Keeping religion private

[Barbkw]

You might also contact your Church to see what apostolates exist that you could join:

Prison ministry
Adoption
Abortion counseling
Food for the Needy
Volunteer services

 

[edwest2]

It seems a lot of things that used to be private, and appropriately so, are now, quite literally, in your face through the media. Modesty? Shame? Guilt? An appropriate understanding of those words is needed.

Jesus told his disciples that they would be hated for His sake. The Holy Spirit will move you to speak at the right time. Here is the Pope talking about standing up regarding certain issues.

catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=6327

Here is an example of what a local Church is doing.

olgcwt.org/evangilize.html

Peace,
Ed

 

[stormy99]

At the very least, be a good example. As people get to know you better, you can let them know you don’t want to hear dirty jokes, that you need to be able to get to Mass on the weekend, and so on. If you become good friends and they share their troubles, assure them that you’ll pray for them. A bit of jewelry (a cross or Miraculous Medal) if you’re comfortable with it. But we’re not all preachers/proselytizers. Some support the work of those that are. Tradition holds that Mary Magdelene supported the early Church with her wealth and influence. Other early apostles were travelling companions and secretaries and so forth. You have something to contribute; it’s not necessarily talking to strangers.

**I wear a simple crucifix and it says I’m Catholic and wearing it reminds all the time to act like one…be kind, tolerant, helpful/

I have only had a problem once…when someone said…do you know your cross has a dead man on it? I politely said yes I do and I wear so I can be patience and kind when someone asks me a question as you just did.**

 

[rben20]

What inspires me is Bro. JRs posts about how Franciscans are told to live the Gospel and preach with their actions rather than standing on some street corner and yelling out Bible verses. We don’t have to tell people we’re Catholics, but we definitely have to show in our actions that we are Catholics. And with our actions we evangelize.

This is exactly my take Constantine. Bro. JR’s posts about Franciscans has led me to believe that what I am doing is ok. I am living or at least trying to live as best as I can and I hope through that I can evangelize in my own way.

 

[rben20]

Bolding mine… I can help but laugh at this type of question… and I’m a loud mouth. I KNOW, I would immediately respond…

I didn’t know he was lost! How long has he been missing?

…

So, my long drawn out point is… You don’t have to jump in anyone’s face and ask personal questions… you can do as you see fit. You can utilize your personality, and just be you!

Very funny faithfully! This question is asked a lot with the intention finding out if you are “saved” according to the protestant denominations but in all seriousness people really do need to find God or at least let God find them as He always is looking for us while we busy our lives away. I just grew a little guilty in that I don’t preach at the corner. It’s not that I am ashamed, it’s just I rather propose than impose. On campus I see this all the time. I also have experience with those fire and brimstone preachers telling everyone they are going to Hell.

 

[Faira21]

This is exactly my take Constantine. Bro. JR’s posts about Franciscans has led me to believe that what I am doing is ok. I am living or at least trying to live as best as I can and I hope through that I can evangelize in my own way.

But everyone knew St. Francis was Catholic. Francis did not hide his faith. He was very open with it. He went around the countryside preaching. He wore a religious habit. He shaved his head to show he was a religious man. He dressed in poverty for religious reasons. He slept in the streets for religious reasons.

In other words, his faith was not a secret. People knew he was Catholic. They knew he was a practicing Catholic. They knew where he stood. They knew he had strong beliefs because they saw him putting them into action and he was not afraid to speak about them when needed.

If people see that you are being nice, then they will think you are a nice person. But they will not know that you are being kind and charitable out of your faith it it is kept hidden.

People need to know where you get your charity, where you find your strength, where you gain your courage. If you are hiding the source, they will think you just have that by chance and will have no idea how they can ever get it themselves.

Saint Francis never kept his faith hidden. Yes, he did not want people to preach with empty words that did not have actions to match (hence the idea of “preach with actions and not words”), but I doubt he wanted people to hide their faith. If that is so, why would he be the founder of a preaching order??? He should have founded a monastic order of hermits in the woods.

A lamp should not be put under a bushel - you have to let your light shine so others can see where it comes from and give glory to God! Don’t hide your light - it is not fair to others. We are not here to just save ourselves - we have to save others too.

St. Francis may have tried to keep his personal spiritual experiences with God private as much he could, but the fact that he was a practicing Catholic, no one could have questioned.

 

[Dempsey1919]

*Have you ever stopped to think how absurd it is to leave one’s Catholicism aside on entering a university, a professional association, a cultural society, or Parliament, like a man leaving his hat at the door?*St. Josemaria Escriva

I thought I’d share the above quote of St. Josemaria because it perfectly expresses my opinion on this topic. It is impossible to keep religion private because it influences every aspect of our lives. We shouldn’t force religion on people, but our behaviour and actions should make people realise that we are Christians. Here is another quote from St. Josemaria to explain what I mean:

How I wish your bearing and conversation were such that, on seeing or hearing you, people would say: This man reads the life of Jesus Christ. St. Josemaria Escriva

You should preach the Gospel by actions and not by words. I don’t agree with the tactic of forcing religion on others. I hate it when Jehovah’s Witnesses knock at my door and try to force their beliefs on me. This is why I don’t force my religion on people.

 

[nickybr38]

I have not read others responses to your post so I’m just responding to the OP alone.

I think that we are all called to witness in different ways, ways that suit our personalities. I do not necessarily believe that silence and quiet living is the answer for everyone!! I cannot keep my mouth shut, I share my faith all the time and in weird little ways (not asking people if they know Jesus but I’ll just mention something that happened at Mass, or share a Christian joke… things of that nature). I do NOT know if my method is effective but I do know that my atheist friend and lesbian friend (yes, she knows the Church’s position on her lifestyle) both chose to come to my confirmation! I didn’t even have to guilt them into it. So I must be doing something right?

I think if you feel it’s best to live your faith quietly then you should do so. It would be wrong to not listen to the Holy Spirit and if that’s what you’re being told then carefully discern and listen.



Some of us are mouths, some of us are hearts, some of us are ears, some of us are feet, some are hands, but we are all part of the same Body.

 

[edwest2]

I’m a Protestant inquiring into Catholic faith-i’m fairly sure that this is the one church where i want to be. Before deciding on this, i also looked into Eastern Orthodoxy and attended their church for a while. I asked a priest there(and several people) that i met, why is that i never see OC trying to talk to people about Christianity or just EO faith. Their response was “we don’t need to do that, as Christians we can set good example so they become interested, and if people are interested and ask, them we can tell them about it”. So overall attitude was"if they come to our church, we’ll welcome them and talk to them about it but if not, we are not going to spread the word". I DO NOT understand this kind of attitude. In my Protestant church, there are bunch of folks who just can’t help themselves but bring up Jesus to every person they meet which frankly, i don’t think is the right approach. I never been the person to stand on the street corners, handing out booklets and asking people if they found Jesus yet. However, i do let people know that i’m Christian, i wear a cross openly(a rather large one), and as the other poster, i would tell them that i will pray for them if they are having a problem. I think saying nothing and hiding the fact that you are Christian, is what the Devil wants.

As far as I know, the Church has not stopped telling lay Catholics to spread the Good News. You should understand that over the last 40 years in particular, religion in general and Christianity in particular, have been shouted down. I listen to Catholic radio and they invite non-Catholics to call in. Pope Benedict has been quite vocal to the world about God, the importance of faith, and the Dictatorship of Relativism that surrounds us on the media.

A local Parish requires its members to evangelize in some way. I can’t speak for others since I don’t know. I think people should know that God is important, even though the media is generally anti-religion.

Peace,
Ed

 

[Glennonite]

Bolding mine… I can help but laugh at this type of question… and I’m a loud mouth. I KNOW, I would immediately respond…

…If something comes up for Sunday… Sure, we can be there, but after church…

The thing is… others don’t have a problem announcing their faith structure whatever it is. I’ve decided not to either. However, I’m not going to shove it down your throat. That’s just not my style.

So, my long drawn out point is… You don’t have to jump in anyone’s face and ask personal questions… you can do as you see fit. You can utilize your personality, and just be you!

ETA: and I tell people I’m going to pray for them all the time… wow… I didn’t realize it… I might be a loud mouth about my religion too…

Faithfully:
I liked your entire take on the subject. Be real, be confident, but don’t be pushy. Your style reminds me of how St. Francis of Assisi attracted animals; by being gentle, approachable.

Glennonite

 

[Brendan_McCabe]

There is a middle way.

You should not be like the protestants who just annoy people and make a mockery of Christianity, badgering people in the mall is more about trying to display their self perceived righteousness in many cases than anything else.

But nor should you keep your faith private.

 

[Padraig1972]

Be a witness of the Lord, remember what He did for all of us, be present, let your faith be known, but be obedient, not annoying and very clear.

Keeping the religion private? No. Be modest and act with sense, love and understanding.

 

[stormy99]

A priest once told me that if your friends and co-workers did not at least know you were a practicing Catholic, you are not doing enough.

**I believe that also. If someone asks and it’s generally about the crucifix I wear. I tell them I am a practicing Roman Catholic and will answer to the best of my ability any questions that might have. They generally don’t ask questions…my answer is enough.

stormy**