Dealing with bullies?

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Krystel87

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Hello All,

I’m new here, although I have found answers posted on this forum useful many times when I have gotten into religious debates.

Anyway, I decided to join today because I need some moral support, I guess you could say. I was once a student at an extremely liberal small liberal arts college and collected a lot of freethinking friends along the way. This isn’t a problem, except that I find my faith constantly under attack and I’m having a hard time dealing with it.

Like, the other day on Facebook I posted a picture of Jesus walking with a man, with a caption along the lines of “I am always with you.” An old friend posted something really offensive and grotesque in response to this, I imagine to get a rise out of me. Other deists and atheists jumped on the bandwagon, saying that I’m a believer in modern western mythology and all that ****.

They don’t accept historical documents, it seems, as proof of anything. Some totally deny that Jesus ever even existed. I know that there is a ban on atheism threads, and I want to make it clear that this isn’t what this is.

My problem is not in formulating reasoned arguments, because I thankfully have your archives for that. My problem is remaining peaceful in a world where I feel I am constantly under attack.

And the attacks are so mean!
 
alot of times we as followers of Christ have to suck it up. Its not easy at times to deal with companies that so openly approve abortion and pro gay lesbian practices. But we must remain prayful and strong in the Lord. Read Epesians 8 and see what the items are that we do battle with. Being mean and nasty never puts out the fire only adds fuel!
 
This is a place where you can share your faith without ridicule, however, Facebook attracts all kinds of responses, and if we post religious content there we can expect whatever comes.
I post little in Facebook, simply regard it as a window to numerous geographically distant cousins. I have no content, of religious or of secular nature there because I essentially don’t trust Facebook. I don’t even post photos so am a very boring Facebook person. I’m active in more than one Catholic site however.

The good thing about the attacks is that you know how much cause there is to pray that the Holy Spirit will renew faith in this world where atheists are pressing for more power in influencing minds. It is not your fault if those to whom you witness refuse to be convinced or to believe. Our responsibility is to try to protect truth and refute error, and to pray for others, maintaining our charity with God’s grace, and you do that. Others’ rejection of the truth isn’t anything you have power to change. To evangelize to others will bring personal hurt and rejection, because faith is a gift of God, a gift that evangelistic atheists do not want or welcome.

“If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” Jesus said in John 20:21
Jesus also said in Matthew 5:10-12
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you”.

It hurts to be bullied and ridiculed and ignored, but you are in good company
 
The same thing happens to me all the time. A mere post of a prayer or holy picture attracts atheists like ants on a pile of sugar; this only started after my mom placed me in an extremely LIBERAL secular school and no longer home-schooled me. I truly do know how you feel, with the attacks and slurs on your faith. Jesus told us that we are blessed when we face persecution:
*Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you. *~Matthew 5:11-12

I recommend praying for them, especially the Rosary, and showing them a good example through your words and actions. Most of all, you need to let them know that you have freedom of religious beliefs just like they do, and that it is your business if you are a Catholic. Tell them that you would appreciate respect for your beliefs just like you respect theirs. There is a “delete comment” button that you can press if they say bad things about what you post. That’s what I always press when people start to rage. I would encourage you to continue to post prayers and holy pictures on facebook because even though they don’t realize it, seeds of Christ’s love are being planted in them. It is only a matter of time before they sprout and they see the light of the Catholic Faith. 👍

It is difficult to go to a liberal school, but don’t worry! Our Lord will be with you; just trust in Him while showing others a good example with joy. When they see that you have something that you don’t (like joy and hope), they will start to be curious.🙂
 
Krystel87 said:
Hello All,

I’m new here, although I have found answers posted on this forum useful many times when I have gotten into religious debates.

Anyway, I decided to join today because I need some moral support, I guess you could say. I was once a student at an extremely liberal small liberal arts college and collected a lot of freethinking friends along the way. This isn’t a problem, except that I find my faith constantly under attack and I’m having a hard time dealing with it.

Like, the other day on Facebook I posted a picture of Jesus walking with a man, with a caption along the lines of “I am always with you.” An old friend posted something really offensive and grotesque in response to this, I imagine to get a rise out of me. Other deists and atheists jumped on the bandwagon, saying that I’m a believer in modern western mythology and all that ****.

They don’t accept historical documents, it seems, as proof of anything. Some totally deny that Jesus ever even existed. I know that there is a ban on atheism threads, and I want to make it clear that this isn’t what this is.

My problem is not in formulating reasoned arguments, because I thankfully have your archives for that. My problem is remaining peaceful in a world where I feel I am constantly under attack.

And the attacks are so mean!
Click to expand...
When I was in school people used to talk bad about religion and make fun of christians, knowing very well that I was the only Christian in the room. The best thing you can do is pray for them. 😃
 
Hopefully there is a Catholic parish near your college where they have a ministry for people of your age.
It is important to be with peers who are like-minded who can be friends with you.

Check and see if there is a Newman Club on campus, as that can bring you into contact with other Catholics on campus seeking the same kind of friendships you are.
 
Hi Krystel,

Don’t let these nuances get into your way of being as faithful and as committed as you can to being the best Catholic. Sometimes, the best solution is to avoid such people and disregard any comments of that nature. At best, just avoid these circumstances because it isn’t a good thing when you have to face it and compromise your own Faith in doing so. 🙂
 
First of all, you need to forgive those who are bullying you. Take the pain this has caused you and offer it up for the intention of their souls.

And second, don’t forget to rejoice! Your reward in heaven is great!
 
Krystel87 said:
Hello All,

I’m new here, although I have found answers posted on this forum useful many times when I have gotten into religious debates.

Anyway, I decided to join today because I need some moral support, I guess you could say. I was once a student at an extremely liberal small liberal arts college and collected a lot of freethinking friends along the way. This isn’t a problem, except that I find my faith constantly under attack and I’m having a hard time dealing with it.

Like, the other day on Facebook I posted a picture of Jesus walking with a man, with a caption along the lines of “I am always with you.” An old friend posted something really offensive and grotesque in response to this, I imagine to get a rise out of me. Other deists and atheists jumped on the bandwagon, saying that I’m a believer in modern western mythology and all that ****.

They don’t accept historical documents, it seems, as proof of anything. Some totally deny that Jesus ever even existed. I know that there is a ban on atheism threads, and I want to make it clear that this isn’t what this is.

My problem is not in formulating reasoned arguments, because I thankfully have your archives for that. My problem is remaining peaceful in a world where I feel I am constantly under attack.

And the attacks are so mean!
Click to expand...
OK, well… look.

The spirit of the present age is one of atheist, androgynous utilitarianism. It is NOT rational.

In fact it begins explicitly with the premise that the universe is a fundamentally IRRATIONAL thing.

As such there is NO “reasoned argument” that can change the minds of people in thrall to it. They deny the validity of human reason, after all.

They are in thrall to an evil ideology. And evil CANNOT understood good, though good can understand evil. So evil will always and necessarily misrepresent good.

These people are NOT your friends. They are victims of a terrible spiritual sickness and are in need of your prayers but so long as you remain in touch with them, you will be nothing but the object of their (blind, irrational, Satanic) hatred.

Forgive them – silently – and sever contact with them, for the good of their own souls as well as yours.
 
andy60 said:
alot of times we as followers of Christ have to suck it up. Its not easy at times to deal with companies that so openly approve abortion and pro gay lesbian practices. But we must remain prayful and strong in the Lord. Read Epesians 8 and see what the items are that we do battle with. Being mean and nasty never puts out the fire only adds fuel!
Click to expand...
👍

Yeah, if these sorts of things bother you, then you need to be more careful about inviting such attacks. Internet is a great place to communicate, but the shield of anonymity emboldens those who otherwise, i.e. face to face, not have the sand to say such vile and nasty things.

Nonetheless, hold your ground. I find what shuts up such bullies is a simple but true promise, “I will pray for you”. 😉
 
I agree with a lot of the points made. You should find faith building in sites such as these – Catholic and official sites.

FB, for many reasons, may not be the forum. I have other objections to FB that have nothing to do with anyone’s religious beliefs or postings. I limit my time and exposure on FB.

I’m not sure if these people are your friends. You can unfriend them; you can block them; you can choose to limit your FB presence. They don’t sound like “friends” in the real sense. I realize that FB has changed the definition of a “friend.” My nephew has over 1,000 friends, but probably only would consider 30 of them to be real friends – people he grew up with, went to school with, family members etc. Are they friends on FB only, or do you socialize with them as well on a regular basis? If you brought up religion in their presence, would they be as bullying?

There’s something about the internet that seems to give license to these kinds of attacks.
 
I attended a small liberal arts college, etc., and you find the same disrespect for religion, I think, in colleges and universities generally.

But young people are excited by their personal freedom, love individual liberty, and so forth, and are impressed with the size of scientific research done in modern times.

I just keep in mind that God is Truth itself, the source and center of truth.
 
You could ask your liberal friends, using their own buzzwords, about their intolerance and incivility.

John
 
Oooh yes, I remember that at University. The first thing is the hardest - do not take it personally. They are young, stretching their boundaries and are trying to develop self-esteem (which oft involves putting other people down to make themselves feel better). As you go through life - college, uni, work, you will actually meet more and more like-minded, tolerant people and it won’t seem so bad.

Secondly, if you know these people well, then tell them you find it hurtful, and if they do want to discuss your faith with you could they try to keep it objective, and not ‘fight back’ with cruelty and bullying, as it does them no favours either. They sincerely may not realise how it makes you feel and are just being boisterous. I had friends like that at uni, who used to say all sorts of really, really nasty things, until one day I said I didn’t mind debating religion with them, but I did mind them being so personal. They genuinely had not realised how it had made me feel and were just being, well, students. Also, use your FB privacy settings so you can decide who sees what post you put up there.

If they respond badly to that, just block them on FB. Bullies, of any denomination, atheist or Catholic, are not friends. Life will sort them out eventually, and they will probably all grow up to be more reasonable, tolerant people. Until then, you are better off without them.
 
Here is an excellent article about physical bullies. I don’t think it takes a great deal of mental exercise to apply it to your situation.
nononsenseselfdefense.com/bullies.htm

Obnoxious atheists are the intellectual equivalent of the punks in his story, There also exist the philosophical “tough guys” who would probably capable of winning as an atheist in a debate against you. However, it is likely that the only reason they are obnoxious to you is that you’ve done something to attract their attention.
 
Krystel87 said:
Hello All,

I’m new here, although I have found answers posted on this forum useful many times when I have gotten into religious debates.

Anyway, I decided to join today because I need some moral support, I guess you could say. I was once a student at an extremely liberal small liberal arts college and collected a lot of freethinking friends along the way. This isn’t a problem, except that I find my faith constantly under attack and I’m having a hard time dealing with it.

Like, the other day on Facebook I posted a picture of Jesus walking with a man, with a caption along the lines of “I am always with you.” An old friend posted something really offensive and grotesque in response to this, I imagine to get a rise out of me. Other deists and atheists jumped on the bandwagon, saying that I’m a believer in modern western mythology and all that ****.

They don’t accept historical documents, it seems, as proof of anything. Some totally deny that Jesus ever even existed. I know that there is a ban on atheism threads, and I want to make it clear that this isn’t what this is.

My problem is not in formulating reasoned arguments, because I thankfully have your archives for that. My problem is remaining peaceful in a world where I feel I am constantly under attack.

And the attacks are so mean!
Click to expand...
Have you considered the possibility that you should rejoice in what is obviously persecution? You are being persecuted for your faith! And every time you respond appropriately you build up a treasure in heaven.

I know it’s hard. I used to shake and my heart would beat so fast whenever I was attacked. It took time but now I’m a lot calmer about it and perhaps it is because someone gave me the advice I’m now passing on to you.

Rejoice in it as the martyrs rejoiced in their horrific deaths. Remember that you may be planting a seed in someone’s mind. Think about some of the apologists who were very anti-Catholic and who now defend the Church so well. Think of St. Paul, who murdered Christians and how he is now a saint and loved so much.

What might help during the times of attack is just going to your church and praying. I’ve found that the peacefulness there (and obviously the presence of God in the tabernacle) have a way of making the importance of those attacks shrivel up and disappear. If you can’t get to a church perhaps you can set up an area in your home where you feel safe and pray there.

Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 
TheTrueCentrist said:
Here is an excellent article about physical bullies. I don’t think it takes a great deal of mental exercise to apply it to your situation.
nononsenseselfdefense.com/bullies.htm

Obnoxious atheists are the intellectual equivalent of the punks in his story, There also exist the philosophical “tough guys” who would probably capable of winning as an atheist in a debate against you. However, it is likely that the only reason they are obnoxious to you is that you’ve done something to attract their attention.
Click to expand...
Next time you post a link, would you please add a warning when it contains profanity? Some of us here are ladies. Thank you.
 
TheTrueCentrist said:
Here is an excellent article about physical bullies. I don’t think it takes a great deal of mental exercise to apply it to your situation.
nononsenseselfdefense.com/bullies.htm

Obnoxious atheists are the intellectual equivalent of the punks in his story, There also exist the philosophical “tough guys” who would probably capable of winning as an atheist in a debate against you. However, it is likely that the only reason they are obnoxious to you is that you’ve done something to attract their attention.
Click to expand...
:eek::eek::eek: PLEASE add a warning about language that some might find offensive!! Thanks! :eek:
 
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