It is hard to be Catholic

[Patavium]

The next time the CEO of a major tech company gets chased out of his job for supporting any aspect of the liberal agenda or an atheist baker is sued for not wanting to make a cake for some left-friendly reason, let me know.

There is Christian persecution, no doubt. But Work is FOR WORKING.

Evangelize by example, Preach the Gospel by example, and sometimes use words if necessary.

 

[billsannie]

The next time the CEO of a major tech company gets chased out of his job for supporting any aspect of the liberal agenda or an atheist baker is sued for not wanting to make a cake for some left-friendly reason, let me know.

I don’t know about the situation with the CEO so I won’t comment on that. But I would love to ask the baker if he would refuse to make a cake for someone who had committed adultery. Or for someone who had had an abortion. Or for someone who had commited any other sin. If not, then like it or not, he really is discriminating against this couple for doing something he particularly hates. Although the suit was simply to make a point at the baker’s expense, and therefore, imho, wrong. If he’s not discriminating he must have a very small clientele, and probably should consider another line of work

 

[victrolatim]

Everything nowadays is politicized, sadly. I can understand your feeling the need to bite your tongue. Unfortunately, many of these positions have been radicalized so people feel like they are being attacked if someone disagrees and then you get disciplined in the work for disagreeing with homosexuality etc. It’s unfortunate that we can’t just come to the realization that not everyone is going to have the same viewpoint and leave it at that. I was at one workplace like that and, worse, before that COLLEGE. If you weren’t a card carrying liberal watch out to be ostracized and possibly disciplined on your beliefs depending on the professor.

 

[Fuerza]

I don’t know about the situation with the CEO so I won’t comment on that. But I would love to ask the baker if he would refuse to make a cake for someone who had committed adultery. Or for someone who had had an abortion. Or for someone who had commited any other sin. If not, then like it or not, he really is discriminating against this couple for doing something he particularly hates. Although the suit was simply to make a point at the baker’s expense, and therefore, imho, wrong. If he’s not discriminating he must have a very small clientele, and probably should consider another line of work

Unless the cake is to celebrate the adultery or the abortion, in which case he should refuse, this is a different issue. Abortion or adultery, while grave sins, are not impediments to marriage (unless of course the adulterer is still validly married), while both partners’ being of the same sex is.

 

[billsannie]

Everything nowadays is politicized, sadly. I can understand your feeling the need to bite your tongue. Unfortunately, many of these positions have been radicalized so people feel like they are being attacked if someone disagrees and then you get disciplined in the work for disagreeing with homosexuality etc. It’s unfortunate that we can’t just come to the realization that not everyone is going to have the same viewpoint and leave it at that. I was at one workplace like that and, worse, before that COLLEGE. If you weren’t a card carrying liberal watch out to be ostracized and possibly disciplined on your beliefs depending on the professor.

Yes, and I think a lot of it is due to fear. We’re afraid of people whose beliefs differ from ours. We’re afraid of being hurt. Or we’re afraid of seeing the structures we hold dear change. Or of a hundred other things.

I think we all need to pray, a lot. Also we need to try to speak, and write, in love. And to aspire to that Perfect Love that casts out all fear. And yes, I’m preaching something I often don’t practice, but I’m trying.

 

[billsannie]

Unless the cake is to celebrate the adultery or the abortion, in which case he should refuse, this is a different issue. Abortion or adultery, while grave sins, are not impediments to marriage (unless of course the adulterer is still validly married), while both partners’ being of the same sex is.

That would apply if he were being asked to personally celebrate something he doesn’t believe in. But he’s only being asked to bake and decorate a cake, not to judge the validity of the marriage.

 

[billsannie]

To better clarify my fuzzy reasoning: if a baker were approached by a heterosexual couple wanting to buy a wedding cake, would he question them about any past marriages as to whether there had been a divorce with no prior adultery? Probably not, because it would be considered none of his business. So if the baker can’t pass judgment in this way, why should a gay couple be any different?

 

[thecolorsblend]

I don’t know about the situation with the CEO so I won’t comment on that. But I would love to ask the baker if he would refuse to make a cake for someone who had committed adultery. Or for someone who had had an abortion. Or for someone who had commited any other sin. If not, then like it or not, he really is discriminating against this couple for doing something he particularly hates. Although the suit was simply to make a point at the baker’s expense, and therefore, imho, wrong. If he’s not discriminating he must have a very small clientele, and probably should consider another line of work

For the moment, let’s assume such a thing is discrimination.

So what?

People should have the right to do business with whoever they want. If they want to do business with some people but not others, that’s their prerogative.

And yes, argumentation in reverse, I would say the same thing if it was a Christian who was told to take his business elsewhere by a business-owner.

The left spent years telling anyone who would listen that one can’t (or at least shouldn’t) legislate morality. It’s rather amusing how quickly they’ve stopped making that argument in recent years.

 

[signit]

Oh please. I end up holding my tongue at work all the time. I work with outspoken conservatives who live for political and social discussions. I don’t want to argue, and certainly not at work. My mouth stays shut and I go on about my day.

I’m not a persecuted atheist, I haven’t lost my freedom to share my beliefs, I’m not under attack at work. I’m just the odd man out of these discussions and I’m totally fine with that. It’s just my job. Think of it as being the only hip hop fan in a sea of metal heads. You aren’t excluded, you just don’t have much to contribute to this particular conversation.

Have we really devolved so far into a victim mentality that feeling uncomfortable sharing dissenting political opinions with coworkers equals a loss of freedom for the person who feels uncomfortable?

I’m a Catholic and that’s exactly how I handle situations like this.

I simply don’t get involved in situations like this.

It’s not my role to tell people in my workplace that they’re sinners or that they’re going to hell.

 

[Anglewannabe]

About the girl getting married in the church to please her grandmother, it’s a shame that your feeling is that you’re fed up hearing about it. You could try to say something kind, like, “it’s great that your grandmother is so concerned for your soul. She really must love you.”

.

I wouldn’t dare say that because it would just not go over well. She will just see it as me trying to change her and no one likes that. It is very obvious this girl has no use for the Catholic religion

 

[Anglewannabe]

I think what the OP meant to say was :
It’s hard to give a voice to defend Catholic teaching and opinion when everyone around you has already made up their minds about what we teach and believe.

yeah that’s pretty much my point

 

[Anglewannabe]

Have we really devolved so far into a victim mentality that feeling uncomfortable sharing dissenting political opinions with coworkers equals a loss of freedom for the person who feels uncomfortable?

When everyone in the room is saying ‘how great it is homosexual can marry’ and it is VERY obvious that if a Catholic says ‘I think it is sad’ she will really be in trouble, yes that is a loss of freedom.

 

[Anglewannabe]

It’s not my role to tell people in my workplace that they’re sinners or that they’re going to hell.

That is not what I care to do either. But when there is a general discussion about homosexual marriage, why can’t I say it is unfortunate it is legal without having serious repercussions

 

[StudentMI]

It can be difficult, yeah. While I do agree with the ‘work is work’ part, I recognize also that in Canada there might be different rules or laws. I’ve read about some cases where some Christian (Catholic or not) got in legal trouble for criticizing homosexual acts or marriage.

Something work related happened a few days ago to me. A coworker of mine is also a close friend, and we joke about everything. And sometimes our joking can seem like we’re insulting each other to others. To us, it’s just in fun. We can be serious as well, and we just sort of understand when the other is being serious. So, a few days ago, he was working with a new guy (who is similar to us) and they were talking about something and my friend called over to me something about gays not being able to have relationships or something or other. My hearing is bad and I asked him what he said, he repeated it and said something like “isn’t that right, church boy?” I just sort of smiled dismissively and said “I ain’t talking religion at work, man.” They both laughed, and that was it. He knows I’m Catholic and hasn’t really said anything to insult my beliefs. I was a little taken aback, but given our mutual joking, I don’t think he meant it anyway, and just let it slide.

I have heard comments from my manager, who was raised Catholic I think, about ‘those crazy Catholics’ but he didn’t really mean it any way. He knows I’m Catholic as well, and it was a Friday, and since I work in the food industry he was just referring to the lunch rush for fish.

Not quite your situation. Just sharing.

 

[thecolorsblend]

There is Christian persecution, no doubt. But Work is FOR WORKING.

Evangelize by example, Preach the Gospel by example, and sometimes use words if necessary.

I agree. And so apparently does the tech CEO I mentioned. His contributions to support pro-marriage causes were dragged out in the open against his will. His contributions were private and made with his own money on his own time. And yet he got chased out of his job anyway even though he used his work “FOR WORKING”.

Take it up with the SJW’s who chased him out of his job.

 

[Sarcelle]

I agree. And so apparently does the tech CEO I mentioned. His contributions to support pro-marriage causes were dragged out in the open against his will. His contributions were private and made with his own money on his own time. And yet he got chased out of his job anyway even though he used his work “FOR WORKING”.

Take it up with the SJW’s who chased him out of his job.

Wow that blows … big time.

I will pray for him and the others who have been chased out of jobs by these SJW.

 

[mommy_k]

When everyone in the room is saying ‘how great it is homosexual can marry’ and it is VERY obvious that if a Catholic says ‘I think it is sad’ she will really be in trouble, yes that is a loss of freedom.

It is very hard-but perhaps say-I don’t believe in that. And if they ask why-say its against my religion. No onecan argue with that, as it is religious freedom, and it is not personal.

 

[Anglewannabe]

It is very hard-but perhaps say-I don’t believe in that. And if they ask why-say its against my religion. No onecan argue with that, as it is religious freedom, and it is not personal.

I actually talked about it with my priest today and he said that by not saying anything, I said a lot.

 

[Viki63]

That is not what I care to do either. But when there is a general discussion about homosexual marriage, why can’t I say it is unfortunate it is legal without having serious repercussions

Because you may very well lose your job. Or have to attend a seminar on tolerance, at least.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Mt 5:11-12

As your priest said, your silence may speak eloquently, and you won’t get in trouble for being silent.

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[Catholic_Lady]

It is hard, though I feel I shouldn’t complain too much considering there are Christians all over the middle east being persecuted and murdered in horrific ways simply for being Christian.