Have you even been ridiculed for your beliefs?

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I’ve had good and bad things happen as a result of being Catholic.

I’ve had many I consider to be true Christians, although seperated (Protestants), and we’ve had many wonderful conversations and even random acts of respect. They seeed to recognize me as a “believer” and really didn’t care that I was Catholic. I’ve also had people react poorly to my attempts to be “good”…not using profanity, trying to calm my temper when dealing with a difficult customer…etc.

This morning I really bit my co-worker’s head off and I confess I did use profanity…and that bothered me far more than it bothered her. But just the same after I cooled off I apologized…and she told me she was proud of me for that response!

It amazes me constantly how our society rewards poor, rude and generaly sinful behavior. And so I guess I’m not “cool” because I’m trying to actually live my beliefs.

On the other hand, at work I wear a Crucifix, and for some reason, I seem to be the one handling bodily injury settlement meetings with Protestant Ministers, property damage to a Catholic church’s van, etc. And when I’ve met these people, there seems to be a lot of mutual respect.

I even once prayed with one of the ministers as we sat at our meeting. What an experience to suddenly find God right there with both of us in what otherwise could be a very trying situation for us both! I was really hesitant but I gave the situation to God and she led the prayer. It was actually very calming, and can I just tell you what a wonderful feeling it is to be accepted by one of another Christian belief?
 
Yes, gratefully so! If I am being ridiculed, harrassed or just plain being picked on for my beliefs, then I must be doing something right!
It hurts, particularly when it comes from family members, because I am always thinking about what will happen to them, if they don’t live a life in Christ? I try to put it in God’s hands, and hope in his infinite love and mercy. And then I pray for my persecuters:yup:

Peace…
 
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Middlefork:
Sure. There always seems to someone who wishes to volunteer their opinion that the church teachings on contraception are lunacy and only promote unwanted children and STD’s.

Don’t you know what causes that… I have heard ad nauseam (I have five children). :eek: And one fellow (a catholic) informed me that I was being environmentally irresponsible to have that many kids! They don’t seem to know the fun they are missing 👍
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I would like to personally thank you for having 5 kids because, besides the obvious love they bring to you and the world, they will be working to support the Social Security system when I’m retired.

People don’t seem to be able to connect the dots between small families and the future of our country.
 
I’ve been ridiculed, that’s for sure. I’m sorry it happened to you for such an innocent device as wearing a scapular. Hopefully, someday you will look at it as a badge of honor. Often when things don’t go my way, I consider it an honor that Jesus has chosen that particular moment to remember what He went through for us on the cross.

May God Bless You in your suffering.

Peace,

Vincent
 
I have been by both Catholics and nonCatholics. If it wasn;t such a bad witness to the faith, I would cuss them out. Oh wait, I’ve done that before, too. Actually, it only bothers me when it is either someone in authority (like a teacher in class in high school, funny story) or if the person has no desire to learn.
 
Not exactly, but …

I bought this T-shirt a couple of weeks ago. Its got the San Damiano cross on the front and has St. Francis’ quote on the back - “Preach the gospel at all times and use words if you have to”. I really like the shirt because the cross is so bold in the front.

The weird thing is when I wear it, people don’t make as much eye contact with me as when I don’t. It was really noticeable at the zoo yesterday and I began to wonder if this is a very small version of what minorities or handicapped or obese people go through.

Interesting. Good post, thanks.
HW
 
I have faced some very minor stuff, like the rolling of eyes noted by a previous poster. My response here however, it to encourage others to pray, and pray a lot, for those who persecute them. You see, I was once in the latter camp. For some years after leaving the Church and Christianity generally, I took every occasion to argue against and, to my great shame, mock the beliefs of others.

It was a mix of immaturity and ego on my part that led me to believe that my own agnostic views, hardly examined in depth, were daringly irreverent and intellectually superior. Needless to say, after a conversion experience and a long road back to the Church, I have come to understand that, far from being daring, my previous views were conditioned and approved by the society at large, particularly the more elitist elements. Far from being intellectual, they were small-minded and derived from a lack of education and reflection.

I will be forever in debt to those who responded to my attacks with most gracious prayer, and beg you to continue to do the same. Trust me, those prayers have a great effect.
 
Ridiculed? Yes, and I count it all joy! I recall one time before an evening meal at our home, we started to pray. My father, who was visiting with my mother reached up and stopped my hand from making the sign of the cross. He said “You don’t need that.” I told him…"but I DO!!! It recalls my baptism! And it is the way to start all prayers."I pray for the repose of my father’s soul - for now he knows the full truth! God Bless -
 
Ridiculed? Yes, and I count it all joy!
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Me too! And even more grace flows that I am old. LOL! Even Catholics hate old Catholics it seems. 😃 God is so good! And he has a sense of humor. Everyone… if they live long enough will get old. 😉 😃 😃 😃
 
Like others have mentioned, my wife and I have noticed some strong reactions to the crucifix when worn for all to see. I’ve got to say, more respect than not.
My nemesis is actually a friend from 20yrs ago in college who is now a radio talk show host in a city of 2 million. He’s crude and caustic and rants constantly on air against Christians of any stripe, pro-lifers, anyone against gay marriage. When I send him e-mails he ridicules me in his responses, and then summarily dismisses me with the arrogant attitude that I am too intelligent to actually believe that “stuff.”
I find it can wear on you after awhile. Taking some time to yourself and praying the Rosary helps I find.
 
Are you kidding me, more times than I can count, when I am driving and saying the rosary the cars next to me at a red light look at me like I am crazy, God love em.🙂
 
Most of the time I’m ridiculed for what people “think” catholics believe. The only thing we can do is look at these times as golden opportunities to evangelize those who inadvertantly open the door to a discussion of the one true church.
 
Since Easter this year, I have been trying to live my life more like Jesus, and trying very hard not to sin at all, even those little itsy bitsy venial sins.

So, boy oh boy, was I ridiculed, by Catholics, when I told them a few weeks back that I wasn’t going to continue to drink that night, as I had had 2 glasses, and getting drunk was a sin.

The looks I got was unbelievable.

I got comments like “But you have always come out and got drunk with us” and “What has happened to you?” and “Oh come on, God wants you to have fun” to even one person who said “Get drunk now and confess on Saturday”.

Praying has helped me heaps.
Talking to God and asking for His Holy Spirit to come upon me has helped.

And, I am still friends with these people.

They have got over the inital shock.
But have realised I am serious. And respect it.

By the way, it is very very very very hard to not sin at all isn’t it?

I am positive Satan lives in my bottle of Johnnie Walker. 😛
 
Yup Satan lives in Johnie Walker bottles and in my pack of Camels. I don’t think I ever had so much persecution as when I first told my Protestant friends and family that I was becoming Catholic. Living in the buckle of the Bible Belt might have something to do with that too.
 
Of course I have been ridiculed for my beliefs. It is part of loving and following Christ. He supply’s what we need, but it is hard to discern sometimes. It is even harder when the criticism is from Catholics, criticizing you for being old. Now that one does puzzles me. Old is part of Gods plan. I am privileged to have lived a long life. It was not ever easy but He has always been there to see me through. OK! I am a bit miffed right now at all the HATE post’s about older people. I betcha I get over it quicker than the complainers do. I know God is real and He loves us all. Warts and OLD age. I am still young in His eyes and have value.I am His child no matter what the naysayers have to say. 😃
 
🙂 I feel it everyday and I attend a catholic college, work at my parish office and am a leader in cross-canada youth movement. Sadly, all attacks seem to come from within. …and yes, I am a practicing Catholic!

Haha!
 
Add my “yes” to the list - by a couple of “friends”, but mostly by many family members. All of the family members were cradle Catholics, by the way. Most have left the Church, and one still claims to be Catholic… It definately spurred me on to learn more about Catholicism in order to be able to better defend the Faith. An even greater blessing was that as I discussed what I was learning with my husband, whose religious education was extremely inadequate, he has become interested as well, has made and is making changes in his life due to what he’s learned, and has even defended the Church!
 
All the time, and I’m happy that I get the chance to suffer for Jesus…

It usually comes from the ignorant protestants who refuse to accept any of the truths we hold dear.

“You go work those beads and confess your sins to a pedophile priest. they’re all gay anyway. and having sex only when you’re married, that’s stupid”

Then I laugh. And I say, “who’s church was it that broke away from the church that Jesus himself founded? as far as I can tell, you being a presbyterian only means you’ve been watered down from Catholic to lutheran to methodist to … so I seriously doubt you have “THE” right religion, my friend. I don’t think God is going to let you get by being in a religion of convenience…you know, the kind where you only have to go to church if you want and only have to accept certain things in the bible and don’t have to do any good deeds…Good luck”

Ha ha ha! 😛
 
T.A.Stobie:
Oh, yes, and usually from those who I would expect to share them.

Sad, but true.
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Same here. Mostly it has been (Catholic) family members who have ridiculed me, but sometimes it has been co-workers. My non-Catholic family (such as my father) have been more supportive. Funny thing is, one of the most supportive people is one of my co-workers and her (Evangelical pastor) husband.

John
 
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