How does a Catholic deal with someone trying to "save them"

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NotTooSmart said:
With all due respect, that is one thing that you don’t want to tell them.

You do not want to get into any Catholic “distinctives”.
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Well, you handle them your way, and I’ll handle them my way.

I just tell them the truth; and the truth is in the One True Church - The Catholic Church.

🤷
 
StLawrenceFan said:
Well, you handle them your way, and I’ll handle them my way.

I just tell them the truth; and the truth is in the One True Church - The Catholic Church.

🤷
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Whatever.🤷

As a Protestant Evangelical, I do think that I know a little bit about what would be effective and what would not be effective in dealing with these types.

But have it your way since you obviously know more than I do.
 
NotTooSmart said:
Whatever.🤷

As a Protestant Evangelical, I do think that I know a little bit about what would be effective and what would not be effective in dealing with these types.

But have it your way since you obviously know more than I do.
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Well, I mean, your screen name is NotTooSmart.

AYOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! :tiphat: cue Johnny Carson music
 
jmcrae said:
WOW. This was at work? :eek:

Is there a manager or an HR person that you can complain to? This is pure, blatant harassment. You have clear grounds to sue. :dts:
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Karen,

I would put in a complaint into HR if your work colleagues continue when you have stated that you are not interested in their teachings.

Suing on the other hand is extreme and unnecessary, the aim is to stop what is happening within the work environment so that you are comfortable within that environment - not to destroy the lives of others. I wish you well.
 
I have had this happen many times and the best way I ever found to handle it was to not argue with them and when they are finished trying to “convert” me I would just smile - say thank you very much for your concern - but God and I have talked this over in detail and we are in agreement. They had no answer for that.
 
Bethanyt said:
Ah! I hope you never have to experience something like that ever again. It’s hard to imagine the way some people think! You just have to be true to your beliefs.

I went through something like this, but with my boyfriend’s “born again” family. They were trying to convert me, so I stood up for myself and from that point things haven’t been too good. They convinced my boyfriend of three and half years to break up with me. They did and said some pretty horrible things to me when before they pretended like they loved me and his sisters pretended to be my friend then turned on me in an instant.
My boyfriend actually was going to church with me the whole time we were together and I think they were “scared” he was going to convert to Catholicism. (his parents both used to be Catholic and both of their entire families still are…it’s strange)
My boyfriend and I have since gotten back together after he got away from the brainwashing and realized what was going on. But his family is still really, really mean to me(especially his mother). I’ve been nothing but nice to all of them and they refuse to have anything to do with me and are constantly saying bad things about me to him. So stressful!!! I’m still struggling with this and it’s been 6 months. I’ve never been more hurt in all of my life. 😦
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Hi Bethany,

I’m sorry this happened to you. I am marrying into a Baptist family (former Catholic father) - luckily they have been nothing but nice to me, we haven’t had any arguments or such but there are sometimes little comments on the side that bother me. I just pray for them.
You have your boyfriend on side now, and this is good. My fiance admitted to me that he thought I would convert, if he was just patient I would come around. Well, let’s just say knowledge and prayer have so much power!!! He was blown away about how much I knew, and he said it’s actually not what I say but what I DO that has impressed him (going to Mass EVERY week no matter where we are, reverence during Communion etc) and he knows he will never convert me. He knows how committed I am to the Catholic faith and I know he will stick up for me if anything ever came up.

All I can say is pray for them, get the rest of their Catholic family to pray for them, get your boyfriend to pray for them. And no matter how ‘mean’ they are to you, always be kind, gracious and welcoming to them.

I think my in-laws are scared that my fiance will convert - nothing has been said but since his father left the Catholic Church I’m positive he would not want one of his children going back.

We’ll see I suppose. Just pray pray pray - not only for them but for yourself, when I feel a bit defeated by the challenge I have with them I find prayer such a great consoltation.

To the OP - see this as a challenge to learn more about your faith so that if the topic comes up again you will have something for them to munch on (and I don’t just mean lunch).
Why not approach them with a challenge - pick a topic for each week and every Wednesday at lunch time, sit down together and discuss what you’ve found out. Or do alternative weeks - one week they can give you their teaching on salvation, the next week you give them yours. No discussion during work or after-work, restrict it to lunchtime so your work isn’t affected.
 
jmcrae said:
Good point. Maybe she is thinking that by creating a hostile work environment, she can get her to quit without actually having to fire her for no apparent reason. (At the least, she can fire her for having discussions about unrelated subjects during work hours.)
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Hey; there were two of them that spoke with her. 2 or more a conspiracy? :rolleyes:
 
NotTooSmart said:
The law is one possibility. I just observed that most workplaces have rules against this activity.

***I don’t think God’s word prohibits taking the matter to appropriate authorities in the workplace. ***

If it were me though, I would attempt to work it out privately (Matthew 18) before taking it to authorities though. I think this is Scripturally the better solution, and the one in which it is possible to gain a brother or a sister through.

But I really like the idea of opening up God’s word to refute them. I think it might actually be effective in gaining a brother or sister in this matter. A solution that builds bridges and destroys stereotypes to me would be the best possible outcome IMHO.

But I would never do it on company time though.
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:banghead:
 
Thank you everyone, many great responses:) Today it was quiet, as if nothing happened. Just friendly hellos, sat with one of the ladies (the crier) for dinner break and she talked on and on about the cute thing her grandson did.

Religion never came up. But if it does, again thank you for all these wonderful suggestions, I am going to copy a few for future reference.🙂

God Bless you all
 
“How does a Catholic deal with someone trying to “save them””

Tell them you don’t believe in Luther’s ideas.
 
Karen1960 said:
Today it was quiet, as if nothing happened…Religion never came up. But if it does, again thank you for all these wonderful suggestions, I am going to copy a few for future reference.🙂
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I’m glad things have settled down. I wish I had this board back when I was in the crucible. Things might have turned out differently. Maybe they are lurkers here!! 😃
 
Jerusha said:
I’m glad things have settled down. I wish I had this board back when I was in the crucible. Things might have turned out differently. Maybe they are lurkers here!! 😃
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thanks:) These boards are such a help, also I hope and pray they are lurkers, in fact, if more non-catholics would lurk here with an open mind and truly learn what the Catholic Church really is, maybe these rumors concerning us, would calm down a bit;)
 
Karen1960 said:
Last evening I was able to distract an intervention “to save me from the bonds of the RCC”, quite frankly I was shocked that this was even happening, I’ve heard about these, but this time it was me in the center. I was being bombarded with questions and for every answer, they had theirs, as if they knew what I would say.

Two co-workers, kindly and gently with tears in their eyes, tried to convince me that by staying in the RCC, I can not be saved. Needless to say, I was and still am a bit tongue tied. Luckly something came up at work and we had to attend to that, then our shift was over, and I just said a fast goodbye, clocked out and left. But I work with these 2 next week again.

Seriously, how does one handle this? I am new to the South (around 3 years) and just began back out into the work force this past Spring. I am the only Catholic. I don’t want to allienate people but I refuse to deny The Catholic Church. This never happened to me up North.

If they were nasty, it would have been easier, but what they said was done so kindly that I was dumbfounded. Help please.
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Personaly, I would love to be interigated by two baptist! 😃
 
Karen1960 said:
Thank you everyone, many great responses:) Today it was quiet, as if nothing happened. Just friendly hellos, sat with one of the ladies (the crier) for dinner break and she talked on and on about the cute thing her grandson did.

Religion never came up. But if it does, again thank you for all these wonderful suggestions, I am going to copy a few for future reference.🙂

God Bless you all
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I’ve got it!

Say this to them;

If apparently anyone who is a catholic cannot be saved because they go to a Catholic Church, then that means that for 1500 years (before the reformation), everybody went to hell!
 
Indeed, it is very difficult to have to work in such a situation. I have a coworker who just found out she has cancer that has already worked its way into her brain. I know two healing priests who could possibly pray over her and heal her, as it has been done before. But she would never do it.

How I would love to bring her some chrism oil and holy water or healing water, but I know whe would reject it outright. These types are scared it is from the devil, or something. No ability to discern whatsoever. No Eucharist for consolation and healing. It is all so very sad.

I would politely debate, and keep the conversation focused on Jesus. Eventually, they will tire of it, and leave you alone. Keep it all very polite and lighthearted.
 
Zundrah said:
I’ve got it!

Say this to them;

If apparently anyone who is a catholic cannot be saved because they go to a Catholic Church, then that means that for 1500 years (before the reformation), everybody went to hell!
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That is the one I save for mormons:rolleyes:
 
I got rid of some Jehovah’s Witnesses once by bringing out a copy of the Nag Hamadi and Elaine Pagels’ The Gnostic Gospels. They couldn’t get away from me fast enough…

There’s a lot of misunderstanding and ignorance about the different religions. And, born out of an unarticulated yearning for security, many people adopt a belief that theirs is the only way to God. Therefore, the gentle and well-meaning attempt to persuade others of the folly of their ways.

I was plagued by missionaries who meant to save me by converting me to their brand of Christianity, which was, of course, superior to all other brands… I finally said, gently, that while I truly appreciated their good intentions I didn’t want them to call on me anymore. That seems to have worked.

I try very hard to remember that when someone attempts to convert me to their religion it is always kindly meant, even when badly expressed. After all, I sure would want them to be receptive to my efforts to convert them… And (of course) my brand of religion is always superior to theirs!😉

Pax,

Dettingen
 
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