They Think I'm Brainwashed

[Cairisti]

Jeanette, I’m so sorry your having to go through this. I know what it’s like. I only told my parents a year ago when I started RCIA, and you’d have thought I was joining a satanic cult. ARGH! Anyway, haven’t told them that I’ll be joining this Easter - health issues, ect. It’s sad that they fear something so beautiful. And as far as books, well if it’s sympathetic or supportive of the CC, then it’s wrong in their eyes. Still haven’t told my siblings.

I guess all we can do is pray for them and live our new Catholic Faith so that hopefully they can see how it’s blessed our lives.

 

[Jeanette_L]

Cairisti:

Jeanette, I’m so sorry your having to go through this. I know what it’s like. I only told my parents a year ago when I started RCIA, and you’d have thought I was joining a satanic cult. ARGH! Anyway, haven’t told them that I’ll be joining this Easter - health issues, ect. It’s sad that they fear something so beautiful. And as far as books, well if it’s sympathetic or supportive of the CC, then it’s wrong in their eyes. Still haven’t told my siblings.

I guess all we can do is pray for them and live our new Catholic Faith so that hopefully they can see how it’s blessed our lives.

You sound like me, I didn’t tell anyone I was going to RCIA to actually join the Church, they thought I was studying the CC as I had been studying the Reformation, the Orthodox, and many variations for a couple of years. It wasn’t until about a month ago that I told them about Easter Vigil and my entering the CC. And like yours, it was not pleasant. Everyone’s in a panic. Even my friends feel betrayed somehow, it’s all very odd.

I found out my mother just started fasting for me, so that I will change my mind. I thought, being Lent and all, that she doesn’t even know she’s doing a very Catholic thing and probably helping me out! The Lord works in mysterious ways!

Cairisti, I will pray for you also. I was thinking today that I have been maybe a little self absorbed, as though I am the only convert in the world who’s ever had trouble, kinda ridiculous, huh? I mean, how many don’t? So this time of year there are a lot of us out there, I’m going to make it a point from now until Easter to pray daily for all of us, it’s not just about me (a very Catholic way of thinking, I need to get used to it!)

Thanks for your encouragement!

 

[Jeanette_L]

cestusdei:

I’m a convert. My family was less then thrilled. Over time they got used to it. Now they are fine. Don’t push it with them. Once they see you are not possessed or nuts things will start to swing your way.

You have a good point. Sometimes it’s hard to see that far ahead when you’re going through something, but I think you are probably right, it will eventually get easier to deal with.

I try not to bring anything up even remotely spiritual, but things sometimes lead in that direction, it’s just the way it has always been with my family and friends, it’s our world really, but now it quickly turns sour. Like for a second everyone forgot that something very big has changed and then it’s a bad scene all over again. I’ve got to try to back out of those situations and just let the Lord handle it.

Thanks and God Bless,
Jeanette

 

[wcknight]

Those of you having some difficulty with friends or relatives who are afraid of Catholicism, get them a book about the conversions of some very scholarly Bible-only believing theologians. There are several named “Surprised by the Truth”.

Some of the stories are about ministers or bible scholars who discovered after much research that Catholicism follows much more closely with scriptures than any other Christian denomination.

Some fundamentalist denominations think Catholics are aligned with Satan, and expect all Catholics to be eternally damned. Why they would even consider an entire Christ loving group to be damned no matter how good or how bad, is contradictory to everything that Christ teaches. But that doesn’t stop them. As far as they are concerned, we’re toast !

God bless you, and may the Lord guide you on your journey.

 

[JoeyWarren]

wcknight:

Those of you having some difficulty with friends or relatives who are afraid of Catholicism, get them a book about the conversions of some very scholarly Bible-only believing theologians. There are several name “Surprised by the Truth”.

Some of the stories are about ministers or bible scholars who discovered after much research that Catholicism follows much more closely with scriptures than any other Christian denomination.
Some fundamentalist denominations think Catholics are aligned with Satan, and expect all Catholics to be eternally damned. Why they would even consider an entire Christ loving group to be damned no matter how good or how bad, is contradictory to everything that Christ teaches. But that doesn’t stop them.

That is how my family is. I actually gave them each the book “Surprised by Truth” for christmas… They immediately thru them out with the trash…There is no way to get thru to people like that…only by a miracle from God…

 

[Jeanette_L]

JoeyWarren:

That is how my family is. I actually gave them each the book “Surprised by Truth” for christmas… They immediately thru them out with the trash…There is no way to get thru to people like that…only by a miracle from God…

Yes, you are exactly right, and what we have to hold on to, and I have to remind myself everday right now, is that I serve a God who is in the Miracle business! My own story is a miracle, and so will be their’s!!!

I still feel hearbroken when I see the pain in their eyes over my conversion, but I know that there is Hope, until we all draw our last breath, so I’m going to hold on to it! (notice my mood is more hopeful than a few days ago, I’ve been praying a lot! )

God Bless,
Jeanette

 

[JoeyWarren]

Jeanette L:

Yes, you are exactly right, and what we have to hold on to, and I have to remind myself everday right now, is that I serve a God who is in the Miracle business! My own story is a miracle, and so will be their’s!!!

I still feel hearbroken when I see the pain in their eyes over my conversion, but I know that there is Hope, until we all draw our last breath, so I’m going to hold on to it! (notice my mood is more hopeful than a few days ago, I’ve been praying a lot! )

God Bless,
Jeanette

Keep praying girl, that is all we can do. Since that fateful christmas eve, I have prayed on a daily basis which I have had never done before…I was a mass only prayer…now I pray everyday…

 

[buffalo]

Jeanette L:

I am just heartbroken right now. I am swinging wildly between the joy of coming home to the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil, and the complete heartbreak of every one of my family and friends thinking that I have been brainwashed and taken over by demonic forces.

I don’t know how to explain beauty. It’s almost as simple as that at times. Once you SEE, then all you see when you look at her, this Bride of Christ that I am coming into full communion with, is beauty and I just cannot find the words to convey that to anyone who can’t see it. And it breaks my heart.

Anyone else been going through this?

Freely accepting the proposition of the Catholic Church is hardly brainwashing.

 

[reneeville]

Though I’m not being “overtly” ostracized, I, too am coming into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil. I can say that I was contemplating starting a new thread…apologizing for the times I might have sounded just like those who think we have fallen off the planet. I visit another Christian forum and when I read the condescending:banghead: posts against our faith and the history, well, I just am humbled again at my conversion. My journey, like many converts, was one which the heart was open and seeking …Truth. I was blind, but now I see! I agree with those who suggest that your witness is your best defense. We are in the wings praying for you!

 

[Loren_1of6]

Jeanette L:

…every one of my family and friends thinking that I have been brainwashed…

On the plus side, you’re starting out with a nice, clean brain now that you’re becoming a Catholic.

Really, you are making a courageous decision for the Truth when you know that it will hurt the people you love the most. You can offer up your pain for the conversion of your family even though it might take many many years to happen.

Congratulations, and the prayers of the entire Church are with you as you approach full communion.

 

[Jeanette_L]

buffalo:

Freely accepting the proposition of the Catholic Church is hardly brainwashing.

Maybe brainwashed is an extreme word. I was feeling a little emotional, down at the time I started this thread. I guess deceived by Satan is more what they all think. I’ve been taken in and seduced by lofty ideas that distort the simplicity of the gospel message. I’ve heard it all a million times before in my life, just was never on this end of the discussion until now!

 

[Jeanette_L]

Loren 1of6:

On the plus side, you’re starting out with a nice, clean brain now that you’re becoming a Catholic.

Really, you are making a courageous decision for the Truth when you know that it will hurt the people you love the most. You can offer up your pain for the conversion of your family even though it might take many many years to happen.

Congratulations, and the prayers of the entire Church are with you as you approach full communion.

Yeah, it sure was wiped clean, no doubt about that. A complete rearrangement of thought and attitude. I can’t hardly believe that I was a serious Christian all these years and had no clue.

Like Reneeville said above, was blind and now I see. I still feel at times like I’m in a dream or something.

But finding CA has been one of the biggest blessings through this. I had already decided to become Catholic and was in RCIA but was having a hard time feeling connected. This is a great place to find Catholics who are excited about their faith, I’m so thankful the Lord led me here.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and encouragement!

 

[sadie2723]

Jeanette L:

I am just heartbroken right now. I am swinging wildly between the joy of coming home to the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil, and the complete heartbreak of every one of my family and friends thinking that I have been brainwashed and taken over by demonic forces.

I don’t know how to explain beauty. It’s almost as simple as that at times. Once you SEE, then all you see when you look at her, this Bride of Christ that I am coming into full communion with, is beauty and I just cannot find the words to convey that to anyone who can’t see it. And it breaks my heart.

Anyone else been going through this?

Welcome to my world. I am dating a girl whose Dad can’t stand the Catholic faith. He has been steeped in this fundamentalist **** for years and been told from the pulpit countless lies about the church. Additionally, small groups which he frequents literally go out and protest in front of Catholic churches.

Why would I sign up for this? Well, there are three reasons. First, I am in love with his daughter. Second, and this is pretty huge, I am a Catholic convert who knows what it is like to be where he is. I was raised in an area where Catholics were lower than dogs in a lot of people’s minds (No offense intended to dogs). But, I came to see the light of the church. This leads to my third reason: It is all worth it. I am am a better Christian now than I ever have been in the past. The Catholic faith “works for me”, and I will die for it.

Keep your head up and keep praying for them. They will see the light at some point.

On a side note, I got my girlfriend’s dad a copy of the Catechism for his birthday this year. When he asked why I told him that I was tired of him going on and on about what he “thought” that we teach, and I wanted him to have a reference about what we actually “do” teach. I have not heard a word from him about it from that point until now!!!

Hang in there. It is worth it!

 

[JoeyWarren]

sadie2723:

Welcome to my world. I am dating a girl whose Dad can’t stand the Catholic faith. He has been steeped in this fundamentalist **** for years and been told from the pulpit countless lies about the church. Additionally, small groups which he frequents literally go out and protest in front of Catholic churches.

Dang! you got it worse than me!

 

[sadie2723]

Dang! you got it worse than me!

The point of it all is that Christ brings people around all the time who only years before would have rather died than sit through a Mass. We see countless examples of it. So hang in there.

When I told my Dad that I was converting he said, “If you do this, I am going to be disappointed in you.” Nothing ever hurt me like that did. He stormed out of the room. I cried. I kept talking to my Mom about it, as she did not storm out of the room. My father and I never spoke about it after that, but on the day of my Confirmation, he and mother were both sitting there with me. Since then, they have been to mass with me, and they do not object to my choice. I do not think that they will ever become Catholic, and my Dad hates that the Church will not allow him to take communion at the Mass, but they are convinced that it is right for me, and they like the fact that I am a better Christian.

See…it can happen.

 

[Crumpy]

My family was sharply broken one generation ahead of me, because a couple family members became Jehovah Witnesses.

Actually, my grandparents were married in the Catholic Church and were there for a couple years, anyway.

But, there are two versions of the story why they left the Catholic Church. The first story is that their first child was stillborn, and the church would not bury the infant in the regular way ( circa 1922). There were few if any prayers for this baby which had not been baptized.

The second story is that my grandparents were passing the church building and knelt outside for a moment in worship, and some passing nun scolded them for this piety.

So, these two stories are not incompatible, but the surviving children don’t know exactly what happened before their own births.

Suffice it to say that my grandmother reverted to what is now the Jehovah Witnesses. Their children became Catholics and protestants as adults. The one daughter that was JH shunned her entire family including her children who had been raised Catholic.

This shunning is standard and par for the course with JH, as I’ve been led to believe.

There’s a couple stories here, but my point is, Jesus never said this was going to be easy.

There’s some great advice in the previous posts. I’d suggest you act as charitably towards your family as you can. That may do much more good than you can realize at the moment.