Fatalism: should Catholics be fatalist?

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Fatalism: should Catholics be fatalist?

Learning the Catholic faith, it seems some or even many have to suffer by bearing the Cross. Should we be fatalists, in the sense, accepting this suffering and trusting in God’s divine plan? Are we fatalists then? Should we accept suffering with open arms and understand that it has a higher purpose?
 
vtech2009 said:
Fatalism: should Catholics be fatalist?

Learning the Catholic faith, it seems some or even many have to suffer by bearing the Cross. Should we be fatalists, in the sense, accepting this suffering and trusting in God’s divine plan? Are we fatalists then? Should we accept suffering with open arms and understand that it has a higher purpose?
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Accepting suffering does not mean being fatalistic. As the saying goes, work like it all depends on you and pray like it all depends on God.

Certainly, none of us can avoid the cross, but it doesn’t mean we throw up our hands and do nothing when difficulties arise.
 
vtech2009 said:
Fatalism: should Catholics be fatalist?

Learning the Catholic faith, it seems some or even many have to suffer by bearing the Cross. Should we be fatalists, in the sense, accepting this suffering and trusting in God’s divine plan? Are we fatalists then? Should we accept suffering with open arms and understand that it has a higher purpose?
Click to expand...
Fatalists believe that we have no choice or will as it relates to an occurrence, everything is predetermined, regardless of what we do. Catholics, on the other hand, believe that God knows all that will happen, but what happens is still the result of our choices and actions. As such, Catholics cannot be fatalists.
 
vtech2009 said:
Fatalism: should Catholics be fatalist?

Learning the Catholic faith, it seems some or even many have to suffer by bearing the Cross. Should we be fatalists, in the sense, accepting this suffering and trusting in God’s divine plan? Are we fatalists then? Should we accept suffering with open arms and understand that it has a higher purpose?
Click to expand...
All are asked to take up their cross and follow Christ. Whether they choose to or not, they WILL carry their cross. The question of faith is “why you carry your cross?” Do you carry it out of spite as in “I’m tougher than the next guy!”, out of anger “Why does my cross look heavier than that other guy’s cross”, or out of love “No matter how heavy my cross may feel, it’s nothing compared to Our Lord’s.” Catholics do not believe in “fate”, a capricious state of permanence without purpose. We believe in God’s Will that was established before He created us and extends to the end of time. We don’t just carry the cross because God told us to, we willingly pick up our cross and lovingly follow Him. It’s not “fate”, it’s love that drives us.
 
+JMJ+
vtech2009 said:
Fatalism: should Catholics be fatalist?

Learning the Catholic faith, it seems some or even many have to suffer by bearing the Cross. Should we be fatalists, in the sense, accepting this suffering and trusting in God’s divine plan? Are we fatalists then? Should we accept suffering with open arms and understand that it has a higher purpose?
Click to expand...
If Catholics see hardship all the time but are happy not just in spite of them but because of them, do you call that fatalism?
 
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