Lord God, make this easier!

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Today in my world issues class (this one course is both a blessing and a curse) we discussed the topic of the Pope’s lecture.

Most of the lcass didnt say anything, but one girl across the room began voicing her opinion that the Pope is a racist and is encouraging violence against Muslims. I had brought a copy of the lecture since I figured that I would have to say something. I asked if anyone had read the Holy Father’s speech, nobody had, so the teacher had me read the relevant paragraph. I did and then she said that it did sound like he was making anti-Muslim comments and she couldnt figure out why he would say something like this now. I said it was a very good speech and he was just using that quote as an example, and even called it “forefull” and “bruesque” in the lecture. That didnt matter, another student said that the Catholic Church is more violent than the Muslims have ever been. My teacher said the Pope had no room to say something like this, considering that the Catholics caused the Crusades (differance: the Crusades were almost 1000 years ago, while 5 years ago last week Muslim extremists flew planes into the WTC and the Pentagon). I tried to argue this, but no, yet another classmate told me to open my eyes and stop living in the past. After class a student said loudly that if anything happens to the Holy Father she will laugh. I am begining to wonder if my grandfather was right when he said that my generation has got itself a one-way ticktet to hell.

Now most of that class wont talk to me and more than a few times today I’ve been called a “Churchie” or a more derogatory comment that I preffer not to say here.

Is God testing my faith or something? I try to defend the Church, but I always get shot down. Is there any easier way to do this? I try to have a positive outlook, but everyday I cant help but see signs of a religion in decline surrounding the Church. This stuff even keeps me up at night 😦
 
Caesar said:
Today in my world issues class (this one course is both a blessing and a curse) we discussed the topic of the Pope’s lecture.

Most of the lcass didnt say anything, but one girl across the room began voicing her opinion that the Pope is a racist and is encouraging violence against Muslims. I had brought a copy of the lecture since I figured that I would have to say something. I asked if anyone had read the Holy Father’s speech, nobody had, so the teacher had me read the relevant paragraph. I did and then she said that it did sound like he was making anti-Muslim comments and she couldnt figure out why he would say something like this now. I said it was a very good speech and he was just using that quote as an example, and even called it “forefull” and “bruesque” in the lecture. That didnt matter, another student said that the Catholic Church is more violent than the Muslims have ever been. My teacher said the Pope had no room to say something like this, considering that the Catholics caused the Crusades (differance: the Crusades were almost 1000 years ago, while 5 years ago last week Muslim extremists flew planes into the WTC and the Pentagon). I tried to argue this, but no, yet another classmate told me to open my eyes and stop living in the past. After class a student said loudly that if anything happens to the Holy Father she will laugh. I am begining to wonder if my grandfather was right when he said that my generation has got itself a one-way ticktet to hell.

Now most of that class wont talk to me and more than a few times today I’ve been called a “Churchie” or a more derogatory comment that I preffer not to say here.

Is God testing my faith or something? I try to defend the Church, but I always get shot down. Is there any easier way to do this? I try to have a positive outlook, but everyday I cant help but see signs of a religion in decline surrounding the Church. This stuff even keeps me up at night 😦
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I only have your perspective, obviously, but if what you’re describing happened in a class I was teaching I wouldn’t tolerate it. If a bunch of my students were ganging up on a student who expressed a different perspective, and making sweepingly dismissive statements about his religion instead of a reasoned critique, I’d tell them to back off pretty quickly (*especially *if I actually agreed with them).

Perhaps you can talk to your professor about this. Make it clear that you don’t expect your religion to be immune from criticism, but you do expect to be treated with respect and allowed to defend your beliefs rather than seeing them contemptuously dismissed. That’s just good classroom etiquette and sound pedagogical method. A good professor wants to encourage minority opinions in his/her class, because this makes for livelier discussion and much more learning.

Edwin
 
I kind of feel your pain when it comes to seeing religious decline. At my school, in Texas (a supposed “red state”) I always figured most people would have conservative values. Recently I have been stunned though to find apathy towards homosexual unions, pro-choice numbers growing, and a growing trend among many that Christianity is nothing more than a social club we go to on Sunday. All I can say is that sometimes reading the Psalms help me. While I try to stand up for the Truth, it is still somewhat humiliating to be attacked for you beliefs from everyone in class or at the lunchtable. So yeah, I’d say read through the Psalms and maybe pray them since they seem to have many fitting prayers for these problems. My favorties are 16, 42, 63, and of course the classic 23rd. I’ll certainly keep praying for you, and I ask you would pray for me too. Peace be with you!
 
It does bear pointing out that the Pope John Paul II acknowledged behavior by Catholics in the past as sinful and sought forgiveness for those sins. I have yet to see an Imam do the same.

Remember a couple things–Our Lord said His followers would be looked down upon and He also wondered if He would find faith on earth when He returned. To be a faithful Catholic in this day and age is to be a (peaceful) rebel.
 
Caesar said:
Today in my world issues class (this one course is both a blessing and a curse) we discussed the topic of the Pope’s lecture.

Most of the lcass didnt say anything, but one girl across the room began voicing her opinion that the Pope is a racist and is encouraging violence against Muslims. I had brought a copy of the lecture since I figured that I would have to say something. I asked if anyone had read the Holy Father’s speech, nobody had, so the teacher had me read the relevant paragraph. I did and then she said that it did sound like he was making anti-Muslim comments and she couldnt figure out why he would say something like this now. I said it was a very good speech and he was just using that quote as an example, and even called it “forefull” and “bruesque” in the lecture. That didnt matter, another student said that the Catholic Church is more violent than the Muslims have ever been. My teacher said the Pope had no room to say something like this, considering that the Catholics caused the Crusades (differance: the Crusades were almost 1000 years ago, while 5 years ago last week Muslim extremists flew planes into the WTC and the Pentagon). I tried to argue this, but no, yet another classmate told me to open my eyes and stop living in the past. After class a student said loudly that if anything happens to the Holy Father she will laugh. I am begining to wonder if my grandfather was right when he said that my generation has got itself a one-way ticktet to hell.

Now most of that class wont talk to me and more than a few times today I’ve been called a “Churchie” or a more derogatory comment that I preffer not to say here.

Is God testing my faith or something? I try to defend the Church, but I always get shot down. Is there any easier way to do this? I try to have a positive outlook, but everyday I cant help but see signs of a religion in decline surrounding the Church. This stuff even keeps me up at night 😦
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Keep it up. Keep yourself informed, and pray every single moment of your day. You were not guaranteed to be everyone’s friend when you agreed to accept the cross of our Lord.

Ask Our Lady for her loving caress, St. Thomas Aquinas for his intellect, and Chesterton for his wisdom and wit: all for the glory of Christ the King! Pray also for those who desperately need God and the guidance of His Church.
lovetony

edit:
I find it especially helpful to donate your time to others. It helps keep your mind off of facing the anti-Catholic. Charity is the best prayer you could be praying!
 
One of the hardest things to face is the fact that I go to a Catholic High School. I try to be Catholic, not hard enough, and sometimes I dont speak up and then I feel guilty for days. I tried to spend my lunch period in the chapel, but it seems that some students are using it as a social room.

Thank you all for your prayers.
 
Caesar said:
One of the hardest things to face is the fact that I go to a Catholic High School. I try to be Catholic, not hard enough, and sometimes I dont speak up and then I feel guilty for days. I tried to spend my lunch period in the chapel, but it seems that some students are using it as a social room.

Thank you all for your prayers.
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It was in a CATHOLIC school that your classmate said she “would laugh if anything happened” to the Holy Father? :eek:

That is just so very very sad. They NEED your prayers. Keep up the good fight.
 
Wow, well it is not going to get any better in college. In fact it will probably get worse but at least you will probably have a Newman Center and meet other studetns like yourself. I know exactly what you mean in regards to dealing with defending the pope and Catholicism but people are much more understanding of me since I have taken other classes before with most of the people in the class. Maybe I am just lucky. I never run into many problems. However, several other people I know do. I think the trick is to just be understanding. Alright, you have your opinon and I have mine. I don’t condemn you for believing the way you do and you don’t condemn me for it. Argue all you want.
 
Caesar, God bless you. He has something wonderful in mind for you as He is giving you all this training in patience, faith, hope, and love.

Please pray for your fellow students (I will too). As Job once prayed to God for his tormenters, and thus won forgiveness from God for their sins, you may be an instrument of salvation for your classmates.

Be not afraid.
 
Caesar said:
One of the hardest things to face is the fact that I go to a Catholic High School.
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I am not sure how the school system works in the US but I would think that teachers are bound to not undermine the Catholic faith.

As for the crusades, well I believe the teacher needs to be thaught.

Inform yourself on the issues the teacher put forward against the faith (like the Crusades) and present the facts to him/her. Do not make it public otherwise he/she might feel forced to refute your claims just to save face around other students. Just at end of class hand down the documentation you have compiled for his/her personal reading. At the very least it will make the teacher respect your views more even if he/she does not share them.

If things continue the same address the issue directly with the teacher, if nothing comes of it to the principal and if things don’t change write a letter to the bishop…You have the right of a Catholic upbringing in a Catholic school.
 
I hate to say it, but our generation is going to hell in a hand basket. My world issues class is just as liberal (I’ve only been in for two days now). All you can do is speak the truth. Do what God wants you to do, and that’s all that matters. You don’t have to worry about being accepted. All God wants is for us to share the truth unblemished, right?
 
Caesar said:
Today in my world issues class (this one course is both a blessing and a curse) we discussed the topic of the Pope’s lecture.

Most of the lcass didnt say anything, but one girl across the room began voicing her opinion that the Pope is a racist and is encouraging violence against Muslims. I had brought a copy of the lecture since I figured that I would have to say something. I asked if anyone had read the Holy Father’s speech, nobody had, so the teacher had me read the relevant paragraph. I did and then she said that it did sound like he was making anti-Muslim comments and she couldnt figure out why he would say something like this now. I said it was a very good speech and he was just using that quote as an example, and even called it “forefull” and “bruesque” in the lecture. That didnt matter, another student said that the Catholic Church is more violent than the Muslims have ever been. My teacher said the Pope had no room to say something like this, considering that the Catholics caused the Crusades (differance: the Crusades were almost 1000 years ago, while 5 years ago last week Muslim extremists flew planes into the WTC and the Pentagon). I tried to argue this, but no, yet another classmate told me to open my eyes and stop living in the past. After class a student said loudly that if anything happens to the Holy Father she will laugh. I am begining to wonder if my grandfather was right when he said that my generation has got itself a one-way ticktet to hell.

Now most of that class wont talk to me and more than a few times today I’ve been called a “Churchie” or a more derogatory comment that I preffer not to say here.

Is God testing my faith or something? I try to defend the Church, but I always get shot down. Is there any easier way to do this? I try to have a positive outlook, but everyday I cant help but see signs of a religion in decline surrounding the Church. This stuff even keeps me up at night 😦
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I do understand where you are coming from, and it can be a cold hard world out there. I am sorry they gave you such a hard time of it.

Please don’t be discouraged, you are not alone , as there are many of us that feel the same as you do. I think you did the best you could.

Prayer will help you find peace and the words you are seeking. Ask God to give you strength to do his will.

Blessings
 
Read the Eighth Beatitude in Matthew 5. Doesn’t sound much like any Catholic School I have ever experienced. May the Lord have mercy on those in charge.
 
What the previous posters cite and say is true but it sure won’t “feel” like it.

Most of the others won’t speak to you out of trying to fit in more than anything else. The opposing voices are the typical rebels. It’s been said that “Shock value” is doing something to stand out without doing something outstanding. Take this as such. You, on the other hand, did well.

If you will need to deal with this instructor in future classes, it may prove better to let this go. You spoke up and even the best Apologist will tell you that you can’t change another’s mind, only sow the seed. If I were you, I’d ask an Apologist how they handle their own reactions to situations like this.

When do you graduate? Fortunately, it’s likely you will never meet them again after graduation. At university there are tons more places to get lunch, esp off campus.

In the game of cricket, both sides wear white to better identify the opposing side. (Get it?) You’ve been given the rare glimpse of identifying the not-so-trustworthy. Again, well done.
 
What the previous posters cite and say is true but it sure won’t “feel” like it.

Most of the others won’t speak to you out of trying to fit in more than anything else. The opposing voices are the typical rebels. It’s been said that “Shock value” is doing something to stand out without doing something outstanding. Take this as such. You, on the other hand, did well.

If you will need to deal with this instructor in future classes, it may prove better to let this go. You spoke up and even the best Apologist will tell you that you can’t change another’s mind, only sow the seed. If I were you, I’d ask an Apologist how they handle their own reactions to situations like this.

When do you graduate? Fortunately, it’s likely you will never meet them again after graduation. At university there are tons more places to get lunch, esp off campus.

In the game of cricket, both sides wear white to better identify the opposing side. (Get it?) You’ve been given the rare glimpse of identifying the not-so-trustworthy.

Once again, well done.
 
havemercy said:
Ask Our Lady for her loving caress, St. Thomas Aquinas for his intellect, and Chesterton for his wisdom and wit
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I don’t know. Aquinas? Chesterton? Jesus is infinitely smarter. I’d ask him for a bit of his intellect over those two peabrains any day. 🙂

I’ve been away from all things Catholic for a while. When did people start praying to Chesterton?! That’s funny. He would make a great patron saint for people with anorexia! 🙂
 
you can pray to anyone, not just the official saints.

Anyone in heaven is a saint,
The official sainthood just means we absolutely know they are there.

I can pray to my grandfather, and it is not wrong, even if the church doesn’t recognize him as a saint.

A lone Raven
 
I knew that, actually.

I’d rather use my prayer time on someone I knew was in Heaven, though. I mean, if Chesterton is in Hell, then praying to him would be pointless. I personally wouldn’t want to gamble and hope that the person I’m praying to is in Heaven, especially if I am in an emergency! I’d rather go with the people that I know are OFFICIALLY in Heaven.

Sorry, Gilbert!

(I hope he’s not listening. :))
 
My teacher today was talking about the Church again. She was going on about the sex-abuse scandal. She told us how she believes that the Church is coming to an end. She says that the sex-abuse by priests is just an example of how it’s not just a fringe-group of the Church doing this but Catholic teachings. I believe that her words were “these are not just bad apples- the whole damn tree is rotten”.
alexaustralia said:
I am not sure how the school system works in the US but I would think that teachers are bound to not undermine the Catholic faith.

As for the crusades, well I believe the teacher needs to be thaught.

Inform yourself on the issues the teacher put forward against the faith (like the Crusades) and present the facts to him/her. Do not make it public otherwise he/she might feel forced to refute your claims just to save face around other students. Just at end of class hand down the documentation you have compiled for his/her personal reading. At the very least it will make the teacher respect your views more even if he/she does not share them.

If things continue the same address the issue directly with the teacher, if nothing comes of it to the principal and if things don’t change write a letter to the bishop…You have the right of a Catholic upbringing in a Catholic school.
Click to expand...
I’m in Canada. the Catholic schools here are government-run, so the Church doesnt have much say in the schools.
 
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