Spewing the Faith

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HisSparrow

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So, what do you do when your non-Catholic mom advises you to stop “spewing” your Faith on social media and in conversation because it’s upsetting the atheists in the family? 😬
 
If you’re a Minor living in her house, tone it down. If you’re an adult, well, the two of you will need to discuss this…
 
I would continue with the social media the way I wanted to, but tone it down in face-to-face conversation.

Of course, I’m assuming that you’ve been courteous all along, and not preaching Hellfire and Brimstone at folks.
 
If they’re asking you to hide the fact that you’re a Catholic, then I think the answer is a polite but firm no. If you’re being obnoxious and beating people over the head with religion every 10 seconds, then yeah, knock it off.
 
You’re free to say whatever you want on social media.
For a face-to-face conversation, you don’t have to tell them every 10 minutes that, if they do not convert, they’ll burn in Hell for eternity.
 
Some adjustments I’ve made are that if my non-catholic friends or family ask for prayers on Facebook, I don’t launch into my first or second or even third instinct about which prayer to say in the comment section. (Often a Memorare of St. Michael the Archangel if the situation is pretty intense). I will instead take the time to compose a prayer or choose one from our treasury of faith that invokes only members of the Trinity. I might still say those prayers, I just don’t want judgey eyes in the comment section to have the chance to be mean about Our Lady.

The only other toning it down that could be in order is tone. I used to have few Catholic friends on Facebook now I have a lot. Some of them show the beauty of our faith and its customs. Some of them are a little tone deaf and do not realize how their posts would alienate people who don’t understand.
 
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I find when someone asks for prayers and they aren’t Catholic, I can just say, “Praying for you” or post one of those cute praying animal pictures or praying hands. If something good happens I will say Thank you God or Thank you Jesus and leave it at that. Thank you God also works for Muslims and Jewish people.

As for any other Catholic posts, some humor, or a picture of a gorgeous church, usually goes over well. People who have different levels of belief can still get some enjoyment from knowing there is a patron saint of plumbers or seeing some interesting architecture or seeing a cartoon. And intersperse it with some secular stuff too, like pizza or movies or whatever else you do, so people understand that Catholics are normal folks who have lives in the world.
 
IThank u guys for y’all answers. I’m not a minor. Convert and yeah probably alittle over zealous , but I try to be respectful. To be honest, I was a little hurt. My pride I guess. I’m going to pray about it. I don’t want to hurt anyone or push them away. I’ve been reading “nudging conversions” by Carol Gress and then my mom comes up with this. It was mostly about the FB posts and that I shouldn’t talk to my sister about God because any mention of God or Jesus upsets her, moms admonishment, not mine, and I was like uhhhhhh…I felt like it was more a hide how you believe, almost deny how you believe, because I don’t want to upset your sister. Prayer for her privately then let her be. I do prayer for her and I don’t beat her about the head with my Faith, but I mention my Lord when my heart is prompted to in all my conversations. I don’t think I should “restrain my lips” (ps40) just because I’m in the presence of a hostile atheist, but just the opposite.( 2 Tim) and I love my sister and her husband and my nephew. All atheists. Of course tho. Gently and with love. “Preach always, use words when necessary”
 
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If your atheist sister gets upset to hear about God, she is not very secure in her atheism, and that’s good! Of course we’re taking your mom’s word that your sister is that sensitive, and maybe your sister really doesn’t care, but if she does, maybe she will someday convert, and your example is a big help. Keep on witnessing to the faith, but witness with respect and compassion.
 
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For the social media thing, I’d tell her that, if they don’t like what I post online, they can always unfollow or find some other easy way to ignore it. You have as much of a right to speech as they do.
 
Lol. OScarlett. I did kinda when my mom suggested that I stop spewing. I was like really? You kno they will not be very happy in Hell, Mom.

She is Presbyterian and faithfully goes to church. I hope to gently convince her to look more closely at the Church. She actually asks a lot of questions, good questions and has never had a problem with me converting. She’s a great mom.
 
Don’t hide the fact that you are Catholic. If you are talking face to face with her,then maybe tone it down. As long as you are respectful and are not beating anyone over the head it is fine. It’s ok to be a little over zealous. Tell anyone who doesn’t like your posts,they don’t have to follow you.
 
HisSparrow said:
She is Presbyterian and faithfully goes to church.
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While I appreciate your concern for your family member, it sounds like she is already developing quite a strong relationship with Christ. You would be better off simply praying for her and being open to any questions or discussions she wishes to have about Catholicism, rather than trying to push your Catholic faith on her. If she makes some statement that is wrong (such as denying that Christ is really present in the Eucharist or claiming that statues are idolatry etc) you should correct her, but otherwise I’d leave it alone.
 
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I’d say post what you want but realize there are going to be reactions and consequences. If people are uncomfortable with your posts they are free to stop following you.

I’ve stopped following many people due to the nature of their posts. I don’t make an issue of it, I simply change my settings and get on with life.

Being mindful of people’s feelings and my own interest in maintaining certain relationships, I do tend to steer away from certain topics or certain brands of humor. My free choice.

I do post on Holy days, etc, but I don’t share many details about my faith. I don’t hide it either.
 
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