Spent Easter with non-religious family today

[Katherine438]

I guess I’m lucky compared to some of you … I and my husband are both practicing Catholics … however his family are agnostics and atheists … we couldn’t be with them yesterday, but both my mother-in-law and sister-in-law called to wish us a Happy Easter.

 

[Jesus_Is_God_1]

If it is Easter, I would choose not to spend it with my family if they were going to use it as an opportunity to take pot shots at Catholicism. OP, I am wondering why your non-religious family all got together to eat ham and hang out if the day means so little to them. I would not want to spend my day with people that are disrespectful of my beliefs, whether they are family or not. I would rather be alone than put up with that.

Well, they have taken up the more secular side of Easter. Same with Christmas. Same with All Hallows Eve. Same with St. Patrick’s Day. They don’t care about the true meaning of these holidays. They just like some of the celebrations involved.

 

[Irishmom2]

Well, they have taken up the more secular side of Easter. Same with Christmas. Same with All Hallows Eve. Same with St. Patrick’s Day. They don’t care about the true meaning of these holidays. They just like some of the celebrations involved.

But you don’t have to accept the disrespect. You can’t change them, but they should be told not to be disrespectful. If they can’t do that, I would get up and leave.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

The hatred of religion and people of religion is being conditioned by the forces of the Anti-Christ.

It’s only going to get worse, I have no doubt about.

In my own life, my wife and myself are constantly being judged by family and friends and they’ll express their judgement to us, or shun us altogether.

It really comes down to, you must reject what they reject, or you’ll be their foe. if only in their private thoughts. As persecution begins, they’ll have no choice but join with those persecuting forces.

We need to pray unceasingly and ask for the faith and fortitude to get through it.

It’s coming faster than I had expected years ago.

Staying Christ Centered is the only way to survive the spiritual attacks which are going to come.

Jim

 

[Padres1969]

I guess I’m lucky compared to some of you … I and my husband are both practicing Catholics … however his family are agnostics and atheists … we couldn’t be with them yesterday, but both my mother-in-law and sister-in-law called to wish us a Happy Easter.

Oh all the ones who wished me a Happy Zombie Jesus day also wished me a Happy Easter. I mean for them, as Jesus Is God stated, it’s a secular holiday. Easter to them is no more religious anymore than Christmas or Halloween. It’s simply a spring holiday where you paint eggs, give your kids candy, and visit that creepy furry Easter Bunny at the mall. I don’t take their statements to be intentionally hurtful, but rather as a symptom of that secularization.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

Thank you. It can be difficult sometimes. They do know I converted. I honestly tried to keep it secret from them at first but my mother ended up telling them. From here to there they may “tease” me about it but for the most part it is fine. Admittedly today they, and specifically my eldest sister, did go overboard with it. And I was hurt. But I just kept mostly quiet about it as I always do whenever they say offensive things. It’s not like I can really force them to stop anyway. Speaking up would probably make the situation worse and awkward. I guess I just try to deal with it, after all, they are my siblings, they are my family.

I do hope that you remain strong in the faith.   Not to sound creepy and all "woo-woo", but I do believe its a force (non-believers) that Satan uses (and effective it is!) on new converts and people who are very happy to have found The Lord.  Its a form of scaring them away from faith, or making the believers feel stupid for their faith.   Its very easy for Satan (and his minions) to use the non-religious as tools to destroy faith.  The non-religious don't even KNOW that they are being used... its so sad.   (This included children sometimes as well, though I've found never very young children, just the ones out there in the world already.)

The more you are steeped in your faith and abiding by it faithfully, the more it will be used against you. Its actually kind of frightening because you may find yourself in situations in which you never told anyone of your faith nor be wearing anything on your person that would show your faith and you will get someone lashing out like this. (sometiems it will be specific to an eerie degree) Its happened to me more than I feel comfortable to admit to myself just because it goes to show there really is something to all this ‘faith stuff’- its not all hooey that people in darkness believe it is. There are real forces we can’t see or understand if we are not walking commited in The Lord. (The Lord lights our path). If you remain in Christ, after a while it will subside- sometimes it will get worse when you are already fighting something-temptation, or just a hard knock in life… so just be aware that these waves of ugliness happen… Let them pass, (as you did here) and hold tight to Jesus- reach for Jesus… ALWAYS!. Think of it as par for the ‘exercise’ course- you’ll get stronger each time you get ‘hit’ and do God’s Will.

I didn’t say all that to scare you, but to help prepare you for it and to help you keep your faith. Don’t ever leave because of others! (Fear God instead!) Its difficult at times… and also it can be scary. God will prove Himself to you through all these jabs. Sometimes He allows it for others to find Him! And that is what makes it actually worthwhile, and not to sound sick or weird, but exciting as well! (To see someone be effected by God’s grace is awesome) Its not fun at the time, but hard work never is… at the time. Having faith is hard work, often at our own expense (dying to self). But there is real rejoicing and real joy later! :bowdown2::extrahappy::dancing::clapping::yup: Rejoice in The Lord, always!
May God continue to bless you and those around you!

 

[Jesus_Is_God_1]

I do hope that you remain strong in the faith. Not to sound creepy and all “woo-woo”, but I do believe its a force (non-believers) that Satan uses (and effective it is!) on new converts and people who are very happy to have found The Lord. Its a form of scaring them away from faith, or making the believers feel stupid for their faith. Its very easy for Satan (and his minions) to use the non-religious as tools to destroy faith. The non-religious don’t even KNOW that they are being used… its so sad. (This included children sometimes as well, though I’ve found never very young children, just the ones out there in the world already.)

The more you are steeped in your faith and abiding by it faithfully, the more it will be used against you. Its actually kind of frightening because you may find yourself in situations in which you never told anyone of your faith nor be wearing anything on your person that would show your faith and you will get someone lashing out like this. (sometiems it will be specific to an eerie degree) Its happened to me more than I feel comfortable to admit to myself just because it goes to show there really is something to all this ‘faith stuff’- its not all hooey that people in darkness believe it is. There are real forces we can’t see or understand if we are not walking commited in The Lord. (The Lord lights our path). If you remain in Christ, after a while it will subside- sometimes it will get worse when you are already fighting something-temptation, or just a hard knock in life… so just be aware that these waves of ugliness happen… Let them pass, (as you did here) and hold tight to Jesus- reach for Jesus… ALWAYS!. Think of it as par for the ‘exercise’ course- you’ll get stronger each time you get ‘hit’ and do God’s Will.

I didn’t say all that to scare you, but to help prepare you for it and to help you keep your faith. Don’t ever leave because of others! (Fear God instead!) Its difficult at times… and also it can be scary. God will prove Himself to you through all these jabs. Sometimes He allows it for others to find Him! And that is what makes it actually worthwhile, and not to sound sick or weird, but exciting as well! (To see someone be effected by God’s grace is awesome) Its not fun at the time, but hard work never is… at the time. Having faith is hard work, often at our own expense (dying to self). But there is real rejoicing and real joy later! :bowdown2::extrahappy::dancing::clapping::yup: Rejoice in The Lord, always!

 May God continue to bless you and those around you!

Thank you so much for your kind words. I will stay strong in the Lord and fight the good fight.

 

[Crown_of_Stars]

If it is Easter, I would choose not to spend it with my family if they were going to use it as an opportunity to take pot shots at Catholicism. OP, I am wondering why your non-religious family all got together to eat ham and hang out if the day means so little to them. I would not want to spend my day with people that are disrespectful of my beliefs, whether they are family or not. I would rather be alone than put up with that.

My thought exactly.

 

[exnihilo]

Oh all the ones who wished me a Happy Zombie Jesus day also wished me a Happy Easter. I mean for them, as Jesus Is God stated, it’s a secular holiday. Easter to them is no more religious anymore than Christmas or Halloween. It’s simply a spring holiday where you paint eggs, give your kids candy, and visit that creepy furry Easter Bunny at the mall. I don’t take their statements to be intentionally hurtful, but rather as a symptom of that secularization.

It isn’t a question of what they believe but what their friend or family member believes. Would they mock a Jewish holy day to a devout Jew? Would they mock an Islamic holy day to a devout Muslim? If they wouldn’t then not only are they incredibly rude but specifically anti-Christian.

 

[meltzerboy]

It isn’t a question of what they believe but what their friend or family member believes. Would they mock a Jewish holy day to a devout Jew? Would they mock an Islamic holy day to a devout Muslim? If they wouldn’t then not only are they incredibly rude but specifically anti-Christian.

Yes, I agree. True, family is family, but I wouldn’t necessarily want to spend holiday time with them given that kind of anti-religious, anti-Christian behavior.

 

[Padres1969]

It isn’t a question of what they believe but what their friend or family member believes. Would they mock a Jewish holy day to a devout Jew? Would they mock an Islamic holy day to a devout Muslim? If they wouldn’t then not only are they incredibly rude but specifically anti-Christian.

I think it depends if the Jewish or Muslim holiday became a largely secular holiday within our society. I mean Hanukkah has gotten to the point where it is mocked a bit (Adam Sandler made his career in small part on a song mocking Hanukkah).

But being that our society at one time was primarily focused on Christianity and thus our major secular holidays like Halloween, Christmas and Easter all came out of Christianity, and Christians are not a historically oppressed minority in the west like Jews and Muslims, it’s not surprising Christian holidays end up the butt of these types of jokes. Should major Muslim and Jewish holidays ever get to the point they have an entire secular component that’s largely independent of their religious component I could definitely see them end up in the same position with many people. Particularly the a-religious.

 

[exnihilo]

I think it depends if the Jewish or Muslim holiday became a largely secular holiday within our society. I mean Hanukkah has gotten to the point where it is mocked a bit (Adam Sandler made his career in small part on a song mocking Hanukkah).

But being that our society at one time was primarily focused on Christianity and thus our major secular holidays like Halloween, Christmas and Easter all came out of Christianity, and Christians are not a historically oppressed minority in the west like Jews and Muslims, it’s not surprising Christian holidays end up the butt of these types of jokes. Should major Muslim and Jewish holidays ever get to the point they have an entire secular component that’s largely independent of their religious component I could definitely see them end up in the same position with many people. Particularly the a-religious.

What you are describing is not a joke but a mockery. It is an insult to the fundamental nature of the Christian Faith. I am not even sure what a comparable insult would be to other faiths but maybe something like mocking Jews about being the chosen people of God or for Muslims mocking Mohammed. It should be obvious how either would be deeply offensive and insulting.

In my extended family we have various Protestants, agnostics/atheists, a non practicing Jewish man, and my family as the lone Catholics. I would hope to never mock or belittle the faith, lack of faith, or religious traditions of anyone else.

I don’t really see what difference it makes that you are in a post-Christian culture. I wouldn’t say that our secular holidays come from Christianity. I’d say that religious holidays are still celebrated by non religious people. Many families who have Christian roots still celebrate Christmas and Easter. It seems to me the non religious family members should respect the religious. And if they really are so anti religion then they should have more fortitude and refuse to even celebrate the day. Better that then to be boorish.

I would think the same issue concerning holidays could occur in other religions. I’m sure there are Jewish and Muslim families who have non religious members. They might still celebrate the holidays together. But I would think the religious members would be deeply offended if one of the non religious members mocked their faith.

 

[Padres1969]

What you are describing is not a joke but a mockery. It is an insult to the fundamental nature of the Christian Faith. I am not even sure what a comparable insult would be to other faiths but maybe something like mocking Jews about being the chosen people of God or for Muslims mocking Mohammed. It should be obvious how either would be deeply offensive and insulting.

In my extended family we have various Protestants, agnostics/atheists, a non practicing Jewish man, and my family as the lone Catholics. I would hope to never mock or belittle the faith, lack of faith, or religious traditions of anyone else.

I don’t really see what difference it makes that you are in a post-Christian culture. I wouldn’t say that our secular holidays come from Christianity. I’d say that religious holidays are still celebrated by non religious people. Many families who have Christian roots still celebrate Christmas and Easter. It seems to me the non religious family members should respect the religious. And if they really are so anti religion then they should have more fortitude and refuse to even celebrate the day. Better that then to be boorish.

I would think the same issue concerning holidays could occur in other religions. I’m sure there are Jewish and Muslim families who have non religious members. They might still celebrate the holidays together. But I would think the religious members would be deeply offended if one of the non religious members mocked their faith.

Well there in lies the difference of opinion. For them Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter are no more religious then the Fourth of July and Labor Day anymore. They’re not celebrating religious holidays, they’re celebrating the secular holidays that have been made out of what were only religious holidays once. My cousin is a prime example. He despises religion as a form of brain washing, but he still celebrates Christmas as a holiday purely from a secular POV as most of the major celebrations related the holiday now have no religious significance anymore.

That said, the same cousin is also an equal opportunity religion hater. He mocks Muslims and Jews for celebrating holidays like Ramadan and Hanukkah as well. So he may not be the best example. I mean when we say grace before big family meals he makes a point to start eating while the rest of us are praying.

And while I do agree that it’s rude to mock anyone’s religion, I just don’t see joking comments like Zombie Jesus being necessarily anti-Christian. More anti-religion in general. If American celebrated big Muslim holidays as not just Muslim but secular cultural holidays with Ramadan Rabbit in malls and Eid the sacrificial goat who brings candy to children in little sacks every year on Eid al-Adha I imagine it would be different.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

… So he may not be the best example. I mean when we say grace before big family meals he makes a point to start eating while the rest of us are praying. …

  Wow, that is rude.

…And while I do agree that it’s rude to mock anyone’s religion, I just don’t see joking comments like Zombie Jesus being necessarily anti-Christian. More anti-religion in general…

Yes, I agree. Its more of a total disregard of faith or a spite of anyone having any faith in general. It seems to be the ‘thing’ in secular life these days. Television shows are full of it.

 

[meltzerboy]

Well there in lies the difference of opinion. For them Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter are no more religious then the Fourth of July and Labor Day anymore. They’re not celebrating religious holidays, they’re celebrating the secular holidays that have been made out of what were only religious holidays once. My cousin is a prime example. He despises religion as a form of brain washing, but he still celebrates Christmas as a holiday purely from a secular POV as most of the major celebrations related the holiday now have no religious significance anymore.

That said, the same cousin is also an equal opportunity religion hater. He mocks Muslims and Jews for celebrating holidays like Ramadan and Hanukkah as well. So he may not be the best example. I mean when we say grace before big family meals he makes a point to start eating while the rest of us are praying.

And while I do agree that it’s rude to mock anyone’s religion, I just don’t see joking comments like Zombie Jesus being necessarily anti-Christian. More anti-religion in general. If American celebrated big Muslim holidays as not just Muslim but secular cultural holidays with Ramadan Rabbit in malls and Eid the sacrificial goat who brings candy to children in little sacks every year on Eid al-Adha I imagine it would be different.

Those who mock religion should nonetheless have a little more respect for those who celebrate these holidays not as secular holidays but religious ones. In other words, it does not matter so much what these holidays are for “them” or even for a large segment of the population, whereas it does matter what these holidays mean for other family members. I just do not view using the term “Zombie Jesus” as some innocent secular joke or even “anti-religion in general”; rather, I see it as being very rude and insensitive to Christians who celebrate the holidays of Easter and Christmas as holy days. OTOH, such rudeness is quite common in the present culture, not only toward strangers on the Internet but, apparently, also toward one’s own family.

 

[Mystic_Banana]

As atheist ideologies continue to gain a stranglehold on mainstream culture, the routine demonisation of religion will only increase.

The reason I stopped being a “liberal catholic” and just became a “catholic” is inspired in no small way by the hypocrisy of atheistic ideologies, in switching from “can’t we all just get along?” to, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” to being, really, “yes, everyone must be tolerant, but we are right, and you who don’t believe will just have to accept that, and put up with everything WE will throw at YOU”

I’m married to an atheist. At one point, I was worried that religion would be a barrier to harmony, and shrugged it off as being “if religion is about love, it should not prevent love”. What a fool, fooled by a dishonest age! I was fearing the intolerance of the wrong ideology…

 

[AnneElizabeth]

As atheist ideologies continue to gain a stranglehold on mainstream culture, the routine demonisation of religion will only increase.

The reason I stopped being a “liberal catholic” and just became a “catholic” is inspired in no small way by the hypocrisy of atheistic ideologies, in switching from “can’t we all just get along?” to, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” to being, really, “yes, everyone must be tolerant, but we are right, and you who don’t believe will just have to accept that, and put up with everything WE will throw at YOU”

I’m married to an atheist. At one point, I was worried that religion would be a barrier to harmony, and shrugged it off as being “if religion is about love, it should not prevent love”. What a fool, fooled by a dishonest age! I was fearing the intolerance of the wrong ideology…

What you say here is really profound. Its also very frightening. Not you, (you are not frightening) but what is said here- the notion and what it all means… and the potential pitfalls/evil of following it** or** following it in the wrong way. (I’ve found there have to be ways in which it is… and even history shows us some) but it is right to say these times are unprecedented in that there has been so much freedom granted to so many things that were once … at least ‘hidden’ or suppressed. Good or bad, its here and we must all learn how God wants us to continue with it.

 

[Mystic_Banana]

What you say here is really profound. Its also very frightening. Not you, (you are not frightening) but what is said here- the notion and what it all means… and the potential pitfalls/evil of following it** or** following it in the wrong way. (I’ve found there have to be ways in which it is… and even history shows us some) but it is right to say these times are unprecedented in that there has been so much freedom granted to so many things that were once … at least ‘hidden’ or suppressed. Good or bad, its here and we must all learn how God wants us to continue with it.

You’re right. I used to differentiate between scientism (i.e. Dawkins) and really what is still rather farcically portraying itself as liberal left wing atheism, which is increasingly revealing itself to be slightly less tolerant than anything outside of Islamic state. Political correction with your tea, missus? Oh I’m sorry, you misunderstand, it’s obligatory… doubleplusgood!

 

[Mystic_Banana]

You’re right. I used to differentiate between scientism (i.e. Dawkins) and really what is still rather farcically portraying itself as liberal left wing atheism, which is increasingly revealing itself to be slightly less tolerant than anything outside of Islamic state. Political correction with your tea, missus? Oh I’m sorry, you misunderstand, it’s obligatory… doubleplusgood!

Which means that in a sense I think you’re mistaken. Some freedoms have been granted, but many have been taken away, and continue to be taken away. I think the freedom giving ended some time ago - now the new rulers are creating the laws, and they suppress anything that disagrees with *their * ideologies. I don’t think I’ve lived in a country less free at any point in my life. We do not have freedom of expression anymore, and I miss it. Political correctness is the most oppressive political movement since the Nazi party. I repeat. POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IS THE MOST OPPRESSIVE POLITICAL MOVEMENT SINCE THE NAZI PARTY. Is Trump (NUTTER) politically incorrect? Good. KEEP HIM IN. Sarah Palin? Nutter. Anti-politically correct? Good. GET HER IN. Sometimes you just have to go for the nutters over the slick monsters. And Hilary would have been a monster

 

[Beautiful]

Anyone have similar experiences to share?

Equally troubling…the many lukewarm Catholics on Easter Sunday.

Its all the same.