Islam overtakes Catholicism: Something must be done!

[rotlex]

Doh, correcting an accidental post before I was finished with the quote below. Again, sorry, I guess I’m typing way to much for this time of the morning!

(I could not edit the message due to the time of posting).

Just following up on my own rant there, and apologizing for rambling so long.

I just wanted to get a point across on my feeling on things as it has been bothering me for some time. I truly fear that things are not going well in regards to Catholics, at least in my area. Sure, there are a lot of us listed as registered out there, but how many are REALLY actively involved in the church, community etc.

I do not mean to come across as someone who is looking to leave the church, quite the contrary, I’m someone who wants to see it grow and become even stronger. I just don’t see that happening though. I tend to go off on the whole “community” thing, and it may seem as though I’m more interested in that, than say worship and the mass itself, when that is not the case. I simply believe that we first need to get people interested in attending, by any means possible, and then nurture them and help them along the way.

Oh, also, in regard to my community involvement statements, I mentioned in my first post the Jewish community. I wanted to add, as this thread started out asking about Islam, that I see that same sense of community involvement there as well. There is an Islamic center directly behind my house. (Literally walking distance). Nearly every weekend, the place is so packed that the parking lot overflows onto the grass. Why is that? Why do I NOT see that at my own parish? I really, really wish I knew!

Again, sorry for the big, ramble in my previous post, but at times there is so much I wish to say, and frankly, I’m not very good at getting it out at times!

 

[Muslim_Woman]

Salaam/peace;

**

Islam overtakes Catholicism as world’s largest religion**

…We must do something to halt the advance of Islam,

why ? What’s wrong with Islam ?

Think …who is forcing people with sword to accept Islam ? No one .

Read Quran with open mind & u will understand ( hopefully ) that Islam is the Truth.

"Say: O People of the Book!

Come to common terms as between us and you:

that we worship none but God;

that we associate no partners with Him;

that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than God."

If then they turn back, say:

“Bear witness that we
(at least) are Muslims (bowing to God’s Will).”

(3:94)

islamicity.com/islamitv/?ref=6999

 

[peary1]

Islam overtakes Catholicism as world’s largest religion

timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article3653800.ece

One of the main reasons for the growth of Islam is that more people are converting from other faiths. While birth rates do play a role, it is important to remember that more Catholics are converting to Islam every year. I find this very troubling.

We as Catholics have a duty to evangelise. If we believe that we possess the truth, then surely we should make it a big part of our lives to share that truth with the world!

Something must be done to prevent Catholics from leaving, and to encourage others to convert. I must admit that I don’t have any experience with evangelisation. What is the best way to evangelise?

We must do something to halt the advance of Islam, and more importantly, we must make it our mission to convert the world to Catholicism.

What can we do to evangelise?

More isn’t ‘better’. Benedict XVI said as much when he said he preferred a smaller but more vibrant Church to preach the Gospel.

 

[Burdock]

to rotlex.I am a protestant who is very drawn to the catholic church but what puts me off is the lack of community that you mention amongst catholics. There doesnt seem to be any warmth its probably not intential,but can seem very cold. I think it would be good if catholic parishes could start small bible study groups in each others homes or prayer groups then i feel people would start to have real times of fellowship and closeness. I EXPECT SOME CHURCHES MAY ALREADY DO THIS .wHAT DO OTHERS THINK.

 

[Burdock]

sorry about the capital letters at end of message didnt mean that to happen

 

[rotlex]

to rotlex.I am a protestant who is very drawn to the catholic church but what puts me off is the lack of community that you mention amongst catholics. There doesnt seem to be any warmth its probably not intential,but can seem very cold. I think it would be good if catholic parishes could start small bible study groups in each others homes or prayer groups then i feel people would start to have real times of fellowship and closeness. I EXPECT SOME CHURCHES MAY ALREADY DO THIS .wHAT DO OTHERS THINK.

I think you may be right, concerning parishes and diocese perhaps doing things differently. I realize that to many Catholics, the mass is #1 above all things, as it should be, so I do not mean to take away from that, and state the people getting together should be put before it. I just feel, as I had said, that doing more things outside of mass, as a church, as a “family”, just MIGHT bring people even closer together.

Hence my statements about the local protestant\fellowship VBS gatherings, where people seem very happy to not only worhip together, but want to be there, and remain, even when the obligations have ended.

 

[Burdock]

yes i agree that the mass is everything and i dont detract from that . it would be good if catholics had more fellowship together outside of the mass . Quite often peoples faith is strengthened by such groups. and new friendships are made.

 

[medallionsnijme]

Salaam/peace;

why ? What’s wrong with Islam ?

Think …who is forcing people with sword to accept Islam ? No one .

Read Quran with open mind & u will understand ( hopefully ) that Islam is the Truth.

"Say: O People of the Book!

Come to common terms as between us and you:

that we worship none but God;

that we associate no partners with Him;

that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than God."

If then they turn back, say:

“Bear witness that we
(at least) are Muslims (bowing to God’s Will).”

(3:94)

islamicity.com/islamitv/?ref=6999

Muslim woman, i would suggest reading through the posts in this thread forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=260446 to get your answers as to why islam is not good, or at least to open your mind a bit. i had converted to islam a long time ago and i would never go back to that faith, sister. NEVER. i am happily home in the Catholic Church which is the Truth. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.

what i find extremely disturbing among everything else about islam is how muslim men treat their women! i am not a psycho- feminist by any means but i believe in respecting each sex equally and for each their parts, roles, and complimentary responsibilities. unlike islam:catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/islam/gislam.htm
or this link: catholicapologetics.info/…lam/woslam.htm

''As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them, refuse to share their beds, beat them"- Sura 4:34 .
ive already said in the previous forum that if any man decided that i was a threat to his ego and “manhood” and decided to beat me a. he is a coward and b. he would have a frying pan meeting his face so hard he’d be seeing out of the back of his head and hed be out of my house faster than you can say “hey!”.

i suppose its all dependent on the moral teachings you wish to contribute to this world. look at this link:
catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/islam/muhammad.htm and tell me what kind of world you would prefer to live in: one that is run by terror and fear for all people(including its women, and own people who are fellow muslims**, where people are repressed, and chaos reigns, and where God is not personal but some distant being that you cannot even dream of getting close to? or would you want to live in a world where you have love, forgiveness, and peace as the heart of everything you do? you tell me why it is, then, that Christianity should be teaching muslims how to live…if you are willing to open your mind to look at islam from another point of view, that is.

and one more link on Catholic Apologetics in regards to Islam:
catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/islam/index.htm

 

[medallionsnijme]

yes i agree that the mass is everything and i dont detract from that . it would be good if catholics had more fellowship together outside of the mass . Quite often peoples faith is strengthened by such groups. and new friendships are made.

definitely agree!!!

 

[Larowyn]

I’m sure that part of the reason why Islam has overtaken Catholicism is because they forcefully convert people to Islam and the penalty for leaving Islam is death.

 

[medallionsnijme]

…and not to mention all the non-practicing Catholics… i think i heard somewhere that thats a verrry significant #…i bet if they would start practicing again we’d have it over islam

 

[Muslim_Woman]

Salaam/peace;

I’m sure that part of the reason why Islam has overtaken Catholicism is because they forcefully convert people to Islam

with sword or gun ?

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

listen to our revert bro about the last Prophet (p) of God Almighty

narrated by Yusuf Islam ( Cat Stevens)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c2/Yusuf_Islam_-Life_of_the_Last_Prophet.jpg/200px-Yusuf_Islam-_Life_of_the_Last_Prophet.jpg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3d5lbOswPM

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4142BDK24PL.SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20.jpg

Daughters of Another Path:

Experiences of American Women Choosing Islam
reflects Carol Anway’s experiences as a mother whose daughter became a Muslim convert
and the journey of reconciliation and acceptance of her daughter’s change in tradition.

Daughters of Another Path includes portions of stories from
fifty-three American born women who have chosen to become Muslim. Why and how they came to Islam; what their lives are like as a result of that choice;

How non-Muslims can relate to Muslims that are relatives, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances.

and the penalty for leaving Islam is death.

if they are not engaged in harmful matters against Muslims , then no punishment at all . If u people really want to know about it , i will InshaAllah write , otherwise waste of time & energy.

 

[Muslim_Woman]

Salaam/peace;

…what i find extremely disturbing among everything else about islam is how muslim men treat their women!

HOW MANY ABUSED
WOMEN ARE THERE IN THE U.S.?

Women age 12 or older annually sustained almost 5
million violent victimizations in 1992 and 1993.

Women and girls ages 12 and up annually reported about 500,000 rapes and sexual assaults, almost 500,000 robberies, and about 3.8 million assaults.

WHO ARE THE ABUSERS

In 29% of all violence against women by a lone offender, the perpetrator was an intimate (husband,ex-husband, boyfriend or ex-boyfriend).

Women annually reported about 500,000 rapes and sexual assaults Friends or acquaintances of the victims committed over half of these rapes or sexual assaults. Strangers were responsible for about 1 in 5.

HONOR KILLINGS IN AMERICA?

Of the 5328 women murdered in 1990, FBI data indicate that about half or more of them by a husband or boyfriend.

soundvision.com/Info/misc/wvastat.asp

 

[Larowyn]

Salaam/peace;

HOW MANY ABUSED
WOMEN ARE THERE IN THE U.S.?

Women age 12 or older annually sustained almost 5
million violent victimizations in 1992 and 1993.

Women and girls ages 12 and up annually reported about 500,000 rapes and sexual assaults, almost 500,000 robberies, and about 3.8 million assaults.

WHO ARE THE ABUSERS

In 29% of all violence against women by a lone offender, the perpetrator was an intimate (husband,ex-husband, boyfriend or ex-boyfriend).

Women annually reported about 500,000 rapes and sexual assaults Friends or acquaintances of the victims committed over half of these rapes or sexual assaults. Strangers were responsible for about 1 in 5.

HONOR KILLINGS IN AMERICA?

Of the 5328 women murdered in 1990, FBI data indicate that about half or more of them by a husband or boyfriend.

soundvision.com/Info/misc/wvastat.asp

Hey, at least we don’t consider being raped to be a crime. Here in the United States women can rest assured that they won’t be sentenced to prison and whipped for “allowing themselves” to be raped. The people in America who do beat their wives and girlfriends are considered bad apples, unlike in Islam where women are just property and if they get beaten or raped it was their fault somehow.

Islam is NOT a religion of peace, it is a religion of self-contradictions, violence, and abuse. If Allah intended for what he passed on to Mohamed to be peaceful, then somewhere along the line things went really wrong.

So how much time do I have until violent and angry mobs start attacking their local United States embassy to prove me wrong and show how peaceful they are?

 

[Muslim_Woman]

Salaam/peace

… in Islam where women are just property and if they get beaten or raped it was their fault somehow.

nuh

Quran , Chapter The Light

And **those who accuse **free women then do not bring four witnesses,

flog them, (giving) eighty stripes, and do not admit any evidence from them ever; and these it is that are the transgressors,

[24.4]

O you who believe!

You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and you should not treat them with harshness

…And live with them honourably.

If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.

( سورة النساء , An-Nisa, Chapter #4, Verse #19)

Today’s verse :

And (remember) when the angels said:

**"O Maryam (Mary)! **

Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the Alameen (mankind and jinns) (of her lifetime)."

( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #42)

 

[Larowyn]

Salaam/peace

nuh

Quran , Chapter The Light

And **those who accuse **free women then do not bring four witnesses,

flog them, (giving) eighty stripes, and do not admit any evidence from them ever; and these it is that are the transgressors,

[24.4]

O you who believe!

You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and you should not treat them with harshness

…And live with them honourably.

If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.

( سورة النساء , An-Nisa, Chapter #4, Verse #19)

Today’s verse :

And (remember) when the angels said:

**"O Maryam (Mary)! **

Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the Alameen (mankind and jinns) (of her lifetime)."

( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #42)

So like I said: if what Allah passed on to Mohamed was intended to be peaceful, somewhere along the line things got really messed up.

 

[Bennie_P]

I actually have been reading the Catechism and a lot of other Catholic writings, and while I agree with a large majority of the theology, I have a problem reconciling several things. Since I’m not trying to hijack this thread and go totally off topic, I’ll discuss those elsewhere. But, from the potential “convert’s” perspective, it doesnt’ seem as simple as you’re making it out.

For me it was simple, even though I thought it wasn’t when I first decided to come into full communion. Most do have questions and misunderstandings, that is why there is a period of time to inquire and I’m so glad now it wasn’t just saying OK I want to be Catholic, where do I sign the book. Before the current RCIA program was implemented one could just talk to a priest and bascally in many cases was questioned, then brought into the Church on any given Sunday, it was dependant on the priest. and of course many drifted away. The protestant Church I came from all you had to do was attend two one hour classes, sign a statement and even if you didn’t understand the teachings you where in, baptism was optional. The church I was raised in all you had to do was answer an alter call. No understanding or knowledge of the faith required.

I had already decided that being Catholic is what I had to do to be in God’s will, before signing up for RCIA, and He made me take the time to understand why. Questions are good and if you feel called to enter the Church take the time to find the answers you need and seek through prayer, study, asking questions and more prayer. Seek His will He will guide you…in His time. Trust Him he isn’t let you fall into a trap if you trust Him and seek His will.
blessings on your journey…

 

[Layman]

We have to return to the Latin Mass. Giving your followers a glimpse of Heaven on Earth is a good way to get and keep converts. The Novus Ordo with attendant abuses won’t convince any serious person.

In fact, I’d say it’s helped to put off a lot of Catholics and possible converts.

Young bishops and priests who want to have a pension in twenty to forty years’ time better get behind the old Latin Mass, otherwise their current elderly congregations will have died off, and there’ll be no one left to pay the bills.

The current situation of closing or merging parishes would not occur if people had a sense that they were drawing nearer to Heaven in the Catholic faith. It reminds me of what has occured in Anglicanism.

Get back to the Latin Mass now, or see your local church turned into apartments for yuppies.

“Oh yah, we’re living the the old Church, don’tcha know, Simon has a studio in the crypt, it’s mah-vellous!”.

 

[mangy_dog]

I think teaching our children the right way would be a good start. If we did we could put a dent in the number of young adults that leave the church… 50% of catholics ages 20-35 leave the church!
That is something big that could be done.

Young and old catholics leaving the one, true Catholic church to join Islam in all its variety is part of the “turning away”. Result of which is our ability (or lack thereof) to do the basic catholic things really really well.

Pray the Rosary - daily
Use of Holy Water in the home.
Confession and Communion - weekly and in that order.
Carry and wear and use your Sacramentals.

Other devotions and traditional practices are good but these are the basic things we need to do really really well.

Don’t just tell your children and young people what to do…lead by example! Enough of this “do as I say and not as I do” philosophy.

Gospa Mir!