Catholicism Is Old Fashioned?

[beckycmarie]

The problem is that my Catholic positions make me feel disconnected with most of my peers. I feel that my views make me different, and it almost feels like we Catholics belong to a different era, or even a different world. Our morals are so different to those of the average population. I truly believe in the Catholic faith, but it makes me feel like an outsider at times.

The Catholic faith is very counter-cultural, and I really struggle with this.

Dempsey, just remember that God created you to be a light in the world in this particular time.

Some words of encouragement:

Catholic singer and evangelist, Mark Mallett -
“As the darkness gets darker, the stars shine brighter.”

Matthew 5:14-16 -
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Daniel 12:3 -
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. ”

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory -
“The stars in the night sky declare the glory of the Lord, so too God’s people radiate with the glory of God in a dark world. God has strategically placed each star in the heavens and God has strategically placed you on the earth to bring light to your environment.” (Quoted from his Annual Appeal 2009 Letter)

 

[Della]

Thanks to everyone who has posted thus far. It’s good to have encouragement from like-minded people.

The thing I really struggle with is that a lot of people I come into contact with insist on discussing their sexual pasts and practices. They are very graphic and very explicit. I can’t help but feel uncomfortable, because, of course, I do not agree with most of these things and I struggle to practice chastity. I have cousins who laugh because I don’t go to stip clubs with them, and I get called prudish because I don’t want to sleep around. All of this causes them to call me old fashioned, and this is really what this thread is all about.

How do you manage to live your faith without being ridiculed? And are there ever times when you feel embarrassed because your views are different to those around you?

It’s not just about sexuality. It’s also about things like abortion. Do you deliberately keep your beliefs to yourself because you know that people will disagree with you? Have you ever denied your Catholic faith because of embarrassment?

A couple of things: First off, you should turn the table on them and challenge them to explain to you why what they think is all right is all right–why they don’t think they are doing wrong. That way it opens the opportunity for you to share the truth with them. You have to be pro-active not passive. After all, you are the one who possesses the truth and you are the one who has the Holy Spirit to help you. Pray fervently for them, fast for them and then look for opportunities to explain the truth, in love, to them.

Also, you don’t want to judge them. Let them know they are free to do whatever they want, and so are you. Don’t let them bully you. Tell them that if they are truly open-minded they will be open-minded about what you have to say and how you want to live your life. Stand up and speak up and just watch how the Holy Spirit will speak through you, as Jesus promised to those who are called upon to defend the faith before others.

 

[drforjc]

the answer is love love love them for their differences and tell them so.

No, you just love them. Not “for” the differences. You love them because they are children of God, not “because” they have different ideas of morality.

 

[PapaSquash]

GK also said that Catholicism “It is the only thing that frees a man from the degrading slavery of being a child of his age.”

It is old fashioned, it is also eternal.

 

[Paul2274]

Not so much old fashioned but I did hear someone say once “I wouldn’t let a bunch of old farts in funny looking hats tell me what to do.” I was so dumb-founded that I had to just walk away sad and hurt.

Paul

 

[Dempsey1919]

I’ve got to read Chesterton! His quotes in this thread have been great!

Not so much old fashioned but I did hear someone say once “I wouldn’t let a bunch of old farts in funny looking hats tell me what to do.” I was so dumb-founded that I had to just walk away sad and hurt.

I’ve had the exact same thing said to me. People have even called the pope stupid and senile because he won’t allow contraception.

 

[LilyM]

I’ve had the exact same thing said to me. People have even called the pope stupid and senile because he won’t allow contraception.

I’d just smile and say ‘obviously your parents were senile too, since they weren’t using it (or not properly) when they had you!’

 

[Dempsey1919]

I’d just smile and say ‘obviously your parents were senile too, since they weren’t using it (or not properly) when they had you!’

Excellent response! I’ll have to remember that.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

You could point out to your friends that it is their ideas that are actually old fashion.

Homosexuality
Fornication
Abortion
you name it, came into the world long before the Catholic Church.

Comparatively, the Church is rather new.

Jim

 

[Monica4316]

CS Lewis said, today many people no longer ask “what is true?” but rather… what is modern or progressive or old fashioned or intelligent or logical ETC… it’s just jargon. If we seek the truth we won’t go astray

I’ve been called old fashioned too and many other things like that but now it just reminds me that the world is opposed to God and needs to know about Him.
Just pray for the people who say these things…

God bless!

 

[tomarin]

That’s a great quote! Where did you get it? Every Catholic should remember this when their Catholic faith puts them at odds with the current viewpoint of society.

You can find a list of quotes at the American Chesterton Society website. The tab is located on the left-hand side of the page.

 

[TommyWommy]

Dempsey,

Keep your chin up! Don’t be arrogant, but be confident . Your friends don’t understand your Catholic faith. People often criticise what they don’t understand. Sometimes people will say things just to see how you will react, because deep down inside they are looking for something real. And they are hoping they will see it in you when you hold up under pressure.

I believe some people went to watch Christians killed in the Roman Colosseum not for entertainment, but because they were looking for something real to believe in.

You are a role model for your friends. Love them. Show them. Pray for them.

 

[zipp]

No, you just love them. Not “for” the differences. You love them because they are children of God, not “because” they have different ideas of morality.

no you love them because they are children of God and we should not judge others because we love our neighbors as we love ourselves