I'm a little upset.

[leschornmom]

OK, so, I originally came on this site because I am honestly searching for the truth. I am LDS (some may say Mormon) My husband converted to mormonism years ago and my in-laws are still catholic. Not to mention the fact that my step mom is Catholic, and my Mother USED to be Catholic, and my dear cousin is Catholic… I could go on and on but thats not the point.

Any way, now that thats over… I have been discussing religion with any one and every one that will talk to me. Not to argue it mind you. But, I ask ALOT of questions…Though, I must admit that even I fall into the “don’t tell me what I believe” category when I am aproached with falsities about the LDS reigion.

Back to my point. when I came to this sight (under the direction of my cousin dhnorris) it was only to get honest answeres from lots of Catholics. Instead almost every question I asked was aproached with skeptisism, and alot of acussing remarks. I even had someone say that I had been “revealed” and they left links to some of my other questions. I found that I was being baited my-self and evetually went looking for another Web sight.

Being LDS I thought the obvious option was an LDS forum. WRONG! I got the same responce. I was either bombed with anti-mormon literature (by the people that were trying to “save” me) Or I was treated as some kind if traitor by those who were LDS. Here’s what I don’t get…

Why is every body SO DEFENSIVE? Mormons, Catholics, Protestants does it really matter what religion we are if we are truly searching for what God wants us to know? I would really appriciate it if some one would treat me with a little respect and just answer my dog gone questions. Trust me just look up my name I have A LOT of questions.

PS. I am posting a similar note on the LDS site I visit so don’t take it personal.

 

[JoaoMachado]

Forums have that affect on many. You have all these people at different stages of their “Faith Journey”, yacking away, if you could picture an audi/visual of these forums, it would be best described as a bowling alley! LOL

Get a cup of coffee and just take in what you can, sometimes some of it is really funny…Stay the course, keep your path straight, you wil be fine.

Keep in mind, I still have a log in my eye…

Joao

 

[jimmy]

Hello Leschornmom, I am sorry for the problems you have faced on the site.

When people communicate on these forums it is tough sometimes to know what some people are saying. Others begin to jump to conclusions when they see something they do not like.

I have noticed some of the anti LDS posts I have seen on the threads you have started and I was a little disappointed to see some of the Catholics on here doing that. I can see posting some things on a new thread to discuss, but you must do it in a charitable way. They kind of hijacked your threads.

God desires everyone to belong to the true church. We should all belong to it, whether it is Catholic, LDS, or a protestant church. As long as you are open to the truth and you are looking for the true church you should be fine. All Christians are connected to the true church in some way and God knows your heart.

I apologize for any offensive comments made to you on these forums and I ask that you please stay and learn. I am always glad to answer your questions about the Catholic Church.

 

[Jim_ov_Cov]

jimmy:

Hello Leschornmom, I am sorry for the problems you have faced on the site.

When people communicate on these forums it is tough sometimes to know what some people are saying. Others begin to jump to conclusions when they see something they do not like.

I have noticed some of the anti LDS posts I have seen on the threads you have started and I was a little disappointed to see some of the Catholics on here doing that. I can see posting some things on a new thread to discuss, but you must do it in a charitable way. They kind of hijacked your threads.

God desires everyone to belong to the true church. We should all belong to it, whether it is Catholic, LDS, or a protestant church. As long as you are open to the truth and you are looking for the true church you should be fine. All Christians are connected to the true church in some way and God knows your heart.

I apologize for any offensive comments made to you on these forums and I ask that you please stay and learn. I am always glad to answer your questions about the Catholic Church.

What? How can we belong to the ‘True Church’ if we don’t know which one it is? Is this muddled thinking or religious indifferentism? As for the original query I would say that some people are threatened by those they see as enemies of the Faith on here just to provoke arguments, and they hit out. Secondly, I think we sometimes have to toughen up when dealing with the hostility of others. I used to be on a soccer forum and the other members used to tear into me over religion, and as you can imagine, fairness and Charity didn’t figure greatly in their mindset. But we have to be prepared to fight our corner sometimes.

 

[jimmy]

Jim ov Cov:

What? How can we belong to the ‘True Church’ if we don’t know which one it is? Is this muddled thinking or religious indifferentism? As for the original query I would say that some people are threatened by those they see as enemies of the Faith on here just to provoke arguments, and they hit out. Secondly, I think we sometimes have to toughen up when dealing with the hostility of others. I used to be on a soccer forum and the other members used to tear into me over religion, and as you can imagine, fairness and Charity didn’t figure greatly in their mindset. But we have to be prepared to fight our corner sometimes.

Every Christian is connected to the true church through baptism, read the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."5

The Catholic Church accepts the baptisms of protestants as valid, that is why they do not rebaptize them.

I am not saying that they are full members of the Catholic Church. I don’t think it is muddled thinking and it is definately not religious indifferentism. You misunderstand what I was saying. I was not saying all religions are equal. I was saying that protestants are connected to the true church by there baptism.

I just looked at what you highlighted in my text. I was not saying we do not know what the true church is. I was saying that no matter what the true church is we should belong to it. We have no right to be outside it. Maybe I should have said it differently.

 

[jimmy]

Here is a little more on baptism from the Catechism.

Incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ

1267 Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: "Therefore . . . we are members one of another."72 Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body."73

1268 The baptized have become “living stones” to be "built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood."74 By Baptism they share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission. They are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light."75 Baptism gives a share in the common priesthood of all believers.

1269 Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but to him who died and rose for us.76 From now on, he is called to be subject to others, to serve them in the communion of the Church, and to “obey and submit” to the Church’s leaders,77 holding them in respect and affection.78 Just as Baptism is the source of responsibilities and duties, the baptized person also enjoys rights within the Church: to receive the sacraments, to be nourished with the Word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps of the Church.79

1270 “Reborn as sons of God, [the baptized] must profess before men the faith they have received from God through the Church” and participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God.80

The sacramental bond of the unity of Christians

1271 Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church: "For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified by faith in Baptism, [they] are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church."81 "Baptism therefore constitutes the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn."82

I am sorry for going into this too much leschornmom. I fealt like this needed to be said. Jim ov Cov(and anyone else), if you want to argue this more, you can PM me rather than post here because I do not want to highjack the thread.

 

[mlchance]

jimmy:

I am sorry for going into this too much leschornmom. I fealt like this needed to be said. Jim ov Cov (and anyone else), if you want to argue this more, you can PM me rather than post here because I do not want to highjack the thread.

It’s wonderful that the Cathechism says those things, but we need to be careful about overstating things. The Catholic Church does not, for example, accept Mormon baptism as valid.

To my way of thinking, leschornmom, it goes like this. The only thing that we must believe is what is true. I don’t think anyone can honestly maintain that what the LDS teach is true. LDS doctrine contradicts the Bible, it contradicts history, and it even contradicts itself. Truth cannot contradict truth. Only falsehood can do that.

Jesus is the Truth. The Catholic Church is the church Jesus founded, and it enjoys the fullness of the truth. All other religions contain elements of the truth, but they do not contain the fullness of the truth.

Now, given all of this that I believe, how can I seriously accept the claim that it doesn’t matter what someone believes?

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

leschornmom,

Apologies if previous answers on this forum treated your questions or your intentions with discourtesy. Understand that some individuals do actually come onto this forum to bait Catholics, and that when reading a post, we can only read words without a tone of voice, gestures, or facial expressions which also communicate an individual’s intent. Therefore, we’re all left wondering at times, is this person being charitable or insincere?

That said, please know that Catholics believe and have historical proof that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ, the Savior. He did found only One Church.

While we hope and pray for unity of all Christians and all people of goodwill, we cannot compromise the Truths which were imparted to us from the lips of our Divine Founder.

Ask away! Please don’t interpret an answer you may dislike with a lack of charity. We’ll try to answer honestly, in love and charity. We’re only human.

 

[Britta]

leschornmom:

Being LDS I thought the obvious option was an LDS forum. WRONG! I got the same responce. I was either bombed with anti-mormon literature (by the people that were trying to “save” me) Or I was treated as some kind if traitor by those who were LDS. Here’s what I don’t get…

Why is every body SO DEFENSIVE? Mormons, Catholics, Protestants does it really matter what religion we are if we are truly searching for what God wants us to know? I would really appriciate it if some one would treat me with a little respect and just answer my dog gone questions. Trust me just look up my name I have A LOT of questions.

Unfortunately, when people get defensive (and we all have) it is because we forget that it is God alone who can change the hearts of His people. We are just His instruments. Our defensiveness reflects our attempt to work in the flesh and not in the spirit. It is not our place to “save” others, it is His place alone.

I believe it does matter whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, etc. because depending on where you are, your understanding of Truth may not be full and complete. However, God knows everyone’s heart and if you are truly trying to understand the Truth and are open, He will give it to you.

I’m Catholic and I too get “that’s a ridiculous question” remarks. Does not make one feel very welcome nor does it make one feel like asking more.

All questions are good. The fact that you are asking reflects God’s Grace working in you. Please try not to allow the sins of others to squelch that.

God Bless

 

[Chris-WA]

OK, so, I originally came on this site because I am honestly searching for the truth. I am LDS (some may say Mormon) My husband converted to mormonism years ago and my in-laws are still catholic. Not to mention the fact that my step mom is Catholic, and my Mother USED to be Catholic, and my dear cousin is Catholic… I could go on and on but thats not the point.

Any way, now that thats over… I have been discussing religion with any one and every one that will talk to me. Not to argue it mind you. But, I ask ALOT of questions…Though, I must admit that even I fall into the “don’t tell me what I believe” category when I am aproached with falsities about the LDS reigion.

Back to my point. when I came to this sight (under the direction of my cousin dhnorris) it was only to get honest answeres from lots of Catholics. Instead almost every question I asked was aproached with skeptisism, and alot of acussing remarks. I even had someone say that I had been “revealed” and they left links to some of my other questions. I found that I was being baited my-self and evetually went looking for another Web sight.

Being LDS I thought the obvious option was an LDS forum. WRONG! I got the same responce. I was either bombed with anti-mormon literature (by the people that were trying to “save” me) Or I was treated as some kind if traitor by those who were LDS. Here’s what I don’t get…

Why is every body SO DEFENSIVE? Mormons, Catholics, Protestants does it really matter what religion we are if we are truly searching for what God wants us to know? I would really appriciate it if some one would treat me with a little respect and just answer my dog gone questions. Trust me just look up my name I have A LOT of questions.

PS. I am posting a similar note on the LDS site I visit so don’t take it personal.

leschornmom, I have read many of your posts all over these forums and I apologize for those who have been less than charitable in their remarks. Their is no excuse for attacking someone or making accusations.

I believe there are many of us who are trying to stick to the topic while keeping the personal stuff out. I’ve had some very good discussions with BJ Colbert on another thread which I believe you have posted on. I love seeing questions from LDS and trying to answer them the best I can.

Keep posting your questions. I and others like me love to read them and to have the opportunity to explain Catholic teaching to those of the LDS faith. It’s actually a very rare opportunity. I rarely see Mormons asking the kinds of questions you are asking.

 

[Pug]

Internet discussion forums can be a tough place to get a decent conversation going, ironically. The crowd is usually mixed, with differing motives. If there has been a spate of people on a board with concealed motives, even the even-tempered posters tend to be edgy. However, you can get decent answers to questions; you just need some good hip-boots and the will to wade. :yup:

 

[Church_Militant]

Pug:

Internet discussion forums can be a tough place to get a decent conversation going, ironically. The crowd is usually mixed, with differing motives. If there has been a spate of people on a board with concealed motives, even the even-tempered posters tend to be edgy. However, you can get decent answers to questions; you just need some good hip-boots and the will to wade. :yup:

Great answer Pug!

This lady seems really nice & maybe she’ll stick around & we can help her understand her questions better. Fact is, I wish everyone was as decent as she sounds.

Pax Tecum.

Michael

 

[Katholikos]

leschormon, I’m sure I haven’t seen all your posts, but on the threads in which I have participated, only official LDS documents have been quoted. I haven’t seen anyone attack you personally, and if any of us does, he/she should be banned from the forum.

I hope you will post at the Catholic Answers forum for a long time to come. You are most welcome here. I’m glad your cousin invited you. But we have to tell the truth about what the LDS church teaches or has taught in the past. And we will also tell you the truth about what the Catholic Church teaches.

Do you have questions? Ready, aim, fire.

However, the LDS faith is not Christian. It uses the same terminology as Christianaity, but the words have different meanings. For example, the LDS church defines “Trinity” as three separate Gods among many gods in the universe. And Mormon males can become gods in the afterlife, called “exaltation,” if they qualify (see Gospel Principles, published by the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1988, pp 289 - 293). Judaism and Christianity are monotheistic religions (they teach that there is only one God in the entire universe – He is the sole Creator of the universe).

Hope to see you around the forums.

Peace be to you and to all who post at Catholic Answers.

JMJ Jay

(JMJ is a little prayer with which Catholics sometimes begin or end a writing. It’s an abbreviation for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and asks for the Holy Family’s blessing.)

 

[StubbleSpark]

OH YEAH?! WELL I THINK YOU ARE BEING COUNTER DEFENSIVE BY CALLING ME DEFENSIVE AND DEFENDING AGAINST MY OFFENSIVE DEFENSE WHICH IS THE BEST OFFENSE BUT ONLY OK DEFENSE!!!

I said it. Don’t tell me you all weren’t thinking it.