Losing my faith

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Not to long ago Mary gave us a green scapular to a sister in Paris France.
Mary told the sister to have the scapular blessed and distribute it. Mary attached some promises for those who wear/carry in on them.

Mary said that those who honor her scapular would either receive the faith, or if they had the faith already, she would grant them an ever increasing strength in the faith. And that the person would die a peaceful death, as well as having a special help against the attacks of the devil.

But she asked that the prayer, “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death”, be said each and every day. And that the greater the trust they place in her thru the scapular, the greater would be the graces given.

If you are an atheist, or are afraid that you might become one, then use this gift of Mary. It is her word that guarantees you help. Mary has never lied to us and she won’t start now. So get the scapular today, have it blessed, carry it on you, and say that prayer each day trusting her.

She didn’t say it would work overnight, so just be patient and trust her.

This is your answer.
 
fred_conty said:
Not to long ago Mary gave us a green scapular to a sister in Paris France.
Mary told the sister to have the scapular blessed and distribute it. Mary attached some promises for those who wear/carry in on them.

Mary said that those who honor her scapular would either receive the faith, or if they had the faith already, she would grant them an ever increasing strength in the faith. And that the person would die a peaceful death, as well as having a special help against the attacks of the devil.

But she asked that the prayer, “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death”, be said each and every day. And that the greater the trust they place in her thru the scapular, the greater would be the graces given.

If you are an atheist, or are afraid that you might become one, then use this gift of Mary. It is her word that guarantees you help. Mary has never lied to us and she won’t start now. So get the scapular today, have it blessed, carry it on you, and say that prayer each day trusting her.

She didn’t say it would work overnight, so just be patient and trust her.

This is your answer.
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I’m not sure if my parents will let me…
 
Upgrade25 said:
I’m not sure if my parents will let me…
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Easy!
Do you ever go.to a religious.shop?
The.green scapular is only 1 dollar or less.
Just ask a priest to bless it for you in confession some time

All you have to do is carry it in your pocket.
The green scapular devotion doesn’t say.it has.to be worn around your neck.
It can.even be left in a book all day (it doesn’t have to be one your person, according to the green scapular booklet)

If you really can’t get one, don’t worry

Our Lady said.in one of her apparitions: “Faith.is a gift that God gives to.those who pray.”

Read.different lives of the saints stories on Google each day. These.Foster faith and conversion in you.

Also pray each day between 10 to 30 mins

All will.be well!
 
MaryHelp777 said:
Easy!
Do you ever go.to a religious.shop?
The.green scapular is only 1 dollar or less.
Just ask a priest to bless it for you in confession some time

All you have to do is carry it in your pocket.
The green scapular devotion doesn’t say.it has.to be worn around your neck.
It can.even be left in a book all day (it doesn’t have to be one your person, according to the green scapular booklet)

If you really can’t get one, don’t worry

Our Lady said.in one of her apparitions: “Faith.is a gift that God gives to.those who pray.”

Read.different lives of the saints stories on Google each day. These.Foster faith and conversion in you.

Also pray each day between 10 to 30 mins

All will.be well!
Click to expand...
Where could I find the green scapular booklet?
 
It comes with the scapular! If no Catholic shop in your area, see if a local parish has a “repository”.
 
I know what you are talking about. I struggle with my faith sometimes, mostly everyone does. You are not alone. When I struggle with my faith, I simply go into my room, close the door and pray in silence. I tell God, “You know what is in my heart. You know that I love and trust you. Please help me increase my hope and faith”. I trust you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength".
 
Upgrade25 said:
Thanks guys. I will come back if my cross is to keep bearing these doubts longer. They go down to, “You believe in an imaginary friend.”

The funny thing is, He isn’t imaginary, and I am not worthy to untie His sandals!
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This sounds to me like a demonic attack that might benefit from some spiritual warfare. Do you pray the Rosary? Prayer of St. Michael?

Have you ever read C.S. Lewis the Screwtape Letters? It is a great commentary on spiritual warfare.
 
guanophore said:
This sounds to me like a demonic attack that might benefit from some spiritual warfare. Do you pray the Rosary? Prayer of St. Michael?

Have you ever read C.S. Lewis the Screwtape Letters? It is a great commentary on spiritual warfare.
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I have gotten back to praying the rosary. I will sometimes pray the prayer of Saint Michael as well. Are there any other pieces of advice that may help? Thank you.
 
Upgrade25 said:
Where could I find the green scapular booklet?
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The green scapular.booklet,
You can download.for.free online,.

Here is.the link to read the history of the green scapular online

greenscapular.com/mott.html

On this website if you click the top right you can download the green scapular history as a pdf

If you go to the home button on this website it shows you how to enrol in the green scapular by post or online and they will send you by post a free green scapular and booklet.🙂
 
MaryHelp777 said:
The green scapular.booklet,
You can download.for.free online,.

Here is.the link to read the history of the green scapular online

greenscapular.com/mott.html

On this website if you click the top right you can download the green scapular history as a pdf

If you go to the home button on this website it shows you how to enrol in the green scapular by post or online and they will send you by post a free green scapular and booklet.🙂
Click to expand...
3 questions arise:
  1. If I am doubting and say the prayer, does that invalidate it because it isn’t in confidence?
  2. Will it be blessed upon arrival?
  3. How do I pray for the intentions?
 
Upgrade25 said:
3 questions arise:
  1. If I am doubting and say the prayer, does that invalidate it because it isn’t in confidence?
  2. Will it be blessed upon arrival?
  3. How do I pray for the intentions?
Click to expand...
Faith is a choice, not a feeling. When you choose to place your faith in Christ, it is an act of the will. It is great to be able to feel “confident” but not necessary. Then you pray as Thomas did “Lord! Help my unbelief!”.
 
Here are several things I have to say, they are condensed and there is more to be elaborated on… these are basically reasons why I am not an atheist.
  1. Contingency and Thomas Aquinas’ five ways. There must be a prime mover, the universe couldn’t just “begin” itself.
  2. Human consciousness and free will. Things in the universe have meaning and purpose. The fact that we are able to discern them is special, no matter what any atheist says. Conscious, thinking, feeling animals could not spontaneous come into being from an unconscious, unthinking, unfeeling universe, no matter how many millions of years pass. Think about it.
  3. Love and Beauty. They doesn’t really make sense from a materialist perspective. There is so much about these two things that defies materialist philosophy. These kind of go hand and hand with free will.
  4. The futility of secularism in the face of death. Think about this: no matter what you believe, the moment of death is the most significant moment of your life as it is the last little bit of consciousness you will ever experience. A person gains nothing in this moment by being an atheist, they pass from this life with nothing to look forward to and very likely a sense of dread and doom. Those who believe deeply in heaven have tremendous hope and look forward to being with Jesus. So the religious people come out ahead in the end, no matter what is true. And in many cases they come out ahead in life as well, as for many faith binds families and marriages together, keeps people off of drugs, or in general gives them something greater than themselves to live for. These points occurred to me when I was attending a funeral of 31 year old Catholic woman who died of cancer. This woman had no fear of death whatsoever. At that moment I had decided that even if atheism were true, I would still want to be religious.
Human beings need to believe in something. It is in our nature. I have a coworker who grew up in the Soviet Union and was raised with an atheistic communist belief system, but later became an orthodox Christian. I remember him telling me that atheism is not a sustainable world view. He said when a soldier is on the front lines of battle his first thoughts were of God. Look at pictures of soviet soldiers on the front lines during world war II, you will not believe the number of them holding crosses and saying prayers. These are soldiers indoctrinated in communism and atheism and bred to believe in and fight for communism. What does it do for them in the end? It offers them nothing in return for their military service and their death. No wonder they turned to faith.
 
CompSciGuy said:
Here are several things I have to say, they are condensed and there is more to be elaborated on… these are basically reasons why I am not an atheist.
  1. Contingency and Thomas Aquinas’ five ways. There must be a prime mover, the universe couldn’t just “begin” itself.
  2. Human consciousness and free will. Things in the universe have meaning and purpose. The fact that we are able to discern them is special, no matter what any atheist says. Conscious, thinking, feeling animals could not spontaneous come into being from an unconscious, unthinking, unfeeling universe, no matter how many millions of years pass. Think about it.
  3. Love and Beauty. They doesn’t really make sense from a materialist perspective. There is so much about these two things that defies materialist philosophy. These kind of go hand and hand with free will.
  4. The futility of secularism in the face of death. Think about this: no matter what you believe, the moment of death is the most significant moment of your life as it is the last little bit of consciousness you will ever experience. A person gains nothing in this moment by being an atheist, they pass from this life with nothing to look forward to and very likely a sense of dread and doom. Those who believe deeply in heaven have tremendous hope and look forward to being with Jesus. So the religious people come out ahead in the end, no matter what is true. And in many cases they come out ahead in life as well, as for many faith binds families and marriages together, keeps people off of drugs, or in general gives them something greater than themselves to live for. These points occurred to me when I was attending a funeral of 31 year old Catholic woman who died of cancer. This woman had no fear of death whatsoever. At that moment I had decided that even if atheism were true, I would still want to be religious.
Human beings need to believe in something. It is in our nature. I have a coworker who grew up in the Soviet Union and was raised with an atheistic communist belief system, but later became an orthodox Christian. I remember him telling me that atheism is not a sustainable world view. He said when a soldier is on the front lines of battle his first thoughts were of God. Look at pictures of soviet soldiers on the front lines during world war II, you will not believe the number of them holding crosses and saying prayers. These are soldiers indoctrinated in communism and atheism and bred to believe in and fight for communism. What does it do for them in the end? It offers them nothing in return for their military service and their death. No wonder they turned to faith.
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Well said. 👍
 
CompSciGuy said:
Here are several things I have to say, they are condensed and there is more to be elaborated on… these are basically reasons why I am not an atheist.
  1. Contingency and Thomas Aquinas’ five ways. There must be a prime mover, the universe couldn’t just “begin” itself.
  2. Human consciousness and free will. Things in the universe have meaning and purpose. The fact that we are able to discern them is special, no matter what any atheist says. Conscious, thinking, feeling animals could not spontaneous come into being from an unconscious, unthinking, unfeeling universe, no matter how many millions of years pass. Think about it.
  3. Love and Beauty. They doesn’t really make sense from a materialist perspective. There is so much about these two things that defies materialist philosophy. These kind of go hand and hand with free will.
  4. The futility of secularism in the face of death. Think about this: no matter what you believe, the moment of death is the most significant moment of your life as it is the last little bit of consciousness you will ever experience. A person gains nothing in this moment by being an atheist, they pass from this life with nothing to look forward to and very likely a sense of dread and doom. Those who believe deeply in heaven have tremendous hope and look forward to being with Jesus. So the religious people come out ahead in the end, no matter what is true. And in many cases they come out ahead in life as well, as for many faith binds families and marriages together, keeps people off of drugs, or in general gives them something greater than themselves to live for. These points occurred to me when I was attending a funeral of 31 year old Catholic woman who died of cancer. This woman had no fear of death whatsoever. At that moment I had decided that even if atheism were true, I would still want to be religious.
Human beings need to believe in something. It is in our nature. I have a coworker who grew up in the Soviet Union and was raised with an atheistic communist belief system, but later became an orthodox Christian. I remember him telling me that atheism is not a sustainable world view. He said when a soldier is on the front lines of battle his first thoughts were of God. Look at pictures of soviet soldiers on the front lines during world war II, you will not believe the number of them holding crosses and saying prayers. These are soldiers indoctrinated in communism and atheism and bred to believe in and fight for communism. What does it do for them in the end? It offers them nothing in return for their military service and their death. No wonder they turned to faith.
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Doesn’t the multi-worlds(and variants) interpretation of quantum physics disprove a need for God? Please prove this wrong!
 
Upgrade25 said:
Doesn’t the multi-worlds(and variants) interpretation of quantum physics disprove a need for God? Please prove this wrong!
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There are more important ideas than science … love. How does science handle that?

Jesus died on the cross … love.
A man saving the life of another man in battle.
A father teaching his child.
The donor of a kidney.
A son helping his old father.
 
Upgrade25 said:
Doesn’t the multi-worlds(and variants) interpretation of quantum physics disprove a need for God? Please prove this wrong!
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Can you explain this theory to me? Also can you show that there is any evidence of its reality? Or is it speculation?
 
Upgrade25 said:
Doesn’t the multi-worlds(and variants) interpretation of quantum physics disprove a need for God? Please prove this wrong!
Click to expand...
No…why would it? St. Thomas’ arguments concern something even more basic, specifically whether or not we can know about reality.

On another note…
Ponder this quote from Fr. Arrupe:

Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything. - See more at: ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/prayers-by-st-ignatius-and-others/fall-in-love#sthash.1xcmI1Do.dpuf
 
CrossofChrist said:
No…why would it? St. Thomas’ arguments concern something even more basic, specifically whether or not we can know about reality.

On another note…
Ponder this quote from Fr. Arrupe:

Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything. - See more at: ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/prayers-by-st-ignatius-and-others/fall-in-love#sthash.1xcmI1Do.dpuf
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What about the eternal universe theory?
 
Upgrade25 said:
What about the eternal universe theory?
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No. Why would it?

I might suggest that you learn more about what Aquinas is actually saying (It’s been a while since I’ve looked through this online but IIRC those against the ways have a lot to say about “causes” and not much about act/potency, essence/existence which is what Aquinas is concerned with.), and not through critiques but through those (Thomists) who actually have a good understanding of Aquinas. That might help.

But keep in mind that however much reason might be of help to faith, faith isn’t something that comes from reason but is a gift from God. And in the final analysis, what really matters in life (and so in religion) isn’t so much intellectual knowledge but charity–a relationship with God. So prayer and having a relationship with Christ is where your primary focus should be in moments of doubt. Recall moments in your life where you truly knew that God was with you, as that remembering brings you closer to God in the present. That might seem tough to do, especially when believing is hard, but speaking from experience you would best off focusing on prayer and immersing yourself with what the Church says, and not counterarguments.
 
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