How can we show that our Catholic Faith is different?

[devonsams]

First of all I’m brazilian and i’d like to apologize by my english mistakes

Where I live it is growing up an environment of anti-religiosity. They say that religion is making all evil things in the world, like the islamic fanatics, the protestant church who explores people and they condemn evolution, and I end up being victim of it, they say I support religion, i support all the evil things in the world that religion make, like 911 when I am Catholic.

How can I survive this anti-religious environment? Every day i have to give reason to the hope inside me ( 1 Peter 3,15) and say that our faith is different, we don’t condemn science, we don’t opress people and all of this things…

 

[TimothyH]

We have to act in such a way that others will be able to say, when they meet us: this man is a Christian, because he does not hate, because he is willing to understand, because he is not a fanatic, because he is willing to make sacrifices, because he shows that he is a man of peace, becuase he knows how to love.
- St. Josemaria Escriva

-Tim-

 

[daisybee]

I think perhaps you may be called to continue to do what you are already doing.

Perhaps in your situation it will be slightly different each day, a daily battle of sorts.

If you are being asked a variety of questions and challenged on a variety of topics, there probably is no single way or one answer to give in response.

To inform and educate yourself, continue to read good books from Catholic publishers, such as ignatius.com/ and sophiainstitute.com/

Perhaps you could also find a small faith community or Bible study to join, to support each other in such a hostile environment.

 

[LorenC]

We have to act in such a way that others will be able to say, when they meet us: this man is a Christian, because he does not hate, because he is willing to understand, because he is not a fanatic, because he is willing to make sacrifices, because he shows that he is a man of peace, becuase he knows how to love.
- St. Josemaria Escriva

-Tim-

Love the quote, and your avatar also, Tim.

 

[JRKH]

We have to act in such a way that others will be able to say, when they meet us: this man is a Christian, because he does not hate, because he is willing to understand, because he is not a fanatic, because he is willing to make sacrifices, because he shows that he is a man of peace, becuase he knows how to love.
- St. Josemaria Escriva

-Tim-

When I read the thread title. my first thought was - you must out Love all others.

Besides the very practical advice given above, all I can say is that you can only do what you are able.
All you can do is live love and patiently explain. You cannot make others actually listen…

You mention 9/11 as an example…and I think that is is actually a good example in light of recent events relating to a movie.
9/11 caused much pain and anger in the United States, and yet there were no riots, no attacks on mosques and almost no attacks on Muslims living in the US. And this was the western “Christian” response to more than 2000 people being killed by terrorists.
Recently a movie was released that was not flattering to the Prophet Mohammed and look at the response in the Islamic world.
Ask your friends to think carefully at the two responses - not the military actions taken by the nation later, but rather the “gut” reaction at the time of the actual event…

As for evolution and so forth…If you are getting hit with the same comments repeatedly, you might want to write down the proper references from official Church teaching explaining these things…Maybe even print off some copies of relevant passages from the Catechism etc to share with your detractors. - - - That is, if they are willing to listen.

If they show that they are unwilling to listen and dismissive of your sources…then there is really nothing more you can do…Commend them ot God that He might soften their hearts.

Peace
James

 

[JOE_OBERR]

First of all I’m brazilian and i’d like to apologize by my english mistakes

Where I live it is growing up an environment of anti-religiosity. They say that religion is making all evil things in the world, like the islamic fanatics, the protestant church who explores people and they condemn evolution, and I end up being victim of it, they say I support religion, i support all the evil things in the world that religion make, like 911 when I am Catholic.

How can I survive this anti-religious environment? Every day i have to give reason to the hope inside me ( 1 Peter 3,15) and say that our faith is different, we don’t condemn science, we don’t opress people and all of this things…

In addition to living a life of selfless love, being patient, mild, not angry etc as others have metioned, you could also mention, if asked, the purpose of the Catholic Church. The purpose is to spread the Gospel which was first spread by the Apostles’ preaching (Go out and preach the Gospel to all nations - Mk 16:15-16). It continues to be spread today by the Pope, bishops and priests whose primary task it is to preach it. The core and center of this Gospel, which is the whole Catholic faith, is the salvation Jesus merited for us by his passion and death. This salvation is the liberation from all that oppresses us especially the slavery to sin and the dominance of the evil one. When we are freed from the slavery to sin we can then love God and our neighbor which leads to a happiness which is not found from anything else. Slavery to sin leads to illness, misery, unhappiness, often premature death and ultimately to a loss of eternal salvation. If everyone was a faithful Catholic there would be no prisons, no wars, no locks, no keys, no sexually transmitted diseases, no heroin addiction etc. That is why Jesus came, to redeem us, to merit the grace to be freed from all sin which makes us slaves to the sin and miserable as well. Baptism frees us initially and then the Eucharist preserves us from mortal sin which leads to the slavery of sin and misery. The sacrament of Reconciliation is very important as well for forgiveness of sin and restoration of sanctifying grace. But the Eucharist is THE most important of the sacraments as it gives us the grace to resist temptation which we could not do on our own. It is the nuclear bomb of grace if you will. So all these people who are not Catholic are missing out on the wonders of God’s grace which He is anxious to give them so that they may start leading a happy and peaceful life which is extremely difficult to find and live without his grace.

 

[Thorsson]

The stereotypes you are getting are wrong. Plain and simple.
Copernicus.carholic.priest.
Mendel.priest. Father of genetics.
Father Georges Maitres.came up with th Big Bang theory two years before Hubble
Goto Wikipedia for a list s
Of catholic scientists…which includes me ( not that I consider myself in Mendels league)
S let’s put the christians are not intelligent or smart silliness to rest.

There have been many religious wars throughout history. But for most of us on earth now. It’s the atheists who are the mass murderers. BY FAR.
Stalin. 10’s of millions massacred. Anti catholic and pro atheism.communist.
Mao. 10s of millions of Chinese. Oppression of Tibet and ethnic minorities in china. All murdered and imprisoned. Atheist. Dina is still very much atheist although that is eroding.
Pol pot. Cambodian, I think. Millions dead. Atheist.
Hitler was promoting some odd eugenic form of Teutonic paganism. We know his story.
So Christians are hardly the source of war and death in the world. Islam is another port, but that was founded by a vile military warlord.
So lets put Christianity promotes war nonsense to rest.

All evil? Catholicism? Really? That is just ignorant. Look at so many hospitals. Renamed now because secularists have renamed many. Orphanages. Didn’t see secularist promoting that over the past few entries. See knights of Columbus if you want a good story of what secularists did to families after the father died. Adoption. Care for the sick throughout the world. Mother Theresa may be the most famous these days, but she is one of many saints.

Who are these ignorant people? D they deny what their eyes see. What their ears hear. Christian love, strength, stability and culture is everywhere. Yes it is being purged, but a brief look at history tells you those comments you her are just not true.

 

[DavidWJackson]

The world is calling us to be great. It wishes to see success after our every action. Successes that will eventually fall and decay after the next success and seemingly good thing is accomlished. God is not calling us to be great. God is calling us to greatness. Which is Him! Thank God that He works quietly and so slowly… It has saved many a soul; maybe mine.The world is quick to throw you away, if you don’t quickly accomplish what it demands. However, at the end of your life, If you continue in your walk with God, He will show you how much your nonaccomplishments before man accomplished towards the saving of mankind for the greatness of many souls.
So, always listen: be understanding, kind and slow to speak. View the sins of all without judgement, for we are all sinners, forever dependent upon God’s mercy. Try to never let yourself be openly offended by the words or actions of another. It will lead to anger! Revert back to being slow to speak. Be loving and encouraging, if only in silent prayer in such times. At the end of your life in this world you most likly will be astounded at the greatness you forged. And, the multitude of souls saved throughout maliniums by your simple life and walk with God. In short, don’t try to be great. Just walk with God be humble and ironicly in the end you will have accomplished all you were to do before God.
P.S. Don’t just pray to God asking for the conversion of your friends, neighbors, country and the world. Also, praise and thank God for the day He is sending to convert your friends, neighbors, country, and the world. Amen.

 

[Actaeon]

First of all I’m brazilian and i’d like to apologize by my english mistakes

Where I live it is growing up an environment of anti-religiosity. They say that religion is making all evil things in the world, like the islamic fanatics, the protestant church who explores people and they condemn evolution, and I end up being victim of it, they say I support religion, i support all the evil things in the world that religion make, like 911 when I am Catholic.

How can I survive this anti-religious environment? Every day i have to give reason to the hope inside me ( 1 Peter 3,15) and say that our faith is different, we don’t condemn science, we don’t opress people and all of this things…

Peace be with you!

You might start by reminding them that judging all people based on the actions of a very few is a logical fallacy known as hasty generalization, and is not only illogical, but morally wrong (because it is prejudice).

Furthermore, you might point out to them that their generalization, even if it weren’t too broad, is wrong because they’re generalizating 90% of the world’s population and equating them to muslim extremists (less than 0.1% of the world’s population) based simply on the fact that that overwhelming majority shares a single belief with the extremists (aka, that there is a God). In other words, not only is their generalization hasty, it’s also wrong. It’d be like saying you shouldn’t drive after drinking water because water and alcohol are both LIQUIDS and therefore bad.

Furthermore, you could point out that the Catholic Church is the most charitable organization in the world AND that while many organizations exist to help people affected by emergency situations, the Catholic church is one of the few organizations that provides ongoing support for the poor on a daily basis around the world, caring for the needs of the afflicted not only when they come into the limelight, but also when it’s not as “sensational” to do so.

Finally, you should tell them to judge you (and Christianity/Catholicism as a whole) not by news stories of extremists, but also by how they see you act… and then comport yourself to be the model of Christ’s love. Begin your conversations with those people with a “peace be with you” and then treat them as though you REALLY DO wish them peace and happiness. Show love in your daily actions and you will be beyond reproach, because your actions and your life will speak louder than anyone who might criticize you because of your faith!

 

[JOE_OBERR]

The stereotypes you are getting are wrong. Plain and simple.
Copernicus.carholic.priest.
Mendel.priest. Father of genetics.
Father Georges Maitres.came up with th Big Bang theory two years before Hubble
Goto Wikipedia for a list s
Of catholic scientists…which includes me ( not that I consider myself in Mendels league)
S let’s put the christians are not intelligent or smart silliness to rest.

There have been many religious wars throughout history. But for most of us on earth now. It’s the atheists who are the mass murderers. BY FAR.
Stalin. 10’s of millions massacred. Anti catholic and pro atheism.communist.
Mao. 10s of millions of Chinese. Oppression of Tibet and ethnic minorities in china. All murdered and imprisoned. Atheist. Dina is still very much atheist although that is eroding.
Pol pot. Cambodian, I think. Millions dead. Atheist.
Hitler was promoting some odd eugenic form of Teutonic paganism. We know his story.
So Christians are hardly the source of war and death in the world. Islam is another port, but that was founded by a vile military warlord.
So lets put Christianity promotes war nonsense to rest.

All evil? Catholicism? Really? That is just ignorant. Look at so many hospitals. Renamed now because secularists have renamed many. Orphanages. Didn’t see secularist promoting that over the past few entries. See knights of Columbus if you want a good story of what secularists did to families after the father died. Adoption. Care for the sick throughout the world. Mother Theresa may be the most famous these days, but she is one of many saints.

Who are these ignorant people? D they deny what their eyes see. What their ears hear. Christian love, strength, stability and culture is everywhere. Yes it is being purged, but a brief look at history tells you those comments you her are just not true.

Another source of how Catholicism has benefited the world is the book How The Catholic Church Built Western Civilization by Thomas Woods.