What brings non-Catholics to CAF?

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BlueEyedLady said:
Depends on the person.

Originally I joined for advice since I’m marrying in to a super Catholic family. Almost everyone was incredibly mean and hurtful to me. So I stuck around because I’m competitive and proud, and I wasn’t going to let anyone scare me away. Eventually I just started to really enjoy the discussions, debates, and conversations.

Occasionally someone is still unkind to me, but for the most part the people on here are very pleasant.
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I apologise on behalf of the Catholics who were mean and hurtful to you.

Not saying this to have a go at you or doubt you, but perhaps when you first joined you weren’t used to the willing (but not intentionally unkind) cut and thrust of debates on CAF, and that’s why you found people unkind at first but now you don’t?
I’ve been here for 7 years and I haven’t noticed any significant change in the general tone or in the moderators’ policy over that time. The vast majority of Catholics here are polite but many (like me) press our controversial opinions and views quite assertively. We don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings.
 
rfournier103 said:
I have seen Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, Agnostics, and Atheists here (I have yet to see Islam represented) and am curious as to what brought you to CAF? I’m here to learn about my Catholic faith, and would love to hear why others are here.
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Conversion to Orthodoxy.
 
I wanted to learn more about the Church as I have been thinking about converting for some time.

Also,well, there are some rather interesting opinions on Protestantism held by some members here and I can’t stand seeing someone have a wrong idea. I like to set records straight, if that makes sense 😉
 
My husband and I came to CAF at the recommendation of friends. We are now 6 months into attending Mass and are working on annulments of our previous marriages and then on to RCIA classes. This forum has been a blessing to both of us.
 
BlueEyedLady said:
Depends on the person.

Originally I joined for advice since I’m marrying in to a super Catholic family. Almost everyone was incredibly mean and hurtful to me. So I stuck around because I’m competitive and proud, and I wasn’t going to let anyone scare me away. Eventually I just started to really enjoy the discussions, debates, and conversations.

Occasionally someone is still unkind to me, but for the most part the people on here are very pleasant.
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I’ve also found, for what it is worth, that groups of similar ideologies often mistake intentions in a kind of specialized way. Perhaps you have seen or been in a situation where someone was offended by something that they took as a racial slur, when in fact it was a comment on simple human behavior and the requirements of human decency or fairness. It’s a kind of transference that seems to go both ways and in mny categories of ideology.

So people on here sometimes react because they take something as an attack on Catholicism, or whatever, when it is a simple questioon or an idea that can be applied to any religion or philosophy. That is to say the in some cases we have folks who derive their identiy from what they have accepted by inculcation as a belief system, rather than having found something more solid within on which to base their feeling of worth or lovability. And that is a cross-cultural phenomenon, not specifically a religious one by any means, though “religious identity” is included in it. In short, contents is sometimes mistaken for Substance.
 
Sample said:
I apologize, I should have been clearer. I have empathy for people of faith. Inasmuch as people of faith may feel sad for folks who don’t have a religious bone in their body, I too feel sad for folks who do not see the difference between faith and reason.

Of course, this is a general statement, not a personal one. I do want to stay within the terms of use and not be personal.

I used to be a Catholic (of course Catholics still claim me) and I know how Catholic minds operate (generally of course). No doubt some are thinking I am here because of Yahweh!

Anyway, it was a simple answer to a direct question. And a truthful one.
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Empathy, huh? So you feel sorry for us, and have come to comfort us in some way?

I give you credit for being bold enough come here and say as much. That is why I started the thread. I suspect others feel similarly, but for some reason can’t seem to find this thread.
 
Gaber said:
I’ve also found, for what it is worth, that groups of similar ideologies often mistake intentions in a kind of specialized way. Perhaps you have seen or been in a situation where someone was offended by something that they took as a racial slur, when in fact it was a comment on simple human behavior and the requirements of human decency or fairness. It’s a kind of transference that seems to go both ways and in mny categories of ideology.

So people on here sometimes react because they take something as an attack on Catholicism, or whatever, when it is a simple questioon or an idea that can be applied to any religion or philosophy. That is to say the in some cases we have folks who derive their identiy from what they have accepted by inculcation as a belief system, rather than having found something more solid within on which to base their feeling of worth or lovability. And that is a cross-cultural phenomenon, not specifically a religious one by any means, though “religious identity” is included in it. In short, contents is sometimes mistaken for Substance.
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I have a question for you. What is a “Ronin Catholic?” Is that some sort of private joke?

:confused:
 
I originally came here to learn about Catholicism, as I grew up Jehovah’s Witness and knew very little about the Catholic Church. After a long period of discernment, I felt that I was being called to the Episcopal Church and I later joined. However, i’m still here learning about Catholicism and I value other perspectives from other Christian denominations. I enjoy the converstion here and I like to pass on my knowledge on Jehovah’s Witness threads and to add my perspective on Anglican/Episcopal threads. 🙂
 
Google seemed to redirect me here. In other websites people don’t seem as fervent as knowledgable about the faith. I left a previous site because people were argumentive or sarcastic. So far only one poster have I encountered apart from atheists like that. I still feel uncomfortable being in conflict because Christ said to forgive from the heart.
 
benjohnson said:
I’m here because it’s fun to watch the Catholic church resurrect herself.

Where I’m from, the Catholic church was a limp-wristed and lame. Maybe my perceptions has changed, but it seems that the Catholic church that built cathedrals is back. And it’s fun to watch from a safe distance 😉
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Stilldreamn said:
I’m here because the Lutherans don’t have the equivalent type of forum and the generic Christian forums seem pretty weak and simply awash in feelings.

CAF has very informative and charitable discussions. I feel welcome here.
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BJ and still Dreamin…just jump on in the water is warm. 😃
Jennivere said:
I joined because, for personal reasons that I am not yet ready to share, I NEED to talk to and learn from Catholics who love and practice their religion. Also, if possible and appropriate, I would like to share some of what I learned from Pagans. I have encountered many Christians who have misconceptions about modern Pagan religions.
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Start a thread then and let us know the title so we can find it and talk to you. Welcome.
 
For my part, I came on here to explore Catholic viewpoints on various theological issues. I believe strongly in ecumenism and it saddens me that there are so much misunderstandings between Catholics and Protestants.😦 I wanted to find out what Catholics really believe (as opposed to hearing anti-Catholic rhetoric) and also to hopefully clarify any misunderstandings some may have about certain Protestant/evangelical beliefs. Anti-Catholicism and anti-Protestantism both bother me to no end, and I think negativity and hatred arises because of a lack of proper communication and understanding.
 
rfournier103 said:
Empathy, huh? So you feel sorry for us, and have come to comfort us in some way?

I give you credit for being bold enough come here and say as much. That is why I started the thread. I suspect others feel similarly, but for some reason can’t seem to find this thread.
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I think sample was being honest which is always the best. no matter what the reason at least Sample had the courage to join. I hope no matter what the motivation is everyone is welcome on CAF which does include those who don’t believe in any God or any religion.
 
UnumCorpus said:
For my part, I came on here to explore Catholic viewpoints on various theological issues. I believe strongly in ecumenism and it saddens me that there are so much misunderstandings between Catholics and Protestants.😦 I wanted to find out what Catholics really believe (as opposed to hearing anti-Catholic rhetoric) and also to hopefully clarify any misunderstandings some may have about certain Protestant/evangelical beliefs. Anti-Catholicism and anti-Protestantism both bother me to no end, and I think negativity and hatred arises because of a lack of proper communication and understanding.
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good for you! sometimes we get lost in the differences between different Christian groups in stead of looking at the common. But sometimes we need to talk about differences as well and not to gloss over them or sweep them under the carpet.
 
I hope no matter what the motivation is everyone is welcome on CAF which does include those who don’t believe in any God or any religion.
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Thank you. I also make it a point to address claims, not individuals. That rule typically honors most TOUs found in forums.

One of my favorite quotes: “Attacks against people are features of barbarism; attacks against ideas are features of civilization”-Unknown
 
Petergee said:
I apologise on behalf of the Catholics who were mean and hurtful to you.

Not saying this to have a go at you or doubt you, but perhaps when you first joined you weren’t used to the willing (but not intentionally unkind) cut and thrust of debates on CAF, and that’s why you found people unkind at first but now you don’t?
I’ve been here for 7 years and I haven’t noticed any significant change in the general tone or in the moderators’ policy over that time. The vast majority of Catholics here are polite but many (like me) press our controversial opinions and views quite assertively. We don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings.
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I haven’t been here a week and I’ve found most here not intentionly mean. I know I canbe a bit fleaky.:cool:
 
TheRealJuliane said:
I have a question for you. What is a “Ronin Catholic?” Is that some sort of private joke?

:confused:
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I guess it could be that, if one has that sort of bent to their humor. But while that may be so, it is primarily an accurate discription/compact religious biography. Do you know the etymology of the word beyond the common understanding?
 
I found CAF as I was looking for a place to learn more about Catholicism and to explore our common beliefs with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am a Lutheran who believes that the Catholic Church is an important witness to our Lord and that all Christians need to work toward the unity for which our Lord prayed.
 
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