The only thing that scares me about becoming Catholic...

[Rau]

I realise you may not be reading further, but just in case:

…Since I’m the one that had the original question, I would like to point out that we are not yet married but are CONSIDERING converting to Catholicism and marrying. But if our only option then is abstinence, there is no reason for us to get married, right? Because the marriage could never be consummated and isn’t that part of the covenant of marriage? Despite the fact that we have children and getting married is in their best interest as well, our marriage would never actually be valid in the eyes of the Church if it couldn’t be consummated.

The validity of a marriage is not dependent on what happens *after *you marry, only the circumstances prior/at the time.

Nevertheless, I just wanted to point out how far off track from answering my original post you have gotten. Not even addressing the most basic issue which is that we are not married yet even. It doesn’t matter though…

Tabby, your last post was March 15, and that one, and the one prior, did seem to suggest you were not looking for more information.

I’ve learned my lesson and, I realize that despite my original intentions of meeting other Catholics and asking some questions, this is not the place for that.

That can be true. Discussion forums are “multi-way” conversations. Someone initiates the thread and others join. The agenda is set by the OP, but once addressed, and particularly if the OP does not contribute further, those remaining set the agenda. Controversial statements such as were made on this thread (not by you) established a new agenda - “Can medical circumstances make contraception moral?”

…Those of you who disagree are NOT going to change each other’s minds. And I’m guessing any potential converts like myself have walked away from it long ago and instead stuck to reading their Catholic bible, CCC, USCC for Adults, and talking with their priest.

What should we do when a poster proclaims something to be in accordance with the Church when it is not? Not on some minor disciplinary matter, but an explicit moral teaching and the fundamental theological principles which underpin it? If a person wants to say “I know what the Church says, but I think that’s wrong” - that’s one thing, and the conversation will be quite brief. The person has made their choice. But it is entirely different when one instead misrepresents the teaching of the Church and claims the Church teaches something which she simply does not. That misleads others and can’t be left unchallenged.

 

[StGerardMajella]

I would really appreciate it if you would stop the name-calling, StGerardMajella. Calling people vicious and narrow-minded and legalists is uncharitable and divisive. It doesn’t help TabbyLilac or any other reader of the forum to see that kind of anger.

I love your sense of humor. What a hoot! You, my friend, are awesome.

What is uncharitable, divisive, and vicious is being labeled a “heretic” in one’s defense of compassion towards potential converts.

Or labeling one’s views as “outrageous” and “fantasy”, or that one is “very confused” and “making this up as they go”. Or labeling one’s statements as “utter falsehoods”.

And my personal favorite which had me in stitches rolling around on the ground laughing to tears:

I thought you called yourself a “Traditional Catholic”?

You keep me laughing, bud. Thank you for your sense of humor. Cheers.

 

[jmjZelie]

I love your sense of humor. What a hoot! You, my friend, are awesome.

What is uncharitable, divisive, and vicious is being labeled a “heretic” in one’s defense of compassion towards potential converts.

Or labeling one’s views as “outrageous” and “fantasy”, or that one is “very confused” and “making this up as they go”. Or labeling one’s statements as “utter falsehoods”.

And my personal favorite which had me in stitches rolling around on the ground laughing to tears:

You keep me laughing, bud. Thank you for your sense of humor. Cheers.

First, it appears that you are conflating posters. You quote me in the first quote and someone else in the second quote.

Second, all the things which you throw back at me here are phrases I have never used at you or anyone else here, with the obvious exception of “uncharitable and divisive” which I said about the name calling. I had also asked earlier for people to let up on using words such as evil when trying to help a potential convert.

But if you want to imagine me as your enemy, that is your choice. I for one, hope you don’t. God bless you this Easter season.

 

[StGerardMajella]

Second, all the things which you throw back at me here are phrases I have never used at you

No enemies here, bud. This alleged “heretic” is all good. Cheers!

 

[jmjZelie]

No enemies here, bud. This alleged “heretic” is all good. Cheers!

Why do you keep doing that, SGM? I am not a “bud” and I never called you a “heretic”.