I was getting so good at ignoring it

[icamay]

Maybe I’m just having a bad day today?

I made a comment on a (Baptist) friend’s FB post today - essentially just sympathizing with this person for their faith being attacked. Just commented that I can understand, since the ministers in my family are now on the attack because I converted to Catholicism, and that they refuse to see that we are the same faith still, just a different practice. I got this message from one of this person’s church friends:

I’m honestly not trying to offend you with this…

Catholocism & Christianity are NOT the same faith.

Please feel free to call & discuss this.

I CAN back up my statement with scripture.
…

Oh, can you? You mean, scripture from the Bible compiled by the Catholic church? Honestly, you do not want to go toe to toe with me…I studied this journey for a decade before making the swim.

UGH.

So I lost it. I usually just block these people because I know there is no winning. I just have had bad news after bad news and I’m not feeling patient today.

1. It is very rude to try to attack a person’s faith when you do not know that person.
2. You wouldn’t have your faith if it were not for the Catholic Church. Read your history books.

Please do not contact me again.

It was a knee-jerk reaction. Had I not already been so upset, I would have probably sat back for a few hours, thought of something deeply Baptist-like, responded with utmost courtesy, and waved a peace sign, but I could not. I do not know this person!!

How do you combat these attacks? It’s only been a year, do you ever get use to it? Is it really mostly directed at us converts?

I feel kind of bad for losing my temper.

 

[jmcrae]

Maybe I’m just having a bad day today?

I made a comment on a (Baptist) friend’s FB post today - essentially just sympathizing with this person for their faith being attacked. Just commented that I can understand, since the ministers in my family are now on the attack because I converted to Catholicism, and that they refuse to see that we are the same faith still, just a different practice. I got this message from one of this person’s church friends:

Oh, can you? You mean, scripture from the Bible compiled by the Catholic church? Honestly, you do not want to go toe to toe with me…I studied this journey for a decade before making the swim.

UGH.

So I lost it. I usually just block these people because I know there is no winning. I just have had bad news after bad news and I’m not feeling patient today.

It was a knee-jerk reaction. Had I not already been so upset, I would have probably sat back for a few hours, thought of something deeply Baptist-like, responded with utmost courtesy, and waved a peace sign, but I could not. I do not know this person!!

How do you combat these attacks? It’s only been a year, do you ever get use to it? Is it really mostly directed at us converts?

I feel kind of bad for losing my temper.

Over time, you learn that it’s a whole lot easier not to engage them at all.

 

[Godfollower]

Sure, it’s unfortunate, but it also happens to be true: it is rude to insert yourself into someone else’s conversation for the purpose of attacking their beliefs. Not advocating such messages, just consoling you. Sometimes we “snap” and say things we wouldn’t if we had time to think.

It’s a lesson for next time. Pray about it, pray for the other person, and move on.

 

[LB_in_TX]

Just take it all in stride, I’ll pray for your days get brighter and your patience to return.

God Bless!

 

[Gabriel_Serafin]

Maybe I’m just having a bad day today?

I made a comment on a (Baptist) friend’s FB post today - essentially just sympathizing with this person for their faith being attacked. Just commented that I can understand, since the ministers in my family are now on the attack because I converted to Catholicism, and that they refuse to see that we are the same faith still, just a different practice. I got this message from one of this person’s church friends:

Oh, can you? You mean, scripture from the Bible compiled by the Catholic church? Honestly, you do not want to go toe to toe with me…I studied this journey for a decade before making the swim.

UGH.

So I lost it. I usually just block these people because I know there is no winning. I just have had bad news after bad news and I’m not feeling patient today.

It was a knee-jerk reaction. Had I not already been so upset, I would have probably sat back for a few hours, thought of something deeply Baptist-like, responded with utmost courtesy, and waved a peace sign, but I could not. I do not know this person!!

How do you combat these attacks? It’s only been a year, do you ever get use to it? Is it really mostly directed at us converts?

I feel kind of bad for losing my temper.

I think you missed a golden opportunity to share your faith with him. Begin by telling him what you believe about Jesus Christ–you can go over the Nicene Creed–but most importantly explain how much you want to serve God and bring others to Christ. Then go into any objections he may have against the Catholic faith. What’s more, if you have a temper, this is a good opportunity to exercise your will and tame your bad temper. I would reach out to him if I were you…

But get used to it—there are many anti-Catholic groups with very well intentioned people thinking that Catholics belong to an evil institution known as the Catholic Church. It is our job to help them understand the truth if the occasion arises…

 

[GRATEFULONEjim]

Over time, you learn that it’s a whole lot easier not to engage them at all.

It may be “easier”, but highly unproductive.Too many folks sit back and say nothing today in society. Catholics need to stand up, speak out, and be seen, in order to change this world. Nothing in this country is going to change if we do not engage. We need to be engaged politically, spiritually, and socially. Sitting back and not defending our beliefs and idly watching the moral base decline into a cesspool is what years of not being engaged has wrought. It’s time for Catholics to stand up and be on the front line, and say, “We’re Not Gonna Take It, Anymore”.

 

[grasscutter]

How about that when Jesus sent his disciples out two by two and he said (paraphrase alert!) that if anyone is not willing to hear you, leave and shake the dust off your sandals. You have your faith and it’s unfortunate that others feel motivated to attack you. However, you are on the right path and your own salvation is what really matters.

I will pray for you because it must be awful to have people say stuff like this to you!

 

[icamay]

Since I’ve only been studying the faith for two years (though my Deacon likes to tell me that I’m probably better educated than his life-long Catholics, which makes me feel somewhat secure when I do get into the discussions), I have a line in the sand in defending my faith. Basically, if I know you personally, I love having the discussion. It’s not that I don’t want to engage strangers, but I’m not sure I’m “ready” yet. I want to be completely sure to properly represent my faith.

I get so irritated that Protestants don’t understand that becoming a Catholic is nothing like it was to become a Baptist (we’ll use them as an example, only because it’s the group I’m currently dealing with) - I don’t just stand up in church or at a revival and say the words. My RCIA class started in August and ended in April. It was nearly every week of my life, and mandatory Mass attendance once I officially announced my intentions.

I think right now, I’m just exhausted. I need to hear everything you guys are saying - from the validating comments to the reminders that I missed an opportunity here. I’ve had such a difficult week, and I feel like this one comment from a complete stranger was the sour topping.

 

[Godfollower]

Since I’ve only been studying the faith for two years (though my Deacon likes to tell me that I’m probably better educated than his life-long Catholics, which makes me feel somewhat secure when I do get into the discussions), I have a line in the sand in defending my faith. Basically, if I know you personally, I love having the discussion. It’s not that I don’t want to engage strangers, but I’m not sure I’m “ready” yet. I want to be completely sure to properly represent my faith.

I get so irritated that Protestants don’t understand that becoming a Catholic is nothing like it was to become a Baptist (we’ll use them as an example, only because it’s the group I’m currently dealing with) - I don’t just stand up in church or at a revival and say the words. My RCIA class started in August and ended in April. It was nearly every week of my life, and mandatory Mass attendance once I officially announced my intentions.

I think right now, I’m just exhausted. I need to hear everything you guys are saying - from the validating comments to the reminders that I missed an opportunity here. I’ve had such a difficult week, and I feel like this one comment from a complete stranger was the sour topping.

You know what? One of the worst things you can do when encountering this type of moment with a non-Catholic is to speak from anger. We are not called to beat non-Catholics into submission; we are called to be Christ-like examples to them.

So you weren’t in the best mood to engage in apologetics in the first place. That’s okay. You’re going to make mistakes. Apologize for them when it happens, make amends if you can, and move on.

Tomorrow is another day.

 

[SurlyMermaid]

I get stuff like this. I try and stick with, “I thought Catholics believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior?”

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I think right now, I’m just exhausted. I need to hear everything you guys are saying - from the validating comments to the reminders that I missed an opportunity here. I’ve had such a difficult week, and I feel like this one comment from a complete stranger was the sour topping.

Hey :hug1:

Don’t beat yourself up over this. Sure, you could have come up with a better response, something educational, maybe even witty to get the smart guy thinking. But sometimes we just react in a defensive way, especially after dealing with attacks over conversion. You could perhaps write a little memo with concise explanations of why these Christians are wrong that you could use in situations like this. For example, asking the person if they realise how the Bible was compiled and how long that process took. Or asking them a tough question about their doctrine and leaving it at that.

 

[horselvr]

Eh—fuhgeddaboudit.

However, you did really miss a wonderful opportunity to have a great discussion.

Next time just allow yourself to cool down before hitting the send button. Read your response over a few times and then still wait about an hour before actually sending the message. I need to remember this too. LOL!

I am not in the keep silent camp that feels we should not respond to someone like that. I actually feel that Catholics have been silent much too long and the time has come for us to stand up for our faith—no matter who is casting the stones, Protestant or lapsed Catholic.

To say that Catholics are not Christian is pure T ignorance.
Next time—and there will be a next time as ignorance runs rampant, just take a deep breath first.

 

[fred_conty]

Maybe a few thoughts from Mother Teresa may help.

A reworked version of “The Paradoxical Commandments” written by Dr. Kent M. Keith is written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta.

This version is credited to Mother Teresa:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.