Please Share Your Testimony As to How You have Been "hated by all" Because of Christ

[distracted]

I have no friends because i put Jesus first. That’s the way i feel.

Ok, i have “friends” (Catholic) who speak to me once in awhile & seem friendly enough, but it seems there is always this weird barrier because they are not as fanatical about Jesus as i am… & i have no one really close. I guess, now that i think about it, it is my own fault, for not trying harder to find devout Catholic people to be-friend…

But anyway, i would particularly appreciate testimonies of those who have been “hated” by once-close family members, friends &/or those in the Church.

 

[strngrnrth]

I was staying at a friend’s house for a fw days (I was temporarily homeless) and decided to leave a church bulletin in the room I was sleeping in when I went to town one day. She lost it that night: yelled and ranted at me for a long time about how dumb I was for being a Christian. I had told her, but she didn’t seem to know what I meant, and that’s why I left it there – so she would realize I was trying to tell her I love Jesus. I haven’t seen her since then. I hope she’s OK but I don’t look forward to seeing her again.
Another friend openly giggled at me when I told her I believe the gospel. Another said, “Oh no, this is really bad,” several times. Some don’t talk to me since the word got out. Oh well, I know people who have gotten much worse flak than I have. My brother…most believers worldwide…the entire early Church…the Apostles…Jesus…We’ll get through it OK.

 

[distracted]

Some don’t talk to me since the word got out. Oh well, I know people who have gotten much worse flak than I have. …We’ll get through it OK.

Gee - that’s just what happened when they found out you were Christian - It is far worse when people see that you are a devout, practicing, “militant” Catholic Christian.

(That word 'militant" really isn’t as bad as it sounds. doesn’t the Church refer to its earthly body as being the Church Militant.)

I am wondering how old you are and how long you have been Christian (Catholic)

 

[strngrnrth]

Gee - that’s just what happened when they found out you were Christian - It is far worse when people see that you are a devout, practicing, “militant” Catholic Christian.

(That word 'militant" really isn’t as bad as it sounds. doesn’t the Church refer to its earthly body as being the Church Militant.)

I am wondering how old you are and how long you have been Christian (Catholic)

Well, I don’t feel like being specific, but I was a lot of other religions before becoming a Christian and now I’m closing in on confirmation.

 

[fin]

I feel the same way. Family members and others who I’m religious sometimes make fun of me, though they may not mean to hurt me. But yeah, I’m practically alone too, because I put God first. They say stuff like I’m overly Catholic, would probably enter the monastery and stuff.

Above all are the moral values. Abortion, use of birth control, pornography,etc. are sins. But they say I’m narrow minded, just because they don’t consider these sins to be immoral.

 

[quiet52]

I have encountered more hostility about my Catholicism from my family and fellow Catholics, including priests, than from non-Catholics.

When I have told my family I can’t vote for someone who thinks it’s okay to kill unborn babies or to legalize same-gender marriage, I have been screamed at and demeaned, and then am ignored for stretches of time.

I don’t resent them or hold grudges. I pray for them and am civil when we do talk. I hope for the conversion of their hearts and minds.

 

[graceandglory]

I have encountered more hostility about my Catholicism from my family and fellow Catholics, including priests, than from non-Catholics.

When I have told my family I can’t vote for someone who thinks it’s okay to kill unborn babies or to legalize same-gender marriage, I have been screamed at and demeaned, and then am ignored for stretches of time.

I don’t resent them or hold grudges. I pray for them and am civil when we do talk. I hope for the conversion of their hearts and minds.

I want to say a “caveat.” Jesus told us not to be surprised if we are “hated because of Him.”

Be sure that you are hated on account of Him, by being Christlike in all things, and not by being mean, weird, holier art than thou, judgemental, etc.

I know many people who consider themselves “hated on account of Christ,” but they are mean and condescending to their neighbors and family members. That’s not being hated because of Christ, but being hated because you are mean. That happens to everyone.

Think about the stories of the holy Saints who were hated right in their convents by the other members of their orders. The other members felt uncomfortable by their levels of holiness. Instead of wishing to be like the Saints, they resented them.

Always return kindness for meanness.

 

[distracted]

I But yeah, I’m practically alone too, because I put God first. They say stuff like I’m overly Catholic,

they say I’m narrow minded, just because they don’t consider these sins to be immoral.

So how long have you been a strong Catholic? Do you ever wonder if maybe you are what they call you? I do… Of course, the Spirit of Christ keeps me on the right track & i usually begin to see that it is not I who has the problem…

But, you know how it goes… it is lonely “at the top”…

“Jesus walked this lonesome vallley. He had to walk it by himself… Nobody else could walk it for him… He had to walk it by himself.”

 

[distracted]

I have encountered more hostility about my Catholicism from my family and fellow Catholics, including priests, than from non-Catholics.

When I have told my family I can’t vote for someone who thinks it’s okay to kill unborn babies or to legalize same-gender marriage, I have been screamed at and demeaned, and then am ignored for stretches of time.

.

Very interesting… I could say the same thing.

Do you ever wonder why these people even bother going to the Catholic Mass every Sunday if they refuse to accept the teachings of the Church?

I don’t get it…

This one friend of mine acted like i was narrow-minded because i make abortion the “single-issue” in my voting… Yet my position is (for one thing) that, if a person can advocate and promote the killing of unborn, helpless, defenseless children, HOW THE HECK CAN WE TRUST him to do the right thing in anything else??

Also, how much integrity does a person have if he/she can’t realize that the right to live is more important than the right to have freedom (so -called)? Without the right to life, a person can enjoy no other rights.
The Right to Life is the first right listed in the Constitution… “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”

But then, who cares about the Constitution anymore?

Hey - you can Personal Message me anytime (and anyone else @ this site), if you need moral support. I need support sometimes because when i start feeling too alone, too misunderstood, etc… I get discouraged and then don’t feel like doing things for Jesus much… Of course, i always try to make myself do them anyway… but still…

God bless.

 

[distracted]

IBe sure that you are hated on account of Him, by being Christlike in all things, and not by being mean, weird, holier art than thou, judgemental, etc.

I know many people who consider themselves “hated on account of Christ,” but they are mean and condescending to their neighbors and family members. .

I agree, but could you please define:

“mean and condescending”

and give some examples?

Also, i know that sometimes people can sound mean (or whatever) & yet not mean things the way they sound. sometimes we humans just don’t express ourselves very well.

What we may have here is a “failure to communicate.”

 

[graceandglory]

I agree, but could you please define:

“mean and condescending”

and give some examples?

Mean: Abusive, angry speech, not kind, not loving, not peaceful in word and in deed. Not filled with the Holy Spirit. Picking fights. Putting someone down because they aren’t on the same spiritual plane you are on. Not speaking the truth in love.

Condescending: Considering yourself better than others. Not being humble. Not listening. Telling ignorant people how they are sinning, when they didn’t ask. Putting people down.

We all know Christians who act like that. Who wants to be around them? They are mean, snotty, stuck up, etc. They are not hated because of Christ, but because of their self righteousness.

We are told that judgment begins in the House of God. We are supposed to be our brother’s keeper. But we are supposed to be a light to the rest of the world.

 

[fin]

So how long have you been a strong Catholic? Do you ever wonder if maybe you are what they call you? I do… Of course, the Spirit of Christ keeps me on the right track & i usually begin to see that it is not I who has the problem…

But, you know how it goes… it is lonely “at the top”…

“Jesus walked this lonesome vallley. He had to walk it by himself… Nobody else could walk it for him… He had to walk it by himself.”

Hi, Distracted. I’ve been a strong Catholic for many about 2 to 3 years now. Being lonely at the top…this IS the situation for me right now, how true!

In fact, I’ve been praying that I can meet good, faithful Catholic friends who can help me grow in holiness and faith, not “encourage” me to sin, or laugh at me just because I try to do the right thing in the eyes of God.

As for wondering if maybe I am what they call me, I’d have to say I’m not perfect, and I sin. But that doesn’t exactly give them the “right” to tell me that I’m holier-than-thou, because I never claimed to be holy,or to be perfect.

Perhaps they just feel weird, because I wasn’t exactly religious before.

 

[LSK]

Outright hated?

Well, my mother was thrilled when I came back to the Church. My brother was confused. Then he was intolerant. Now he is inching his way closer and closer to Home.

I have been called names by people of other denominations because I refused to give in to the old “well, if it’s good for you then I am sure it is ok” approach to interpreting Holy Scripture. Most of the ones who have gotten angry with me were angry because they had been told that Catholics do not know the Bible and we don’t know why we do what we do so…they get really confused and upset when they talk to me.

I do think I have had to learn how to share my Faith. It is important to remember to love as I share - not to just be a ‘right fighter’ or to ‘prove’ a point. I found that as I grow closer to Christ, my ability to do just that improves.

I do have friends. Not just people in my life who are friendly, but real friends. I have people in my life today who will call me when they hear I have a cold just to see how I am. I mentioned to a group of friends that I had lost my St. Therese cross, the one with a rose in the middle, and how I was so sad about it…three days later, a new one showed up in the mail. One of those friends had found one, purchased it, had it blessed and mailed it to me.

I am so very grateful for the gift of fellowship that Christ has given to me. I am a part of the community today and I would never want that to end, unless (of course) it would be His Will that it should end.

 

[quiet52]

Very interesting… I could say the same thing.

Do you ever wonder why these people even bother going to the Catholic Mass every Sunday if they refuse to accept the teachings of the Church?

This one friend of mine acted like i was narrow-minded because i make abortion the “single-issue” in my voting… Yet my position is (for one thing) that, if a person can advocate and promote the killing of unborn, helpless, defenseless children, HOW THE HECK CAN WE TRUST him to do the right thing in anything else??

Also, how much integrity does a person have if he/she can’t realize that the right to live is more important than the right to have freedom (so -called)? Without the right to life, a person can enjoy no other rights…

…Hey - you can Personal Message me anytime (and anyone else @ this site), if you need moral support. I need support sometimes because when i start feeling too alone, too misunderstood, etc… I get discouraged and then don’t feel like doing things for Jesus much… Of course, i always try to make myself do them anyway… but still…

God bless.

I know many “cafeteria” Catholics who continue to attend Mass (and receive the Eucharist with a sense of entitlement, not understanding that receiving Jesus as Catholics is a sign of our unity of faith, not disunity) … I think that even in spite of their rebellion and/or apathy, they are still responding to the pull by our Lord, who is Truth Incarnate, in the sacraments. We have to keep praying for them (and ourselves) that they grow in understanding and appreciation – re: the Blessed Sacrament, who is Jesus, and re: the sacrament of Reconciliation, and re: all the truths of our Lord’s Church.

I’ve been called names, scoffed at, and ignored by Catholics because I’m pro-life (and because I actually believe in all the Church’s teachings). Years ago I’d try to argue, and I’d get frustrated, my blood pressure would rise, and I’d loathe myself afterwards because of the uncharitable tone of my voice – I’ve learned it’s fruitless. Even Jesus shook the dust off his sandals as he left his hometown, not being accepted. He didn’t stop loving his townsfolk though – I have to keep remembering this. Can’t take people’s ignorance and hatred personally – it’s Truth they can’t stand and they don’t realize they’re playing Satan’s game. I don’t exist in order to be liked or accepted. It’s hard not to feel sad or even lonely at times – which is why people like “distracted” make me thank and praise God. Thank you for giving your moral support to those trying to (very imperfectly) walk the journey in light. PM me any time.

 

[distracted]

Mean: Abusive, angry speech, not kind, not loving, not peaceful in word and in deed. Not filled with the Holy Spirit. Picking fights.

I don’t want to appear to be all those things, but i am wondering if the “Christians” you know who ARE those things really are or if… well… I don’t know, these are strong words…
Now that i think about it, some Christinas can be rather subtle in their way of being, as u say, “not loving… picking fights”…
No one has ever called me any of those names (to my face), but i sometimes wonder if they think it anyway… I don’t feel i am any of those things, but sometimes people take things the wrong way… I am devoted to Christ & his Church and just because i am against some Protestant “below the belt” tactics (virtually everyone here should know waht i mean), some may think i am fanatical… and/or some of those words you use. However, i do not see myself this way at all and if they do, they should have the guts to say so to my face… and we can talk it out. What really gripes me is when people think/feel things & don’t let you know… (cowardace).

 

[distracted]

Hi, Distracted. I’ve been a strong Catholic for many about 2 to 3 years now.

What were you before?

Being lonely at the top…this IS the situation for me right now, how true!

Do you have any interesting stories?? Stories are always interesting to me… and encourage me. I don’t want to feel TOO ALone…

In fact, I’ve been praying that I can meet good, faithful Catholic friends who can help me grow in holiness and faith,

Maybe we can’t get to know each other too well here on the forum but, for what its worth, i am your friend…

tell me that I’m holier-than-thou, because I never claimed to be holy,or to be perfect.

Yeah, isn’t that weird, someone accusing you of being “too holy”… knowing that you are a sinner like everyone else. It seems that being sinful is “in” & being sin-less is not popular… which makes us (sometimes unconsciously) check our “holiness” @ the door, as it were… NOT a good idea, but we are all human… Jesus revealed to me that this was going on in my subconscius… Which reminds me, do you spend time with him @ the Blessed Sacrament? that is the greatest experience in the world…

Perhaps they just feel weird, because I wasn’t exactly religious before.

Don’t let it bother you. I always tell myself that my only “job” in this world is to get to the next one… Not always easy, but have to do it…

God bless & thank you for sharing…

 

[distracted]

.

thank you so much for your testimony. Please pray for me because I am very outspoken & have to admit, it sometimes gets me into “trouble”… though i do not feel i am TOO outspoken… I feel i am doing what i am called by Christ to do… I try to always let the Holy Spirit speak through me, rather than my own human thoughts, etc…

As Chesterton said, whatever is worth doing, is worth doing badly…

 

[distracted]

I have “friends” but it would be nice to have someone who sees things more or less the way i do…

They do… but, well, i guess it just isn’t a perfect world…

I also need to do more to seek out devout Catholics…

One problem i think i have is that i have also been through what the Protesters call the born-again thing…

So, do you know people who are born-again Catholic?? Where do i find them?