Tough question...or maybe not

[Ani_Ibi]

ReformedCatholic:

Wow. I’m looking at prejudice and condemnation.

This is really rude. You have in my opinion posted several inflammatory examples of invective on this thread which have nothing to do with the topic of the thread. I believe you are flaming us.

ReformedCatholic:

I was Baptised into the Roman Catholic Church on June 4, 1972. Now, what were you saying?

I am saying perhaps you should consider representing the Catholic Church in a faithful way rather than using the Catholic Church to promote your own agenda.

 

[ReformedCatholic]

Ani Ibi:

This is really rude. You have in my opinion posted several inflammatory examples of invective on this thread which have nothing to do with the topic of the thread. I believe you are flaming us.

I’m sorry you feel that way. I offered a differing point of view, initially with the intent of humor, and I’m sorry you are insulted by this.

I find there is a double-standard among some “Catholics” who are predjudicial, offensive, and denigrating, and this bothers no one as long as it is directed toward a dissenting view. If the dissenter calls someone on this conduct then the dissenter is labeled as “rude.”

I am saying perhaps you should consider representing the Catholic Church in a faithful way rather than using the Catholic Church to promote your own agenda.

So we agree I am Catholic then. Thanks. Maybe you’d like to retract your prior statement seeing now that it is erroneous and was in fact judgemental, yes?

I may disagree with Church teaching on some points, and I’m sure there are millions of Catholics who do the same. My only agenda here is to try to make sense out of certain Church teachings or modern representations of those teachings that do not make sense to me.

To get back to the topic, no, I don’t think it is a mortal sin to eat meat on a Friday in the context that the OP presented. Indeed, it sounds as though he was considering the feelings of his co-workers which is showing compassion. My view is that when two of the Church’s teachings contradict, the one that emphasizes love and compassion prevails.

 

[ReformedCatholic]

LatinCat:

While we have different views, yours is neither in line with the scriptures, history, or the teachings of the early Christians. That is why I know your view is incorrect and why I am very concerned for you.

I appreciate your concern. I have just re-started this journey, and so far I have determined that “love God above all else…” and “love one another as I have loved you…” are the only two “absolutes” for me. I’m sure more will follow but I’m taking the process slowly and scrutinizing things in an effort to make them as real for me as possible.

 

[cheeto1]

ReformedCatholic:

To get back to the topic, no, I don’t think it is a mortal sin to eat meat on a Friday in the context that the OP presented. Indeed, it sounds as though he was considering the feelings of his co-workers which is showing compassion. My view is that when two of the Church’s teachings contradict, the one that emphasizes love and compassion prevails.

I agree, love and compassion prevails over “the letter of the law”.
However, I don’t think anyone was in danger of feeling unloved in
this situation. I think the original poster was in danger of being
embarrassed because he ordered the chicken.

Things like this happen to us sometimes and they force us to
think about what we should have done and what we would do if
the situation comes up again.

What if you said you can’t eat meat today and that made the
other Catholic brave enough to say the same thing? Then the
others may have become interested in asking you both questions
about your faith over lunch? You and the other Catholic could
have been placed there for this reason but you both just decided to eat chicken. How long might God have spent engineering this
particular lunch, and making sure both you and the other
Catholic were there? You may have passed up a tremendous
opportunity to further God’s kingdom, and you might have even
hurt His feelings.

I have thought of all this because I have been in a similar situation,
and with chicken. All these years I have waited for God to give
me another chance, and it hasn’t happened yet. Remember, if
God can depend on you for the smallest thing, He’ll know where
He can use that. Ninety percent of your faith is just showing up.
Make God’s feelings number one. He’s the one who loves you.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

ReformedCatholic:

I’m sorry you feel that way. I offered a differing point of view, initially with the intent of humor, and I’m sorry you are insulted by this.

This is what you said:
Reformed Catholic:

Wow. I’m looking at prejudice and condemnation.

It was rude and uncalled for.
Reformed Catholic:

I find there is a double-standard among some “Catholics” who are predjudicial, offensive, and denigrating, and this bothers no one as long as it is directed toward a dissenting view. If the dissenter calls someone on this conduct then the dissenter is labeled as “rude.”

You haven’t called anyone on anything. You have taken this thread off its original topic in order to talk about what you want to talk about. And you have addressed disagreement by making personal attacks which have been rude. All the excuses and sidestepping on your part isn’t going to change that. What is called for is an apology, not an escalation.
Reformed Catholic:

So we agree I am Catholic then.

Please be kind enough not to put words in my mouth. What you say marks you as a Catholic or a non-Catholic.
Reformed Catholic:

Thanks. Maybe you’d like to retract your prior statement seeing now that it is erroneous and was in fact judgemental, yes?

I see that you are big on other people’s behaviour and really not so big on your own behaviour.
Reformed Catholic:

I may disagree with Church teaching on some points, and I’m sure there are millions of Catholics who do the same. My only agenda here is to try to make sense out of certain Church teachings or modern representations of those teachings that do not make sense to me.

If that were true then you would be spending much more time listening and much less time lecturing, justifying, and making personal attacks.

Disagreeing with Church teaching having already made up one’s mind to ignore it is one thing and questioning Church teaching with a view to understanding it is quite another thing entirely.
Reformed Catholic:

To get back to the topic, no, I don’t think it is a mortal sin to eat meat on a Friday in the context that the OP presented.

By what authority do you make this pronouncement?
Reformed Catholic:

Indeed, it sounds as though he was considering the feelings of his co-workers which is showing compassion. My view is that when two of the Church’s teachings contradict, the one that emphasizes love and compassion prevails.

And this reflexive reliance on your own individual interpretation demonstrates your desire “to make sense out of certain Church teachings or modern representations of those teachings that do not make sense to” you in what way precisely?

How can you make sense of Church teachings when you do not even refer to them?

How can you make sense of Church teachings when your first reflex is to resort to your own individual interpretations?

In what way does your rhetoric reflect membership in the Catholic Church?

By what authority do you “reform” the Catholic Church?

 

[ReformedCatholic]

It was rude and uncalled for.

It was my perception of what you did. You prejudged me and condemned me, from my point of view. If me making a statement based on my perceptions offends you, then I’m sorry you feel that way.

As for the rest of your questions and concerns, I have no desire or motivation to address them, nor does it really matter. I’m all for letting the thread return to its original topic- it was never my intent to be involved in such a digression.

 

[ReformedCatholic]

cheeto1:

I agree, love and compassion prevails over “the letter of the law”.
However, I don’t think anyone was in danger of feeling unloved in
this situation. I think the original poster was in danger of being
embarrassed because he ordered the chicken.

Things like this happen to us sometimes and they force us to
think about what we should have done and what we would do if
the situation comes up again.

What if you said you can’t eat meat today and that made the
other Catholic brave enough to say the same thing? Then the
others may have become interested in asking you both questions
about your faith over lunch? You and the other Catholic could
have been placed there for this reason but you both just decided to eat chicken. How long might God have spent engineering this
particular lunch, and making sure both you and the other
Catholic were there? You may have passed up a tremendous
opportunity to further God’s kingdom, and you might have even
hurt His feelings.

I have thought of all this because I have been in a similar situation,
and with chicken. All these years I have waited for God to give
me another chance, and it hasn’t happened yet. Remember, if
God can depend on you for the smallest thing, He’ll know where
He can use that. Ninety percent of your faith is just showing up.
Make God’s feelings number one. He’s the one who loves you.

Very good point. That’s a nice illustration and an interesting perspective.

 

[tcay584]

ReformedCatholic:

It was my perception of what you did. You prejudged me and condemned me, from my point of view. If me making a statement based on my perceptions offends you, then I’m sorry you feel that way.

As for the rest of your questions and concerns, I have no desire or motivation to address them, nor does it really matter. I’m all for letting the thread return to its original topic- it was never my intent to be involved in such a digression.

OK…the OP had a question about eating meat on Friday…RC made an unintentionally inflammatory first response…now we’ve all digressed into a free-for-all argument which will amount to no good whatsoever.
How about if we:

1. Start another thread to discuss just how misguided Reformed Catholic is. We can call it “RC is on the highway to Hell” and all do the head-banging thing (Oh, come on…you must see the humour RC!).
2. Return to the whole meat eating on Friday thread. In which case we can all feel free to castigate the OP for his thoughtless action which have brough us all to this low level of discourse. Thanks, OP (Again…humour!)
3. Remember this is Lent and we should be focused on Christ and what He has done for us and behave accordingly.
   BE NICE PEOPLE!!!

 

[ReformedCatholic]

tcay584:

OK…the OP had a question about eating meat on Friday…RC made an unintentionally inflammatory first response…now we’ve all digressed into a free-for-all argument which will amount to no good whatsoever.
How about if we:

1. Start another thread to discuss just how misguided Reformed Catholic is. We can call it “RC is on the highway to Hell” and all do the head-banging thing (Oh, come on…you must see the humour RC!).
2. Return to the whole meat eating on Friday thread. In which case we can all feel free to castigate the OP for his thoughtless action which have brough us all to this low level of discourse. Thanks, OP (Again…humour!)
3. Remember this is Lent and we should be focused on Christ and what He has done for us and behave accordingly.
   BE NICE PEOPLE!!!

LOL!! I would be honored by such a thread. Sorry if I inflamed or offended.

Here, here! Back to the original topic.

 

[LatinCat]

ReformedCatholic:

I appreciate your concern. I have just re-started this journey, and so far I have determined that “love God above all else…” and “love one another as I have loved you…” are the only two “absolutes” for me. I’m sure more will follow but I’m taking the process slowly and scrutinizing things in an effort to make them as real for me as possible.

If that is you true approach, then I applaude your honesty and will pray for you. I realize that conversion often takes time and I expect everyone to accept Jesus in his entirety immediately. But we are dealing with human beings and for some, the Holy Spirit works with more slowly than others. May God grant you strength and peace on your spiritual Journey that leads ever closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ, and to his bride, the Catholic Church.

 

[ReformedCatholic]

LatinCat:

If that is you true approach, then I applaude your honesty and will pray for you. I realize that conversion often takes time and I expect everyone to accept Jesus in his entirety immediately. But we are dealing with human beings and for some, the Holy Spirit works with more slowly than others. May God grant you strength and peace on your spiritual Journey that leads ever closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ, and to his bride, the Catholic Church.

Thank you very much. This is the nicest thing anyone has said to me on this board. Your genuineness and sincere Christian charity is truly appreciated. God Bless.