Question for Christians!

[CMatt25]

It wouldn’t be possible to stop that even if one wanted to!

 

[GEddie]

I am assuming the OP is talking about the extremist Muslim element. But there are extremists of any faith. There are extremist Catholics and other Christians who sometimes seemingly want to force their beliefs onto all even though we live in a pluralistic democratic society now and not a theocracy. As far as prayer in schools, I don’t think any student is forbidden to say a private prayer in school. They can say a quiet prayer whenever they wish.

“As long as there are exams there will be prayer in school!”

—Bumper sticker

ICXC NIKA

 

[CMatt25]

“As long as there are exams there will be prayer in school!”

—Bumper sticker

ICXC NIKA

:yup:

 

[rinnie]

[SIGN][/SIGN]

What does “taken over by Muslims” mean in this scenario? Not just that a majority of American citizens are Muslims, but that our current form of government has also been somehow replaced?

In the unlikely event that something like this happened, I wouldn’t expect that gathering for Christian worship or reading the Bible would be forbidden.

Having attended a school that was not affiliated with any particular religion but where teachers and administrators frequently led students in prayer, I think this is a good thing. Believe me, when there is no official religious context, it just makes prayer appear ridiculous to students. I can think of few ways to better inoculate kids against religion.

You’re saying this on one of the largest Catholic forums in the world. This claim doesn’t really make sense.

Oh, Can you tell people in your work to pray? If you work in a Dr’s office and a person has cancer can you tell that person to pray? Maybe in some work places but all?

I was always told in a public workplace to keep my beliefs to myself. I was told not to reveal what I believe or don’t believe.

Are teachers aloud to speak of God in school today? Are they aloud to express their personal beliefs to students?

 

[rinnie]

I am assuming the OP is talking about the extremist Muslim element. But there are extremists of any faith. There are extremist Catholics and other Christians who sometimes seemingly want to force their beliefs onto all even though we live in a pluralistic democratic society now and not a theocracy. As far as prayer in schools, I don’t think any student is forbidden to say a private prayer in school. They can say a quiet prayer whenever they wish.

You are right Matt, but can they pray out loud? And you are correct we cannot push our beliefs on others, but why is it if a person does not believe in God they can express it more freely then a person who does? Why is it not forbidden to talk about the devil in school but God is off limits. We are not even aloud to call him God in some places. Its a higher being, or spiritual advisor, etc. Why can;t we call him God, or Jesus Christ, or Our Lord etc anymore. Sure in some places we can, but in all?

 

[rinnie]

Personally, I think that if the Muslims were to attempt it, the sleeping giant would awaken, all the talk of “tolerance” would stop, people would realize that their faith in God is the most important thing they have, and they would fight for it.

I don’t think the Muslims would win.

I do deep inside believe that also. But then when I see how this world is becomming at times I wonder? I wonder in another 100 years will it be like that. Look how many people go to Church now compared to 100 years ago.

 

[Innocent3]

Hi guys, got a question for you. What would you guys do? Catholic, Protestant, etc if we were taken over by muslims. Would you still try to get to Church? Would you hide your bible? You know what I mean? What do you think America would be like? What do you think we would be like?

Would you risk being killed to enter Church? Just wondering your thoughts on this, and do you think it could ever be possible here?

I mean just think as crazy as it seems, We let them take prayer out of school. We can’t really say the word God anymore. And we are a free country?

My guess would be that we would act as the Church has in the past when persecuted. Like the Irish we would wake in the middle of the night to find the Mass Rock. Or put candles in our windows so priests would know to come to our homes for Mass. Or have Rosary bracelettes so would could still say our prayers without being seen. Just a few examples.

 

[rinnie]

It wouldn’t be possible to stop that even if one wanted to!

Boy is that not the truth there That is the one thing that noone can take off of us is our Love for Christ and our private mind that we can have one on one time with him. I guess when all could fail our Love for God and his love for us will forever binds ours hearts together as one.

 

[rinnie]

By the way. Great Responses!

 

[CMatt25]

Look how many people go to Church now compared to 100 years ago.

I wonder if some don’t feel completely welcome unless they believe and march 100% in step? Or we all unfortunately know in the case of the RCC at least, the scandals uncovered in the past decade probably didn’t help any. I know people who even then put their heads into the sand and would stand by their Church and their priests and bishops instead of by those suffering from the sins committed upon them. They would give their priests and bishops the benefit of the doubt not believing the victim. Or related to this, for some it might be difficult to grasp how for instance a Cardinal Law can be a true Catholic or at least how there is silence on this in some quarters, yet some layperson isn’t Catholic because he or she doesn’t live up to everything called “pure” by the Church.

As far as your other questions to me, it almost sounds as if you might prefer living in a Christian theocracy as some Muslims live in an Islamic theocracy.

 

[rinnie]

I wonder if some don’t feel completely welcome unless they believe and march 100% in step? Or we all unfortunately know in the case of the RCC at least, the scandals uncovered in the past decade probably didn’t help any. I know people who even then put their heads into the sand and would stand by their Church and their priests and bishops instead of by those suffering from the sins committed upon them. They would give their priests and bishops the benefit of the doubt not believing the victim. Or related to this, for some it might be difficult to grasp how for instance a Cardinal Law can be a true Catholic or at least how there is silence on this in some quarters, yet some layperson isn’t Catholic because he or she doesn’t live up to everything called “pure” by the Church.

As far as your other questions to me, it almost sounds as if you might prefer living in a Christian theocracy as some Muslims live in an Islamic theocracy.

Sorry you have such a low opinion of me, but oh well to each his own. As far as the scandals discovered in the Church by Priests I do not see how that changes the word of God at all?

Jesus warned us that the Church would be through many scandals. Even in Timothy it states if we are all unfaithful God remains faithful? I go to the RCC because I feel that is where I can find God and his sacraments. I do the best I can, and try to defend my faith the best I can and if I disapoint people in the process all I can do is say I am sorry and try to do better the next time.

 

[aspirant]

Can you tell people in your work to pray? If you work in a Dr’s office and a person has cancer can you tell that person to pray?

Why would I? Whether other people pray cannot be my choice, it must be their own.

Are teachers aloud to speak of God in school today? Are they aloud to express their personal beliefs to students?

Based on my own experiences, I think it’s often better when they don’t.

If the school is affiliated with a particular religion, like a Catholic parochial school, and everyone knows that religion will be promoted and only that religion will be promoted, that’s fine. But if the school is not affiliated with a particular religion, and teachers can say whatever they want about God or gods and religion, without the knowledge or consent of parents, it causes serious problems. I know this from firsthand experience.

 

[crazzeto]

I would certainly be willing to go underground with whatever Church structure existed in the nation. I would certainly not abandon the true faith for Islam, whatever end that meant.

 

[rinnie]

[SIGN][/SIGN]

[SIGN]Why would I? [/SIGN]Whether other people pray cannot be my choice, it must be their own.

Based on my own experiences, I think it’s often better when they don’t.

If the school is affiliated with a particular religion, like a Catholic parochial school, and everyone knows that religion will be promoted and only that religion will be promoted, that’s fine. But if the school is not affiliated with a particular religion, and teachers can say whatever they want about God or gods and religion, without the knowledge or consent of parents, it causes serious problems. I know this from firsthand experience.

If your asking me, I guess I would respond to give them hope, and share your faith of God with them to give them comfort. I know in my personal experience that it is hope, and faith in God that keeps me going, and feel it would be a joy to be able to share it with others to help them with their pain.

And I understand that sharing your faith with others does cause alot of trouble today. But it does make me sad. I understand you could be fired as a teacher to do this. I guess that is what kind of made me think of this question. I wonder if we really are as free to practice our faith as we think.

Its kind of a fine line between doing the right thing and spreading the word of God as the scripture teaches us, and then being accused of pushing it on others. Its like we want to bring us all together someday to the one true Church. But yet we also are told keep it to yourself. It seems like it can be impossible at times. Its like proof, show proof, then when you do it does you no good anyway. But I guess what keeps me going sometimes is just knowing I am doing the best I can, and hopefully can help others.

 

[elvisman]

Sorry you have such a low opinion of me, but oh well to each his own. As far as the scandals discovered in the Church by Priests I do not see how that changes the word of God at all?

**It’s not you he has a low opinion of but the Catholic Church he seems to have many beefs with. **
Read his posts on other threads and you’ll see what I mean . . .

 

[rinnie]

It’s not you he has a low opinion of but the Catholic Church he seems to have many beefs with.
Read his posts on other threads and you’ll see what I mean . . .

Thanks buddy, I know, but its me also. He sent me a pm letting me know that its me also. But thats okay.

 

[CMatt25]

Sorry you have such a low opinion of me, but oh well to each his own. As far as the scandals discovered in the Church by Priests I do not see how that changes the word of God at all?

Jesus warned us that the Church would be through many scandals. Even in Timothy it states if we are all unfaithful God remains faithful? I go to the RCC because I feel that is where I can find God and his sacraments. I do the best I can, and try to defend my faith the best I can and if I disapoint people in the process all I can do is say I am sorry and try to do better the next time.

I don’t have a low opinion of you, Rinnie. I did not say the Word changed. The Word is God. Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. I am glad you go to a RCC. I am still a Catholic and thus far have chosen to worship in a RCC as well. God is everywhere. And I can pray anywhere. I trust He will remain with us if extremists take over. I pray for God’s blessings upon you and upon us all and that may our hearts and minds be more open, more tolerant with less judging and more love. I pray for peace upon all nations. I ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen.

 

[aspirant]

If your asking me, I guess I would respond to give them hope, and share your faith of God with them to give them comfort.

Telling people to pray doesn’t accomplish this. I can invite people to pray, but I cannot will it for them. Only they can choose whether to do so.

And I understand that sharing your faith with others does cause alot of trouble today. But it does make me sad. I understand you could be fired as a teacher to do this.

This doesn’t make me sad. I wouldn’t want some Fundamentalist attacking my child’s Catholic faith in the classroom, and especially not without my knowledge or consent. I wouldn’t want a Muslim, Mormon, or neopagan teacher trying to convert my child. Kids will get enough of this elsewhere. I definitely don’t want teachers doing this.

 

[rinnie]

I don’t have a low opinion of you, Rinnie. I did not say the Word changed. The Word is God. Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. I am glad you go to a RCC. I am still a Catholic and thus far have chosen to worship in a RCC as well. God is everywhere. And I can pray anywhere. I trust He will remain with us if extremists take over. I pray for God’s blessings upon you and upon us all and that may our hearts and minds be more open, more tolerant with less judging and more love. I pray for peace upon all nations. I ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen.

Thank-you Matt. Of all of the people on thread, I can’t figure you out. God bless you!

 

[rinnie]

[SIGN][/SIGN]

]
Telling people to pray doesn’t accomplish this[/SIGN]. I can invite people to pray, but I cannot will it for them. Only they can choose whether to do so.

This doesn’t make me sad. I wouldn’t want some Fundamentalist attacking my child’s Catholic faith in the classroom, and especially not without my knowledge or consent. I wouldn’t want a Muslim, Mormon, or neopagan teacher trying to convert my child. Kids will get enough of this elsewhere. I definitely don’t want teachers doing this.

Sometimes it does. I have alot of people come to me and ask me what to do, and I tell them to pray, and while I know I cannot take away their free will, which I would never ever want to do, I can pray for them, and let them know how wonderful God can be in their lives, hopefully by my own example of living.

I would hope no one would ever attack our faith, but as we both know it happens. I guess we can just rely on God to lead us, and use us for his will.