Feeling Resentment?!?

[Trebor135]

I am newly Confirmed and so proud of my faith! I have very close friends who are non-denominational Christians. I think it’s great that we are Christian sisters. However, as I have recently been exploring more and more about Christ’s Church and the beliefs of His Church, I have been feeling more and more tension towards my friends. It is obvious where we disagree on things. For example, my friends have said that we shouldn’t have to “report” our sins to a priest. They also have said that Catholics added things to the Bible and the age-old accusation of worshiping Mary.

It has never got outwardly tense, but in my heart I can feel myself becoming resentful. I don’t want to feel this way! But it feels like they are trying to lead ME to “the truth” by inviting me to Campus Crusade for Christ meetings, and I feel like I already know the truth because I am part of His Church that HE created. Part of me feels like it’s a “I’m right, they’re wrong” situation. I know it shouldn’t be that way, and I know there are many things that we probably agree on.

How can I stop feeling so resentful towards their difference of beliefs and how can I present my beliefs in a calm, respectful manner? How do I explain certain things to them, such as why we ask Mary to pray for us, or why we believe Maccabees, etc. are sacred scripture? I’m really starting to feel frustrated!

God Bless

I like what Guanophore wrote in post #2: “Your anger is telling you that an injustice is occurring, and you can take some steps to correct it by informing yourself.”

I second this comment wholeheartedly. If you become as knowledgeable as possible about your faith, you won’t be feeling defensive all the time: in fact, you’ll be giving your “non-denominational” (i.e., Baptist/Pentecostal without knowing or admitting it) Christian friends a lot to chew on.

If you focus on these areas and learn them backwards, forwards, and upside-down, you’ll be inoculated, and can even inoculate others, against falling for the misguided objections of evangelical Protestants: Sacred Tradition, visible church, salvation by grace through faith and works, sacraments, penance, purgatory/indulgences, the sacrifice of the Mass, and St. Mary and the saints.

I know where you’ve been. When one is facing a stream of (potentially uncharitable) attacks–blatant or subtle–from friends and acquaintances on one’s religious beliefs, without one understanding the “what” and “why” of one’s faith, then emotions of intense anxiety and frustration, even resentment, are inevitable.

May Christ guide and protect you forever. May the Theotokos pray for you always. Amen.

 

[guanophore]

I was being a little sarcastic, but I don’t know any protestant with an interior life… It even appears an oxymoron to say it, protestant interior life? I personally haven’t seen it in any and I know a lot of reputable protestants, but I don’t think I know one that has entered the second conversion of the spiritual life at all… Even looking in history I can’t see it in any of their so called “greats.” Protestants are like the little kitten that wants to get to the mothers milk at best, but can’t because, well, they never get close enough to receive her nourishment.

This is amazing to me, as most of the faithful Protestants I know have much more of an interior life than nominal Catholics.

If you don’t see any “great” Protestants with interior life, then you are missing a great deal of history. All of the Reformers had vibrant interior life, despite their departure from the One Faith.

I find myself wondering, what do you mean by “interior life”?

 

[guanophore]

I think it’s just because most protestants I’ve met don’t believe in sanctification. My spirituality is modeled on a devout catholic priest, who has been a close mentor for many years and many others in holy orders, so even the best Lutheran Pastor in town really looks like a silly goose when it comes to the interior life. I’m not claiming I’m in the Illuminative stages of spirituality, but I’ve never met a protestant that acknowledges anything other than purgative and saving grace. Maybe I’m all wrong.

If this is your experience, then it is not “wrong”. What is wrong is making broad generalizations based upon your very limited experience and applying them indiscrimminately to others outside your experience. The vast majority of Protestantism affirms the doctrine and practice of sanctification. Granted, there is a minority that you describe who do not, but this does not describe the largest percentage.

 

[TrueLight]

I was being a little sarcastic, but I don’t know any protestant with an interior life… .

You haven’t been around enough Protestants then.

 

[mflorence]

I am newly Confirmed and so proud of my faith! I have very close friends who are non-denominational Christians. I think it’s great that we are Christian sisters. However, as I have recently been exploring more and more about Christ’s Church and the beliefs of His Church, I have been feeling more and more tension towards my friends. It is obvious where we disagree on things. For example, my friends have said that we shouldn’t have to “report” our sins to a priest. They also have said that Catholics added things to the Bible and the age-old accusation of worshiping Mary.

It has never got outwardly tense, but in my heart I can feel myself becoming resentful. I don’t want to feel this way! But it feels like they are trying to lead ME to “the truth” by inviting me to Campus Crusade for Christ meetings, and I feel like I already know the truth because I am part of His Church that HE created. Part of me feels like it’s a “I’m right, they’re wrong” situation. I know it shouldn’t be that way, and I know there are many things that we probably agree on.

How can I stop feeling so resentful towards their difference of beliefs and how can I present my beliefs in a calm, respectful manner? How do I explain certain things to them, such as why we ask Mary to pray for us, or why we believe Maccabees, etc. are sacred scripture? I’m really starting to feel frustrated!

God Bless

The finer points of what you believe vs. the finer points of what your friends believe are but synapses of the mind. A person with an IQ of 50 cannot understand these finer points that are causing you consternation, but a person with an IQ of 50 can love God and others, and thereby fulfill the ultimate purpose of what it is both you and your friends believe. Therefore, perhaps it’s not so much a matter of what one “thinks” or “believes,” but more a matter of how one lives out the simple mission of loving God, yourself and those around you. This will not cause you resentment or tension. If knowledge, theology and dogma cause resentment and tension between ourselves and the ones we are here to love, I would personally throw out the obstacles and keep the love. This is the means by which the idiot can crash the gates of heaven and the theologian can pine away in a hell of his own making.

 

[LaughingBoy1503]

Never trust Protestants, they are all devious.

I was raised protestant. About a year ago after much research and prayer my “religious” views shifted to Catholic. Make no mistake about me, other than the fact that I am not in full communion with the Church yet, I am Catholic to the bone. I have a passion for learning about apologetics because I use to have so many misconceptions about the Catholic faith when I was a protestant.

I hate to say it but I will. Unfortunatly, where I am from, I have met more devout, Godly well meaning Protestant Christians than Catholics. I have met more protestants in my 27 years on this earth, who read the scriptures, and go to church and try to live Godly lives than Catholics who do the same. I grew up with a lot of Catholic friends when I was a protestant. I can say without hesitation, 99% of them knew almost nothing about the Bible or Catholic teachings other than “We pray to Mary, protestants dont.” And they could not even explain or defend why when I would ask why

I would trust a lot of protestants that I know, more than a lot of Catholics I know. Unfortunate but true. I just barely started going to a Catholic Church this year, so I hope that this changes soon. I want to make friends with some righteous Catholics. Also hopefully meet the right Catholic girl

Please be kind when you talk about our protestant brothers and sisters.

 

[CopticChristian]

I am newly Confirmed and so proud of my faith! I have very close friends who are non-denominational Christians. I think it’s great that we are Christian sisters. However, as I have recently been exploring more and more about Christ’s Church and the beliefs of His Church, I have been feeling more and more tension towards my friends. It is obvious where we disagree on things. For example, my friends have said that we shouldn’t have to “report” our sins to a priest. They also have said that Catholics added things to the Bible and the age-old accusation of worshiping Mary.

It has never got outwardly tense, but in my heart I can feel myself becoming resentful. I don’t want to feel this way! But it feels like they are trying to lead ME to “the truth” by inviting me to Campus Crusade for Christ meetings, and I feel like I already know the truth because I am part of His Church that HE created. Part of me feels like it’s a “I’m right, they’re wrong” situation. I know it shouldn’t be that way, and I know there are many things that we probably agree on.

How can I stop feeling so resentful towards their difference of beliefs and how can I present my beliefs in a calm, respectful manner? How do I explain certain things to them, such as why we ask Mary to pray for us, or why we believe Maccabees, etc. are sacred scripture? I’m really starting to feel frustrated!

God Bless

Fight,

I think it is dispicable and an outrage that anyone should have to report our sins to a priest. Unfortunately we sin. Ask your friends if they sin. Wow one thing in common. Next I would ask you do you report your sins? I doubt it. You confess your sins. Ask your friends if they believe that they should confess their sins? Wow two things in common. Now having confessed your sins you make a firm act to repent and not do it again as part of the confessing. Ask your friends if they believe that they should repent of their sins. Wow now you have three things in common. They do not believe that there is grace to be had in the sacrament and you do…too bad for them…you need not discuss this any further with them unless asked…What is there to be resentful about here?

I hate to tell you but your friends are right. Catholics did add to the Bible…yup, said it right here…gotta confess…we did it…sure as shootin, page numbers and verse number as well as names of the books…we did it…uh huh…oh yeah and sometimes we put the Impramatur on it…so there you have it …we did that.

The present chapter divisions were first introduced in the Vulgate Bible in 1205 by Stephen Langton, a professor in Paris (later Archbishop of Canterbury).

Now the real question for your friends should be who removed the deuterocanonicals from the Bible. You can tell them to look here for the 1611 King James…

sceti.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?textID=kjbible&PagePosition=1

That has the books they do not have. Ask them why they don’t have them and who took them out of the King James.

Wow. Another cat out of the Bag. Catholics do worship Mary. Rather I should say Catholics did worship Mary. It is a heresy called Collyridianism and was condemned. There may still be some Collyridians around so let them know that the Catholic Church will not tolerate heresy.

Campus Crusade you should know has the patented sinners prayer…yup…the sinners prayer written by Bill Brite has a patent. Ask them to see a copy of this prayer and it is patented. So if it is patented then it could not be handed down from the Apostles so ask them when did this sinners prayer originate and why does it have a patent.

Get educatated about your faith so that you can ease your resentment and realize that you have found the OHCAC. Keep coming back and ask questions.

 

[CopticChristian]

Never trust Protestants, they are all devious.

Dog,

I finally found someone that knows all Protestants. Is this really true?

 

[CopticChristian]

I was being a little sarcastic, but I don’t know any protestant with an interior life… It even appears an oxymoron to say it, protestant interior life? I personally haven’t seen it in any and I know a lot of reputable protestants, but I don’t think I know one that has entered the second conversion of the spiritual life at all… Even looking in history I can’t see it in any of their so called “greats.” Protestants are like the little kitten that wants to get to the mothers milk at best, but can’t because, well, they never get close enough to receive her nourishment.

Dog,

I am a little worried here. Previously you said you know all Protestants. You may want to consider that book that was produced by our OHCAC…you know the part about…I don’t even judge myself. I will say that ascetism is not part of Protestant thought. I will ask if you have met Scott Hahn or John Henry Neuman?

If you believe that all Protestants are Christian by their Baptism and have been gifted like you with Faith, Hope and Charity then perhaps there may be something there you have not noticed but not necessarily not there.

What greats are you talking about? I would suggest Billy Graham probably had an interior life. Since I don’t know all Protestants I could not say more than that.

 

[guanophore]

I hate to tell you but your friends are right. Catholics did add to the Bible…yup, said it right here…gotta confess…we did it…sure as shootin, page numbers and verse number as well as names of the books…we did it…uh huh…oh yeah and sometimes we put the Impramatur on it…so there you have it …we did that.

Not to mention Catholics wrote 27 memoirs and letters that were subsequently added by the Catholic Church to the Bible, and called them the New Testament.

 

[CopticChristian]

Not to mention Catholics wrote 27 memoirs and letters that were subsequently added by the Catholic Church to the Bible, and called them the New Testament.

G. man,

Have not seen you in a while…

 

[guanophore]

G. man,

Have not seen you in a while…

Been working on a doctoral dissertation. Very time consuming.

 

[Giuseppe_Gavino]

I am newly Confirmed and so proud of my faith! I have very close friends who are non-denominational Christians. I think it’s great that we are Christian sisters. However, as I have recently been exploring more and more about Christ’s Church and the beliefs of His Church, I have been feeling more and more tension towards my friends. It is obvious where we disagree on things. For example, my friends have said that we shouldn’t have to “report” our sins to a priest. They also have said that Catholics added things to the Bible and the age-old accusation of worshiping Mary.

It has never got outwardly tense, but in my heart I can feel myself becoming resentful. I don’t want to feel this way! But it feels like they are trying to lead ME to “the truth” by inviting me to Campus Crusade for Christ meetings, and I feel like I already know the truth because I am part of His Church that HE created. Part of me feels like it’s a “I’m right, they’re wrong” situation. I know it shouldn’t be that way, and I know there are many things that we probably agree on.

How can I stop feeling so resentful towards their difference of beliefs and how can I present my beliefs in a calm, respectful manner? How do I explain certain things to them, such as why we ask Mary to pray for us, or why we believe Maccabees, etc. are sacred scripture? I’m really starting to feel frustrated!

God Bless

Welcome home!

First, I would try to be patient with your friends. Most of the time they’re just saying these things because they’re concerned and want the best for you. Secondly I would tell them you haven’t found any evidence supporting their accusations, but that you’re open to any evidence they can find from the Catholic Church which supports their claims.

Lastly rejoice! Christ was persecuted for His faith and so the same must be true for you. Asking Him for the grace to get past this with faith, hope, and charity should be the key thing in your prayers. Nothing brings Christians back home to the true Church like a Catholic that actually lives their faith.

 

[CopticChristian]

Welcome home!

First,** I would try to be patient with your friends. Most of the time they’re just saying these things because they’re concerned and want the best for you.** Secondly I would tell them you haven’t found any evidence supporting their accusations, but that you’re open to any evidence they can find from the Catholic Church which supports their claims.

Lastly rejoice! Christ was persecuted for His faith and so the same must be true for you. Asking Him for the grace to get past this with faith, hope, and charity should be the key thing in your prayers. Nothing brings Christians back home to the true Church like a Catholic that actually lives their faith.

G,

Patience is good. These friends do not want the best. They believe that what they want is the best. There is a differrence. This person is questioning some basic issues and to challenge these friends to find evidence will force a flurry of Bible verses about Mary worship, how the Catholic Church lied, etc. I have been there and seen the faulty verse, by verse dialogue. An uninformed person not knowing this may find themselves questioning further. I would not be in favor of challenging these friends until this person was well grounded. You do see the frustration from the OP, recently confrimed and not being certain. I could not agree that challenge is the best approach.

 

[Dogmatic]

What are Protestants lacking to keep them in the first phase of the spiritual life?

A true understanding of the mystical body of Christ?

What could they do to reach the second phase?

They could realize their errors, join the one true church and begin to purify their mind and emotions instead of only focusing on the external morality?

What distinguishes the different phases from one another?

Purgative, Illuminate, Unitive: Choosing to follow Jesus Christ, The Crucifixion, Pentecost. I’m no Réginald Marie Garrigou-Lagrange, but Justification by faith alone is horrible.
Read the “three conversions of the interior life.”

I’m in the wrong forum, forgive me. I’m sorry to have posted. I pray God blesses my life with some inspiring Protestants, but I won’t get my hopes up, because I imagine if they are, they’re waiting for RCIA to start next fall.

 

[CopticChristian]

What are Protestants lacking to keep them in the first phase of the spiritual life?

A true understanding of the mystical body of Christ?

What could they do to reach the second phase?

They could realize their errors, join the one true church and begin to purify their mind and emotions instead of only focusing on the external morality?

What distinguishes the different phases from one another?

Purgative, Illuminate, Unitive: Choosing to follow Jesus Christ, The Crucifixion, Pentecost. I’m no Réginald Marie Garrigou-Lagrange, but Justification by faith alone is horrible.
Read the “three conversions of the interior life.”

I’m in the wrong forum, forgive me. I’m sorry to have posted. I pray God blesses my life with some inspiring Protestants, but I won’t get my hopes up, because I imagine if they are, they’re waiting for RCIA to start next fall.

Dog,

Your persistence disturbs me. I have a Brown Belt in Judo, A purple belt in Kempo Karate however I have never had anyone judge my phases of Spiritual Growth…If you want an inspiring Protestant read, listen to Scott Hahn…I don’t think he is ashamed of his Protestant background or what his spiritual life was like before becoming Catholic. Do you want me or anyone else to believe that once he became Catholic his spiritual life was anything but fulfilled.

Your attitude causes me conflict. May I ask what your intention is?

I want to reach out to my Protestant siblings and invite them into what I have found?

I want to reach out to my Protestant siblings and slap them across the face to wake up to the reality of what they deny?

I want to reach out to my Protestant siblings and force them to recognize their error?

I want to reach out to my Protestant siblings and have them realize how minisucle their beliefs are?

I don’t like Protestant thinking. This does not translate to people. I like people. Paul criticizes the Jew for sticking to the Mosaic Law…

1Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 7to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11For there is no partiality with God.

If God is impartial and God is God of all…then reread this passage and believe that it applies to you and me…

 

[Giuseppe_Gavino]

G,

Patience is good. These friends do not want the best. They believe that what they want is the best. There is a differrence. This person is questioning some basic issues and to challenge these friends to find evidence will force a flurry of Bible verses about Mary worship, how the Catholic Church lied, etc. I have been there and seen the faulty verse, by verse dialogue. An uninformed person not knowing this may find themselves questioning further. I would not be in favor of challenging these friends until this person was well grounded. You do see the frustration from the OP, recently confrimed and not being certain. I could not agree that challenge is the best approach.

Point taken. I just figured since the requirement was that they have to present Catholic sources for their claims then this would actually force them to read about what the Catholic Church really teaches and practices.

 

[CopticChristian]

Point taken. I just figured since the requirement was that they have to present Catholic sources for their claims then this would actually force them to read about what the Catholic Church really teaches and practices.

G,

I do not know how much experience you have had with those wanting to go to Campus Crusade however my experience when asking for any proof it is to the Bible and not anything else.

 

[Giuseppe_Gavino]

G,

I do not know how much experience you have had with those wanting to go to Campus Crusade however my experience when asking for any proof it is to the Bible and not anything else.

Oh, well I wasn’t advocating this person join their friends in one of their Campus Crusade groups. I was simply suggesting the OP speak with their friends personally regarding their concerns and maybe have them organize their own study group which would research what the Catholic Church actually teaches by using Catholic sources like; The Catechism, etc…

 

[CopticChristian]

Oh, well I wasn’t advocating this person join their friends in one of their Campus Crusade groups. I was simply suggesting the OP speak with their friends personally regarding their concerns and maybe have them organize their own study group which would research what the Catholic Church actually teaches by using Catholic sources like; The Catechism, etc…

GG,

I admire your persistence. Have you noticed that some of the Protestants that register with this site do not come to learn rather to preach. You may want to suggest that this person have her Campus Crusade friends register on Catholic Answers so that they can dialogue with you and me.