Christianity, why so few?

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stcalixtus

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I feel so alone sometimes in my faith, seems like so few americans are practicing Catholics.The stats say 26% of americans are Catholic and I am guessing a fraction that much are faithful, faithful meaning going to mass every week and living up to Christian values.I find many other Christian religions to be acceptable…LDS ect, at least we are on the same page.Its the increasing # of individuals that have no faith in God at all that deeply grieve me, the ones that rationalize that religion is illogical and come to their own conclusions about how we should form a better society, these types have fallen so far away from God:shrug: so many are so evil and prey upon others as an animal would, thye take and never give, taking life means nothing, so many live for the short time here and do not worry about the repercussions. I can tell you my faith is strong and my shining example is how Jesus Christ kept his faith at the end despite horrible pain and humiliation:signofcross: why have so many fallen away? I am sometimes thought of as a naive fool for being a faithful Catholic…that hurts:o
 
Hang in there, Calixtus. Thus is the evolving nature of our society. It’s becoming less Christian every day, and more defiantly secular, even nihilistically so. I was just reflecting on this very theme this morning. The time has come, once again, for me to withdraw a bit from my fellow teachers in the infamous lounge, none of whom believe in God, and momentarily escape the negative influences the gossiping and back-biting are having on my morale. I must again retreat to the solitude I need, to stay strong in the ways of the Lord at work.
 
You are never alone and there are not few Catholics. Remember that the Church resembles the Trinity: it is triune: there is the Church on earth, the Church in purgatory, and the Church in heaven. We are a communion of saints, friends of one another, and the saints are truly our friends in high places! But best of all, God is with us, and as one quote goes, God suffices! 🙂
 
stcalixtus said:
.I find many other Christian religions to be acceptable…LDS ect, at least we are on the same page.:o
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I’m curious what you mean by this…surely you don’t think that LDS is on the same page as Catholics?
 
Take heart, stcalixtus. Those who are living in obedience to God are the “apostles of the latter times” that St. Louis de Montfort spoke of:
Mary will raise up apostles of the latter times to make war against the evil one. . . . But the power of Mary over all the devils will especially shine forth in the latter times, when Satan will lay his snares against her heel: that is to say, her humble slaves and poor children, whom she will raise up to make war against him.
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They shall be little and poor in the world’s esteem, and abased before all like the heel, trodden underfoot and persecuted as the heel is by other members of the body. But in return for this they shall be rich in the grace of God, which Mary shall distribute to them abundantly. They shall be great and exalted before God in sanctity. Superior to all creatures by their lively zeal, and so well sustained with God’s assistance that, with the humility of their heel, in union with Mary, they shall crush the head of the devil and cause Jesus Christ to triumph.
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  • St. Louis de Montfort
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janman55 said:
I’m curious what you mean by this…surely you don’t think that LDS is on the same page as Catholics?
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LDS are certainly not on the same page theologically (at death every man gets his own planet to be a “god” on :eek: ) and the Catholic Church does not recognize the LDS baptism as valid. That said, the LDS do have a family-based belief and are willing to go against the culture in that way.

As far as why there are so few Christians, we are not to judge the inner motivations of others and so there may be more than we know of those who follow Christ. I have heard that 12% of Catholics are observant. In the context that I heard that I didn’t know if that 12% was the percentage of Americans who were practicing/faithful Catholics or whether it was the percentage of the number of those who self-identify as Catholic in the American population. With the very poor level of catechetics and the rampant confusion among Catholics in the last 30-40 years, Our Lord may let His Divine Mercy show even more.:crossrc:
 
I think it might depend on the Diocese you’re living in. Or perhaps, the parish you’re attending.

Our main Church, has a seating capacity of 800. Last Sunday, at the 10:45 a.m. Mass… it was absolutely packed. There was standing room only. Every seat was filled… and there appeared to be a good 50-100 people standing in back, counting the narthex.

Same thing today, at daily Mass. The smaller “Chapel of Peace” holds maybe 50 people. It was packed!

Perhaps if you switched to another parish… you’d find more people attending? Just a thought.
 
You’ve got to be careful. Don’t be preachy. Don’t think that your “shining exaple” of how to be Christian makes you better than the atheists who were made in the image and likeness of God. Don’t develop a persecution complex, that’s never healthy.
In the long run, you have to accept that you can’t save everyone. If you don’t you’ll go crazy.
That said, I know how horribly discouraged and lonely and depressed you can get when you’re surrounded by those who hate everything you love and hold dear. I know how much you want to avoid them and how you feel sick at the prospect of talking to them. Just pray for them and set an example. That’s all you can do, because they’re not going to listen to you. You’ve got to accept that they’re not persuadable, and that only God can convert them. If you want to tell them that you don’t feel like talking about religion with them any more, go ahead. God understands.
 
claymcdermott said:
You’ve got to be careful. Don’t be preachy. Don’t think that your “shining exaple” of how to be Christian makes you better than the atheists who were made in the image and likeness of God. Don’t develop a persecution complex, that’s never healthy.
In the long run, you have to accept that you can’t save everyone. If you don’t you’ll go crazy.
That said, I know how horribly discouraged and lonely and depressed you can get when you’re surrounded by those who hate everything you love and hold dear. I know how much you want to avoid them and how you feel sick at the prospect of talking to them. Just pray for them and set an example. That’s all you can do, because they’re not going to listen to you. You’ve got to accept that they’re not persuadable, and that only God can convert them. If you want to tell them that you don’t feel like talking about religion with them any more, go ahead. God understands.
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I never preach to anyone.
 
brigid12 said:
LDS are certainly not on the same page theologically (at death every man gets his own planet to be a “god” on :eek: ) and the Catholic Church does not recognize the LDS baptism as valid. That said, the LDS do have a family-based belief and are willing to go against the culture in that way.

As far as why there are so few Christians, we are not to judge the inner motivations of others and so there may be more than we know of those who follow Christ. I have heard that 12% of Catholics are observant. In the context that I heard that I didn’t know if that 12% was the percentage of Americans who were practicing/faithful Catholics or whether it was the percentage of the number of those who self-identify as Catholic in the American population. With the very poor level of catechetics and the rampant confusion among Catholics in the last 30-40 years, Our Lord may let His Divine Mercy show even more.:crossrc:
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same page meaning we are closer in beliefs then say the ultra liberals who do not believe in God at all who mock Christianity and I NEVER said I am judging anyone, however anyone who does not even participate in organized religion is moe than likely to be judged harshly?
 
beckycmarie said:
Take heart, stcalixtus. Those who are living in obedience to God are the “apostles of the latter times” that St. Louis de Montfort spoke of:
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Mary will raise up apostles of the latter times to make war against the evil one. . . . But the power of Mary over all the devils will especially shine forth in the latter times, when Satan will lay his snares against her heel: that is to say, her humble slaves and poor children, whom she will raise up to make war against him.
Click to expand...
They shall be little and poor in the world’s esteem, and abased before all like the heel, trodden underfoot and persecuted as the heel is by other members of the body. But in return for this they shall be rich in the grace of God, which Mary shall distribute to them abundantly. They shall be great and exalted before God in sanctity. Superior to all creatures by their lively zeal, and so well sustained with God’s assistance that, with the humility of their heel, in union with Mary, they shall crush the head of the devil and cause Jesus Christ to triumph.
Click to expand...
  • St. Louis de Montfort
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What a beautiful and encouraging quotation!
 
Just don’t succumb to spiritual pride. I’m sensing a “better than thou” attitude which isn’t good. :tsktsk: Just pray for the conversion of the world and tend to [loose paraphrase] “the plank in one’s own eye before taking the splinter out of your brother’s. eye.” Remember, you are who you are by God’s gracious, undeserved election not by any inherent superiority or goodness in yourself. We’re all sinners in need of daily conversion is my point. We’re all lost and gone astray. You should lump yourself with the rest of poor, fallen humanity instead of looking down on the masses. Otherwise, you render Catholic christianity into just another exercise of massaging one’s ego. Just my 2 cents. Peace out.
 
Mark_Robert said:
Just don’t succumb to spiritual pride. I’m sensing a “better than thou” attitude which isn’t good. :tsktsk: Just pray for the conversion of the world and tend to [loose paraphrase] “the plank in one’s own eye before taking the splinter out of your brother’s. eye.” Remember, you are who you are by God’s gracious, undeserved election not by any inherent superiority or goodness in yourself. We’re all sinners in need of daily conversion is my point. We’re all lost and gone astray. You should lump yourself with the rest of poor, fallen humanity instead of looking down on the masses. Otherwise, you render Catholic christianity into just another exercise of massaging one’s ego. Just my 2 cents. Peace out.
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…Amen and Mea Culpa…
 
janman55 said:
I’m curious what you mean by this…surely you don’t think that LDS is on the same page as Catholics?
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My thoughts exactly. LDS is nothing like Roman Catholic Church. Take some time, read some post. Do some research on this. All Christians do not follow the Catholic teachings. Please be clear about this.

Besides that you are not alone, we are here, you may not know us in your Church but we are here. Anytime you want to talk, anything you want to share, we are here. We love you and we are here for you. Fellow Catholics, some new, some old, doesn’t matter, we are here. Have confidence in your faith and your God.
Have confidence in your fellow Christians.

Some folks work 2 or three jobs and cannot attend Mass as often as they would like. Even so many have their hearts are in the right place. Some folks are too ill to make it to Mass. There are many acceptible reasons for not showing up every week. Don’t worry about that - God is in control.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU! 👋

God Bless you my friend.
 
Mark_Robert said:
Just don’t succumb to spiritual pride. I’m sensing a “better than thou” attitude which isn’t good. :tsktsk: Just pray for the conversion of the world and tend to [loose paraphrase] “the plank in one’s own eye before taking the splinter out of your brother’s. eye.” Remember, you are who you are by God’s gracious, undeserved election not by any inherent superiority or goodness in yourself. We’re all sinners in need of daily conversion is my point. We’re all lost and gone astray. You should lump yourself with the rest of poor, fallen humanity instead of looking down on the masses. Otherwise, you render Catholic christianity into just another exercise of massaging one’s ego. Just my 2 cents. Peace out.
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you “sense” is completely off base:bowdown: , and again I am referring to those that refuse to repent grave sins…and never will…and yes God will be their judge but if you think one can promote gay marriage and abortion ect then the writing is in the book? as in the bible.
 
Ghoti said:
I don’t even think they’re using the same book.
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I would say they are closer to God than atheist or rogue presbyterians…you know the ones with the practicing gay clergy that call themselves priests
 
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