Does anyone else have problems with this?

[CrossofChrist]

Personally, it’s sometimes hard to hold on to the faith when everyone around us is so anti-Catholic. I know Catholicism is true and that is ultimately why anyone should believe, but with so many people who aren’t Catholic sometimes it seems as if we got it all wrong, especially with our intelligentsia being so atheistic. With all of these smart and intelligent people being so anti-Catholic, I’m baffled at how they miss such obvious things like God’s existence, or with how one has to deliberately overlook/dismiss certain historical facts in order to deny that Jesus rose from the dead.

I guess maybe all that does is show that knowledge isn’t the same as wisdom? It’s frustrating.

Any comments?

 

[phil19034]

Personally, it’s sometimes hard to hold on to the faith when everyone around us is so anti-Catholic.** I know Catholicism is true and that is ultimately why anyone should believe, but with so many people who aren’t Catholic sometimes it seems as if we got it all wrong, especially with our intelligentsia being so atheistic.** With all of these smart and intelligent people being so anti-Catholic, I’m baffled at how they miss such obvious things like God’s existence, or with how one has to deliberately overlook/dismiss certain historical facts in order to deny that Jesus rose from the dead.

I guess maybe all that does is show that knowledge isn’t the same as wisdom? It’s frustrating.

Any comments?

I never feel like we Catholics got it wrong. I try to avoid the secular media, etc. and anything else that is Catholic bashing unless I’m mentally ready to defend the faith.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

Personally, it’s sometimes hard to hold on to the faith when everyone around us is so anti-Catholic. I know Catholicism is true and that is ultimately why anyone should believe, but with so many people who aren’t Catholic sometimes it seems as if we got it all wrong, especially with our intelligentsia being so atheistic. With all of these smart and intelligent people being so anti-Catholic, I’m baffled at how they miss such obvious things like God’s existence, or with how one has to deliberately overlook/dismiss certain historical facts in order to deny that Jesus rose from the dead.

I guess maybe all that does is show that knowledge isn’t the same as wisdom? It’s frustrating.

Any comments?

I am appaled that any Catholic would give a rat’s behind as to what others think about their Religion!
You should be more concerned about the state of ones own soul

 

[ACanthony]

Hi my friend. I recall this verse for your post:

John 15:18-21
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me.”

I am sure the Pharisees in Jesus’ time and the people that decided to crucify Christ were intelligent. Intelligence is a gift from God, yet at the same time it does not make a person more fit for the Kingdom. It may be difficult to navigate through this world sometimes, but if you look to Christ’s wonderful example of humility, you will take courage.

 

[Dorothy]

Excellent post! And, when our Lord Jesus Christ chose the apostles, He did not choose them from the highly educated.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Personally, it’s sometimes hard to hold on to the faith when everyone around us is so anti-Catholic. I know Catholicism is true and that is ultimately why anyone should believe, but with so many people who aren’t Catholic sometimes it seems as if we got it all wrong, especially with our intelligentsia being so atheistic. With all of these smart and intelligent people being so anti-Catholic, I’m baffled at how they miss such obvious things like God’s existence, or with how one has to deliberately overlook/dismiss certain historical facts in order to deny that Jesus rose from the dead.

I guess maybe all that does is show that knowledge isn’t the same as wisdom? It’s frustrating.

Any comments?

If you look at human history, a lot of times the elite, powerful and educated are anti-Truth and probably not as smart as they may think.

 

[ClearWater]

Personally, it’s sometimes hard to hold on to the faith when everyone around us is so anti-Catholic. I know Catholicism is true and that is ultimately why anyone should believe, but with so many people who aren’t Catholic sometimes it seems as if we got it all wrong, especially with our intelligentsia being so atheistic. With all of these smart and intelligent people being so anti-Catholic, I’m baffled at how they miss such obvious things like God’s existence, or with how one has to deliberately overlook/dismiss certain historical facts in order to deny that Jesus rose from the dead.

I guess maybe all that does is show that knowledge isn’t the same as wisdom? It’s frustrating.

Any comments?

I have problems holding on to the faith. I look at my life, and my parents both even raised me in the faith, but by the time I was a teenager, I was already having doubts, being a cafeteria Catholic.

Well, I had some of my brothers and sisters who were very strong influences trying to derail me. Sometimes, they succeeded, because I let them.

I’ve gotten off the path, gotten back on, fallen off…on…off…on…off.

So, I finally came to the conclusion, “Hey, you know you are one tough case! You can’t seem to stay on the path!” So, what I’ve done, which seems to have helped me just unbelievably, is go to daily mass. I find when I do things like go to daily mass, pray the rosary daily, I may fall, but my falls aren’t anything close to what they used to be.

I tell myself I am the type who MUST have daily mass. I know myself. I NEED daily mass. I’ve seen how I thought I could get by in this day and time on weekly mass, but no. If I don’t have daily mass, I seem highly vulnerable, easily lose my way.

However, if I discipline myself to pray, daily, without fail, go mass, daily, confession, as needed, it’s much more difficult to do major sins. Further, I avoid negative influences.

I get on the forum, go to a pastoral group, try to surround myself with pure and holy influences. I am careful with what I watch or look at. I used to watch TV and worse. Now, if I were to see a movie, I’d check it out on the Bishop’s Council website, first, not go if it didn’t pass their inspection.

I seek out good movies, and I know they are exceedingly rare, and instead, promote them.
I read scripture.

I dress modestly, wear a crucifix and scapular which are my outward symbols that I would like to be chaste and pure.

I keep up reminders of my faith…a crucifix, picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary, holy water, all reminders so that when I’m bombarded with evil, there will be goodness around me.

As to intelligent people denying God and Jesus, I try to use apologetics, like the 20 arguments for the existence of God on them. May work, may not, but I put it out there for what it’s worth. peterkreeft.com/topics-more/20_arguments-gods-existence.htm

Of course, there is always St. Thomas Aquinas…newadvent.org/summa/1002.htm

I try not to let their disbelief and all the rest rub off on me.

 

[thistle]

Personally, it’s sometimes hard to hold on to the faith when everyone around us is so anti-Catholic. I know Catholicism is true and that is ultimately why anyone should believe, but with so many people who aren’t Catholic sometimes it seems as if we got it all wrong, especially with our intelligentsia being so atheistic. With all of these smart and intelligent people being so anti-Catholic, I’m baffled at how they miss such obvious things like God’s existence, or with how one has to deliberately overlook/dismiss certain historical facts in order to deny that Jesus rose from the dead.

I guess maybe all that does is show that knowledge isn’t the same as wisdom? It’s frustrating.

Any comments?

I don’t have that problem. The Philippines is 85% Catholic and Christ and Mother Mary are in many conversations here every day.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I also have a problem with it.

I felt so vulnerable as a Catholic and as a socially conservative woman while I lived in the UK. I feel much more relaxed here. Except when I’m socialising with other westerners. There is very often some kind of anti-religious sentiment expressed. I hate that and wish I could meet more Asian people and make friends with them. I’m really not coping well with this trend. Maybe I just have weak faith, I don’t know

 

[Dorothy]

Dear Contra Mundum,

I felt your pain when I read your above post. How lonely it must be to not be surrounded with like-minded people. I just put you on my prayer list that you would meet people you can have spiritual conversations with, and lift one another up in the faith.

It doesn’t sound like you have weak faith, as you have a strong desire for a deeper faith!

I encourage you to hang in there and ask the Holy Spirit to help you in your desire. There can be many surprises in store for you!

I don’t know what spiritual resources there are where you now live…Catholic Churches? Priests deacons to speak with? Availability of good spiritual reading?

Peace to you, and Prayers for you!

Dorothy

 

[fhansen]

Personally, it’s sometimes hard to hold on to the faith when everyone around us is so anti-Catholic. I know Catholicism is true and that is ultimately why anyone should believe, but with so many people who aren’t Catholic sometimes it seems as if we got it all wrong, especially with our intelligentsia being so atheistic. With all of these smart and intelligent people being so anti-Catholic, I’m baffled at how they miss such obvious things like God’s existence, or with how one has to deliberately overlook/dismiss certain historical facts in order to deny that Jesus rose from the dead.

I guess maybe all that does is show that knowledge isn’t the same as wisdom? It’s frustrating.

Any comments?

**18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

26Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”** 1 Cor 1:18-31

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I just put you on my prayer list that you would meet people you can have spiritual conversations with, and lift one another up in the faith.

I don’t know what spiritual resources there are where you now live…Catholic Churches? Priests deacons to speak with? Availability of good spiritual reading?

How kind of you, thank you so much! I really appreciate it.

There are churches here but I’ve not joined any groups. I really must make more of an effort. But it is hard sometimes to get out there and get involved, being a SAHM.

CAF is a lifesaver

 

[Dorothy]

How kind of you, thank you so much! I really appreciate it.

There are churches here but I’ve not joined any groups. I really must make more of an effort. But it is hard sometimes to get out there and get involved, being a SAHM.

CAF is a lifesaver

Just a thought that came to me:

Maybe there are other SAHM moms who would love to get together in their homes with others like themselves. My children are all grown now, but I remember when I longed for such company! I was quiet and overly shy and did not have the gumption to find out about such things. It is vital! There must be other ways as well.

Long ago I was in a group (finally!) where the mothers took turns baby-sitting so the others could pursue prayers and discussions. That could work also

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Just a thought that came to me:

Maybe there are other SAHM moms who would love to get together in their homes with others like themselves.

I have plenty of SAHM company, but unfortunately they are all irreligious, and some are quite anti-religious. They are nice people but I can’t relax and don’t feel the desire to seek deeper friendships.

I do pray and hope that one day things will change and that I will have Catholic friends as part of my daily life.