Not Really Sure What to Title this as

[AngelKitty88]

Brandon, don’t feel stupid for asking the question!

There’s actually a FaceBook group called “I’m still a Christian, even if I don’t forward all those stupid chain messages…” or something to that effect. Look it up and join it!

haha I’m going to try and find that!

 

[Apollos]

gosh, that sounds so mean! I was sorta wondering the same thing so I would just pass those type emails on.

Expecting a man to be a man is not “mean”. Come on. Anyone can fire off an email threat that says something bad is going to happen if you don’t do something. I simply don’t know how to explain how ridiculous that is, other than to just display my total disbelief in other people’s gullibility. I am astonished that people actually scruple over that sort of thing.

So tell me, AngelKitty, if I send you an email saying Jesus will return at 11:11 on 11/11/11 and you should forward it to five people or else God will kill a puppy, you would?

 

[Dysmas1]

Indeed some people scruple over such things which is why we say people suffer from scruples. Imagine for a moment that you DID worry over such minor things. The worry would be real to you and it would cause more distress to be scoffed at. Those sufferers really have enough to think about. It really is a terrible affliction to be burdened with. A cross to be carried. Charity, love, and patience wins the fight with this disorder not, however with incredulity and sarcasm.

Christ-like in thought, WORD, and deed.

Peace

 

[Apollos]

Indeed some people scruple over such things which is why we say people suffer from scruples. Imagine for a moment that you DID worry over such minor things. The worry would be real to you and it would cause more distress to be scoffed at. Those sufferers really have enough to think about. It really is a terrible affliction to be burdened with. A cross to be carried. Charity, love, and patience wins the fight with this disorder not, however with incredulity and sarcasm.

Christ-like in thought, WORD, and deed.

Peace

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been shaken out of unreasonable thinking by just the reactions of people. Sure it hurt at first, but it taught me to control myself, to stop and *think *about why it hurt, and I realized I was just being childish and hypersensitive. Reaching that new level of emotional maturity freed me up to think about *why *someone would burst out laughing, and then I realized yes, it WAS ridiculous … and then I laughed at myself!

Tell me how that ain’t the perfect model of charity, love, and patience, a sarcastic guffaw that led to personal growth and spiritual freedom.

 

[Suslar]

Right on, peraltafb. No need to feel someone else can control us thru fear or intimidation and superstition is just plain bad. I particularly cringe when I get the “St. Therese Prayer” email - the ending on that one has been changed so many times the poem is not even anything like the original anymore! And if you don’t stop to pray that second and forward the email on then bad things will happen to everyone in your family. I can prove the bad things will not happen - because I always delete those emails without even reading it all the way through.

 

[CAROLOFTHEBELLS]

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been shaken out of unreasonable thinking by just the reactions of people. Sure it hurt at first, but it taught me to control myself, to stop and *think *about why it hurt, and I realized I was just being childish and hypersensitive. Reaching that new level of emotional maturity freed me up to think about *why *someone would burst out laughing, and then I realized yes, it WAS ridiculous … and then I laughed at myself!

Tell me how that ain’t the perfect model of charity, love, and patience, a sarcastic guffaw that led to personal growth and spiritual freedom.

People learn and grow differently. What works for you sometimes works against someone else. Sarcasm does nothing for me, except, unfortunately, foster hatred. You may think that you are helping or encouraging (or making) someone grow, but you could be just creating hatred or unrest. I can see unrest in this thread related to what you have said. Others should not have to be concerned with the unrest that you are advocating - whatever you believe is the outcome.

 

[Dysmas1]

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been shaken out of unreasonable thinking by just the reactions of people. Sure it hurt at first, but it taught me to control myself, to stop and *think *about why it hurt, and I realized I was just being childish and hypersensitive. Reaching that new level of emotional maturity freed me up to think about *why *someone would burst out laughing, and then I realized yes, it WAS ridiculous … and then I laughed at myself!

Tell me how that ain’t the perfect model of charity, love, and patience, a sarcastic guffaw that led to personal growth and spiritual freedom.

Look up sarcasm. If you feel that a “sarcastic guffaw” is the perfect model of charity, love and patience in the Christian tradition then I say you, in fact, have attained little “personal growth” in that regard. Although you may feel a sense of spiritual freedom, and may have some, by sloughing off scrupulosity, others have not. Laughing at someones concerns is not patience, loving, or charitable. You know this but seem to lack the character to see it and choose, rather, to hide behind some distorted sense of manhood.
I am done throwing sand at the tide here. You either know your words here are inappropriate and counterproductive or don’t. If you don’t then I would suggest some growing up for YOU, personally and spiritually.

Peace, though you are obviously an angry, impatient person. Peace to you. Pray as I will pray for you.

 

[Apollos]

…you are obviously an angry, impatient person.

No, not at all! But anyway we’re going off-course. Just because someone wrote a message that threatens bad things will happen if you don’t do something, doesn’t mean anyone should obey it.

A broader perspective usually solves the problem of feeling constrained, because a lot of people these days have a strange, tunnel-vision attitude towards obedience to authority.

(I watched in horror one day as a computer lab assistant *short-circuited *a desktop computer monitor by blindly and thoughtlessly following the directions on an anti-static cleanser bottle. The directions said to spray the monitor and wait for a few seconds, then wipe off. The spray head was off-kilter a little, and she shot a stream onto the screen instead of a light mist, which promptly ran down the screen and flowed into the housing, and with a buzz and a crackle followed by a wisp of smoke, the monitor was no more. “But that’s what the directions said to do.”)

And now we have anonymous emails telling us what to do, and for some reason we feel constrained to obey them. Why? My only guess is that our culture disposes us to obey without thinking.

 

[JIMBARRY1946]

I’m not sure how it works on facebook, but emails that are demanding that you forward are started by people who want a certain ad to have more hits. I NEVER forward anything that demands I do so or tries to guilt me into it. Prayer chain letters that promice something are a very low form of superstition. I have upset a few friends by telling them so.

 

[hazmae]

Hello Brandon
Not only is it NOT a sin but from what I have read forwarding them could be a sin. The ones that PROMISE a Blessing if you do or a curse if you don’t are superstition. I don’t forward anything that makes promises good OR bad. If the content is something you want to promote I would delete the offending parts and pass on the good news.

 

[Dysmas1]

No, not at all! But anyway we’re going off-course. Just because someone wrote a message that threatens bad things will happen if you don’t do something, doesn’t mean anyone should obey it.

A broader perspective usually solves the problem of feeling constrained, because a lot of people these days have a strange, tunnel-vision attitude towards obedience

…

And now we have anonymous emails telling us what to do, and for some reason we feel constrained to obey them. Why? My only guess is that our culture disposes us to obey without thinking.

I do tend to agree with you here. Not only an apparent case of scruples but also, perhaps indicative of a broader cultural tradition. Political plug…learned by constant feeding from an aggressive and bloated government lol.

Please understand I meant no disrespect. I also suffer from scruples though not as severe a case as the writer of the OP may have. I desire to help those who suffer as I do and I feel a particular affinity toward them.

You have not chosen to respond to me in frustration, sarcasm, or anger so I feel there is much more to your integrity than meets the eye even in a very limited capacity such as a message board.

I understand your frustration and may, at times echo your sentiments both here and in other threads although I tend to do so privately lol. Fight the good fight but do it in a way that builds up the members of the body of Christ. Share your scathing comments with me, we have much in common.

Peace of Christ be with you.

 

[Apollos]

You have not chosen to respond to me in frustration, sarcasm, or anger so I feel there is much more to your integrity than meets the eye even in a very limited capacity such as a message board. … we have much in common.

Fine, wanna marry me? The answer is Yes or No.

 

[Vince1022]

Fine, wanna marry me? The answer is Yes or No.

It seems the OP’s question has been answered. Why all the following comments, as the OP has not responded in since the first page? Maybe start a new Thread for whatever issues seem important?

 

[hazmae]

Brandon
I also want to say that never let ANYONE make you feel dumb for asking a question. There are NO dumb questions. I should know, I’ve asked my share. lol

This should be a place you feel safe.

 

[CAROLOFTHEBELLS]

I’m not sure how it works on facebook, but emails that are demanding that you forward are started by people who want a certain ad to have more hits. I NEVER forward anything that demands I do so or tries to guilt me into it. Prayer chain letters that promice something are a very low form of superstition. I have upset a few friends by telling them so.

They are also a low form of communication. Friends should send more personalized emails. Forwards that are sent out to many people just leave the impression that the person doesn’t really want to communicate on a friendship level, but would rather play games with a large group of people.

 

[betty_ann]

I have a niece who is a Fundamentalist and anti-Catholic.
This does not stop her from sending me "Novena’s " to the “Little Flower”.
Not only does she not have a clue about what a Novena is ,she hasn’t the faintest idea
who “The Little Flower” is either. This does not stop her from bombarding me with these e-mails.
I have told her what she is doing is superstition and nonsense, but it doesn’t deter her.
I have come to the conclusion that most people send these things on without reading or understanding what they are. I think they just automatically hit “forward” and forget it.
I don’t send anything like this bologna to anyone. I have a delete tab that works perfectly.
Since you are almost always asked to include the sender of the e-mail in the forward—and I never forward any of them–wouldn’t you think they’d eventually catch on?
They don’t.

 

[JoDee]

To Original Poster Brandon-

Your question was asked and answered in your original post. Under your inquiry you have the quote from St. Pio “Pray, hope and don’t worry”. I think that covers it.

 

[scottywolf777]

I have a niece who is a Fundamentalist and anti-Catholic.
This does not stop her from sending me "Novena’s " to the “Little Flower”.
Not only does she not have a clue about what a Novena is ,she hasn’t the faintest idea
who “The Little Flower” is either. This does not stop her from bombarding me with these e-mails.
I have told her what she is doing is superstition and nonsense, but it doesn’t deter her.
I have come to the conclusion that most people send these things on without reading or understanding what they are. I think they just automatically hit “forward” and forget it.
I don’t send anything like this bologna to anyone. I have a delete tab that works perfectly.
Since you are almost always asked to include the sender of the e-mail in the forward—and I never forward any of them–wouldn’t you think they’d eventually catch on?
They don’t.

An interesting modest proposal for your fundamentlist anti-catholic niece would be to say those novenas (it couldn’t hurt) and ask the Little Flower to convert your niece and let her know that you’ll keep doing that every time she sends you one.
RE chain mail is condemned under superstition if I’m not mistaken especially those who would cause you to forward them under dire penalties. I rarely ever forward stuff anymore because of these sorts of things. As far as my facebook is concerned, my picture shows me wearing my favorite St Benedict hoodie, I have a vatican flag, a crucifux and some other stuff and list monasticism and gregorian chants under interests amoung other things so i really doubt anybody could say I deny the faith even if I don’t distribute junk emails.