To preach or not to preach?

[Semper_Zelare]

Please Respond to this quickly. I’m going to have to send emails to my debate team coach and others in the morning.

So, I’m on the debate team, and I felt called to share the gospel by the Holy Spirit. That’s been a daunting task, one that i think the devil tried to make me too nervous to do. But, it was also daunting bc my debate team is VERY liberal, with the vast majority of speeches having obscenities in them… my friend on the team had his family come to watch 4 or 5 different speeches once, and every one of them was VERY inappropriate for his mother and younger sister to hear.

Anyways, this thread forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=594811 from the beginning of this month gives y’all all the background you could want. In it, I claimed this:
Semper Zelare:

People cannot be moral or good without Jesus Christ. And, there’s simply no way I’m not going to preach the straight up Gospel of Jesus Christ, when there are other people on my team preaching heresy about Christ. They’re quoting the Bible, then teaching versions of heresy like women ordination… I watched a whole 9 minute speech on a video that was about why Paul shouldn’t have said women shouldn’t preach. And how the Bible actually shows women should preach.

Now, it seems I may have to eath those words. I may not be able to preach the “straight up Gospel”… or even allowed to “preach” my beliefs. My coach and a grad student both basically told me that I should limit any religious speeches to a specific event which is basically a comedy stand up act. There’s a lot of laughs and a lot of humor. They say people will be more open in this setting. The problem is that I didn’t want to make any jokes. I wanted to preach about Christ until I cried, and showed them the love of Christ through the intensity of my devotion to Him.

However.

Today, I felt that the Holy Spirit spoke to me through a random conversation with some strangers (that I don’t want to be too detailed about). Anyways, the ultimate conclusion they told me 3 or 4 different ways was:
-You need to let people arrive at their own conclusions, not lead them to your conclusion.
-Your tone is everything. Don’t be too overbearing, you can make yourself seem as likeable as you want.
-Perception is reality. People can walk away with many different conclusions about something, but if they perceive you as nice, and can relate with you, they’ll be more likely to agree with what you’re saying.
-Show people that you’re human. Do things to build a relationship so that they know who you are, then you can share the gospel.
[They were both Christians as well]
In light of this I have two choices:

1. I continue to be persistent with my coaches that I want to preach the Gospel for the glory of God. And basically come across with the attitude of: You said I could speak about whatever I wanted to, as long as it wasn’t over done (this I’m sure has never been done), you said I could speak about what I was passionate about with no limits by political correction. So, I want to preach the Gospel. And if it offends people, that’s not my prerogative. My only goal is to give glory to God, and to please God. And, if that makes enemies out of everyone that hears the Gospel… God is glorified because people heard the Gospel and rejected Him. That result gives Him as much glory as converting people does. So, my objective is accomplished giving God the glory.

OR

1. Did I hear the Holy Spirit today, telling me to relate to people. And ultimately speak about things which are worldly issues. Politics, how people live their lives, current events, news that isn’t particularly about religious things but all the other news. And relate to people, so that I will then be able later to share my faith with them. My concern about this is Biblical:
   [BIBLEDRB]Matthew 12:36[/BIBLEDRB]
   Will these words be idle?

I don’t see how God would call me to conform to the norm, and speak about things which hundreds of people could speak about. How would that be leading people to Christ? Why would God not want me to preach the Gospel, if it gives Him glory? The problem with the whole “relate to them, then share your faith”, that applies to 25 people on the debate team. All the audiences at debate tournaments will hear me speak normal topics and not know about my faith at all. They will never follow up with spiritual questions if I don’t talk about spiritual things.

 

[Earnest_Bunbury]

First, unless you are in authority, you, like the women of St. Paul’s Bible verse, are not to “preach”. Witness to the Gospel. This is done in discipleship, of which discipline is the key word. Discipline yourself. Learn the discernment of spirits of St. Ignacius of Loyola.

Next, it seems you want a big preaching blowup moment where everyone will get something. When we give big we must first have that to give. In Catholicism, we are like a well which we are filled with grace, the very Life of God, and we give from our fullness. Being a canal means being shallow and often running dry.

Attack the wrong and evil where you see it, the cursing is unnecessary, inappropriate, and the bastion of those with small vocabularies. Know the faith and be able to accurately instruct or be ready to again “eat those words” when you realize there is a higher truth to the Bible verse you had no idea about. Depth before dishonor!

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Please Respond to this quickly. I’m going to have to send emails to my debate team coach and others in the morning.

So, I’m on the debate team, and I felt called to share the gospel by the Holy Spirit. That’s been a daunting task, one that i think the devil tried to make me too nervous to do. But, it was also daunting bc my debate team is VERY liberal, with the vast majority of speeches having obscenities in them… my friend on the team had his family come to watch 4 or 5 different speeches once, and every one of them was VERY inappropriate for his mother and younger sister to hear.

Anyways, this thread forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=594811 from the beginning of this month gives y’all all the background you could want. In it, I claimed this:

Now, it seems I may have to eath those words. I may not be able to preach the “straight up Gospel”… or even allowed to “preach” my beliefs. My coach and a grad student both basically told me that I should limit any religious speeches to a specific event which is basically a comedy stand up act. There’s a lot of laughs and a lot of humor. They say people will be more open in this setting. The problem is that I didn’t want to make any jokes. I wanted to preach about Christ until I cried, and showed them the love of Christ through the intensity of my devotion to Him.

However.

Today, I felt that the Holy Spirit spoke to me through a random conversation with some strangers (that I don’t want to be too detailed about). Anyways, the ultimate conclusion they told me 3 or 4 different ways was:
-You need to let people arrive at their own conclusions, not lead them to your conclusion.
-Your tone is everything. Don’t be too overbearing, you can make yourself seem as likeable as you want.
-Perception is reality. People can walk away with many different conclusions about something, but if they perceive you as nice, and can relate with you, they’ll be more likely to agree with what you’re saying.
-Show people that you’re human. Do things to build a relationship so that they know who you are, then you can share the gospel.
[They were both Christians as well]
In light of this I have two choices:

1. I continue to be persistent with my coaches that I want to preach the Gospel for the glory of God. And basically come across with the attitude of: You said I could speak about whatever I wanted to, as long as it wasn’t over done (this I’m sure has never been done), you said I could speak about what I was passionate about with no limits by political correction. So, I want to preach the Gospel. And if it offends people, that’s not my prerogative. My only goal is to give glory to God, and to please God. And, if that makes enemies out of everyone that hears the Gospel… God is glorified because people heard the Gospel and rejected Him. That result gives Him as much glory as converting people does. So, my objective is accomplished giving God the glory.

OR

1. Did I hear the Holy Spirit today, telling me to relate to people. And ultimately speak about things which are worldly issues. Politics, how people live their lives, current events, news that isn’t particularly about religious things but all the other news. And relate to people, so that I will then be able later to share my faith with them. My concern about this is Biblical:
   [BIBLEDRB]Matthew 12:36[/BIBLEDRB]
   Will these words be idle?

I don’t see how God would call me to conform to the norm, and speak about things which hundreds of people could speak about. How would that be leading people to Christ? Why would God not want me to preach the Gospel, if it gives Him glory? The problem with the whole “relate to them, then share your faith”, that applies to 25 people on the debate team. All the audiences at debate tournaments will hear me speak normal topics and not know about my faith at all. They will never follow up with spiritual questions if I don’t talk about spiritual things.

Sorry, you are in slippery ground and I do not think you have got what it takes to get into it. Choose another theme like: Jesus ressurrected, aleluia.

 

[Tietjen]

Please Respond to this quickly. I’m going to have to send emails to my debate team coach and others in the morning.

So, I’m on the debate team, and I felt called to share the gospel by the Holy Spirit. That’s been a daunting task, one that i think the devil tried to make me too nervous to do. But, it was also daunting bc my debate team is VERY liberal, with the vast majority of speeches having obscenities in them… my friend on the team had his family come to watch 4 or 5 different speeches once, and every one of them was VERY inappropriate for his mother and younger sister to hear.

Anyways, this thread forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=594811 from the beginning of this month gives y’all all the background you could want.

As I understand the situation, you want advice on how to preach the Gospel in a debate format, but aren’t sure how to accomplish this while still giving God the glory. If I understand that correctly, I’d say to take the advice given by the strangers who spoke to you earlier. That’s not a cop out. The odds are great that the only people who would appreciate your view point on this matter are those who already believe what you are “preaching.” Where is the glory in that? If you want to introduce nonbelievers to the Gospel, then live it; don’t debate it. I like the quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” Of course a thorough search of his writtings does not prove he actually said this, but again… he lived it.

 

[Semper_Zelare]

I do not want to give speeches with my words. But, with the words of the Holy Spirit. I want them to see the Love of Christ in me. And, “where there is no zeal, there is no love- Father Bill Casey”.

All of you are either doubting the power of the Holy Spirit, or believe in results based Christianity. I agree with you that I don’t have the ability to do this, no one does. Only God has the ability to preach the Gospel. When men do it themselves they will fail and make a fool of themselves.

There is glory in serving God. Jeremiahs ministry did not convert a single soul, and yet God gained glory through that ministry. What do you have to say to that?

Y’all seem to be motivated by the sakes of other people’s souls. Which, is ultimately just seeking the happiness of man, you don’t want them to go to hell, but want them to be happy in Heaven. I don’t seek the happiness of man, I seek the glory of God. It is only through first glorifying God that we can gain people for His Kingdom. If you seek the happiness of man, you won’t make true converts anyways.

That is the Gospel. Seek the glory of God above all else.

I will not use idle words.

And, there’s no way to convey my faith to you people. But, I gave my life to Christ in the 6th grade. I have not desired wealth or power or anything of the world since then. My sole desire has been to serve Christ and expand His Kingdom. That was 8 or 9 years ago. I have grown my faith and looked at 1000s of sites about doctrine and apologetics. But, more importantly I have continued in my total submission to God throughout that entire period.

I am ready to do works for God. Because, the thought of spending my time doing anything else, doing something which is not overtly religious is repulsive to me.

How would preaching the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ not be glorifying to God? that makes no sense. We serve God to glorify Him, we don’t serve Him for the numbers of our converts for the results. God plants the seeds and He is responsible for the results.

P.S.
If the only people in the Catholic Church who are allowed to preach the Gospel are priests, then I’m going to become a priest or a member of the Order of Friars Minor.

 

[Tietjen]

I do not want to give speeches with my words. But, with the words of the Holy Spirit. I want them to see the Love of Christ in me. And, “where there is no zeal, there is no love- Father Bill Casey”.

All of you are either doubting the power of the Holy Spirit, or believe in results based Christianity. I agree with you that I don’t have the ability to do this, no one does. Only God has the ability to preach the Gospel. When men do it themselves they will fail and make a fool of themselves.

There is glory in serving God. Jeremiahs ministry did not convert a single soul, and yet God gained glory through that ministry. What do you have to say to that?

Y’all seem to be motivated by the sakes of other people’s souls. Which, is ultimately just seeking the happiness of man, you don’t want them to go to hell, but want them to be happy in Heaven. I don’t seek the happiness of man, I seek the glory of God. It is only through first glorifying God that we can gain people for His Kingdom. If you seek the happiness of man, you won’t make true converts anyways.

That is the Gospel. Seek the glory of God above all else.

I will not use idle words.

And, there’s no way to convey my faith to you people. But, I gave my life to Christ in the 6th grade. I have not desired wealth or power or anything of the world since then. My sole desire has been to serve Christ and expand His Kingdom. That was 8 or 9 years ago. I have grown my faith and looked at 1000s of sites about doctrine and apologetics. But, more importantly I have continued in my total submission to God throughout that entire period.

I am ready to do works for God. Because, the thought of spending my time doing anything else, doing something which is not overtly religious is repulsive to me.

How would preaching the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ not be glorifying to God? that makes no sense. We serve God to glorify Him, we don’t serve Him for the numbers of our converts for the results. God plants the seeds and He is responsible for the results.

P.S.
If the only people in the Catholic Church who are allowed to preach the Gospel are priests, then I’m going to become a priest or a member of the Order of Friars Minor.

Well, you certainly have spirit.
God be with you.

 

[Semper_Zelare]

You know what,
Pfaffenhoffen, I hope you read this, because I am sorry in my responses to you in this thread and especially in the other thread you read about this.

To everyone, I’m just so discouraged. It seems no one wants me to preach the Gospel. ANd, I expect that from the politically correct atheists, agnostics, liberals, and secularists on the debate team. But, I don’t expect it from Catholics.

I ran into Catholics yesterday telling me to “relate well with people”, and ultimately their advice was to speak about something not controversial, something normal that anyone else on my team might speak about. That’s the same message I’ve gotten on these forums.

Well, I posted this because I may not be allowed to preach the gospel by my coach… he’ll view it as me FORCING my beliefs on others. How could I feel anything else than “I am being censored, I am being limited from sharing the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

And, more generally. The whole world wants us to keep our religion on the Down Low. They want us to just “act charitably and live our faith by being good nice people”. Well… anyone can be charitable and nice, it doesn’t take a Christian to do that.

I told my priest I planned on preaching the gospel, and he gave me nothing but encouragement, and even complimented me on my boldness/ courage. In retrospect, that’s the first time I got a compliment from a priest!

So, please pray for me. Who’s to say that God isn’t testing me to see if I’ll water my approach down? And SETTLE for something less than giving the Full Truth and Grace of our faith? Settling for affairs of the world?

I think, I spend a lot of time try to discern God’s Will, and not enough effort exercizing my free will. I’m going to just go with what I think is right, and if my free will is wrong, I trust God will right me if I make mistakes. But, I’ve done so much discerning, that I’ve put my work in school and debate at nearly a complete halt, totally on the backburner of like 20% effort, in an effort to spend my time discerning God’s Will. Well, I’m going to start being active and working and doing things according to my own free will again.

If there’s anyone supportive out there reading this, please just post some encouragement for me. In other more personal threads, I’ve said most of the friends I have here at the University of Alabama are Protestant. So, one of the main reasons I come to this forum is for community with fellow Catholics. [Gladly this is changing, as I’m attending RCIA though]

 

[Tietjen]

To everyone, I’m just so discouraged. It seems no one wants me to preach the Gospel. ANd, I expect that from the politically correct atheists, agnostics, liberals, and secularists on the debate team. But, I don’t expect it from Catholics.

Hey David, It’s not that we don’t want you to preach the Gospel, honestly. If you truly believe that God wants you to use college debate events as a platform to preach, then do it. My only concern, if you were my son, would be that you might be confusing what you believe to be God’s will with what you think God wants. I mean no disrespect when I say this, but at 19, most people don’t even understand what they are trying to achieve, let alone how and what God is trying to do in their lives. Next, I have taken a little time to go back and look at some of your other posts, and you appear to be (forgive me) a very stubborn young man. You come across as condemning when presented with views that differ from your own. Music is an example… in another thread you appeared to be saying that any music that wasn’t appropriate for mass shouldn’t be listened to. And I watched as you argued with another young person to the point of that person basically wrote you off. You can’t do that in apologetics. You say it’s not your job to make the seeds grow but simply to plant them, but it does make a difference how, when, and where you plant them. If you appear angry, condemning, uncharitable, etc. people will not be open to hear the Gospel or anything else you have to say.

I ran into Catholics yesterday telling me to “relate well with people”, and ultimately their advice was to speak about something not controversial, something normal that anyone else on my team might speak about. That’s the same message I’ve gotten on these forums.

So, when faced with so many suggesting that you take a breath before leaping what will you do? Those Catholics you spoke with yesterday sound as though they were attempting to tell you to interact more charitably with people (IMO).

Well, I posted this because I may not be allowed to preach the gospel by my coach… he’ll view it as me FORCING my beliefs on others. How could I feel anything else than “I am being censored, I am being limited from sharing the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Let me point out a few facts that you should consider in this situation. First, you are in college to get an education. That should be the priority. You seem all consumed in this one particular situation and by your own words, your studies are suffering. Second, you are in the Bible belt where the VAST majority of Christians are Protestants and many view Catholics as less-than-Christian. Third, you are attending a public university where liberalism reigns. Fourth, you come across as being “in-your-face” rather than as a charitable person when it comes to what you believe God wants. Is it possible that your zeal in this area is clouding your judgment? Perhaps it is not God’s will for you to go up against all these obstacles right now. Perhaps, God has plans for you in the future but right now wants you to be able to focus on your studies. Maybe if it turns out that the coach does forbid you from using the debate forum to preach, it should be viewed as a caution sign indicating that God wants you to concentrate on your studies more so that He can use what you have learned later in your life rather than believing that you’re being censored.

<<< CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >>>

 

[Tietjen]

And, more generally. The whole world wants us to keep our religion on the Down Low. They want us to just “act charitably and live our faith by being good nice people”. Well… anyone can be charitable and nice, it doesn’t take a Christian to do that.

Not everyone can do that. And “acting charitably and liv[ing] our faith by being good nice people” does in fact play a part in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It speaks volumes.

I told my priest I planned on preaching the gospel, and he gave me nothing but encouragement, and even complimented me on my boldness/ courage. In retrospect, that’s the first time I got a compliment from a priest!

That’s great and I’m sure it won’t be the last time. How do you view this priest? Is he militant or more quiet and humble? Does he argue his positions to the point of being less-than-charitable? Learn from him.

So, please pray for me. Who’s to say that God isn’t testing me to see if I’ll water my approach down? And SETTLE for something less than giving the Full Truth and Grace of our faith? Settling for affairs of the world?

In a 10 minute speech? Again, I admire your zeal, but you are setting yourself up for disappointment if you believe that the “FULL Truth and Grace of our faith” will be heard, understood and accepted in this particular forum.

I think, I spend a lot of time try to discern God’s Will, and not enough effort exercizing my free will. I’m going to just go with what I think is right, and if my free will is wrong, I trust God will right me if I make mistakes. But, I’ve done so much discerning, that I’ve put my work in school and debate at nearly a complete halt, totally on the backburner of like 20% effort, in an effort to spend my time discerning God’s Will. Well, I’m going to start being active and working and doing things according to my own free will again.

Why does it have to be an “either / or” situation? Why not continue to seek God’s will AND work on conforming your will to that of His. I know you believe that you have discerned His will completely (or at least know what He wants from you); however, perhaps He is more complicated than that and there are still some specifics that He hasn’t shared yet.

If there’s anyone supportive out there reading this, please just post some encouragement for me. In other more personal threads, I’ve said most of the friends I have here at the University of Alabama are Protestant. So, one of the main reasons I come to this forum is for community with fellow Catholics. [Gladly this is changing, as I’m attending RCIA though]

I think most people that you have spoken to about this have been supportive. They’ve given advice, I haven’t anyone be uncharitable, but perhaps you really want someone who will just agree with you. That’s different than being supportive. I’m very glad to hear that you are attending RCIA. Do continue and God bless

 

[Semper_Zelare]

d you appear to be (forgive me) a very stubborn young man. You come across as condemning when presented with views that differ from your own. Music is an example… in another thread you appeared to be saying that any music that wasn’t appropriate for mass shouldn’t be listened to. And I watched as you argued with another young person to the point of that person basically wrote you off. If you appear angry, condemning, uncharitable, etc. people will not be open to hear the Gospel or anything else you have to say.

Yeah… well I just condemned him of heresy. I feel bad, I tried to delete the post, but it wouldn’t let me. I really hope I don’t get banned. But, he was suggesting heresy about the monastic life.
He’s the one that said “monks live less than spiritual lives” … so If I live a spiritual life, they are living lives which are unspiritual. Monks live lives which have no spirituality. I can’t not tell someone that that is heresy.

Tietjen:

So, when faced with so many suggesting that you take a breath before leaping what will you do? Those Catholics you spoke with yesterday sound as though they were attempting to tell you to interact more charitably with people (IMO).

You’re right. I can’t act charitably. People hate my faith, and they attack it, and quite frankly in their heart they want the Catholic Church to die. I can’t be charitable to people like that. I’m human I’m not Jesus Christ.

Tietjen:

Let me point out a few facts that you should consider in this situation. First, you are in college to get an education. That should be the priority. You seem all consumed in this one particular situation and by your own words, your studies are suffering. Second, you are in the Bible belt where the VAST majority of Christians are Protestants and many view Catholics as less-than-Christian. Third, you are attending a public university where liberalism reigns. Fourth, you come across as being “in-your-face” rather than as a charitable person when it comes to what you believe God wants. Is it possible that your zeal in this area is clouding your judgment? Perhaps it is not God’s will for you to go up against all these obstacles right now. Perhaps, God has plans for you in the future but right now wants you to be able to focus on your studies. Maybe if it turns out that the coach does forbid you from using the debate forum to preach, it should be viewed as a caution sign indicating that God wants you to concentrate on your studies more so that He can use what you have learned later in your life rather than believing that you’re being censored.

The views of atheists also have a lot of enemies in the South… but that doesn’t stop them from being able to preach atheism to people on the debate team.

But, more importantly I just don’t have any other interests besides spreading the kingdom of God. I have subordinated every interest to my servitude of Jesus Christ. So… if I have to speak about one of those interests for the better part of a year… it’s going to ring hollow to me caring about it.

Semper Zelare means always zealous in Latin. From the verse: Galations 4:18 It is fine to be zealous, privded the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.

Being zealous is good, but only if the purpose is good, and to be so ALWAYS. And, I have always been zealous for Christ since I gave everything to him. How can I stop being zealous now? And talk about politics or economics… worldly drivel. I will not be satisfied doing those things.

 

[Semper_Zelare]

Not everyone can do that. And “acting charitably and liv[ing] our faith by being good nice people” does in fact play a part in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It speaks volumes.

I want to tell people that though. I want to say to them: good works are meaningless without God. If atheists do charitable work, it is to serve themselves. We cannot be good without God, because from Him all good things come.

And yeah, you have given me sound advice for sure. My priest doesn’t defend his vidws to the point of being uncharitable. And, I won’t be able to proclaim the fullness of God in 10 minutes. But, that woman didn’t proclaim the fullness of the heresy of women priests in 10 minutes either. It just such a double standard. They get to attack the Church, but I can’t defend it? The Holy Spirit can reach people’s hearts in 10 minutes.

I’m going to talk to my debate coach now, and I’m going to tell him if I can’t talk about religious topics I’ll be miserable. And, if that means me being kicked off, then I’ll count the scholarship a loss for Christ, and then promptly tell my dad. Who, would probably agree with my coach and not want me to talk about anything religious.

He’s a remarried and lapsed Catholic.

 

[Earnest_Bunbury]

So, one of the main reasons I come to this forum is for community with fellow Catholics. [Gladly this is changing, as I’m attending RCIA though]

I don’t get it, are you Catholic (confirmed) or not?

 

[AntalKalnoky]

Semper, your Basic Premis is TOTALLY Incorrect!. Any Group can be Moral and Good. Jesus Christ and His Teachibngs help us be IDEAL. THAT is the key Point. Native Americans were Intrinsically Moral, and Helped the Tribe. Arab Culture, and Islam NATURE is to Great, Help all Visitors. Know Old Muslim Country Culture was for a well fed man not to Begin his meal until he has Offered an equal Meal to a Starving Person, and waited till That person FINISHED before Beginning His Meal. It’s human Nature to help others; Taking from others is inhrrently wrong. taxes on the richest is LAW, 100% Moral. Christ said “Give unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar’s…” ** Sorry so late, but the CORRECT PREMISE is Christ’s way is the Easiest, most ideal way to Become Ideal: A Saint.

**

 

[puzzleannie]

Please Respond to this quickly. I’m going to have to send emails to my debate team coach and others in the morning.

So, I’m on the debate team, and I felt called to share the gospel by the Holy Spirit. That’s been a daunting task, one that i think the devil tried to make me too nervous to do. But, it was also daunting bc my debate team is VERY liberal, with the vast majority of speeches having obscenities in them… my friend on the team had his family come to watch 4 or 5 different speeches once, and every one of them was VERY inappropriate for his mother and younger sister to hear.

.

the rest of your story is hard to follow, but from this description your debate coach has not properly instructed your team on the rules for debate. He should do so immediately before he allows your team to compete publicly again, and the parents who witness the inappropriate speech should inform the school board and principal. If you take the occasion of debate to break the rules in order to preach, you too need better teaching on the rules for debate, which are precise and if they are not followed, the exercise is pointless for everyone who participates or observes.

 

[Semper_Zelare]

I don’t get it, are you Catholic (confirmed) or not?

I am Catholic, I was raised Catholic, Baptized Catholic. But, my parents stopped taking me and my brother to CCD classes, so we were never confirmed. Sadly, I would say both of my parents are lapsed Catholics. So, that’s why it’s confusing… my situation isn’t anticipated by the Church, bc it teaches against it. I have faith, and am a practicing Catholic, even though my parents are not.

 

[puzzleannie]

I am Catholic, I was raised Catholic, Baptized Catholic. But, my parents stopped taking me and my brother to CCD classes, so we were never confirmed. Sadly, I would say both of my parents are lapsed Catholics. So, that’s why it’s confusing… my situation isn’t anticipated by the Church, bc it teaches against it. I have faith, and am a practicing Catholic, even though my parents are not.

you can take care of this as soon as you are an adult, and assist your siblings as well, to prepare for Confirmation.

meanwhile, when participating in Debate as an academic exercise learn and follow the rules, and preaching is not part of Debate.

do a search on the CA homepage because there are CDs and DVDs available of apologetics debates by some of CA’s best apologists, that is the best training you can get for how do legitimately join in debate on the issues close to your heart.

 

[Semper_Zelare]

the rest of your story is hard to follow, but from this description your debate coach has not properly instructed your team on the rules for debate. He should do so immediately before he allows your team to compete publicly again, and the parents who witness the inappropriate speech should inform the school board and principal. If you take the occasion of debate to break the rules in order to preach, you too need better teaching on the rules for debate, which are precise and if they are not followed, the exercise is pointless for everyone who participates or observes.

Well… I don’t want to be rude. But, in order to get you caught up as quickly as possible:

We do not have a principal or school board at my school. I go to college. We have a President and a Dean.

If there are some rules you know, that apply to college debate. Please bring them up though. I would love to get my coach to stop people from cursing in their speeches…

This is an email my coach sent me a while ago:
**
“The faculty have informed us that when you practice on the veranda with profane language or subject matter, they can and DO hear you. Please keep your practicing to a place and volume that is acceptable.”**

In other words:
We know profane language and subject matter is appropriate… that’s just what goes on in college debate. If you have profane stuff in your speeches, be quiet about it, or go inside, because NORMAL people are hearing profanity and they have a problem with it… unlike us.

As far as I know: profane language and content is acceptable.

Preaching the Gospel is unacceptable.

Is anyone on my side yet? I know God is.