What is the CC doing about the sudden rise in atheism?

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MontChevalier

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And what do I do to help? Can I even help? Has the Pope been saying what his plans are for this? If so, I want to know what they are, and if it’s possible for me to help.

If not, then I strongly encourage the Catholic Church to make plans. I’m not sure what they are…cause my mind is right now elsewhere (lack of job, poor living conditions and zero friends for back-up). But I did want to bring this up, cause it got me thinking:

“God, why are there so many atheists here? I’m living in a Catholic country, full of…atheists???” :mad::mad::mad:

-MontChevalier
 
MontChevalier said:
And what do I do to help? Can I even help? Has the Pope been saying what his plans are for this? If so, I want to know what they are, and if it’s possible for me to help.

If not, then I strongly encourage the Catholic Church to make plans. I’m not sure what they are…cause my mind is right now elsewhere (lack of job, poor living conditions and zero friends for back-up). But I did want to bring this up, cause it got me thinking:

“God, why are there so many atheists here? I’m living in a Catholic country, full of…atheists???” :mad::mad::mad:

-MontChevalier
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I’m right in the same boat MontChevalier. New England I think is seeing a big tide rush in. I think one of the best ways you can help, is to know The Faith. Know the ins and out of the bible the catechism especially. One of the best things I think is said in 1 Peter 3:15 “Always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in you”. Speak kindly and softly about the faith, and read read read, the Church fathers, Augustine, Ignatius, Aquinas, for Atheist Aquinas is great because he lays down scientific proofs for God. Plus remember converting isn’t our job that’s up to The Boss.

Bless you for coming home. 👍
 
It doesn’t seem that the Church is doing much on a major level to combat the sudden rise of atheism. This really is a crying shame. I can attest to the fact that in my generation, atheism is on the rise and is not slowing down.

Fr. Robert Barron often counters the arguments of the New Atheism in his Youtube commentaries. I’d highly recommend them.
 
MontChevalier said:
And what do I do to help? Can I even help? Has the Pope been saying what his plans are for this? If so, I want to know what they are, and if it’s possible for me to help.

lier
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this pope and the previous one have been very outspoken on this issue.
what else do you suggest?
should we round them up and burn them at the stake or bring back the Inquisition?
 
MontChevalier said:
And what do I do to help? Can I even help? Has the Pope been saying what his plans are for this? If so, I want to know what they are, and if it’s possible for me to help.
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Assuming that by “help” you mean to convince atheists to become Catholic or to convince Catholics to remain Catholics, you could do this by providing evidence that backs up the claims of the Catholic Church, including evidence that there is a god. If you present convincing evidence for these things, that would do a lot for your cause. Atheists – or at least the ones I know – are pretty reasonable people who are generally very open-minded.
 
I know something I try and do is to try and correct misrepresentations about Catholicism. Which is an enormous task and sometimes I get asked questions I don’t know the answer to. But then I come here ( 😛 ) and figure out what I can and then answer. I have friends who aren’t Catholic, hear things from friends or in the news about Catholics, and then come ask me if they’re true or not. This presents a really good opportunity for me, and if I am not arrogant in my answer it helps a lot.

In my experience, I’ve found that many athiests or non-theists aren’t religious because of the actions or words of someone else who claimed to speaking on the authority of religion, and they were either deeply hurt by it or couldn’t understand it. Usually, it’s because someone abused their power and I have to explain that the person really wasn’t expressing at all what Catholicism was about (or was partially correct but then distorting it to his/her advantage.) I then explain that unfortunately the possibility of abusing a position of authority exists in all kinds of institutions, but you wouldn’t throw out the whole field of education or of medicine because someone did something bad with it (this line of reasoning wouldn’t work with anarchists, I don’t think…but I don’t know any anarchists. 🤷)

It doesn’t always “work” (to my knowledge I’ve never converted anyone), but I have taught people a lot about the Church and to be a little more positive in their understanding of it. For someone who knows so little, I consider this to be a good method. 👍
 
silicasandra said:
In my experience, I’ve found that many athiests or non-theists aren’t religious because of the actions or words of someone else who claimed to speaking on the authority of religion,
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I think this is very true. The non-believer’s opinion of a religion is often based in large part on the fruits of that religion (i.e., it’s adherents). As an example related to Catholicism that also points to the misunderstanding of (and misrepresentation of) Catholicism, I think non-believers often take catholics to be just another group of homophobes. So often, the anti-gay-marriage sentiment out of catholics comes off as anti-Gay people. Why? Well, in part, because we don’t really hear you talking about divorce and heterosexual sexual sins (which are infinitely more common sins). It just comes off as anti-gay.
silicasandra said:
I then explain that unfortunately the possibility of abusing a position of authority exists in all kinds of institutions, but you wouldn’t throw out the whole field of education or of medicine because someone did something bad with it (this line of reasoning wouldn’t work with anarchists, I don’t think…but I don’t know any anarchists. 🤷)
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The problem here is that religious institutions are unique (or at least rare) in arguing that they are related to the moral qualities of their members. Thus, medicine is problematic when it makes you sick (as when people pick up anti-biotic resistant infections in the hospital); education is problematic when it doesn’t actually educate you. Medical practices are very much in question because of things like this. Education in the US (K-PhD) is in a crisis because it doesn’t appear to be providing much of an education. Likewise, when religious institutions produce immorality (or when their members do not appear to be any more moral than non-members), it calls into question the very purpose of the institution.
 
=MontChevalier;8227577]And what do I do to help? Can I even help? Has the Pope been saying what his plans are for this? If so, I want to know what they are, and if it’s possible for me to help.
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If not, then I strongly encourage the Catholic Church to make plans. I’m not sure what they are…cause my mind is right now elsewhere (lack of job, poor living conditions and zero friends for back-up). But I did want to bring this up, cause it got me thinking:
Click to expand...
“God, why are there so many atheists here? I’m living in a Catholic country, full of…atheists???” :mad::mad::mad:
Click to expand...
-MontChevalier
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Thank you for your concern.

Be assured the Holy Father is well aware of whats going on. Recently [eariler this year] He founded a new Roman Curial Department [seperate staff and funding at the highest level of the CC] called “The New Evangelization”. There target is ti RETEACH the Faith in ALL of the countires that were Once heavly Catholic like Europe and the USA, who have in the past 50 years had [have] drastic delclines in belief and understanding of the Faith.

Secular - Humanism, New Age, Revalatism have ALL contributed to this Fact driven by the secular media and a New, “One World Order”, one coomon “religion” founded on believing in NO REAL GOD because “we ourselves are gods.” It’s appealing because it has no rules, nostandards, no judgments, and everyone picks what they like and don’t like.

So until and unless we can reisablish God, Faith, The Commandments, the Bible and The CC; this new NWO"R" will consume us.

***What to do!

Know OUR Faith
Live it PUBLICALLY
When God presents you an opportunity to share our faith…TAKE IT and do it with EXTREME charity.
Invite someone to Mass
and have a STRONG Prayer and Sacramnetal Life***

God Bless you,
Pat
 
puzzleannie said:
this pope and the previous one have been very outspoken on this issue.
what else do you suggest?
should we round them up and burn them at the stake or bring back the Inquisition?
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Now hold the phone, hold the phone. I kinda like this idea. It speaks to me. 😛

jk

-Montchevalier
 
MontChevalier said:
And what do I do to help? Can I even help? Has the Pope been saying what his plans are for this? If so, I want to know what they are, and if it’s possible for me to help.

If not, then I strongly encourage the Catholic Church to make plans. I’m not sure what they are…cause my mind is right now elsewhere (lack of job, poor living conditions and zero friends for back-up). But I did want to bring this up, cause it got me thinking:

“God, why are there so many atheists here? I’m living in a Catholic country, full of…atheists???” :mad::mad::mad:

-MontChevalier
Click to expand...
It’s not atheism, which is always single digit part of all Humanity. The Problem is Secularism, which is now Based on Economic Self interest in suggesting that Morality, Religion, even History, etchnicity and culture are old-fashioned (and hurt sales for “Fun” outlook). Many discover “Fun” attitude is self destructive and turn to The Church for The Best Results, Solutions, Life. The Biggest group are Agnostics (maybe 40%): Not Knowing if There Is God; I was there for a while, leaving The Church for over a decade.
 
PJM said:
Thank you for your concern.

Be assured the Holy Father is well aware of whats going on. Recently [eariler this year] He founded a new Roman Curial Department [seperate staff and funding at the highest level of the CC] called “The New Evangelization”. There target is ti RETEACH the Faith in ALL of the countires that were Once heavly Catholic like Europe and the USA, who have in the past 50 years had [have] drastic delclines in belief and understanding of the Faith.

Secular - Humanism, New Age, Revalatism have ALL contributed to this Fact driven by the secular media and a New, “One World Order”, one coomon “religion” founded on believing in NO REAL GOD because “we ourselves are gods.” It’s appealing because it has no rules, nostandards, no judgments, and everyone picks what they like and don’t like.

So until and unless we can reisablish God, Faith, The Commandments, the Bible and The CC; this new NWO"R" will consume us.

***What to do!

Know OUR Faith
Live it PUBLICALLY
When God presents you an opportunity to share our faith…TAKE IT and do it with EXTREME charity.
Invite someone to Mass
and have a STRONG Prayer and Sacramnetal Life***

God Bless you,
Pat
Click to expand...
The USA has stayed steady in Numbers, as all other faiths show modest declines. Same Wordwide: The Total Number of Catholics is 1.3 Billion Roman and Orthodox, fastest growing in Asia and Africa. Islam is 1 Billion. Indeed, Living Our Faith at Mass, Confession, Eucharistic Adoration is the Way to Grow; and inviting friends To Mass. [SIGN]EWTN, EWTN.com 24 hours daily[/SIGN]
Coverage of the 2 Million Youth from every part of the Globe Begins on EWTN 2PM EDT August 16! Why are They There? Living The Church, The Pope. :hey_bud: :amen: Pat.
 
Our Lady was way ahead of us and gave us the plan in 1917 for the conversion of sinners and peace in the world. It’s more relevant today than in 1917. (of course it is!)
 
Jocko_VT said:
I think this is very true. The non-believer’s opinion of a religion is often based in large part on the fruits of that religion (i.e., it’s adherents). As an example related to Catholicism that also points to the misunderstanding of (and misrepresentation of) Catholicism, I think non-believers often take catholics to be just another group of homophobes. So often, the anti-gay-marriage sentiment out of catholics comes off as anti-Gay people. Why? Well, in part, because we don’t really hear you talking about divorce and heterosexual sexual sins (which are infinitely more common sins). It just comes off as anti-gay.
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That’s why I mention these when same-sex “marriage” comes up.

Person X: [something about same-sex “marriage”]
Me: I don’t believe in such things.
Person X: [jaw drops] You DON’T? What kind of bigot are you?
Me: Hey, I’m Catholic–I don’t even believe in second marriages, let alone same-sex ones!
The problem here is that religious institutions are unique (or at least rare) in arguing that they are related to the moral qualities of their members.
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But they are related. I’ve become much better morally since I converted from atheism to Catholicism. Just because some people don’t follow the teachings, does that make the teachings themselves bad?
 
Jocko_VT said:
I think this is very true. The non-believer’s opinion of a religion is often based in large part on the fruits of that religion (i.e., it’s adherents). As an example related to Catholicism that also points to the misunderstanding of (and misrepresentation of) Catholicism, I think non-believers often take catholics to be just another group of homophobes. So often, the anti-gay-marriage sentiment out of catholics comes off as anti-Gay people. Why? Well, in part, because we don’t really hear you talking about divorce and heterosexual sexual sins (which are infinitely more common sins). It just comes off as anti-gay.

[SIGN]The problem here is that religious institutions are unique (or at least rare) in arguing that they are related to the moral qualities of their members.[/SIGN] Thus, medicine is problematic when it makes you sick (as when people pick up anti-biotic resistant infections in the hospital); education is problematic when it doesn’t actually educate you. Medical practices are very much in question because of things like this. Education in the US (K-PhD) is in a crisis because it doesn’t appear to be providing much of an education. Likewise, when religious institutions produce immorality (or when their members do not appear to be any more moral than non-members), it calls into question the very purpose of the institution.
Click to expand...
Jocko, It is the Reverse of your line I highlighted: It is The True Faith System that its Followers Live: True Catholicism, even Confuscianism and Quakers, Salvation Army. And the Catholic Church is virtually the Only Church which Repects Gays, and Sinners; condemns the ACT, and Philosophy, ‘justifications’. It is the Ideal Nature of Catholic Teaching on gay that results in us being called “Phobes” incorrectly.
 
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