Argument with friend gone bad

[LSK]

We sometimes forget that we can ask to be respected and we can hold fast to our beliefs, but that we must be ready to be disrespected and persecuted at times. I know it may sound sentimental, but I know that I must keep in mind that I should state my beliefs calmly and with love but to not expect to be loved in return. If I am not, and if I lose friends or am verbally abused by those who disagree with me, then I must unite my suffering with that of Jesus on the Cross. Perhaps I may help souls in Purgatory.

My brother tried to tell a dirty joke about pedophile priests at dinner - I stopped him. I told him I found such jokes offensive to my Church and horribly insensitive to the victims. He was shocked. He tried to get angry but I wouldn’t bite (Thank you, Holy Spirit - that was definitely a miracle since I am a big mouthed Italian Irish woman). He ended up giving me a hug and kiss and an apology and he no longer tells those jokes.

Hand in there, honey. We’ll keep your friend in our prayers.

 

[Scanner]

Well, I consider myself a worldly man and not a godly man so I’ll be the one who posts something perhaps politically incorrect and off the beaten path.

I don’t think anything you wrote looked bad or unreasonable but the problem is we only hear your side of the story.

The politically incorrect thing to say is that I do beleive Catholics (actually not to pick on Catholics, Christians as a general rule) have a problem with this “holier than thou” reputation/attitude.

I personally have not seen Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. have this constant problem as much as Christians. They have their own attributes/generalities as a culture.

Remember, 90% of communication is non-verbal so it wasn’t maybe to what you said as to how you said it. For that, we can’t judge because we weren’t there…

So. . .if you want peace and harmony between your friend, I would simply reapproach him and ask, "George (or whatever his name is), am I inadvertantly giving off a holier than thou attitude? If so, I’m sorry and will work on that. I certainly don’t mean to do it. I am just devoted to my faith and I hope you understand that. In the meantime, just realize I beleive what I beleive.

Thank you for your understanding. "

If you want to try diplomacy, try the above.

Good luck and God Bless.