Washing my hands of the world; I just don't care anymore

[JackVk]

Today on Facebook, a girl I know (who claims to be Catholic) shared a Change.org petition directed at a Catholic school, ordering it to keep an actively gay teacher employed. I said nothing to her, but all I wanted to write in the combox was “f**k you”.

I’ve gotten so sick and tired of trying to save a world that does not want to be saved. I have long since abandoned all hope that we will ever win the culture wars. So I’m done trying; it’s time we Catholics follow St. Peter’s order to “flee this wicked generation”; from the looks of it, there is nothing to save in our culture.

I’ve had this attitude for a long time, and on a whole host of things, to politics and intra-Church business to my school and work life. I’ve just had enough of everything, drawing an quartering me, invading my every waking moment and demanding my absolute attention. The pressure is making my bitter, cynical, and even misanthropic.

I just want to be left alone. But why do I feel like that is wrong? I highly doubt God wants me to become a basket case.

 

[TK421]

Change your atmosphere. Anybody that spends too much time immersing themselves in controversial news, Facebook, etc., is going to get fatigued. It can even develop into an unhealthy addiction, where you feel like you have to be on the “front line” at all times, when really you’re just spiritually starving yourself and making your light get dimmer. Wrath creeps in and takes over. Hook yourself up with some positive/edifying Catholic literature, try adjusting your routines, and yes, maybe you would be happier if you scaled back your social interactions somewhat. A handful of friends is better than a bucket of acquaintances.

It’s going to take a persevering, pro-active effort though. Habits never just let themselves go on their own.If you vent now, but tomorrow you just keep doing what you always do, then it will mean nothing, More than that: this sickness will continue to worsen.

 

[JackVk]

Change your atmosphere. Anybody that spends too much time immersing themselves in controversial news, Facebook, etc., is going to get fatigued. It can even develop into an unhealthy addiction, where you feel like you have to be on the “front line” at all times, when really you’re just spiritually starving yourself and making your light get dimmer. Wrath creeps in and takes over.

I have tried this many times, all to no avail. When I steer clear of controversy, controversy somehow invariably finds me. It could be something I see in passing, or even a fleeting thought of mine. Either way, it always sends me back to it, like a dog returning to its vomit.

Also, Catholic reading does little to console me these days. I work at a Catholic bookstore, and it all just seems so stale and hackneyed. If there is a difference between the timeless truths of the faith and pious platitudes, it is not apparent to me. I attend Mass and pray the rosary most every day, and that’s all I can really handle.

 

[MyNameIsDan]

The whole world needs saving, but not by you. There is a difference between you saving them and letting God save them through you. I don’t mean this in an offensive way by any means, but I hope you aren’t viewing the world through a lens that is simply right and wrong, with you handed the duty to save it. I hope you don’t see the corruption of people without seeing how tragic it is. I think that the first response to a tragedy is mercy, but it seems one cannot offer mercy if they do not see where it is needed. Of course, I may be mistaken and you can correct me if I am wrong to which I apologize for my misunderstanding.

1. Are you angry at the world for its wrong deeds or are you sad for it?
2. Are you angry at the world for its wrong deeds which it makes unknowingly or are you sad for it?

I have a friend who sometimes feels “down” about the world and has asked me twice if I sometimes thought cynically about the world (they used the word “cynical”). Sometimes, I do see how destructive the world is becoming so I can see where you’re coming from. When I get to those points in my life, I do see how sad it is. I’m not going to say there haven’t been times when I felt angry (I remember getting angry when I read news on changes to our country’s laws regarding certain areas of “health care” and seeing the garbage people post on Facebook). But I think there is a difference between righteous anger and the wrong kind of anger. The question becomes which was mine in those instances? Which was my friend’s anger? Which was yours?

After a while, when it came to people expressing their views which I disagreed with, I lost the propensity to get angry for the following reason: Why should I get angry for something they don’t realize they are doing wrong? With the issues like the one you saw, one would only support a side they think is right. Why be angry at somebody when they haven’t had the chance to see the truth? Assuming your side is true and you have the answer, it seems you have no reason to feel angry of their ignorance. It becomes your duty to educate them. But since you did not engage her in any sort of conversation, it hardly seems you have the right to get angry at her. If you tried to engage her and she refused, then that is ignorance and maybe then you can be angry.

A lesson in my philosophy class today is that those who have the most self knowledge are happier. It’s easy to get angry, but if you were secure about what you know, it seems that you would recognize where they are lacking, and with your mercy, teach them what it means to be virtuous. (By the way, whenever I use the word “you”, I don’t mean you, the reader. I mean all of us.).

So another question is whether in situations like these when we get angry; is it because we lack self knowledge or we lack mercy? If we know that what we know is true, then we would see where they are lacking. Then we have two options: think to our self, “they don’t know what they’re talking about so I’ll just leave them” or we can teach them what is right.

Having said all this, I remember reading somewhere that it’s better to feel something than to not care at all. The nihilistic state is far worse than a state of passion (such as pity, worry, etc.). I can’t say much about this, but at the least, your response shows that you care! Don’t give up hope!

I hope that makes sense and helps somehow.

Prayers for us and the whole world.

 

[Dorothy]

Jack,

You were created by God for a purpose and He loves you infinitely.

It helps much to surround yourself with friends from your parish that take their faith seriously. Of course, we all have weaknesses, but we need to pray and bear one another’s burdens.

Jesus is our hope! Hope springs eternal! The Lord works through us.

Praying together, struggling together, encouraging our Catholic Christian brothers and sisters is real community in Christ! I know that works, as I benefit much from community in Christ our Lord.

Peace in Jesus and Mary,

Dorothy

 

[Piney_Woods]

I can sort of relate to what you’re saying because I live in a very “liberal” town, but you have to remember our Lord weeping over Jerusalem.
If you have not already read “Searching for and Maintaining Peace” by Fr. Jacques Philippe, I can not recommend it strongly enough. The owner of our local Catholic bookstore recommended it to me a few years ago and I don’t know how many copies I’ve bought since then to give to people. The book, like a chihuahua, is tiny but mighty.

 

[Beryllos]

Jesus said that you are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16), not like the sun, but like a lamp or perhaps a city shining in the darkness. Jesus is the Sun.

So look for ways you can let your light shine. Be humble. Love those around you.

Do not get obsessed about the evils of the world. Fix your attention on the good that you can do. There are ways you can make it better.

If you feel that you must correct or teach others (as on Facebook), first eliminate your own pride and resentment, and then pause until you figure out how to correct or teach with love, respect, and kindness.

Serenity Prayer
Reinhold Niebuhr

God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

 

[DakiniArtist]

Jack,

I’m a pretty liberal but pro-life gal and I get down. I’ve been thinking lately I need to take a big social media break.

Folks don’t listen. Both “sides” are too busy screaming at each to listen or to understand each other. It hurts my heart.

That Catholic girl who wants this fellow to keep his job, pray for her and give her the benefit of the doubt. Don’t write her off. Sounds like she has a good heart. Misguided, but compassionate. Please see that.

:hug1:

 

[BobCatholic]

The secular world is quickly abandoning reason. So anyone who is unreasonable, cut ties with them. They’re not going to listen to reason. So much for the “Enlightenment” which apparently placed reason on the throne, now people seek to dethrone her. The secular world is QUICKLY and at WARP speed turning into a “shut up! don’t think!” world.

There are people still interested in dialogue, and reason, talk to them. Even if you butt heads, at least they are still using their brains.

Hang around with Muslims and see if you can use apologetics on them. Hang around with protestants, and see if you can use apologetics on them.

The secular culture is the Titanic. Jesus is your lifeboat.

 

[wild_thing]

The answer is prayer.

Unless you are immersing yourself in interior prayer each day, you will burn out. Prayer is the source of renewal, strength, zeal and love. Talk to God. Tell him about your frustrations with this culture, ask Him to bless your friends and acquaintances, offer reparation for the evil you see around you.

As for Catholic literature, have you ever read any of the books by Father James Martin? How about Father Barron’s homilies and commentary on popular culture? He has a new book out entitled *Seeds of The Word: Finding God in the Culture *.

God bless!

 

[Dorothy]

When St. Francis of Assisi heard the Lord say “repair my Church” he started to physically repair the Church. He also began to be a holier person and practice all the virtues.

This is how we repair the Church, the Body of Christ.

 

[Loly_Maria]

An actively gay teacher should still be employed, or else it’s discrimination.

A teacher’s personal life has nothing to do with their ability to do a good job (unless, of course, there are legitimate reasons not to employ, like having committed a serious crime).

 

[BobCatholic]

An actively gay teacher should still be employed, or else it’s discrimination.

What kind of “discrimination” is this?

A teacher’s personal life has nothing to do with their ability to do a good job (unless, of course, there are legitimate reasons not to employ, like having committed a serious crime).

Actually, it does.

Would you take a finance class on how to manage your money, from a guy previously convicted of securities fraud?

Would you take a class on weightlifting, if the teacher was using steroids?

Would you take a class on dog training from a guy who runs dog fights in his basement?

Would you take a class on wine tasting from a teacher who is an alcoholic?

I’d say “NO” to all of the above. You’d be justified in discriminating against the teacher based on their ACTIONS.

If one is teaching in a Catholic school, they are representing the Catholic faith, and thus need to be actually…practicing the Catholic faith, and not dissenting. Gay is a sociopolitical term that advocates discrimination against people based on their faith, so it is vastly inappropriate for a teacher in a faith based school.

 

[Loly_Maria]

What kind of “discrimination” is this?

Discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

Actually, it does.

Would you take a finance class on how to manage your money, from a guy previously convicted of securities fraud?

Would you take a class on weightlifting, if the teacher was using steroids?

Would you take a class on dog training from a guy who runs dog fights in his basement?

Would you take a class on wine tasting from a teacher who is an alcoholic?

I’d say “NO” to all of the above. You’d be justified in discriminating against the teacher based on their ACTIONS.

If one is teaching in a Catholic school, they are representing the Catholic faith, and thus need to be actually…practicing the Catholic faith, and not dissenting. Gay is a sociopolitical term that advocates discrimination against people based on their faith, so it is vastly inappropriate for a teacher in a faith based school.

To answer your questions: possibly, probably not, not if he was still doing it, and yes.

Are heterosexual teachers in Catholic schools asked about their sex lives? Do they get asked every morning if they’ve been masturbating or having sex with their partners? Hopefully not, because it’s nobody else’s business. You can’t fire a teacher for their sexuality, because their sexuality has nothing to do with being a good teacher.

 

[Captain_America]

Today on Facebook, a girl I know (who claims to be Catholic) shared a Change.org petition directed at a Catholic school, ordering it to keep an actively gay teacher employed. I said nothing to her, but all I wanted to write in the combox was “f**k you”.

I’ve gotten so sick and tired of trying to save a world that does not want to be saved. I have long since abandoned all hope that we will ever win the culture wars. So I’m done trying; it’s time we Catholics follow St. Peter’s order to “flee this wicked generation”; from the looks of it, there is nothing to save in our culture.

I’ve had this attitude for a long time, and on a whole host of things, to politics and intra-Church business to my school and work life. I’ve just had enough of everything, drawing an quartering me, invading my every waking moment and demanding my absolute attention. The pressure is making my bitter, cynical, and even misanthropic.

I just want to be left alone. But why do I feel like that is wrong? I highly doubt God wants me to become a basket case.

Going for the Benedict Option. At the same time, we’re called to evangelize and spread the word.

 

[Mousey]

You can’t fire a teacher for their sexuality, because their sexuality has nothing to do with being a good teacher.

Really? How can they teach that their preference of a sex partner is a mortal sin? What they do does impact their ability to teach. Where do you get they can’t be fired?

 

[BobCatholic]

Discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

Based on who they are or based on what they do?

Can you tell the difference? I have a sense you cannot.

Interesting you are using that term LGBTQ+. That term is already dated, and has many more letters added to it, thanks to the relativism of the age. You will eventually be considered a hater by modern society, because you used the outdated term above, guaranteed.

Are heterosexual teachers in Catholic schools asked about their sex lives? Do they get asked every morning if they’ve been masturbating or having sex with their partners?

Let’s say the teachers are horrific sinners - regardless of their orientation. Are they capable of teaching others that what they are doing is a sin? Are they capable of not committing the sin of scandal?

If they cannot, then they are not good teachers. PERIOD. And I said: Regardless of their orientation.

A good teacher can teach that getting drunk like skunk in a funk is a sin, can be an alcoholic struggling to stay sober. Or he can make alcoholism look like fun and encourage people to become one.

Can you tell the difference?

Hopefully not, because it’s nobody else’s business. You can’t fire a teacher for their sexuality, because their sexuality has nothing to do with being a good teacher.

“sexuality” or “lifestyle”

I have a sense you can’t tell the difference. The language you use is purposely vague.

We are all dancing on broken legs. We are ALL imperfect, and are ALL called to be holy.
No exception.

We are living in an age where WHO people are and WHAT they do are made equivalent. This does not fit reality, it is a bad anthropology.

 

[Loly_Maria]

Really? How can they teach that their preference of a sex partner is a mortal sin? What they do does impact their ability to teach. Where do you get they can’t be fired?

I don’t know much about Catholic schools, but I presume that they teach regular school stuff? Like English and Maths? I don’t know if this teacher is a R.E teacher, but - even if he was - if he’s wanting to keep his job and he’s good at his job, then there is no reason to fire him.

By ‘can’t’, I meant ‘shouldn’t’, since it obviously depends on what the law says. Unfortunately, there are plenty of places where people can legally discriminate.

Based on who they are or based on what they do?

Can you tell the difference? I have a sense you cannot.

Interesting you are using that term LGBTQ+. That term is already dated, and has many more letters added to it, thanks to the relativism of the age. You will eventually be considered a hater by modern society, because you used the outdated term above, guaranteed.

Based on both, I imagine.

I know that there are other letters added to it - I am a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and I often identify as one of the other ‘letters’. The term is not yet considered dated, as far as I’m aware. Although I tend to use ‘queer’ now, but I used LGBTQ+ here, because I think that more people know what I mean by that.

Let’s say the teachers are horrific sinners - regardless of their orientation. Are they capable of teaching others that what they are doing is a sin? Are they capable of not committing the sin of scandal?

If they cannot, then they are not good teachers. PERIOD. And I said: Regardless of their orientation.

A good teacher can teach that getting drunk like skunk in a funk is a sin, can be an alcoholic struggling to stay sober. Or he can make alcoholism look like fun and encourage people to become one.

Can you tell the difference?

Yes, they may be capable of teaching that what they are doing is a sin (not that I think that they should have to, to clarify). Or an alcoholic can do their job and the subject of their personal life doesn’t need to come up? Because it’s not the school’s business, as long as they are still able to do their job. Also, LGBTQ+ people don’t tend to ‘encourage people to become one’.

“sexuality” or “lifestyle”

I have a sense you can’t tell the difference. The language you use is purposely vague.

We are all dancing on broken legs. We are ALL imperfect, and are ALL called to be holy.
No exception.

We are living in an age where WHO people are and WHAT they do are made equivalent. This does not fit reality, it is a bad anthropology.

I don’t think I’m using vague language - I do know the difference between those words. I thought that it was clear what I meant.

 

[wadramli]

No wait . do not wash your hands. Please give the world another chance. We need people like you so we can point our finger at you and say this is the good guy .

When I was young I used to be such an idealist . I come home from school and I fling my school at the wall and fall flat on back yelling insanities from sheer anger . then I spend the whole night planning how I’m going to get them tomorrow . Tomorrow I will show them. Tomorrow I come home clothes torn and face swollen from the punches. There were so many of them you see. But with time I learned to improve my planning . use the scientific method. Observe , study , collect the data and then ii knew how to catch each one of them when he was alone. It was fun too. hide inside the bush and spy on them carefully noting until got to the routine .That’s how animals in the jungle hunt . they figured the routine of their prey .

Lets say my daughter comes to me all upset because they want to fire this gay teacher . I commend her on her tolerance and give her a pat on the head and tell her I’m so proud of her . then after she leaves I make a few calls . gay teacher is framed arrested and put in jail. End of story .just don’t care for the idea of homosexual around impressionable young little people.

Not long ago the Nun sent me the leaders of the parish youth club. They needed a bunch of supplies but the money they had was not enough. The clergy likes to bless me such often times .i look at the paper . I crumble it into a pulp and I throw it in the bin basketball style. Then I tell them here is what you do. You do this , then you do this and then this and problem solved . instead of thanking me they got upset and they accused me of telling them to commit fraud and con people. Hurt my feeling you know. I chased out of the office. They stood at the other end of the corridor while I yelled insanities at them .sometime later the nun calls. They complained to her . so I make a call and I have a guy drop the stuff at the parish and to ask for half the money . they gave him the money . I gave the money to the nun. I got the stuff for free. Record accounting at those warehouses are very loose. Note they paid that money without asking questions. I stop fw days alter and their attitude was they got the stuff no thanks to you… I just laugh . yeah yeah you showed me young ones i tell them .

A young male thinks of sex every 18 minutes on average . the human female is doused with hormone from her brain to her toes . we have enough trouble as it is trying to harness that sexual energy and channel it towards breeding and production. Don’t need any further complications if you don’t mind . and so called good teacher are ten for a penny . what is he doing teaching if he was any good anyways ? and what is school good for anyways ? my youngest daughter finished college and have been sitting home. She doesn’t even want to get married. where are my grand kids I ask her. she doesn’t answer . I ask her if she is lesbian , its okay. I can always get her a feminine looking guy with no facial hair. Dress him in a skirt and marry her to him . she runs to her mother.

People are just not practical. A guy is gay . no problem. There is woman that comes to my bible study class. hairy loud voice woman . she has moustache . she looks more man than woman. just cut her hair some and dress her in pants and tell gay person …look I found you a nice looking man . marry her off to gay guy and lock them in the room and throw key away .
solutions are what the world require not washing hands. But you have to understand ideals are something we aspire to not try to accomplish . compromise is the way to go. the world is a very entertaining place esp people. sometimes you have to look at it with a sense of humor . you’re young. enjoy slugging it with the wolrd. soon you will be old and thrill is gone . too young to be bored with the world . now go call her up and tell her she is the pinnacle of tolerance .

Think about it .

 

[jmcrae]

I don’t know much about Catholic schools, but I presume that they teach regular school stuff? Like English and Maths?

It is also assumed that they are living the Catholic lifestyle, and that the children will be able to follow their example in every way, without ever coming into conflict with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

So, this means they have to be living lives of chastity and holiness. Their living arrangements need to be without any taint of sin.