My time has come...

[rolltidefan]

I know most of you Catholics are probably going to be shouting, but my time has come to say goodbye to this place. Like I have seen many do here, I know it is my time to give this place up and leave. I came here because I had married a Catholic and wanted to see exactly what all he believed. I never came here with intentions of making people mad or hurting peoples feelings but then when I started reading some of the post and started feeling like a second rate citizen to the Christian community that is when I got way too involved here. I started posting to “defend” myself and my protestant beliefs. That is when it went downhill. I know the Catholics here feel that some of the protestants here attack you, well I have seen it and it makes me very sad that they would do that, but some of you also need to open your eyes to what your fellow Catholics are saying about the protestants here. Just as shameful. Of course now this is where I messed up, instead of just leaving then and realizing, hey you are in a CATHOLIC site, you will not be listened to her, I stood up. Wrong thing for me to do. Now 6-7 months down the road here, I have seen that. There have been some very good people here to the ones of us that don’t believe exactly as you do. I am so thankful that I was a Christian before coming here and wasn’t looking to become one, because I would have never been led to the Lord by this site. I hope this site is not set up for that. This place at time has made me a very depressed person. I almost feel like the woman who committed adulty and the “self righteous” people wanted to stone her, but thankfully Jesus Christ stepped in for her and said if you are without sin be the first to cast the stone. Of course they ALL had to walk away. I have always been the type person that wants everybody to like me and keep peace…so what a shock to me when I came to this place and knew that people responded to me with such lack of love and honestly didn’t like me because my views or opinions were different. It is so funny, but yesterday I knew this was coming. I went to church Sunday morning and prayed that I would get a sign. I then thought about the lady in the bible that was going to be stoned. I had not said anything to anybody my feelings. My pastor then got up and preached on compassion. He also then read from John about the lady. I felt like I then had my answer and it was to walk away.

Anyway, enough on why I am leaving. Thanks to the ones that have been Christ like. You know who you are. God bless you for your kindness.

I wish also to apologize to anybody that I hurt from any of my previous post. I do feel like I maintained respect for everyone here and also their religion. If I didn’t and you feel I didn’t, I ask for your forgiveness.

Lastely, to any PROTESTANTS here…unless you are here to convert, LEAVE. You will only get yourself down and I think instead of focusing on arguing petty stuff here, it would be more worthwhile for you to go read the bible and pray for God to show you what you need. If you are not here to convert, all you dohere is stir up arugments. If you stay, you are only going to wind up with some really hurt feelings and a really bad taste in your mouth. That is something I can promise you, especially if you are married to a Catholic, because you are not going to like what they have to say.

This will be my last day signed on here. God Bless You All.

I think I am going to go now and read 1 Corinthians 13. I think we all should read it and get back to it.

Actually I do have something else to add…I would like again to say thank you to this site…because without it, I would have never dug more into my bible the way I have in the last 6 months and I also have a greater appreciation for my faith. So thank you for that gift that you have given me.

God Bless You

 

[GraceDK]

I would like to apologise unconditionally for anything I might have said.
As someone who works for unity in my own little ways I know just how arrogant Christians can be and I mean all kinds of them, to the ones that think differently than themselves. Being friends with different kinds of Christians I have heard their prejudice and misconceptions about each other from all sides…
Its sad, really…
But I found out… the more the Holy Spirit is at work, the more all pettiness disappears.
I guess we are all just on our way… and not experts in rhetorics.
I too have tried to be in the spot where you are.
Indeed I would recommend no forum on the internet, because it hardly ever turns out nicely.
Actually I did have a good experience once… it was at a smaller site called speroforum.com … there were a few evangelical people (or maybe just the same guy with different names) that went around saying the RCC is the great whore of babylon… but overall people really were humble and knowlable. I even believe a lady turned catholic after discussing with the guys there for a while. there was a better atmosphere there than at CAF.
These boards are good if you have a problem and need comfort from people due to struggle with sins or other bad stuff that happen in life… Not for debating.

Anyway… yes… do dig into your Bible. Absolutely always. If CAF helped you in that direction then praised be the Lord.

Grace

 

[jwashu]

rolltiedfan,

I’m sorry to hear that you are leaving but I have to admit I do understand what you are talking about to some degree…

However I would ask that you consider something first… and I would truly like to hear an honest answer because I might be personally surprised.

Has anyone ever told you that you were going to hell because you were a Protestant? If so they are wrong.

I’m positive that someone has probably disagreed with you on contraception, prayers to Saints, Mary, the Papacy etc… those are things that indeed do separate our Faiths but those are truly minor in that we both worship the One True God in the form of the Trinity. Correct?

On my journey to Catholicism from being a life long Protestant I started posting more on a Presbyterian Msg board than I normally did. As I had been a Youth Director schooled in the Reformed Tradition my signature had “reformed” next to it.

After a long theological discussion on the Presbyterian section of the board I logged in to see that I had received warnings from the Admins with threats to ban my account?!? Why, I actually supported the site, why would they ban me? Because I sounded too much like a Catholic.

Because I had begun to question certain aspects of my Protestant faith yet still had a moniker saying I was Protestant. I argued with the Mods that I was still a an active Presbyterian and told them they could check if they wished. It didn’t matter, I wasn’t touting the line they wanted. So I removed all references. As I was raised Baptist I explained a lot of Baptist beliefs for people as well. At times I would offer to show how close, because I was excited about my discoveries in regards to the Catholic Church, we truly were - they didn’t like that either. Catholic posts should be only on the Catholic portion of the board… which to them isn’t (now we are talking Presbyterian folks) isn’t Christian. In my LIFE, and I can from a Conservative synod, I had NEVER heard a Presbyterian say Catholics weren’t Christians…

I stayed to hone my skills, to practice my apologetics, could I defend the Faith God was calling me too? I could and it made sense I didn’t lose many real theological discussions… but it definitely wore me out.

If you will notice most of my posts here on CA are in family (and a few in politics) because I got tired of the defending, especially when half the posts would be just ignorant. I love a good debate but I hate name calling.

Thus why I asked you the question. If you can recite and agree with the Apostles Greed (even with a little “c” on Catholic) then in my opinion you are a Christian and shame on anyone here who had told you otherwise. If they have and you are tired of that argument then I understand why you would choose to leave.

However if most of the disagreements are over petty stuff, stuff that we disagree on but won’t keep you from Heaven. Then I would ask that you at least stop by from time to time. There are many people on these boards with varying degrees of knowledge about their faith and with varying degrees of commitment… However I believe they all mean well, even if at times some of us tend to get a little overzealous.

God Bless,
Joe

 

[happymommy]

I’m sorry you feel that way.
As a former Protestant, I know what a lot of people think of the Catholic faith.
There are some issues that we Catholics feel very strongly about and are not going to back down from. I have had debates with you on a few of these topics. You have stated that you are happy that your Church doesn’t tell you what to do. Well, I’m happy to be in a faith that expects us to follow all of the teachings of Christ and not pick and choose which are important. I’ve come from a faith that taught using birthcontrol was okay, that divorce, tho sad, is okay. I came from a church that feels Catholics are not Christians because they have Christ in their heads, but not their hearts!! I’m so very glad to be away from that. I’m so glad God blessed me with a wonderful Catholic husband who with his prayers and example led me to the one true Church.
This is a Catholic site, but it is open to all faiths and those without faith. I think we have many good discussions and sometimes they are taken too far. But one should never allow someones posts to a thread ruin their lives. That is reading too much into these posts.
I will pray for you and your husband that your faith grows stronger. It’s wonderful that you are reading your Bible more and if that’s all you take away from this site, well, then that’s enough.

 

[PatrickJT914]

Hi Rolltidefan’

First are you Alabama Crismon Tide fan? Just curious. Because of your Forum name.

Please stay. Don’t leave completely Maybe take a little time away from CAF. Take a breather. Stop, pray and reflect on this. If this Forum is done right, you, I and we can learn a lot. There have been times when I thought about leaving this Forum as well. Somehow I keep staying. I have been attacked personally at times. However, there are many who show understanding, compassion, acceptance,knowledge. Because of this I still stay. Don’t let a few overzealous people who may have forgotten what Jesus taught. Anyway please reconsider.

PatrickJT914

 

[GhostMan]

Sadly, I must agree with some of your points. I feel the same way as you sometimes, but my frustration stems from the virulent anti-male postings of some here. I sense that this is just a different manifestation of their anger, bitterness and resentment that you see as well. They lash out against anyone who is posting something other than what they believe - on anything.

Rejoice, however, because while they are vocal, they are also a minority. The overwhelming majority of people here are open, welcoming, willing to listen and do not believe they are 100% right about everything that could ever be said.

Many times I have watched a thread about men descend into vile, even heretical flames, and thought it was time to leave. I’m sure you feel some of the same frustrations. Just remember, though, for every nattering nabob of negativity their is a infrequent poster who silently agrees with you and is glad you took the time to say what you had to say.

So, every time someone leaves because of the vipers, the board gets a little less nice. When voices who have something different to say are stilled, the board gets a little less interesting.

Look, this is an anonymous internet posting board. People only know about you what you choose to reveal. Don’t take it too seriously, and do not let the tiny minority of foaming-at-the-mouth posters push you away.

 

[rolltidefan]

First of all thanks for the kind words from you all. It is greatly appreciated.

jwashu…to answer your questions. No, I don’t recall anybody just coming outright saying that I was going to hell because I am protestant. With that being said, sometimes people don’t have to come straight out and say something. I have been just as hurt by some of the accusations by protestants here about the Catholic church. Just downright rude and untruth to some things that have been said about the Catholic church. I am not Catholic and they highly offend me also. I don’t discuss things like Mary, saints and papacy on here with people. I have been in discussions with people about contraception and second marriages, both of which I have done. I just personally think you take a stand to love people into the kingdom of God. Not beat them down for what we view as sin. I mean you can read some of the threads that I have posted in. Most have told my story, even of why I am divorced, because of an affair. Why I have a tubal and my husband will never have children from me, because I have a hemanigoma, ( a condition of the liver which could fatal to my life) and some people here have been terrible to me here because of this. I mean, almost feel like, well I might as well mark useless for a wife and Christian on my forehead and send myself to hell. I am just being upright and honest with you about my feelings on this. Very painful and hurtful. I have never had to deal with people like this, because as I said, I have believe people are Christians through their walk with God and that he is shining his light through them. Not all this other petty stuff. But then to be beat down for it…that is why I am choosing to leave here. I mean, someone that really has no self esteem about themselves or if they were questioning Christ forgiveness and love, might come here looking for an answer and just feel extremely beat down. I am not saying this is the only site, as I know there are probably numerous other sites that are the same. I think just talking about politics and religion with people that believe differently sometimes and I would venture to say most of the time probably doesn’t end so well. Again, I just tend to believe that we have a merciful and gracious God that forgave me of all my sins when I asked for forgiveness, now sometimes I have to do that only a daily basis because I sin probably daily. But I am just asking that we as Christians show that same grace and it just saddens me at sites like this that we don’t. We are focused on more the little things. I know it probably seems like I just want people to tell me what I want to hear, I have heard that a lot here, but I can say for me and some others that I know that are asking questions or responding, that is not what we are looking for, but when we tell our side, that is what we get told by the Catholics.

As for the answer for the question about the little c. I am Christian. If you ask me what denomination I am, I am Church of God. But first and foremost above all, I believe in God the trinity and I am Christian. The other is just what church I choose to worship in. I think where we as protestants and others take offense at times and it is probably just us being overly sensitive. Is when you have some that say we are the True church. Well, sometimes that can sound like you are saying we are it, the true one and all others are false. In fact I have heard people here call mine false. Again, I understand though that I am on a Catholic board. Not saying that by you believing and saying you believe in everything your church teaches to be truth is right, but I think I would choose to put it differently. I believe my church to have truths, but I would never go around saying my church is the true church because I believe it does make it sound like oh we got it and you don’t. Christ is what I got and that is the number one thing to me. Again, I understand you guys position behind saying it. And at this point, I am not here to argue anything anymore.
I am part of the church of Jesus Christ.

Again, I so appreciate your graciousness. I may be back later on. I know that I will never get into the discussions that I know only bring pain for me and others. May search and read what others are saying, but at this point, starting tomorrow I just need a break. Spiritual wound healing. Thanks for your prayers.

 

[rolltidefan]

I had to break this in half because I got to LONG!! lol

happymommy…I also appreciate what you have to say. I know we have not always seen eye to eye and we both probably take each to be hostile! lol As far as being former protestant and knowing what people think about Catholics…we have three former Catholics that go to my church and NEVER once has anything ever been said about Catholics or any other religion for that matter. I don’t doubt it happens though. But just as some Catholics sit and put themselves on a higher horse and judge protestants. So that works both ways. I am very happy in my church and it is not because we don’t have rules, because we do. And yes those include we are proabortion…my pastor just preached against that yesterday and last week and especially since Obama just signed what he did about abortion. We are also against divorce. We believe God has a plan A, but sometimes that plan does not work and God has to bless a plan B. I know for me plan B has been highly blessed. Never seen myself as divorced, but it was not my fault of a failure of marriage because of adultry. But then I feel I come here and get beat down because of that. Almost as if it is my fault that my ex-husband stepped out of the marriage. Again, I may be taking these comments by you and others very wrong and I stand corrected if that is so. So no in my church abortion is not okay and if you just choose to leave your huband/wife because you want to “upgrade”, no that is not taught to be okay…however, we believe in Christs forgiveness also. What if we didn’t have that, we all would be up the creek! lol Thanks for your prayers also. Again, if I have ever said anything to hurt you, I am truly sorry.

I am after one thing and that is to make it to heaven. We sing this worship song at church and I love it…it says the, the more I seek you, the more I find you, and the more I love you. I am just seeking God at this point and I want to know more and more about him and the more I am learning, the more I love that he died for me, when I know I am not worthy of such grace and mercy. God I love you!

 

[rolltidefan]

Hi Rolltidefan’

First are you Alabama Crismon Tide fan? Just curious. Because of your Forum name.

Please stay. Don’t leave completely Maybe take a little time away from CAF. Take a breather. Stop, pray and reflect on this. If this Forum is done right, you, I and we can learn a lot. There have been times when I thought about leaving this Forum as well. Somehow I keep staying. I have been attacked personally at times. However, there are many who show understanding, compassion, acceptance,knowledge. Because of this I still stay. Don’t let a few overzealous people who may have forgotten what Jesus taught. Anyway please reconsider.

PatrickJT914

YAH!!! Complete Roll Tide Fan!!! Don’t hate me because of that!!! lol

Thanks you for you comments also. I will pray about this. It is the arguing that is getting too much for me. That is all. It is both sides. I don’t want the Catholics to feel I am just pointing a finger at them.

 

[whatevergirl]

I am sorry you’re thinking of leaving. I think that really, life offline is really like this also–but, when you come to a message board, MANY of each type o category is in one spot…so it seems concentrated. In any given day, we might only run across those in our social circles who agree with us. But, on a message board, whether here or elsewhere, negative and positive people arrive to talk about the same subjects, and it seems more negative perhaps, because of this. When in reality, there are negative people everywhere…positive people everywhere.

I feel bad that your experience here was not a joy for you, but hopefully, you’ll come back. Plus, you can always use the ignore feature. It helps sometimes. Hey, there is no ignore button offline, though!

I hope you decide to stay. God bless.

 

[gardenswithkids]

…I would like again to say thank you to this site…because without it, I would have never dug more into my bible the way I have in the last 6 months and I also have a greater appreciation for my faith. So thank you for that gift that you have given me.

Bye roltidefan.:sad_bye: Thank you for coming here to learn more about our faith. I’m glad that it benefitted you by helping you to dig into your Bible.

You wrote about the woman caught in adultery. Jesus treated her with compassion. He didn’t throw stones, but He didn’t deny that she sinned either. He told her, “Go and sin no more.”

That story reminds me about the Samaritan woman at the well. (John 4:4) It used to confuse me a bit–Jesus told her all about her sins and she liked that? Then one day I got it–it must have been Jesus’ compassion for her, that He knew all about her, including her sins, yet He still treated her with respect, compassion and great love.

We all sin. Some people struggle with sins like lust and adultery. Some struggle to be patient, loving and compassiate toward other human beings. Sometimes our sins are highly visable to others; sometimes they are hidden from plain view. When we encounter Jesus, we can not hide our sins from Him. Jesus knows our sins. He loves us in spite of them, but He wants us to live better. He calls us to repentance and tells us, “Go and sin no more.”

… I have been in discussions with people about contraception and second marriages, both of which I have done.I just personally think you take a stand to love people into the kingdom of God. Not beat them down for what we view as sin. I mean you can read some of the threads that I have posted in. Most have told my story, even of why I am divorced, because of an affair. Why I have a tubal and my husband will never have children from me, because I have a hemanigoma, ( a condition of the liver which could fatal to my life) and some people here have been terrible to me here because of this. I mean, almost feel like, well I might as well mark useless for a wife and Christian on my forehead and send myself to hell. I am just being upright and honest with you about my feelings on this. Very painful and hurtful. I have never had to deal with people like this, because as I said, I have believe people are Christians through their walk with God and that he is shining his light through them. Not all this other petty stuff. But then to be beat down for it…that is why I am choosing to leave here. …

Now don’t take this personally, because I’m not throwing stones, but divorce and sterilization are not petty stuff. That doesn’t mean we think forgiveness and mercy impossible. God is merciful and loving. We don’t always convey these things even close to the way Jesus did. But Jesus didn’t tell the woman caught in adultery to go back to her lover and just love everyone. He told her to sin no more.

You think this is petty stuff. It’s not. I’m sorry if that offends you, but it’s not. If you post on a Catholic message board called “Catholic Answers” and tell others that divorce and sterilization are okay, some people will challenge you. We shouldn’t throw stones at you–and I don’t think people intended to do that. This is taking a stand to love–Jesus lovingly told tell people about their sins and helped them to live better.

Again, I am so happy that you came here to learn more about our faith. Our Catholic faith has deep regard for the sanctity of marriage and the marital act. It’s not petty stuff to us. If you never encountered people who told you these types of things were serious matters, then I hope you understand that while these are not unforgivable sin, they are serious matters. Jesus loves you, but He does’t want you living in the dark. God bless you.

 

[lovemysix]

Hey rolltide

I’ve never been involved in any postings with you that I am aware of But I’ve been around here long enough to know the kinds of things you are talking about.

I come around here every few months and always regret it soon after, but by that time I am addicted again and have to come back to check posts just to see what crazy things have been said since the last time I checked! When I get really addicted, I just have to go totally cold turkey and not come back for months, sometimes even for nearly a year.

If I weren’t Catholic, I never would become one after reading a lot of what is said here, but most likely that happens on EVERY kind of religious forum. The truth is, there are lots of judgmental, sour-grapes, unhappy people in every religion who get both their kicks and their self-esteem from pointing fingers and contemplating the dire fires of hell that all the sinners out there are going to have to suffer in for eternity. So I probably would not convert to ANY religion due to an internet forum. The very nature of such forums is such that anybody can say anything, no matter how mean or just downright whacked, and not have to pay any kind of consequence for it. People who would never behave that way among their friends or acquaintances suddenly have the freedom to not only judge others’ behavior but to say whatever the heck they want to and/or about them. It’s a freedom that is just too intoxicating for some to be able to resist.

You will probably be a lot happier once you quit the forums. I know I always am! But as you see, sometimes I just can’t resist them

Please do not judge the Catholic church—or ANY church—based on some online forum someplace. I hope that you will find Catholics in your life who inspire you We are all fallen, but not all of us are mean-spirited or so quick to judge.

God bless you,
Lauren

 

[rolltidefan]

Bye roltidefan.:sad_bye: Thank you for coming here to learn more about our faith. I’m glad that it benefitted you by helping you to dig into your Bible.

You wrote about the woman caught in adultery. Jesus treated her with compassion. He didn’t throw stones, but He didn’t deny that she sinned either. He told her, “Go and sin no more.”

That story reminds me about the Samaritan woman at the well. (John 4:4) It used to confuse me a bit–Jesus told her all about her sins and she liked that? Then one day I got it–it must have been Jesus’ compassion for her, that He knew all about her, including her sins, yet He still treated her with respect, compassion and great love.

We all sin. Some people struggle with sins like lust and adultery. Some struggle to be patient, loving and compassiate toward other human beings. Sometimes our sins are highly visable to others; sometimes they are hidden from plain view. When we encounter Jesus, we can not hide our sins from Him. Jesus knows our sins. He loves us in spite of them, but He wants us to live better. He calls us to repentance and tells us, “Go and sin no more.”
Now don’t take this personally, because I’m not throwing stones, but divorce and sterilization are not petty stuff. That doesn’t mean we think forgiveness and mercy impossible. God is merciful and loving. We don’t always convey these things even close to the way Jesus did. But Jesus didn’t tell the woman caught in adultery to go back to her lover and just love everyone. He told her to sin no more.

You think this is petty stuff. It’s not. I’m sorry if that offends you, but it’s not. If you post on a Catholic message board called “Catholic Answers” and tell others that divorce and sterilization are okay, some people will challenge you. We shouldn’t throw stones at you–and I don’t think people intended to do that. This is taking a stand to love–Jesus lovingly told tell people about their sins and helped them to live better.

Again, I am so happy that you came here to learn more about our faith. Our Catholic faith has deep regard for the sanctity of marriage and the marital act. It’s not petty stuff to us. If you never encountered people who told you these types of things were serious matters, then I hope you understand that while these are not unforgivable sin, they are serious matters. Jesus loves you, but He does’t want you living in the dark. God bless you.

You missed my point…I know what Jesus said to her. And yes he said she had sins and to go and sin no more. My point was what he said to the “self righteous” that wanted to stone her. He was telling them that they had sin also and so they couldn’t cast a stone at her. I am saying be compassionate that is all. I have the holy spirit to convict me, not people that I don’t know, nor most that really don’t care about me. No need to comment on the other points here, as I have nothing to argue about them anymore. And you are right, this is a Catholic board…I believe I stated that more than once that I realized that, which is why I am exiting and I suggested that any protestant that is not planning on converting to exit. I hope this doesn’t sound harsh, because I really am not setting the tone to be that way. God Bless You.

 

[Zelie_Louis]

We wish you well. This thread is now closed.