Should Catholics be silent about their beliefs in public when confronted?

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It seems like some people support the idea of being silent or hiding facts and factual quotes about what our Popes (past and present) have said regarding current events and such. It seems like hiding these statements on purpose (I assume to remain politically correct?) even when it is factual truth can cause scandal. Some people might think or accuse us of trying to hide or conceal something, painting Catholics as a some kind of oppressive secret society. This troubles me 😦
 
Nah, Catholics have just as much right to say what they want as atheists, or homosexuals or whatever. And I enjoy debating. So, y’know, go ahead and say what you want to say, or do what you want to do. 👍
 
Regular_Atheist said:
Nah, Catholics have just as much right to say what they want as atheists, or homosexuals or whatever. And I enjoy debating. So, y’know, go ahead and say what you want to say, or do what you want to do. 👍
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It seems other Catholics by trying to be accepted in their thoughts and words from others who hold opposing views, do not realize that they can cause scandal either to other Catholics, to the person theyre discussing with, or both. It seems they get confused between what compassion is and what is not. Truth, tough love, and honesty is – which is true compassion, often gets cited as uncompassionate, since it does not affirm a person’s “feelings” in a bubble gum pop sort of way, because it goes against what that person wans to hear, rather than what is factual.

I am a firm believer in facts. Good or bad. I do not believe in hiding those facts. Hiding facts causes scandal and destroys credibiltiy to be taken seriously.
 
Regular_Atheist said:
Nah, Catholics have just as much right to say what they want as atheists, or homosexuals or whatever. And I enjoy debating. So, y’know, go ahead and say what you want to say, or do what you want to do. 👍
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Exactly. Live and let live. or Debate.

Westerby
 
No Catholic should ever hide faith. Our faith should be the most important thing in our lives, but some modern, so-called “progressives” seem to be more concerned with appeasing unbelievers, evangelicals, homosexual and pro-abortion militants, etc. Jesus Christ has a message for these folks: Rev. 3:16.
 
It irks me slightly when Catholics act as if their beliefs based on faith are concrete fact. I mean, faith by definition is belief without evidence, so it doesn’t make much sense. Not that I believe they shouldn’t be allowed to claim that it’s fact.
 
I think its always important to assess the situation, and assess the person you are speaking with. That is not to say that we shouldn’t speak the truth, but I think it is very important to speak the truth in the best way possible given any situation. This flame inside of us burns SO brightly, and it is so very important that we use it to ignite the flame in others. Not to burn them to the ground. I try to keep that in mind with how I speak, with how I present the Truth, and with how I word my arguments in a debate.
 
Regular_Atheist said:
It irks me slightly when Catholics act as if their beliefs based on faith are concrete fact. I mean, faith by definition is belief without evidence, so it doesn’t make much sense. Not that I believe they shouldn’t be allowed to claim that it’s fact.
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In reference to the factual truth ive mentioned above, I meant factual truth as in quotes by the Popes, for instance. They have said and declared things, yet people try to hide those quotes. The fact that they were said, is a fact.

Although even wih my faith, I believe it is all factual as well. I have faith that it is a fact 😛
 
Ophelia23 said:
I think its always important to assess the situation, and assess the person you are speaking with. That is not to say that we shouldn’t speak the truth, but I think it is very important to speak the truth in the best way possible given any situation. This flame inside of us burns SO brightly, and it is so very important that we use it to ignite the flame in others. Not to burn them to the ground. I try to keep that in mind with how I speak, with how I present the Truth, and with how I word my arguments in a debate.
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I am aware of this too and I agree whole heartedly. Although some things are just facts and theres no way to beat around that bush. Some people arent offended or hurt by the way you word it, they are offended that it isnt what they wanted to hear. Thats is out of one’s control. Keep in mind the person also asked your opinion too.
 
Jerry_Westerby said:
I’m always happy to, I love debate. Any time, any place… My friends know not to make Catholic jokes around me.

Good for you, a person after my own heart, people dont try this with Jewish/Moslem people so why try it with Catholics, I am the same any hint of disrespect my tongue slides into action. :mad::tsktsk:

Westerby
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We shouldn’t be silent, but we need to be aware of the various possible scenarios now so we can prepare a proper answer with the proper attitude. Here’s some ideas that I hope people find helpful.
  1. Someone you don’t know at all who you’re sitting next to at a ball game or similar.
A) Blurts out: “So, what do you think of gay marriage?” Here, you must discern, as best you can, the person’s mood/attitude. Your reply should be truthful but not confrontational or emotional. If the person is for it, step two. “You don’t think two people who love each other don’t have the same right to get married as straight people?” You must discern, again, if this person is looking for a fight or is getting angry. If not, you have an opening. You might add additional Church teaching to your reply. If he’s getting angry, you’ll have to find a different way of continuing the conversation or not.

B) You’re at a table at a wedding reception as a guest and there are other people at the table you don’t know. One of them says, “What is it with the Church being against artificial birth control? I mean, that’s just wrong. If I was married, I could afford, maybe, two kids tops.”

C) You’re at a friend’s house and you find out that he’s invited somebody over that you don’t know. After the introductions, you start to have a conversation with him. He tells you he’s getting married and you say congratulations. Then he says, “Thanks.” – pause – “But ya know, if things don’t work out, we’ll just get divorced.” He says this with a little smile on his face.

That one actually happened to me in the '80’s. Sadly, I was so surprised - since I had never heard anyone say this before - I didn’t say anything. I should have. Something like: “Aw, c’mon. You’re not getting married to get divorced, right?” But by then, people were beginning to lose a sense of what a real relationship meant, what real trust meant or the kind of commitment that is built on: “Whatever happens, let’s promise each other we’ll work it out.”

No. I’m not saying every marriage does not have those times when somebody flies off the handle, or your spouse has annoying habits or geeky interests like: “Why does he have to get together with his geek buddies every weekend to play that role-playing game, and talk Star Wars and Doctor Who and all that other weird stuff? Why can’t he watch sports like other guys?”

Or, “Yeah, she goes shopping every chance she gets. And you know what? Sometimes she doesn’t even buy anything.” My actual reply was: “Hey. Maybe she just wants to get out of the house sometime. I remember adults when I was growing up and they went window shopping.” (That last one falls under the “watch what you say” category. You don’t want to say anything like, “All women are like that.” or similar.)

So, be prepared.

Peace,
Ed
 
Those are interesting scenarios, Ed.
And I think there is a difference between knocking on someone’s door, which Catholics generally don’t do, and more quietly but still demonstrably witnessing the faith. For example, I never leave home without wearing the cross- either a necklace, an NOTW shirt with a more subtle cross design, a cross belt buckle, something. I substitute teach for several school districts and not once have I been told I can’t wear a religious emblem. When I’m teaching religious ed or working at my youth ministry coordinator job, I wear more crosses. I see it as a twofold benefit- it reminds people of the cross when they see me, and it reminds me to take an extra breath before getting angry because somebody cuts in front of me in line, etc. So, I’m not being hyper-aggressive about my faith, but I’m showing it, every day, in my attire and hopefully in my actions. That’s not to say I don’t sin- we are all sinners and I sin plenty, so I attend confession weekly. Perhaps that, too, is showing my faith?
 
CrimsonThorn said:
Or should/could they defend their position?

Discuss.
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I have never been confronted about my beliefs in public except once, by high school friends about 20 years later. I asserted my bliefs. We were in a bar having a couple of beers. They were both athiest. One at least was raised Catholic. The extent of the discussion was the one raised Catholic summarizing like "so you believe there is a supreme being… etc… " and I said yes. The most of a response I got was something like "really?" and I said yes, really. That was pretty much the end of it.

When I think about this subject I think about work. Many Jewish people work for the company I work for. I haven’t heard ‘discussions’ about religion other than one Jewish person saying it was hard for them when they lived in Texas and having thier religious belief. I asked “Are there not a lot of Jewish people in Texas” and she said something like “hell no”.

I would prefer not to discuss religion in the workplace but I do like that some of my clients are of the same religion as I am, or believe in God and now since my rediscovering my faith about 4-5 months ago I now feel comfortable discussing religion with them in the context of helping them (I’m a couselor). Discussing religion, even if clients are of the same religion is frowned upon by my company. I’m glad that I now feel comfortable discussing faith with the clients of mine who also believe in God and have found it to be a powerful tool that I have added to my toolbox I use to help people. And it makes me feel good.

I’ve never been ‘confronted’ yet but have no problem stating what my beliefs are, nor do I have a problem listening to people criticize them. I can emotionally separate myself from such circumstances so I wouldn’t get upset (called rational detachment) and feel as though I could continue to assert my beliefs despite what others may have to say about them. I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions. If the conversation turned into a ‘scene’ because the other person started to yell or whatever (I can contain myself despite the topic be potentially very emotionally ‘charged’ for some people) I would likely end the conversation, just as I would any other converstation that turned into a scene. I wouldn’t end it because of the particular topic.

However I am not involved, at present, in any type of groups that go into public to assert Catholic positions. I’d immagine the potential for confilict would be high in such circumstances.

But in everyday situations I actually am kind of looking forward to opportunities where the subject of religion is raised so I can tell people about my recent rediscovering of my faith, the steps I have been taking, and the positive impact this has had on my life.

God Bless,
Bill
 
:(I’m ashamed to say I got into a yelling match on phone yesterday about the Church. I have a virus and not feeling well . A Jewish friend and her non practising RC husband were carrying on about Priests not being able to get married, birth control , a bad Pope from hundreds of years ago , Papal infallibility, and sex scandals.
Whats with that? I don’t want to hear that baloney , if you love God and are mad at Church go to another . Our Church is the Rock. I think I am getting old and grumpy so any debate gets me heated up. LOL I gave good replies , sick and all but really I am starting to think I will just nip in the bud in the future. It bothered me because the husband went to confession (after 40 years) and received Communion at our Vigil. Why do that? I feel its so wrong if the things you argued with me about are in your mind. Am I being too sensitive or judgemental?🤷
 
HB11 said:
:(I’m ashamed to say I got into a yelling match on phone yesterday about the Church. I have a virus and not feeling well . A Jewish friend and her non practising RC husband were carrying on about Priests not being able to get married, birth control , a bad Pope from hundreds of years ago , Papal infallibility, and sex scandals.
Whats with that? I don’t want to hear that baloney , if you love God and are mad at Church go to another . Our Church is the Rock. I think I am getting old and grumpy so any debate gets me heated up. LOL I gave good replies , sick and all but really I am starting to think I will just nip in the bud in the future. It bothered me because the husband went to confession (after 40 years) and received Communion at our Vigil. Why do that? I feel its so wrong if the things you argued with me about are in your mind. Am I being too sensitive or judgemental?🤷
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Unfortunately there are even “practicing” Catholics who spout the kind of heterodox thinking you describe as well. Obviously, they aren’t “practicing” nearly enough.
 
CrimsonThorn said:
Or should/could they defend their position?

Discuss.
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It depends on what we are talking about. If someone is baiting me, or is bringing this up in a meeting with a different purpose, I don’t participate in a patently unfruitful discussion. I would divert them as gracefully as possible until such a time as they do wish to truly talk.

If someone wants a factual answer, like did Pope X say such and such?, then I will answer that if I know the answer. I may also point them in the direction of additional information or other papal documents of interest.

I will respond with what Catholics do and don’t believe. (No, I/we don’t believe Mary is part of the Trinity, or Yes, I/we do believe that people will be resurrected at the end.)

I am not a debater. I am only interested in pursuing the truth and also communion with people, which is not particularly easy to do in the presence of rhetoric and argument. I love exploring why and how, though, and thinking things through with people.
 
Of course we should defend our faith.

That does not mean it’s always a good time or place for it though. Recently I was on the phone with a friend who had just lost his dad. He was angry and upset at God, the Church, and other things. That was not the right time for me to get into an argument over theology. He didn’t need a debate, he needed someone to talk to, not get talked to by.

Use prudence, but don’t shy away from a good debate if it’s the right situation for it. You may not convince the other person, but you may increase your own faith just by presenting it logically,rationally, and most of all, respectfully. 😉
 
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