that He has given me hope for my husband’s eventual conversion. In this atmosphere, it is very difficult for me to evangelize my sons. One is already away from home in the Navy (he was 12 when I converted, and I mistakenly sent him to a Catholic school, which turned out to be more anti-Catholic than the public school). The other son is still in high school, and appears to be agnostic, if not atheist. But he won’t talk about the Faith either. I am comforted by Dr. Bernard Nathanson’s conversion story. His father seems to have been very much like my husband. I trust in Jesus and in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. If it weren’t for daily Mass and my faithful Catholic charismatic prayer group, I believe I would have long ago followed my grandmother’s and mother’s footsteps into the mental hospital.
I’m open to advice on whether I should continue to participate in this every-other-Sunday exercise in Scripture reading, which is not what I thought it was.
 
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