The days of socially acceptable Christianity are over

[frobert]

…I think a very serious issue we now face (in the UK anyway) is serious conflict within our own Church as there are movements attempting to push us towards embracing secular values (equivalence of homosexual and heterosexual relations, contraception, sex outside marriage, etc.) and these movements are (in my opinion) gaining the tolerance of (and even the encouragement) some members of our Church hierarchy. Personally I really do see the Church in the UK heading towards serious division (possibly even schism) with a more ‘liberal’ wing embracing popular secular values, which will gain it support within the media and secular society in general, resulting in further alienation of those Catholics who embrace traditional Catholic values.

I am sorry to hear that things have disintegrated so badly in the UK. To my way of thinking, baring interference, abuse or violence to others, everyone should have the freedom to live the type of lives they choose to live. My main concern these days is the indifference to the NSA and its counterparts in other countries leading me to conclude that our freedoms are ephemeral.

 

[benjohnson]

Things are going to get a whole lot worse for all of us. We all need to stand up, be counted, and remain firm, regardless of the consequences to ourselves and our families for doing so.

I agree!

I also think this will be good for authentic Christianity - we can no longer ‘fake’ it, and our children will have to develop defenses against a hostile world.

Kierkegaard’s quote seems appropriate:

“What Christianity needs is not the suffocating protection of the state; no, it needs fresh air, **it needs persecution, and it needs God’s protection. **The state only works disaster, it wards off persecution and thus is not the medium through which God’s protection can be conducted. Above all, save Christianity from the state. By its protection it smothers it to death."

 

[Brendan_64]

I am sorry to hear that things have disintegrated so badly in the UK.

And make no mistake, what happens in the UK as far as the relationship between secular society, the law and Christianity will be coming to the USA a lost sooner than you expect. Then misguided forces within the Church, who like to maintain popularity amongst society and in the media, will try to steer the Church in the USA towards acceptance of secular values, and this will lead to internal conflict and a battle for control of the Church. That is what is happening in the UK right now.

To my way of thinking, baring interference, abuse or violence to others, everyone should have the freedom to live the type of lives they choose to live. My main concern these days is the indifference to the NSA and its counterparts in other countries leading me to conclude that our freedoms are ephemeral.

When we’re fighting against legislation that make following and proclaiming Christian doctrine in conflict with the law, and when forces of secularism have taken root within the church and are trying to gain control of it, concerns about the activities of security agencies take second place.

 

[Iron_Chariot]

If by “socially acceptable Christianity” the author really means anything other than “the privilege to loudly preach and make people listen to us and not speak up for themselves” he’s being, at best, overly sensationalistic and at worst, dishonest.

Source: Texas resident.

 

[njlisa]

And as for things being shoved down your throat? My goodness. A friend of mind recommended I watched “Game of Thrones.” I got through one episode and wanted to be sick. It was disgusting and people love it!

But just generally, if you swim against the tide in any way, there’s pressure. People know I avoid explicit books and movies. So I know a woman who identifies as conservative Christian, says she prays and reads the Bible daily. She asked me if I’d every read “50 Shades of Grey.” I said, “Certainly not!”

She had a copy on her phone, and she literally shoved it in my face – just to see my reaction. I turned away and everyone had a good laugh.

Every mom I know (except for my Mormon and Orthodox Jewish friends) take it for granted that their children will have pre-marital sex, even at the high school age. These moms want the kids to be “safe.” They want to make sure that their daughter (at least) is in a “serious” relationship. But they also want to make sure they their girls can control their “health” and have an abortion if they get pregnant.

I have pointed out that women do regret having had an abortion. I’ve talked about the fact that women often do not make a “free” choice to have an abortion. They’re being pressured by boyfriends or family. I’ve talked about gender-specific abortion. And you’d think I was talking about riding around in UFOs.

I live in the Northeast. And I’ve been relentlessly pressured and ridiculed by humanists and atheists. My intelligence has been questioned. “Oh, I thought you had way more sense than to believe in fairy tales.”

It wasn’t the same in Oklahoma. When I was growing up, the culture was conservative Evangelical. Being an atheist was unthinkable.

So in general, yes, I’m considered a weirdo. But I’m going to keep on expressing my views.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

And as for things being shoved down your throat? My goodness. A friend of mind recommended I watched “Game of Thrones.” I got through one episode and wanted to be sick. It was disgusting and people love it!

But just generally, if you swim against the tide in any way, there’s pressure. People know I avoid explicit books and movies. So I know a woman who identifies as conservative Christian, says she prays and reads the Bible daily. She asked me if I’d every read “50 Shades of Grey.” I said, “Certainly not!”

She had a copy on her phone, and she literally shoved it in my face – just to see my reaction. I turned away and everyone had a good laugh.

So in general, yes, I’m considered a weirdo. But I’m going to keep on expressing my views.

So you wear your faith on your sleeve but insist that others don’t broadcast their secularism before you?

Sounds like King’s Landing isn’t the only wrong place to find justice.

 

[njlisa]

So you wear your faith on your sleeve but insist that others don’t broadcast their secularism before you?

Sounds like King’s Landing isn’t the only wrong place to find justice.

I guess that’s pretty much it.
:knight2:

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I guess that’s pretty much it.
:knight2:

So why are you whining? You’d know they’d leave you alone if you actually put that shield and sword away.

You reap what you sow. You slap your faith in everyone’s faces, they’re going to be slapping pop culture in yours. That’s the ultimate farce at the heart of these ‘culture wars.’

 

[njlisa]

So why are you whining? You’d know they’d leave you alone if you actually put that shield and sword away.

You reap what you sow. You slap your faith in everyone’s faces, they’re going to be slapping pop culture in yours. That’s the ultimate farce at the heart of these ‘culture wars.’

I’m not sure how I got into this discussion anyway. I’m not whining. I reported what people in my circle do. I watched one episode of GOT, and I decided it was not for me.I did not complain that she suggested it. I just said it wasn’t for me.

I can’t believe anyone can stomach watching explicit incest scenes, but that’s just me. But I didn’t share that with her.

The “50 Shades” episode was a prank to embarrass me. But I didn’t lecture anyone.

So the sword emoticon was a joke because I thought you were kidding around with me.

You have no idea how I treat my friends. Many of them are anti-theist.

But one of my recent posts on Facebook stated:

Many of my friends struggle with ongoing medical issues. I just want you to know that I stand in solidarity with you in thoughts and prayers. Love to you all.

I slap no one. I judge no one. I do sometimes express unpopular opinions, but I hope always with compassion.

I think you have misjudged me. This question is, are you willing to accept that?

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I’m not sure how I got into this discussion anyway. I’m not whining. I reported what people in my circle do.

That constitutes as whining. Remember what you said?

And as for things being shoved down your throat?

You talk about people shoving their secularism down your throat when you’ve already committed that sin yourself? As if this Church isn’t House Hypocrite already.

I watched one episode of GOT, and I decided it was not for me.I did not complain that she suggested it. I just said it wasn’t for me.

I can’t believe anyone can stomach watching explicit incest scenes, but that’s just me. But I didn’t share that with her.

Okay, so lemme get this straight. Do you or do you not wear your faith on your sleeve? You accuse me of misjudging you but you already admitted to being quite outspoken with your views.

Someone so outspoken shouldn’t be so outspoken about what they get thrown back at them. Perhaps instead of accusing me, you’d think twice before posting your grievances.

 

[crenfro]

God bless you! You are living the 11th Beatitude.

I live in the Northeast. And I’ve been relentlessly pressured and ridiculed by humanists and atheists. My intelligence has been questioned. “Oh, I thought you had way more sense than to believe in fairy tales.”

So in general, yes, I’m considered a weirdo. But I’m going to keep on expressing my views.

 

[njlisa]

God bless you! You are living the 11th Beatitude.

Thanks!

 

[BobCatholic]

“The days of socially acceptable CINOism are over”

Would that be a good thing or a bad thing? Hmmm…

 

[Petersmate]

Things are going to get a whole lot worse for all of us. We all need to stand up, be counted, and remain firm, regardless of the consequences to ourselves and our families for doing so.

It’s going to take martyrdom. There was a time when the church suffered for its stand.
Saint Margaret Clitherow pray for us

 

[ynotzap]

Rom 8:20 For creation was made subject to futility not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God

Free from moral corruption, free from material corruption by the grace of God, and only by the grace of God. The world has its saviors who never really save, because what we are fighting is not flesh and blood but powers and principalities We tend to judge by outward appearance when the real evil lies outside of general human comprehension, our Faith provides that deeper human comprehension which is divinely inspired. To get at the real truth, and the real problems of humanity we must be enlightened spiritually. Nations will rise and fall and it is usually when it manifests more openly its moral corruption, which was always there, but held in check when people gave some credence to a belief in God. Today Materialism is rampant, and so is expediency, it doesn’t matter what is right or wrong, but what gets the job done, and people are adoring the “golden calf” A world wide spiritual revival, or renewal is needed, and that’s would be a movement of the Holy Spirit. Pray for our children that this takes place. Jesus redeem your children.

 

[Petersmate]

Rom 8:20 For creation was made subject to futility not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God

Free from moral corruption, free from material corruption by the grace of God, and only by the grace of God. The world has its saviors who never really save, because what we are fighting is not flesh and blood but powers and principalities We tend to judge by outward appearance when the real evil lies outside of general human comprehension, our Faith provides that deeper human comprehension which is divinely inspired. To get at the real truth, and the real problems of humanity we must be enlightened spiritually. Nations will rise and fall and it is usually when it manifests more openly its moral corruption, which was always there, but held in check when people gave some credence to a belief in God. Today Materialism is rampant, and so is expediency, it doesn’t matter what is right or wrong, but what gets the job done, and people are adoring the “golden calf” A world wide spiritual revival, or renewal is needed, and that’s would be a movement of the Holy Spirit. Pray for our children that this takes place. Jesus redeem your children.

To the Almighty Spirit of The Heavenly Father
Our Father who art in heaven,in Thy infinite divine mercy, please kindly, lovingly, protect, forgive, heal, strengthen, inspire, teach, guide, guard, correct, direct, lead and bless , including me,all Thy children ,every moment ,every where,and especially grant each one of us, the ability to fufill, Thy will as it is applicable to each one of us 100%,Amen.