Did I commit a sin?

[TexRose]

Please tell me if I did. My father came a while ago and I don’t wanna hear him criticize me for coverting to the Catholic religion again. He thinks I was brainwashed by “those” Catholics. I just don’t want to hear it. So he rang the doorbell and I hid. I know, I know! It’s probably something I shouldn’t have done but did I sin??

 

[catherine_m]

No you didn’t sin. You should say a prayer that your father will come to understand and accept your decision to convert. It must be difficult for you! Keep smiling!!!

 

[TexRose]

Oh good idea.
You know…I am a woman who is 43 yrs old and I shouldn’t have to be intimidated like that but I do. I was just talking to my 15 yr old and he knows how my father criticizes me, etc. Sometimes kids have so much wisdom. My 15 yr old said “that’s the life of a Catholic.” But why does it have to be this way? ugh
I need to say a prayer.

 

[catherine_m]

Say a prayer for courage. I have a friend who converted and then joined Mother Teresa’s nuns! Her father is a minister in a Protestant church! You can imagine her conversion and then joining the sisters did not go down too well. She prayed alot and now her parents have come to accept her decision and they have a very good and strong relationship. Anything is possible!!:extrahappy:

 

[kage_ar]

Remember, we are not given a spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind.

When you speak to your dad, just refuse to engage in debate. Focus on what you have in common as Christians (note - for your own sake, stop thinking of Catholicism as a different “religion”. Christianity is our Religion. We are Catholics, the original Christians.)

Your love of Christ will be the best witness to the Faith, leave the real apologetics to others (send dad over here to debate) and conversion of his heart to the Holy Spirit.

You nave nothing to be ashamed of, you are Catholic, don’t hide

 

[SMHW]

Remember, we are not given a spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind.

When you speak to your dad, just refuse to engage in debate. Focus on what you have in common as Christians (note - for your own sake, stop thinking of Catholicism as a different “religion”. Christianity is our Religion. We are Catholics, the original Christians.)

Your love of Christ will be the best witness to the Faith, leave the real apologetics to others (send dad over here to debate) and conversion of his heart to the Holy Spirit.

You nave nothing to be ashamed of, you are Catholic, don’t hide

I second this.

But for the record, it is perfectly acceptable manners to refrain from answering the door if you don’t wish to be disturbed, even if it is your father. The same thing goes for answering the phone. It doesn’t even matter if the party that wishes to speak with you knows you are home.

 

[LindaS]

Sin is deliberate. Did you intend to offend God by your actions? Did you do something knowing that it was wrong? If not, there is no sin.

Peace,
Linda

 

[rpp]

TexRose, I am a convert from atheism. I lost every last friend I had when I converted. A couple of people in my family think I am a little crazy, but at least they do not criticize me (often or strongly about it.)

I do not think you did anything wrong. Perhaps the next time you talk to your father, you can tell him that may be home more often if he stops criticizing you.

 

[TexRose]

Thanks for all the replies. I started praying about this and will continue to pray. My father is a very old fashion pentecostal (sp) man. You can just imagine how tough he is.
Thanks again.

 

[Zooey]

Thanks for all the replies. I started praying about this and will continue to pray. My father is a very old fashion pentecostal (sp) man. You can just imagine how tough he is.
Thanks again.

Hey, if he’s an “old fashion pentecostal”, what would he say, if you told him, “Dad, this is where the Lord led me?”
I mean, he will have been taught, that he should always follow the Lord’s leading…
In any case, I think it is way better to not answer the door, than to let him in, at a time when you might be prone to getting into an argument with him…

 

[ltbpoe43]

God Bless and of course no sin was made. However, hiding may not be the best course of action either.

I pray for you and your 15 yo and hope that by showing your faith it doesn’t have to be in secret. You can still respect your father and politely disagree with him. I like the notion of saying this is where the Lord led me on my faith journey. You may not be happy about it, but I am and hope you can accept that.

Good luck and God Bless.