In my house this morning

[CWBetts]

First let me say that due to tough economic times I am again living with my parents as I wait to return to school for a master’s degree. Let me also say I am Catholic and my parents are not. Well every Sunday morning I am forced to endure Charles Stanley and David Jeremiah as I get ready for Mass. This morning was especially awful though. Dr. Stanley started talking about how Purgatory was an invention of the Devil, and the CAtholic Church is not of God, and so on and so forth. Here is my issue: do i simply nod and smile as I listent to this nonsense, or do I politely tell my mom and dad that these preachers are a couple of idiots, or something in between? I have no problem defending the faith to one not related, but to my parents it is much more difficult. Any ideas?

 

[bpcatholic]

My mother is watching him right now. I’m listening to music though! Did he really say the Catholic Church is not from God? I never thought he would say something like that.

 

[CWBetts]

My mother is watching him right now. I’m listening to music though! Did he really say the Catholic Church is not from God? I never thought he would say something like that.

Not in so many words. But he was going on and on about the evil doctrine of Purgatory…do the math.

 

[Miserissima]

Are your parents open to a discussion so you can rebut the anti-Catholic sentiments? If so, the tracts here on CAF are great. You may ask, “Mom, do you agree with Pastor X about Purgatory? If so, why?”

If they’re not open to a dialogue, I would politely busy myself with something else.

Or, perhaps, if you are driving your mom or dad in your car, you could play an MP3 of Catholic Anwers Live Open Line burned onto a CD or through an MP3 player. Or, if you’re in the kitchen making dinner, cleaning the car in the driveway, or just doing laundry, have it playing on portable CD or MP3 player at a moderate volume.

You can even get Father Groeschel’s tapes at a decent price…or they may even be available at your local library.

I would also leave books like “Catholic Answers to Fundamentalists Questions” or “The Catholic Answers Book,” Vols 1, 2, or 3 around. However, I wouldn’t start putting up icons all over the place, other than your room.

There is a line of respect that you shouldn’t work overtly to make your parents uncomfortable in their own home. The key is, if you’re up to evangelizing, first do it through your behavior and second by being open to any questions they may have. Lead them to water, as it were…

How about playing a CD of the rosary or tuning the main TV to EWTN when you get the chance? (But don’t do it with a rebellious spirit, and let them change it if they want.) Remember, if they’re not listening to what’s being said on TV, they’re probably going to ask you why YOU are listening!

Also, if you play the Rosary or hymns, you should brush up on your apologetics, because they may ask you something and they may expect you to have the answer on the spot. That can be tough.

Overall, be serene. Your parents home is not a place to battle. If they’re not open to anything of the Catholic faith, commend them to the Holy Spirit and agree to disagree…and keep them in your prayers always!

PS I didn’t mean to sound harsh in any way – I’m just speaking from experience.

 

[baylee]

I have watched Charles Stanley in the past and never got any anti-Catholic feelings from him. To be honest, despite the fact that he was not Catholic, I tended to enjoy his show.

However, if he did come right out and say that Purgatory is false…I would write **HIM **(in addition to whatever you choose to do with your parents). I once wrote a letter complaining of anti-Catholic sentiment to one of the woman preachers (can’t remember her name right now…it was years ago). I did get a letter of apology, but I could not say if she continues to spew her nonsense because I stopped watching her.