How on earth do I react to this?

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Black_Dog

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I’ve just had a horrible experience.

I live in a small town and today has been a funeral of a very popular man. I didnt know him as I’ve only lived here for a short time so didnt attend the funeral.
I went into the local pub and was met by a lot of blokes in black suits. I’ve been going to this pub for 18 months or so. When I first started attending Mass some 12 months ago I received a lot of stick but mostly good humoured or so I thought. Today was different.

It seems the funeral rite was shambolic and as the only Catholic (I’m not but will be at Easter 2009) I was fair game for the most intense personal abuse, ridicule, blasphemies and general anti Catholicism. I just stood there shocked by the vehemence of their hatred. It seemed as if every thing they had repressed over the past 12 months just came spilling out aimed directly at me. It was awful. My first reaction was to lash out physically and it took great self control not to do so. Instead I just lamely said " I think it best if I go". which I did to jeers.
I’m sure someone with greater faith would have handled the situation in a better way.but I’m at a complete loss.To be honest I just feel like running away. It hasnt weakened my faith, if anything the reverse. I’m trying very hard to have a Christian approach but I think really I’m just absolutely angry.
 
Black_Dog said:
It seems the funeral rite was shambolic and as the only Catholic (I’m not but will be at Easter 2009) I was fair game for the most intense personal abuse, ridicule, blasphemies and general anti Catholicism.
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You’ll have to clarify exactly what the problem was with the funeral and what they were angry about. Sorry, it’s not clear.

Why would they attack you?

And, welcome to the club. Jesus told us we would be persecuted.
 
I dont know other than that they said the Priest stumbled over the rite. They claimed he was drunk which I know would not be true. I think they attacked me because they’d had a drink and at one time I was one of them. I dont push my faith, I dont try to evangelise…I wouldnt know how. I think I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
 
Black_Dog said:
I just lamely said " I think it best if I go". which I did to jeers. I’m sure someone with greater faith would have handled the situation in a better way…
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Don’t be too hard on yourself, :banghead:
it was a difficult situation and it seems it wasn’t the right moment for dialogue. the fact you showed “self-control” and did not stoop to their level is witness enough.
 
If something like that happens again, I would just say “Well God Bless you, and I’ll pray for you. Have a nice day.” At least I’d try, because sometimes my anger can get the best of me unfortunately. 😊 Like the others said, Jesus told us we would be persectued. Remember,
“11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Also, I’m sorry to hear about the passing of this man. Pray for his soul and for the Lord to comfort all who mourn.

Hail Mary, full of Grace. The Lord is with Thee. Blessed art thou amongst Women, and Blessed is the Fruit of your Womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen
Jacob :signofcross:
 
I am very sorry this happened to you. As Christians we should expect persecution…As Jesus said “If they hate you remember they hated me first”. You are not alone. You did the right thing by just walking away. Seems like they were only trying to provoke you into a fight, and you did not give them what they wanted by fighting.

Is there another pub you could go to? Or maybe just walk in there another day and act like nothing had ever happened? Just act indifferent to them and pretend it never happened and maybe they will get over their additude problem.
 
I think you behaved bravely and with dignity. These are just some of the small minded people you find everywhere. You are here with friends who care about you and will support you. When you join the Church you will be surrounded by sisters and brothers of all nations. You will be part of a huge family. Yes, we are persecuted by the world but if Christ is with us, who can be against us. God bless and don’t worry. I am proud of you.❤️
 
Thank you so much for all your kind words…I feel a lot stronger…and yes, it is the soul that passed on that I should be thinking about and praying for
 
Those posting before me might know, but I don’t.
What the heck is “shambolic”?
 
tassitus said:
Those posting before me might know, but I don’t.
What the heck is “shambolic”?
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A farce, every thing going wrong, a travesty. I wasnt there so I cant comment on the truth of the matter. I do know my priest and I can not imagine any of that happening. but we all can have an off day. I suspect that their innate anti-Catholic feelings coloured their perception. This apparently is still a very divided part of the country where religious rivalries can and have expressed themselves in violence.
 
Black_Dog said:
Shambolic: a farce, everything going wrong, a travesty…
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Hmm. Good word, then.
New to me, though.

Sorry for what you went through - I can see myself acting ***exactly ***as you did. I can only recommend you continue to frequent the same pub, even if you’re submitted to the same treatment and must react that way again.

The strength, and strength of faith, it will take may speak volumes to your “associates”.

Peace all.
 
You did well, very well.

I would suggest to the pub proprietor that if respects your custom, he might desire to make the environment a bit more hospitable. Perhaps another pub would suit you better.
 
Ceil-1 said:
I’m sorry if I missed something, but, where do you live?
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I live in the UK on the English/Scottish border,

I think for me to keep frequenting that pub would be something of a wasted gesture. I’ve felt uneasy going there for some time because of my awakening Faith and this seems a heaven sent opportunity to make a positive decision to try and lead a better life.
 
You should try to move to an area with a Catholic community (a good one). They will probably attack you until you cave. Then they will be your buddies again.

I have heard it was bad over there. Sounds like you’re being martyred, and you haven’t even started yet. Look for allies.
 
Ceil-1 said:
I have heard it was bad over there. .
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I think you have been missinformed. Sounds to me like everybody was angry with the priest.

Seems strange that an entire pub should suddenly turn against the OP without and provocation just because he’s catholic. Sounds very strange indeed. I don’t think the OP is telling the full story here.
 
thomfra said:
I think you have been missinformed. Sounds to me like everybody was angry with the priest.

Seems strange that an entire pub should suddenly turn against the OP without and provocation just because he’s catholic. Sounds very strange indeed. I don’t think the OP is telling the full story here.
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It wasnt the entire pub…quite a few people just up and left…hopefully out of disgust/shame at what was being said. Those left turned against me because I was attempting to defend the reputation of my priest and the Catholic church. I was on a hiding to nothing…out numbered and attempting to have a dialogue with men whom, I discovered, were worse the wear for drink and trotting out all the old lame accusations…drunken priests, choir boys etc etc. I’m sure you get the picture.
There were others who didnt join in…but their silence I construed as assent to the awful things that were being said.

Perhaps I should just have slipped away quietly too?
 
As I said, you did well. And perhaps now it is time for a new pub (because everybody needs a place to have friends, and in your neck of the woods, the pub is that place).
 
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