How do you/what do you

[K_Dog]

I hope this isn’t a redundant thread, & my apologies if it is. I’m not looking for any definitive answer here, only to spark some discussion. I have heard pro & con arguments from our religious that seem to confuse. So I like to hear from laity.

As Catholics, when we’re exposed to those of Protestant faiths, friends, co-workers, aquaintences, how do you respond to 1) opening or closing prayer (grace at meals, intercession,etc.) in the company of mixed faiths; do you make the sign of the Cross? 2) when a statement is made that conflicts with Catholic doctrine (not so much dogma), i.e., something ‘once saved, always saved’?

I have heard pretty much everything from ‘we have to pick our battles’, to, ‘silence is acceptance’, to, ‘why should we be ashamed of our faith’ ? Most especially when our intent should be to edify in the fullness of truth?

Speaking for myself, it seems that I start trouble when I do or say things that speak for my Catholic identity (all too often I’m probably more militant then I should be ), & any discussion only ends up in frustration for all involved . And that’s not productive. What do you think?

 

[Bennie_P]

I hope this isn’t a redundant thread, & my apologies if it is. I’m not looking for any definitive answer here, only to spark some discussion. I have heard pro & con arguments from our religious that seem to confuse. So I like to hear from laity.

As Catholics, when we’re exposed to those of Protestant faiths, friends, co-workers, aquaintences, how do you respond to 1) opening or closing prayer (grace at meals, intercession,etc.) in the company of mixed faiths; do you make the sign of the Cross? 2) when a statement is made that conflicts with Catholic doctrine (not so much dogma), i.e., something ‘once saved, always saved’?

I have heard pretty much everything from ‘we have to pick our battles’, to, ‘silence is acceptance’, to, ‘why should we be ashamed of our faith’ ? Most especially when our intent should be to edify in the fullness of truth?

Speaking for myself, it seems that I start trouble when I do or say things that speak for my Catholic identity (all too often I’m probably more militant then I should be ), & any discussion only ends up in frustration for all involved . And that’s not productive. What do you think?

When I say grace I always cross myself no matter where I am, McDonalds, home or at protestant brother’s home. In joint prayers is a place I hold back somwhat, if it is their function, if they ask me to lead the prayer I don’t begin the prayer by crossing myself, but do at the end of the prayer. At two meetings where I’m a regular attendee that are sponsored by a protestant church where I’m known as a Catholic by the leadership and regulars I respect their form, for if I would expect the same from them if they where at my parish, I don’t push the nuances of my faith upon them. In general discussions I pick the time and place for “battle”. I let those that show disrespect toward the Catholic Church with crude and unwarranted statements know that I’m Catholic and that their understanding of Church teaching may be flawed. I try to discuss the more obvious differences, such as the concepts of salvation, the euchurist, etc one on one, for to do so otherwise, IMHO, might cause more conflict and hurt feelings that results in building a wall that might be hard to bring back down.

I like sharing these articles with my protestant brethren, it gives us mutual understanding of our differences, but more important, a starting point on certain doctrines in which we can both agree upon concerning each others faith;

EVANGELICALS & CATHOLICS TOGETHER:
THE CHRISTIAN MISSION IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM

The Gift of Salvation

Then I leave it up to the Holy Spirit to bring them fuller into the fold in our Father’s time. Like he did me…
et dicebat propterea dixi vobis quia nemo potest venire ad me nisi fuerit ei datum a Patre meo

 

[stbruno]

I have to agree to the previous poster. I don’t make exceptions for my faith to anyone. Our family says grace whereever we are…restaurant, home, etc.

And when our we are asked a question about our faith, we respond, especially when they come ringing our doorbell. At each opportunity …I send a prayer up to the Holy Spirit, to open my lips and allow me to say the right words. And He does…Sometimes I almost amaze myself when the words come out of my mouth. Thank you God.

But the greatest way to preach our faith, we were taught by St.Francis…preach often and when necessary use words.

In other words, we should live our lives in faithful example of the Christian message…like the song…they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

 

[K_Dog]

I have to agree to the previous poster. I don’t make exceptions for my faith to anyone. Our family says grace whereever we are…restaurant, home, etc.

And when our we are asked a question about our faith, we respond, especially when they come ringing our doorbell. At each opportunity …I send a prayer up to the Holy Spirit, to open my lips and allow me to say the right words. And He does…Sometimes I almost amaze myself when the words come out of my mouth. Thank you God.

But the greatest way to preach our faith, we were taught by St.Francis…preach often and when necessary use words.

In other words, we should live our lives in faithful example of the Christian message…like the song…they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Your post brings to mind something else that invites some even heavier thought. For the 7 years that I’ve been doing an active ministry, I’ve tried to ‘preach by example & use words only when necessary’. I’ve come to see tho, that anyone who does a good deed or work (& for the sake of this discussion, is not Catholic, may not even be Christian, i.e., Masons) is lauded for the all the good that they do. In the rural part of the state in live in, you don’t dare say anything negative about the Masons because of their benevolence. What does that say when our Catholic-oriented example falls as the same seed as non-beleivers? It seems more difficult to evangelize by example today when even non-beleivers do the ‘next right thing’, simply because it’s the right thing to do, & not for love of God & neighbor, as Jesus taught.

I have my own opinion about this, & it gets me into more trouble than I wish, but I would like to hear from others.

 

[stbruno]

Well, I may not get this right…but in Matthew 25, we know that the goats and the sheep will be separated.

But no where does it say that only Christians will make it to heaven. However, it does say that those who have no opportunity to learn about Christ, but do what it is right by taking care of the poor and the homeless, know God who is love and everyone who is begotten by God and does His will of loving others…will probably be rewarded with heaven.

So every charitable thing we do for those less fortunate…merits favor in God’s eyes.
So I am sure that in heaven there may be agnostics who were concerned about those less fortunate who have been rewarded in heaven as well. God’s mercy is fathomless and it certainly is not ours.

 

[Bennie_P]

Well, I may not get this right…but in Matthew 25, we know that the goats and the sheep will be separated.

But no where does it say that only Christians will make it to heaven. However, it does say that those who have no opportunity to learn about Christ, but do what it is right by taking care of the poor and the homeless, know God who is love and everyone who is begotten by God and does His will of loving others…will probably be rewarded with heaven.

So every charitable thing we do for those less fortunate…merits favor in God’s eyes.
So I am sure that in heaven there may be agnostics who were concerned about those less fortunate who have been rewarded in heaven as well. God’s mercy is fathomless and it certainly is not ours.

Everyone gets that opportunty to become a Christian, if not during this present life then at the seat of judgement…

Philippians 2:11That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:
Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Those that do good works yet reject Christ or spread a false gospel (such as the masons, new age universalists, and many others that hear the truth and reject it) while getting praise from the world, think God will look upon them with favor, well, myself, I have my doubts that thier good works will give them tickets to heaven.

2Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there shall be among you lying teachers who shall bring in sects of perdition and deny the Lord who bought them: bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Of course it is up to God and not me.

 

[stbruno]

Openly spreading a gospel against God definitely is going to strike lots of points against them at their judgment, I believe, especially if they had the opportunity to know or learn about God.

However, at their deathbeds, who knows if they will repent with a sincerity that God will believe and accept. It’s all in God’s hands.
I hope and pray for all people to one day get to heaven…
after all, we were created, to know, to love and to serve and to one day be happy with Him in heaven…that’s the reason we were created…
How are we doing?

 

[Bennie_P]

Openly spreading a gospel against God definitely is going to strike lots of points against them at their judgment, I believe, especially if they had the opportunity to know or learn about God.

However, at their deathbeds, who knows if they will repent with a sincerity that God will believe and accept. It’s all in God’s hands.
I hope and pray for all people to one day get to heaven…
after all, we were created, to know, to love and to serve and to one day be happy with Him in heaven…that’s the reason we were created…
How are we doing?

I think I posted once about the story of WC Fields when he was caught on his death bed reading the bilble and How he was suppose to said that he was looking for a loop hole. As I posted then, I hope he found it… so let us say prayers for the repose of the souls for even those we have our personal doubts about as we spread the word of hope of heaven, which is Christ Jesus…

If we seek the truth, spread the truth, and live the truth ‘we’ may be doing well

 

[Rawb]

I let the protestant grace be said, then I say my Catholic grace privately. I try not to eat a meal that has not had the Sign of the Cross made over it.

I let people talk. If people are having a conversation on religion, I’ll stay out of it until addressed or they say something false about the Church. Normally I’ll say something that I don’t think an outsider would know is Catholic, and they pick up that it is, and then ask me other questions. For example, I might say I don’t eat meat on Fridays.

If someone says something like “Well, once a believer is saved, they’re saved forever,” I might say “Well I don’t believe that.” I’d try and leave it at that, but if they ask, I’ll tell them the Truth.

 

[Joe_5859]

I hope this isn’t a redundant thread, & my apologies if it is. I’m not looking for any definitive answer here, only to spark some discussion. I have heard pro & con arguments from our religious that seem to confuse. So I like to hear from laity.

As Catholics, when we’re exposed to those of Protestant faiths, friends, co-workers, aquaintences, how do you respond to 1) opening or closing prayer (grace at meals, intercession,etc.) in the company of mixed faiths; do you make the sign of the Cross? 2) when a statement is made that conflicts with Catholic doctrine (not so much dogma), i.e., something ‘once saved, always saved’?

I have heard pretty much everything from ‘we have to pick our battles’, to, ‘silence is acceptance’, to, ‘why should we be ashamed of our faith’ ? Most especially when our intent should be to edify in the fullness of truth?

Speaking for myself, it seems that I start trouble when I do or say things that speak for my Catholic identity (all too often I’m probably more militant then I should be ), & any discussion only ends up in frustration for all involved . And that’s not productive. What do you think?

I think the reason you have received many different answers is that it depends upon the situation.

Certainly, there will be times when we should not keep silent. But then there are other times where it is best to hold our tongue. I think it depends upon the people, the place, the context, and what exactly is being said.

There is also a middle ground between complete silence and unadulterated berating. As Rawb pointed out, sometimes you just give them a glimpse and let them initiate the questioning if they are so inclined.

Of course, in all things, charity! It’s not always easy, but it’s so important. Sometimes, no matter what we say, the person will disagree. In the end, they may not remember our arguments, but they will remember our attitude.