I need to talk about this

[GAHere]

I am more happy and at peace when I do so and feel no conflict in my heart or soul. I feel my relationship with God has always been strong.

Having been where you are and come through to the other side, allow me to suggest that your strong relationship with God is the reason for your uneasiness and discomfort when you come across messages from others on certain church teachings.

It’s not that he wants you to experience anxiety and to become depressed, it’s that he’s reaching out to you, drawing you closer to him through others. He loves you immensely. He wants you to experience his love here on earth, and for you to give yourself over to him so he can guide you home to his kingdom. He does this through his church, this forum, and those he brings into your life.

The anxiety and discomfort you feel when you hear positions contrary to your personal beliefs is the honest reaction to Truth. It’s a guide, a compass. In all honesty, it’s the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart through your guardian angel. It is only unsettling to you because you have chosen to accept and live according to the lies of this secular world.

Might I suggest you focus less on specific teachings on specific topics, because out of context, they can be rather confusing at this stage of the game. They invoke the fight or flight instinct in your soul. Again, I say this because I’ve been there, done that. Instead, I invite you to step back and look at the bigger picture.

You are at the stage of life where your parents are no longer responsible for the decisions you make with regard to your life. They have walked this journey with you thus far, but now you are at a path that is yours alone to walk. They have theirs they must continue to focus on. You are not alone in this. The Lord is with you. It’s time for you to let him be your guide.

Advent is around the corner so this is an excellent time for you to respond to his obvious calling out to you. Because you’re in college I’d like to suggest you bookmark Bulldogcatholic.org and subscribe to the homily podcasts by Fr. Mike Schmitz. They are in series format, meaning he’ll use 3-5 weekly homilies to cover a particular topic, and on the website you’ll find simple study guides to compliment the homily. These are designed to help you come to know Jesus personally so you can walk this journey with him. I listen to them when I’m grocery shopping, or in the car, or waiting in line for something.

I’d suggest starting with his “Mind the Gap” series from Spring 2015. It’s about closing the distance between who you are, and who you are meant to be. Then work your way up to the present time.

Since God is tapping on your shoulder, here are some great Advent online resources you can subscribe to that will open yourself up to hear what he’s trying to tell you. They are short and to the point, meant to get your days started with your relationship with Jesus in mind. They are there to help us keep our eyes on the prize as we move from now to Christmas.

Dynamic Catholic Best Advent Ever Matthew Kelly
WINE: Women in the New Evangelization Daily Advent Inspiration
Redeemed Online’s #ShareJesus advent
Ascension Press’ Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy 4-part weekly series

These are simple, not too time consuming ways, to help you on this journey of yours with Christ. You’ll find peace as you allow him to draw you into his own heart, to transform you. May this be the best Advent ever for you! God bless.

 

[SilverLight]

Having been where you are and come through to the other side, allow me to suggest that your strong relationship with God is the reason for your uneasiness and discomfort when you come across messages from others on certain church teachings.

It’s not that he wants you to experience anxiety and to become depressed, it’s that he’s reaching out to you, drawing you closer to him through others. He loves you immensely. He wants you to experience his love here on earth, and for you to give yourself over to him so he can guide you home to his kingdom. He does this through his church, this forum, and those he brings into your life.

The anxiety and discomfort you feel when you hear positions contrary to your personal beliefs is the honest reaction to Truth. It’s a guide, a compass. In all honesty, it’s the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart through your guardian angel. It is only unsettling to you because you have chosen to accept and live according to the lies of this secular world.

Might I suggest you focus less on specific teachings on specific topics, because out of context, they can be rather confusing at this stage of the game. They invoke the fight or flight instinct in your soul. Again, I say this because I’ve been there, done that. Instead, I invite you to step back and look at the bigger picture.

You are at the stage of life where your parents are no longer responsible for the decisions you make with regard to your life. They have walked this journey with you thus far, but now you are at a path that is yours alone to walk. They have theirs they must continue to focus on. You are not alone in this. The Lord is with you. It’s time for you to let him be your guide.

Advent is around the corner so this is an excellent time for you to respond to his obvious calling out to you. Because you’re in college I’d like to suggest you bookmark Bulldogcatholic.org and subscribe to the homily podcasts by Fr. Mike Schmitz. They are in series format, meaning he’ll use 3-5 weekly homilies to cover a particular topic, and on the website you’ll find simple study guides to compliment the homily. These are designed to help you come to know Jesus personally so you can walk this journey with him. I listen to them when I’m grocery shopping, or in the car, or waiting in line for something.

I’d suggest starting with his “Mind the Gap” series from Spring 2015. It’s about closing the distance between who you are, and who you are meant to be. Then work your way up to the present time.

Since God is tapping on your shoulder, here are some great Advent online resources you can subscribe to that will open yourself up to hear what he’s trying to tell you. They are short and to the point, meant to get your days started with your relationship with Jesus in mind. They are there to help us keep our eyes on the prize as we move from now to Christmas.

Dynamic Catholic Best Advent Ever Matthew Kelly
WINE: Women in the New Evangelization Daily Advent Inspiration
Redeemed Online’s #ShareJesus advent
Ascension Press’ Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy 4-part weekly series

These are simple, not too time consuming ways, to help you on this journey of yours with Christ. You’ll find peace as you allow him to draw you into his own heart, to transform you. May this be the best Advent ever for you! God bless.

Perhaps you can help me a little then.

When I read quotes from Gandhi, The Dalai Lama and other religious leaders I feel calm and at ease.

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
Dalai Lama

That speaks so much to me and my soul. I live by a code not to much unlike that myself.
I will read over the things you have provided also and I thank you for them. I do not rely on my parents anymore but I take in to consideration what thy have said over the years.

When I was in grade school I went to a Quaker friends school. The Quaker’s now days are not so much a religion really but kind of a way of living. I was taught religious and race tolerance. That violence is bad and leads to very little.

This has helped me be who I am today. Perhaps I do believe in relativism but it is not for bad reasons. I have taken some Ethics, Theology and Philosophy classes in college. I am not walking into religious discussions without knowing what is going on. I will not claim to be an expert at all though because I am not.

I am doing my best to be a peaceful individual here and in the real world.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

Not an excuse but an explanation… For some people their faith is such that there is no room to even think about these issues… its said and done and so they react harshly because to question it for them is a temptation in itself to be shot down. This what they believe, just as you say what you said is your way of faith too. I agree with you that its not the best way to react- they may be assuming you share the same faith and thus need to be dealt with in the same manner they do, but its better to just understand where they are coming from and not take it to heart. Respect their wishes, just as you want yours to be respected. Really, everyone’s faith is as unique as themselves. Everyone is in their own place in their faith walk. None of us are perfected in the same degree- its all in God’s timing with us. I’m sorry you felt hurt and scared… I think its all a part of the walk though. I can’t tell you the number of faith ‘modes’ I’ve found with not just Catholics, but pretty much everyone I’ve ever met and spoken deeply about ‘faith’. Its kind of scary we can all be in so many different places, yet sometimes seem to be on the same page if only in some issues.

Iron sharpens Iron so thanks for your thoughts. However, to find The Way, people need to be taught the faith, entire and handed down from generation to generation unsoiled because this is what saves people, to follow it, which would be following Christ… what Christ believed and taught and lived. It can’t go by what one was taught by parents, though I do honestly believe Christ is lenient, patient and understanding towards those who were taught wrong or have difficulty understanding why something is wrong. He just has to, to be a “just” God. The Scriptures compel us to seek God’s Kingdom first. And questioning things I think is seeking… we can’t just have knowledge, but to become mature Christians we need understanding too! Both are graces from God.

Oh and one more thing… we are called to be Bereans, that is search the Scriptures to see if something is true or not. If you are scared about an issue, I do encourage you to seek out why there are differences between what you were taught and what the church teaches. I think that is a part of the responsibility of doing God’s work and believing in Him.

Best wishes to you.

 

[SilverLight]

Not an excuse but an explanation… For some people their faith is such that there is no room to even think about these issues… its said and done and so they react harshly because to question it for them is a temptation in itself to be shot down. This what they believe, just as you say what you said is your way of faith too. I agree with you that its not the best way to react- they may be assuming you share the same faith and thus need to be dealt with in the same manner they do, but its better to just understand where they are coming from and not take it to heart. Respect their wishes, just as you want yours to be respected. Really, everyone’s faith is as unique as themselves. Everyone is in their own place in their faith walk. None of us are perfected in the same degree- its all in God’s timing with us. I’m sorry you felt hurt and scared… I think its all a part of the walk though. I can’t tell you the number of faith ‘modes’ I’ve found with not just Catholics, but pretty much everyone I’ve ever met and spoken deeply about ‘faith’. Its kind of scary we can all be in so many different places, yet sometimes seem to be on the same page if only in some issues.

Iron sharpens Iron so thanks for your thoughts. However, to find The Way, people need to be taught the faith, entire and handed down from generation to generation unsoiled because this is what saves people, to follow it, which would be following Christ… what Christ believed and taught and lived. It can’t go by what one was taught by parents, though I do honestly believe Christ is lenient, patient and understanding towards those who were taught wrong or have difficulty understanding why something is wrong. He just has to, to be a “just” God. The Scriptures compel us to seek God’s Kingdom first. And questioning things I think is seeking… we can’t just have knowledge, but to become mature Christians we need understanding too! Both are graces from God.

Oh and one more thing… we are called to be Bereans, that is search the Scriptures to see if something is true or not. If you are scared about an issue, I do encourage you to seek out why there are differences between what you were taught and what the church teaches. I think that is a part of the responsibility of doing God’s work and believing in Him.

Best wishes to you.

Thank you for responding to me here!

I like the way you have approached this and I do agree with a good number of the things you have said here. I do not know why some would not question things though. Do we not grow even more from questioning and asking?

 

[Gia_B]

I was raised differently but that does not make me a bad person or bad Catholic.

Some of the things the church teaches give me an amount of anxiety and slight depression.

Looks like you are having some cognitive dissonance. You see yourself as a good person, you’ve become aware that some of the things you believe are not in fact good and the conflict between the two is troubling to you. It is tempting to take the easy way out and decide that the Church must simply be wrong or that the rules don’t apply to you, but the truth is that, with the exception of Christ and Mary, no one is truly good. We’re all sinners and that kind of makes us bad people. There is a great deal of difference in exactly how bad different people are, but, paradoxically, the least bad people are usually those who are most ready to admit to their failings.

 

[MaryHelp777]

I really like this site and what it has to offer. I was raised Catholic and I have always called myself one. My family may not be like other Catholic families though.

I was never told masturbation was wrong and the same for contraception. Perhaps my parents know the damage that may be able to do to some young people and confuse them later on in life. Why I have no real idea though.

That’s not what this is about though. I said before that I like this site but I feel hurt and a little scared when I see people tell me in all caps NO THAT’S WRONG! or at least that’s how it feels. I was raised differently but that does not make me a bad person or bad Catholic. I still believe in God I just have a slightly different outlook on things.

I am a young woman who has her own views and respects yours. I would not call what you personally believe in wrong because I was always told that’s kind of rude to do. You do what you feel is right and I will do what I think is.

If you do not agree with me that’s fine and I do not care because I respect that. I just had to get this out and off my chest.

I’m sorry if this angers anyone greatly.

Sorry SilverLight,
But if the Church says something is morally evil, or grave matter, or a mortal sin under the three conditions,
How is it being cruel for people on this site to explain these truths to you? As an expression of concern for your eternal salvation people are trying to instruct you in the Catholic Faith.
You cannot use the excuse if you do no follow the church’s doctrine or teachings after people have explained the rights and wrongs of the catechism, one cannot say “I am a good person but I just have different values and different opinions”
Because those values and opinions might be grave matter and a mortal sin under the three conditions.

A priest in my Country, who has visions, and is in the charismatic renewal, and is a spiritual director to someone with gifts in the deliverance ministry, he said if someone is living in a state of mortal sin, committing grave matter freely, deliberately and in full knowledge, he says; “A good person? How can they be a good person?” if they are living a life in complete contradiction with the catholic churches teachings.

A catholic in disobedience to catholic doctrines is in an automatic state of excommunication.

God has written His law on our hearts. We do not need to know the churches words on something to know it is gravely morally wrong.

What is written on the catholic catechism Pope John Paul Ii said “I put my apostolic authority on this work”. The Pope’s authority is on the catechism as the rules of the church every priest and layperson is bound to follow under mortal sin under the three conditions if broken. Canon Law also is what every priest and layperson are bound in obedience to.

Jesus said; “If you love me you will keep my commands.”

Are you not going to keep his commands under His Vicar St Peter’s successor, Christ’s Vicar on earth, and still say: “I am a good person, I just have different opinions and values” when the church teaches and proves something is a mortal sin under the three conditions,

 

[SilverLight]

Sorry SilverLight,
But if the Church says something is morally evil, or grave matter, or a mortal sin under the three conditions,
How is it being cruel for people on this site to explain these truths to you? As an expression of concern for your eternal salvation people are trying to instruct you in the Catholic Faith.
You cannot use the excuse if you do no follow the church’s doctrine or teachings after people have explained the rights and wrongs of the catechism, one cannot say “I am a good person but I just have different values and different opinions”
Because those values and opinions might be grave matter and a mortal sin under the three conditions.

A priest in my Country, who has visions, and is in the charismatic renewal, and is a spiritual director to someone with gifts in the deliverance ministry, he said if someone is living in a state of mortal sin, committing grave matter freely, deliberately and in full knowledge, he says; “A good person? How can they be a good person?” if they are living a life in complete contradiction with the catholic churches teachings.

A catholic in disobedience to catholic doctrines is in an automatic state of excommunication.

God has written His law on our hearts. We do not need to know the churches words on something to know it is gravely morally wrong.

What is written on the catholic catechism Pope John Paul Ii said “I put my apostolic authority on this work”. The Pope’s authority is on the catechism as the rules of the church every priest and layperson is bound to follow under mortal sin under the three conditions if broken. Canon Law also is what every priest and layperson are bound in obedience to.

Jesus said; “If you love me you will keep my commands.”

Are you not going to keep his commands under His Vicar St Peter’s successor, Christ’s Vicar on earth, and still say: “I am a good person, I just have different opinions and values” when the church teaches and proves something is a mortal sin under the three conditions,

Please look at the post AnneElizabeth made.

 

[MCGar]

Hi SilverLight!

I was exactly in your position to the very letter Actually I had many more objections!

I know reading all of this is off-putting and it looks like the posters don’t ‘get’ you or that they are just so blinded by their opinions that they won’t consider a different viewpoint.

While I COMPLETELY understand your frustration, I’m going to ask you think to think a little outside of your viewpoint. It’s a little difficult at first, but if you try to consider some things then you might see things from a much more broad viewpoint.

First of all, in Catholic Land, Truth is basically GOD. Truth is objective and not relative because in reality we know that 2+2=4 even if someone starts shouting that 2+2=5 because that is ‘truth’ for themselves. It’s important to differentiate the difference between Truth and Opinion. In this world so many people really can’t tell the difference. It helped me a lot at first by replacing the word Truth with Reality.

Next is the part that made my head spin a bit when I first started learning; I was arguing/disagreeing with the teachings based on my own opinions with absolutely little to no knowledge of the who/what/why/where of the Catholic Church. It sort of took me aback because isn’t that part of the integrity of questioning and learning of things? How could I be so sure of my position by rejecting a teaching without learning for myself where it came from and why. I’m pretty sure it’s the basics of journalistic integrity so why didn’t I take that approach?
Then I learned I was fighting the Church’s teachings from the bottom up without understanding the origin.
Some important questions to ask yourself. What is the origin of the Catholic Church? What exactly is the Catholic Church (not an elementary or simple question) The New Testament wasn’t all written and put together the moment Jesus Ascended, so what did the Church do and teach during the time in between? Does the Church have authority to teach what it does? Why or why not?

The BEST thing I can tell you to do is to read Karl Keating’s Catholicism and Fundamentalism and treat it like a graduate degree course. Follow up on the notes and research it. To be honest, I threw that darn book across the room more than once and I have never mistreated books before that . The first part of the book did not seem to apply to me but once I read all the way to the end I found out that I had been not much different than the examples placed at the beginning of the book, except that I had believed I was more open-minded and intelligent than the groups written about. In reality I wasn’t much different because I was so darn set in my viewpoint before I read the book that I had absolutely no clue about what I DIDN’T know.

 

[SuperLuigi]

pianistclare;13451313]Well, that would be unfortunate, because there are a lot of great educators here…one can learn a lot. that’s why there are so many lurkers…not for the occasional snarky remark, but for the real info, articles, and clarifications. It’s a good place to talk things out.

There shouldn’t be anything snarky about giving advice on here considering how serious some of these matters are.

But I think the bigger problem is people getting emotional and making everything personal. That is absolutely unacceptable and quite frankly extremely selfish.

And I disagree completely that this is a good place to talk things out.

A person is to grow spiritually for their entire life. I don’t know why anyone would forego more tools in their toolbox.

Because the Family Life Forum seizes to be a tool when people giving advice make it all about themselves or use someone else’s situation to air their own private grievance or dirty laundry.

One user made the remark that he doesn’t want to be told that it’s his fault that his wife is having an affair. Then, I couldn’t believe that someone on this site would say that, but given what I’ve seen recently with all of the emotional responses (not to mention the PMs) I’m not surprised at all.

To those reading this----think about it—if your spouse were cheating on you, and you came to this site, broke and looking for support, and the first or second thing you hear is that it’s your fault?

The other side of that coin is when users post on CAF and basically want us to tell them what they want to hear: oh, sure it’s okay to violate your conscience, support this anti-Catholic teaching to impress someone, or even though you could being used/scammed, I’ll support you cause I don’t want to you be mad at me.

Is that what the early Church fathers did? Take the easy way out so as not to ruffle feathers of the scribes?

Perhaps limit yourself to reading the various Catholic Answers tracts online. There’s a lot of solid info there.

More times than not, I refer people off-site. They simply cannot get the care they need on-line. It really is a discussion forum, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Well, if everyone could just decide for themselves, we wouldn’t need commandments, or tenets would we?

A person can talk themselves into believing/justifying anything.
When people point this out, it’s not being mean or harsh. It’s the truth.
If the truth hurts…then we need to take a long hard look at our perceptions.
This is how we grow in holiness. Looking inward and then reaching back out to God.
Peace.

I agree, but in those instances, SL was making the point it’s not so much what people say but how they say it.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I know how forums can be I am active on a few. I am more afraid of being shut down because my views are slightly different. I have run into some extreme people on here and in real life both in this religion and others.

You’re going to have “extreme” responses somewhere down the line, but I would caution the use of that term, because you don’t want to be seen as playing the victim card. Seen that on the News Fora and it is nothing short of annoying. On this site, people can report negative posts that break the rules to mitigate that. The reason I’m going beyond just telling people to hit the red button is because what you are talking about is a consistent trend.

I’m not quite sure what you mean by “shut down”. Your account won’t be turned off just because you don’t agree with every Catholic teaching (although I wish everyone would agree ).

As far as the reaction of others, some folks cannot stand a different POV, and frankly, I think the “oh but we are telling the Truth” isn’t good enough (to put it mildly) If they were serious about getting you and others to adopt the full Faith, they’ll take it up a notch or two in humility and understanding. That goes for me as well.

 

[GAHere]

Perhaps you can help me a little then.

When I read quotes from Gandhi, The Dalai Lama and other religious leaders I feel calm and at ease.

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
Dalai Lama

That speaks so much to me and my soul. I live by a code not to much unlike that myself.

For them this world is all that there is, and they believe in reincarnation which says one keep coming back to this same world over and over again until enlightenment is reached (in a nutshell).

Listen to this 20 minute homily on Luke 16:19-31, the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus: What is a Human Being? One’s view of what it means to be human determines how to respond to a person in need. It touches upon the different world views on what it means to be human (Hindu, Buddah, Materialist, Utilitarianism).

The other religions have some of the Truth, which is why that particular teaching appeals to you and brings you peace. Yes, we are to help others while we are here. But Jesus teaches us that there is more. That’s why we have the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy (the Beatitudes from Scripture). We not only are to care for other peoples’ existence, but for their souls as well.

 

[pianistclare]

At times, we have to remember that many on here who respond with advice do not have the time for interaction that a conversation would allow. They may only get one chance to make a point that is very important.

I am reminded of an interview with Dr. Laura Schlesinger years ago where she was questioned about how she was often so blunt with her callers, and asked if she was that way with her patients? She said the dialogue with a patient and a caller is very different. She said that often when someone would call her for advice, she knew she may only get one chance to speak to them. She had one shot. She could not afford to tiptoe around, or begin a long process where she could expect future calls back to work on progress. As such, she was usually quite direct and at times seemingly harsh because she knew she’d never get a chance to help the person again.

Yes.
Websites like this can often be that way. Most people do not have time it takes to go back and forth, to include pleasantries and a congenial buildup the way a conversation would allow. Facial expressions and body language are lost. So at times (look at how many posters post once in a topic and never respond back!) people only get once chance to respond to a question or comment, and it may seem brusque.

However, most of the time I see people feeling as though they are attacked it is due to a combination of being too thin-skinned or feeling guilty inwardly.
**Yes, many know the answers, but are seeking affirmation of their feelings. **

Unless someone is “in your face” about what they do that flies in the face of Church teaching (which comes off as looking for a fight), usually people simply explain what we believe, and why we believe it. Rarely do I see attacking.
**Neither do it. Most of the attacks are from trolls. **

The World News board can get a bit more heated, because much of that is opinion versus opinion, and very political.

I’d be curious what posts you perceived to be overly hostile, and frankly, why you’d even care if they were?

Yes, me too. I hope the OP responds to this question. I’m going to go back through the OP’s threads to see what may have transpired…

I am comfortable with what I believe (luckily, it aligns with Church teachings in this case, which makes me more comfortable I suppose), and as such, why would I care if someone disagreed or attacked my belief anyway? In my mind, I am right, so why would it bother me at all if someone thought I was wrong or even crazy? Living in a mostly secular world, I know for a fact many people think my wife and I are nuts. Meh. We’re right; they’re wrong (in our minds).

**Me too. I really don’t care what the world thinks. **

 

[GAHere]

Silverlight,

As I read through this thread, here’s another 20 minute homily that comes to mind which addresses something you touched upon earlier about what’s true: The Way, the Truth, and the Life.

It’s off the gospel reading of John 14:1-12 where Jesus says: “no one comes to the Father but through Me.” This is where he goes with this topic: What’s true has to be more than just what’s true for me or true for you. Sometimes we hear people say, ‘There is no such thing as absolute truth.’ He shows how to counter that claim.

 

[SilverLight]

At times, we have to remember that many on here who respond with advice do not have the time for interaction that a conversation would allow. They may only get one chance to make a point that is very important.

I am reminded of an interview with Dr. Laura Schlesinger years ago where she was questioned about how she was often so blunt with her callers, and asked if she was that way with her patients? She said the dialogue with a patient and a caller is very different. She said that often when someone would call her for advice, she knew she may only get one chance to speak to them. She had one shot. She could not afford to tiptoe around, or begin a long process where she could expect future calls back to work on progress. As such, she was usually quite direct and at times seemingly harsh because she knew she’d never get a chance to help the person again.

Websites like this can often be that way. Most people do not have time it takes to go back and forth, to include pleasantries and a congenial buildup the way a conversation would allow. Facial expressions and body language are lost. So at times (look at how many posters post once in a topic and never respond back!) people only get once chance to respond to a question or comment, and it may seem brusque.

However, most of the time I see people feeling as though they are attacked it is due to a combination of being too thin-skinned or feeling guilty inwardly.

Unless someone is “in your face” about what they do that flies in the face of Church teaching (which comes off as looking for a fight), usually people simply explain what we believe, and why we believe it. Rarely do I see attacking.

The World News board can get a bit more heated, because much of that is opinion versus opinion, and very political.

I’d be curious what posts you perceived to be overly hostile, and frankly, why you’d even care if they were?

I am comfortable with what I believe (luckily, it aligns with Church teachings in this case, which makes me more comfortable I suppose), and as such, why would I care if someone disagreed or attacked my belief anyway? In my mind, I am right, so why would it bother me at all if someone thought I was wrong or even crazy? Living in a mostly secular world, I know for a fact many people think my wife and I are nuts. Meh. We’re right; they’re wrong (in our minds).

I would have to go back and look for the specific ones but no one has been extreamly hostile though I have gotten some rather rude replies before. I care if people are hostile not for my benefit but because I worry what they may do to others in the future. I don’t care what they believe in just that they do not go off on others.

 

[MarkInOregon]

Then perhaps this is no longer the environment I need to be in anymore. Some of the things the church teaches give me an amount of anxiety and slight depression. I’m not trying to seem overly sensitive here. Perhaps the Theology classes I took in my past college semesters gave me to much of an open mind. I accept what other people believe as the truth for them and that’s fine with me. I am more happy and at peace when I do so and feel no conflict in my heart or soul. I feel my relationship with God has always been strong.

Is this really true? Would you have been fine with Hitlers “truth” or Stalins “truth”? What about the “truth” as practiced by the terrorists in Paris? You really accept what they believe as truth for them and are fine with it? There are people who believe that having sex with young children is just fine–are you ok with their “truth”? Do you really believe we can all just make up our own “truth” and everyone else should accept it as valid? Or are there limits to your open mindedness? I certainly hope there are and I am sure there are based on things you have said.

To Quote GK Chesterton: “The object of opening the mind, as in opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.”, and “An open mind is really a mark of foolishness, like an open mouth. Mouths and minds were made to shut; they were made to open only in order to shut.”

The peace of Christ,
Mark

 

[MaryHelp777]

Then perhaps this is no longer the environment I need to be in anymore. Some of the things the church teaches give me an amount of anxiety and slight depression. I’m not trying to seem overly sensitive here. Perhaps the Theology classes I took in my past college semesters gave me to much of an open mind. I accept what other people believe as the truth for them and that’s fine with me. I am more happy and at peace when I do so and feel no conflict in my heart or soul. I feel my relationship with God has always been strong.

Dear Silver Light,
There is no such thing as multiple truths,
The Roman Catholic Church is the Truth because it has Jesus true presence in the Eucharist.
Anything else is either a lie, or a partial not total truth.

Fish swim in water is a truth. Fish fly in outer space is a lie. There is only one truth. Anything else is just a false opinion that is a lie.

How can an intrinsically immoral grave deed be good to commit for some and an evil to commit.by.others? Either it is right or wrong. Good or evil.
The way of the world, is “do whatever makes you happy.”
Jesus message is: “Pick up your Cross and follow me. I have come to bring enmity, mother.against daughter, father against son. He who does not despise his very own family, cannot get into the kingdom of Heaven.”
Jesus.wasn’t saying hate your family, He was saying, support Him and not the worldly way of siding with immorality and committing grave matter just to do what others do or think.

Jesus said “I am the Truth, and ALL WHO LISTEN TO THE TRUTH HEAR MY VOICE. IF YOU LOVE ME YOU WOULD DO AS I SAY. But because you love the world, the world loves it’s own.”

About your anxiety and about saying no to the things of this world that are grave matter:
“The world hates you because I called you out of the world. If you were of the world, the world would love it’s own. But know this, they who hate you hated Me first. The world hates you because you testify that their works are of satan.”

Doing the right thing is a joy, but it also means being ready to give up what is not Holy according to the Catholic Church,
This is a struggle yes:
“The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
St Paul wrote about that: “Why is it that the good I want I do not do, and the evil I do not want, that I do.” Paul was saying the body tends toward sin, and the soul strives towards good.

The One true church with Jesus true presence in the Eucharist is the Roman Catholic Church.

A Roman Catholic who in full knowledge that this is the True Church, in full freedom, and deliberately leaves The Roman Catholic Church, commits a mortal sin by doing so.

Even the Apostles knew that Jesus was asking for sainthood and asked him, “Who then can be saved?”

 

[SilverLight]

Is this really true? Would you have been fine with Hitlers “truth” or Stalins “truth”? What about the “truth” as practiced by the terrorists in Paris? You really accept what they believe as truth for them and are fine with it? There are people who believe that having sex with young children is just fine–are you ok with their “truth”? Do you really believe we can all just make up our own “truth” and everyone else should accept it a valid? Or are there limits to your open mindedness? I certainly hope there are.

To Quote GK Chesterton: “The object of opening the mind, as in opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.”, and “An open mind is really a mark of foolishness, like an open mouth. Mouths and minds were made to shut; they were made to open only in order to shut.”

The peace of Christ,
Mark

Considering I am the first person in my biological family to have been born in a not communist Russia I happen to hate Stalin and Hitler and not just for a few reasons but for many. You seem to think that an open mind means that someone accepts every single thing. That may be true if the person is not rational. Of course Hitler and Stalin are wrong in what they believed.

Having a closed minded view on things is not good either and a person can come off as stubborn though that’s not always a bad thing. They may also seem a bit uneducated in some situations. Who also said that you have to accept something?
You actually seemed either frustrated or angry in the way I read what you wrote. If you are angry then why?

 

[SilverLight]

Dear Silver Light,
There is no such thing as multiple truths,
The Roman Catholic Church is the Truth because it has Jesus true presence in the Eucharist.
Anything else is either a lie, or a partial not total truth.

Fish swim in water is a truth. Fish fly in outer space is a lie. There is only one truth. Anything else is just a false opinion that is a lie.

How can an intrinsically immoral grave deed be good to commit for some and an evil to commit.by.others? Either it is right or wrong. Good or evil.
The way of the world, is “do whatever makes you happy.”
Jesus message is: “Pick up your Cross and follow me. I have come to bring enmity, mother.against daughter, father against son. He who does not despise his very own family, cannot get into the kingdom of Heaven.”
Jesus.wasn’t saying hate your family, He was saying, support Him and not the worldly way of siding with immorality and committing grave matter just to do what others do or think.

Jesus said “I am the Truth, and ALL WHO LISTEN TO THE TRUTH HEAR MY VOICE. IF YOU LOVE ME YOU WOULD DO AS I SAY. But because you love the world, the world loves it’s own.”

About your anxiety and about saying no to the things of this world that are grave matter:
“The world hates you because I called you out of the world. If you were of the world, the world would love it’s own. But know this, they who hate you hated Me first. The world hates you because you testify that their works are of satan.”

Doing the right thing is a joy, but it also means being ready to give up what is not Holy according to the Catholic Church,
This is a struggle yes:
“The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
St Paul wrote about that: “Why is it that the good I want I do not do, and the evil I do not want, that I do.” Paul was saying the body tends toward sin, and the soul strives towards good.

The One true church with Jesus true presence in the Eucharist is the Roman Catholic Church.

A Roman Catholic who in full knowledge that this is the True Church, in full freedom, and deliberately leaves The Roman Catholic Church, commits a mortal sin by doing so.

Even the Apostles knew that Jesus was asking for sainthood and asked him, “Who then can be saved?”

That is the truth of this religion yes. However I know of other religions who have people who call what we believe false and what they believe to be the truth. I’m not trying to argue that what we believe is false in response to what you wrote.

 

[MaryHelp777]

We cannot just pick the religion that seems to be the easiest path and with the rules we agree with.
Because only one of the religions is the Absolute Truth. And the others are either a lie, wrong, or a partial truth.

Jesus did not say; “Make up your own rules that are easiest for you and put you at ease.”
He said “I am Truth.”
Not only that, He said to the High Priest’s question of “Are you the Messiah?”
“I Am.”

Which is the Jewish Name for God.

He said “I and the Father are One.”

“I am The Truth.”
“all who listen to the Truth hear my voice?”

What does Jesus, God the Son, say about each of your “truths”, ?
What does God’s Word the Bible that The Father and Son gave us say about your truths?

As CS Lewis wrote before he converted; "Either Jesus was mad, a liar, or He was telling the Truth! "

Truth. One truth. Jesus and the Roman Catholic Church He founded Himself 2,015 years ago.

He knew others would start up religions that were not the truth, with rules that were not the truth: “Many wolves will come in sheep’s clothing after me, saying “I am he,.” but do not go near them,”

Are you listening to any wolves in your “truths” or to Jesus the Son of God, who said He is The Truth.

Wolf number one: “masturbation”
ST June who was given the Holy Spirit at Pentecostal. Who spoke in tongues, who heard inner locations of the Holy Spirit, who Jesus healed the sick through, wrote in a new Testament letter: “Refrain from unchastity.” “Refrain from sexuality immorality.”
Saint Pope John Paul put his apostolic authority as Jesus Vicar on Earth, the successor of Saint Peter, otherwise catechism, which rules “masturbation under the three conditions of grave matter, full freedom, and deliberately done, is a mortal sin.” A mortal sin committed, means if you die without repenting or confessing means Hell for all eternity.

The aetheists and hardcore sinners finding “upsetting” and “anxiety filled” to hear that their deeds merit eternal damnation,

Jesus didn’t teach us the Truth in the fulfillment of the Old and New Testament to make us “upset” or “anxiety filled” but to Save us! And warn us!

"Narrow is the road that leads to eternal life (Heaven) and there are few who find it "
“wide and easy is the way to eternal perdition (Hell) and there are many who end up there”

Which do you choose the Narrow Road (One absolute Truth that Jesus said He was in the Fullfilment of the Old and New Testament),

Or the wide Road of many false opinions and lies.