What makes Catholics so angry and bitter?

[PJM]

=Lost Wanderer;4778790]Here’s a surprise, I actually would describe myself as angry and bitter but here’s a second surprise, it’s not because I’m Catholic.

It’s because I’m your typical pessimistic youth who does not think very highly of humanity or life in general.

In fact, it would take the words of a saintly and angelic Catholic girl to convince me wrong about my negativity.

In layman’s terms…

It’s because I’m an emo in need of a girlfriend.

Reply fron an RC grandpa,

From your lips to God’s ears, my young friend.

Seek and you shall find. But look in the right places. Because as my gradpa use to say, “when you look for trouble, your far more likely to find it.”

Their is much ground to establish reasons to be Pessimistic. Which conforms to your currect way of thinking.

How about changing to my perspective? Because of the current conditions, there is MUCH room, awesome opportunities, and great joy in changing things for the better. after all, my young friend… that is precisely why… you should prayerfullly ask, "why me, why now, why here?

May God bless you, lead and guide you to were and what He want’s you to be:thumbsup: May you find Joy, Love and Pease, and most importantly, may you discover the incredible joy of being an informend, practcing Roman Catholic!

 

[cathguy]

I knew we weren’t going to agree but since we’re just discussing the subject, I gave my opinion. Catholics spend way to much time fearing God and not enough time loving God.

Oh…

I get it…

Your “opinion” is just so VALID you had to share it right?

Let me guess:

You are like in your 20s or something…

Look up narcissism in the dictionary… better yet… check out academic research on millennials and narcissism and then get back to me.

Oh…

And while we are on the topic… drawing an opinion about a whole group of people and then smearing them is called bigotry…

Not “opinion.”

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I knew we weren’t going to agree but since we’re just discussing the subject, I gave my opinion. Catholics spend way to much time fearing God and not enough time loving God.

The tricky thing is some people tend to confuse ‘fearing God’ with the act of acknowledging that you are accountable for what you do. Sometimes when you feel good about yourself and feel no guilt, that opens a lot of windows to pride and I wouldn’t wanna be that person if he/she falls upon discovering that the mistake he/she has made and that he/she is accountable for it.

Reply fron an RC grandpa,

From your lips to God’s ears, my young friend.

Seek and you shall find. But look in the right places. Because as my gradpa use to say, “when you look for trouble, your far more likely to find it.”

Okay. Um… do you know where I could find cute, shy and devout Catholic girls?

Seriously, I’ve been rather desperate lately (especially with Valentine’s day being near and all). People keep telling me that the girl I’m looking for is an extinct species!! :crying:

Their is much ground to establish reasons to be Pessimistic. Which conforms to your currect way of thinking.

How about changing to my perspective? Because of the current conditions, there is MUCH room, awesome opportunities, and great joy in changing things for the better. after all, my young friend… that is precisely why… you should prayerfullly ask, "why me, why now, why here?

May God bless you, lead and guide you to were and what He want’s you to be:thumbsup: May you find Joy, Love and Pease, and most importantly, may you discover the incredible joy of being an informend, practcing Roman Catholic!

Well I’ve been told many times by both my parents and my peers to see the glass half full but… it’s just not easy for me. I guess you can say I have this really nasty knack for seeing what’s wrong in this world, far more than others.

 

[Snerticus]

As far as I can tell Catholics are brought up on the principle of guilt. Guilt for thoughts, guilt for lack of holiness, guilt for a whole range of mortal, venial and other sins, guilt, guilt, guilt. Confess, confess, confess…

I think in many ways Catholics are enslaved by their beliefs, not liberated and free as Jesus intended when he died on the cross. Yes, I think it is important to strive for holiness in our lives, but in reality true holiness and grace cannot be achieved in the flesh. When we sin it is important to repent and ask God to forgive us. But, God isn’t looking for people to zap into hell everyday. Catholicism comes with a whole litany of rules, one has to wonder whether Jesus’ death on the cross actually did away with the old Hebrew laws and ordinances according to Catholics.

So, this is why I think Catholics seem to live angry, bitter, disappointed…just plugging along on the old traditions and rituals hoping they don’t die before they can get a good run at confession and not go to Purgatory where they suffer until God redeems them. It isn’t a promising or happy future. When you have a future this bleak what could the present be? Where is the joy in the Lord that other Christians seem to have?

For what it’s worth that’s my opinion.

Jesus never promised us His death would make us happy on earth. Where does it say that in the Bible? The only quote I can recall that He said that was “easy” is “my yoke is light and my burden is easy”. He also said “whoever follows me must take up his cross” and also " 'Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it". (Sorry, I’m good at quoting but bad at remembering which gospel passages I quoted - remember, I’m Catholic… ). Regardless, Catholics are realistic. We may have fleeting happiness here on earth, but we will be in ecstacy when and if we reach heaven. It’s going to be tough but we must “fight the good fight” while here on earth. The first quote about the yoke and burden, well if interpreted properly you will notice the words “yoke” and “burden”. Both allude to work. But the work will be lighter that we think. Catholics may appear to be “burdened” with laws and rules, etc… but really, the rules that seem so burdensome to you are really easy to follow and liberating. They follow what Jesus taught and are based upon the two greatest commandments, as they all do.

Also to comment on another of your points, “one has to wonder whether Jesus’ death on the cross actually did away with the old Hebrew laws and ordinances according to Catholics”… Well, what did Jesus say about this? Matthew 5:16-18 tells us (yes, I looked this one up ): “In the same way your light must shine in people’s sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven. ’Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. In truth I tell you, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, is to disappear from the Law until all its purpose is achieved”

And finally, we should feel guilty. We sin all the time, every day, and that hurts God. Little sins, big sins, it doesn’t matter. They all hurt Him. We love God as Our Heavenly Father, and we don’t want to hurt Him. Yet we do, but are constantly trying to improve ourselves and to show Him we love him. Just like children are constantly trying to impress their parents and want to satisfy their parents who will lavish more love upon them when they do what the parents ask (ideally, anyway). It’s good to feel loved, and as much as I want to feel loved by God, I want to love him back even more - or at least as much as I can. Of course parents already love their children, and vice versa. But doesn’t it feel better to you when you show it?

 

[Linna]

I disagree with you. There are many passages in the Bible that talk about the joy of the Lord. Jesus did not suffer on the cross to make anyone feel guilty. That’s strictly a Catholic teaching since any truly repentent Christian can ask God for forgiveness and receive it. Catholics have to go through man to get to God and be forgiven. Christians do not.

It didn’t surprise me that as a Catholic you were able to point out passages that threaten the fear of God rather than God’s love for his children. Catholics don’t look for love from God, they fear Him and hope they don’t die in sin so God can zap them right into hell. Did Jesus die for our sins or didn’t He? If he did then, why do Catholics seem to have such a hard time being forgiven? I suspect it has something to do with the bondage of the Catholic Church.

 

[Gardenman]

Linna…CLEARLY you know ZIP about the Catholic faith and have no clue what you are spouting off about.

Until you have been educated in our faith you need to keep quiet.

 

[justinkolo]

The tricky thing is some people tend to confuse ‘fearing God’ with the act of acknowledging that you are accountable for what you do. Sometimes when you feel good about yourself and feel no guilt, that opens a lot of windows to pride and I wouldn’t wanna be that person if he/she falls upon discovering that the mistake he/she has made and that he/she is accountable for it.

Okay. Um… do you know where I could find cute, shy and devout Catholic girls?

Seriously, I’ve been rather desperate lately (especially with Valentine’s day being near and all). People keep telling me that the girl I’m looking for is an extinct species!! :crying:

Well I’ve been told many times by both my parents and my peers to see the glass half full but… it’s just not easy for me. I guess you can say I have this really nasty knack for seeing what’s wrong in this world, far more than others.

They’re not extinct, but hiding! First of all, develop a devotion to St. Raphael the Archangel, patron of happy meetings

Second, they’re probably on Catholic Internet dating sites (they do exist!) I met my girlfriend on one, and I’m not entirely sure what the rules are, but they start with “catholic” or “ave maria” and end with obvious things like “singles” or “match”

Third, maybe God wants you to meet someone elsewhere. My girlfriend is in Delaware. And yes I’m flying out to meet her again on Valentine’s Day! Sorry if that sounds like bragging but it’s just what God has in store for us

Oh, and when I get angry and bitter it’s only because I think things should go my way and not God’s way. Hope that helps!

 

[Nepenthe]

Long story short:

Many, maybe most Catholics aren’t angry or bitter! Far from it!

But those who are are for pretty much the same people who are not Catholic may be angry and bitter - for some weird reason, they actually ENJOY it. I don’t get it, but such I have observed throughout my not-inconsiderable lifespan.

 

[Boxcar]

Reply fron an RC grandpa,

From your lips to God’s ears, my young friend.

Seek and you shall find. But look in the right places. Because as my gradpa use to say, “when you look for trouble, your far more likely to find it.”

Their is much ground to establish reasons to be Pessimistic. Which conforms to your currect way of thinking.

How about changing to my perspective? Because of the current conditions, there is MUCH room, awesome opportunities, and great joy in changing things for the better. after all, my young friend… that is precisely why… you should prayerfullly ask, "why me, why now, why here?

May God bless you, lead and guide you to were and what He want’s you to be:thumbsup: May you find Joy, Love and Pease, and most importantly, may you discover the incredible joy of being an informend, practcing Roman Catholic!

Like any other Christian the have not yet learned to pray as St Paul and Jesus requested knowing what is best for you and your soul TODAY Pray without ceasing, the ladder prayer

 

[whatevergirl]

Love of God and
Love of neighbor, are nearly on the same plane,right?

           So why does it seem so easy for Catholics not to "live" what Catholics are taught to believe?

hi pjm–can you give examples of what you nmean, or have experienced?

 

[cathguy]

I disagree with you. There are many passages in the Bible that talk about the joy of the Lord. Jesus did not suffer on the cross to make anyone feel guilty. That’s strictly a Catholic teaching since any truly repentent Christian can ask God for forgiveness and receive it. Catholics have to go through man to get to God and be forgiven. Christians do not.

It didn’t surprise me that as a Catholic you were able to point out passages that threaten the fear of God rather than God’s love for his children. Catholics don’t look for love from God, they fear Him and hope they don’t die in sin so God can zap them right into hell. Did Jesus die for our sins or didn’t He? If he did then, why do Catholics seem to have such a hard time being forgiven? I suspect it has something to do with the bondage of the Catholic Church.

Joy and giddiness are not the same thing. I know two very happy gay “couples.” They may be happy. Ultimately, however, they do not know joy.

Jesus suffered on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. BUT, we must repent and believe in the gospel to have hope for salvation.

Also… I wonder… what Bible do you read? In the TRUE Bible, the CHRISTIAN Bible (which was given to you by the Catholic Church) the new Testament says “Confess your sins to one another.” Christ, who is God (don’t you know this!?) breathes specifically on his apostles and says “Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven them… those whose sins you retain are retained.”

The typical protestant/sectarist apologetic is that Christ gave this authority to all believers.

Really now?

Do YOU have the power to forgive sin? Surely NOT! Who does therefore? CHRIST, who gives the power to his apostles on earth.

Also, you need to stop insinuating Catholics are not Christians. In just five posts you have proven your ignorance with HUGE chunks of the New Testament and words of Christ himself.

Bigotry and ignorance are not positive qualities. You should be ashamed of yourself.

 

[Pug]

Jesus did not suffer on the cross to make anyone feel guilty. That’s strictly a Catholic teaching since any truly repentent Christian can ask God for forgiveness and receive it. Catholics have to go through man to get to God and be forgiven. Christians do not.

Catholics are Christians. I’m not sure if you meant otherwise, but just in case.

Also, Catholics ought not be taught to live in fear. It indeed happens that some are instructed poorly, and that is sad when it happens. We know that perfect love casts out fear. At times, people respond out of things besides love. This happens, but it is not the ideal. It is not what we are taught to strive for. I’ve yet to read a Catholic spiritual writer that teaches us to live in terror. The standard advice if we mess up is to get up, say we are sorry, and go forward, without any sort of wallowing in it, in our inadequacy, in pride. Yet, it is true that we can pray with the psalmist, Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.

To pray this is not some kind of wallowing in guilt, though. It is to acknowledge truth. Also please note that it is Catholic teaching that a Catholic/Christian may well be forgiven before they step into a confessional. There is no rule that says that God can only forgive someone (give them sanctifying grace) while in a confessional. That is not what the Church teaches. Nor is there some rule that says Catholics can’t pray right away after they mess up and say they are sorry to God, right then and there. In fact, they ought to do this. That would be our natural response, since God is our loving Father. However, it is also our natural response to cooperate with the Church that Jesus set up and to do as Jesus has asked us to follow God’s will for us. So, we get baptized, we have priests pray over us when we are sick and anoint us with oil, etc. The sacrament of reconciliation is one of those things we do. It is not some kind of trap, though. Rather, it is for us and for our benefit. I find it helpful.

 

[Nino]

what makes people write stuff like the above he asks in all humbleness ? One can take various statements by Jesus re what he called phonies ,child molestors…remember HIs novel use of the Millstone for these PC characters! It was the Catholic church that was the first institution to condemn slavery,create charitable organizations like hospitals,orphanages,nursing homes etc…it was the Catholic church that pushed for equality for women, the sanctity of marriage,elevated the working man to true dignity in the workplace and condemned abortion the killing of developing babies in the womb of their temporary host…yes Catholics have so much to be proud of,no wonder statements like the above are posted in this great site…but but gee golly I I etc etc…this puts the person on the defensive…of really nothing to be defensive about…what makes pagans so mean and unhappy and some even walk weird…see its not difficult to understand…it is beyond question that expediency can never conflict with honor!!! those white crosses one sees in vet cemeteries mark the spot of a Christian who died giving the person above the right to free speech …amen and amen

 

[brigid12]

I don’t personally know any Catholics who are angry and bitter. I do know a few other human beings who are and I’ve read some posts of people who seemed to be so at that time (but not later). That is about what you would expect from the human population.

 

[Lainey63]

Actually, I think humanists are angry & bitter…as well as licensed drivers, people in grocery markets when a hurricane is approaching, Christmas shoppers and people who return their Christmas gifts the day after Christmas…you want to talk about bitter and angry!

 

[happymommy]

Actually, I think humanists are angry & bitter…as well as licensed drivers, people in grocery markets when a hurricane is approaching, Christmas shoppers and people who return their Christmas gifts the day after Christmas…you want to talk about bitter and angry!

spoken like someone who has worked retail

 

[Armenian_cpa]

I think what makes Catholics “angry and bitter” is when we feel betrayed by the church itself (as I currently do ) for the sex abuse scandal of late.

The entire thing is inexcusable to me.
THAT is what makes ME “angry and bitter”.

Gardenman

Just remember we are the church not just the clergy

I can’t remember what gospel this is from…I think Matthew 13 the parable about the wheat and the weeds. There are saints and sinners (mostly sinners including me) who make up the church. We cannot expect the church to consist of only saints.

The Lord will decide upon harvest (judgement) who shall be saved and who shall not.

That said the church should be inclusive and all who are at various stages of holiness are invited in so we have a chance for salavation of we decide to become saints.

 

[Armenian_cpa]

I knew we weren’t going to agree but since we’re just discussing the subject, I gave my opinion. Catholics spend way to much time fearing God and not enough time loving God.

One stage however intermediate is the fear of God. The end stage should be guilt or shame since our sins have let God down.

We sin and should feel ashamed since we let him down and we want only to please him. Thats the ultimate goal.

I remember as a child when I first experienced that feeling. When my dad did something out of love for me and I did not appreciate it. I remember the look on his face when I acted badly after he tried to please me. He did not have to voice his displeasure I could see it in his face. So much so I never wanted to displease him again. I am sure I did but I tried as best as I could not to.

Why because I loved him so much I did not want to hurt him. The same for God. I want to return his love for me so much I do not want to hurt him. So there is no burden, its natural when you love God.

You cannot be ashamed without some guilt.

 

[CatholicCajun]

You know it’s hard enough trying to be a good Catholic, now I have to be angry and bitter too?!!!

 

[EasterJoy]

This is a great example of mens self imposed contract with the Catholic church.
In the first paragraph If Im not mistaken this poster says that its not necessary to observe the full doctrine because it is incorrect.

And then closes with the fact that you are bound to the Church by contract. Point there is nothing here except the misconceptions of the bible, fabricated in to a region that is dependent on the letter of the law to full filling a contract to obtain salvation.

I would myself be very frustrated If I did not have the Spirit, then attempted to fill that emptiness in my heart by following a bunch of mans self imposed rules, to fulfill a contract with the church. Is that what Jesus tough? or was that what the Sanhedrin tough.

Jesus clearly called them white washed tombs all following the letter of the law and looking good on the outside, but they were full of dead mans bones.

I see at some point the modern churches making the same mistake as the Sanhedrin and Pharisees. Consider this the Catholics claim they are exclusively the only way to salvation. The same thing the temple Jews claimed in the days of Jesus. The Jews had much to boast about Mosses Abraham the ark of the covet direct decedents the tora, the “law” the prophets. Yet Jesus told them woe to you scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! for you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men, for you neither go in your selfs. nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
Makes you wonder dont it.

Um, Jesus was the one who told us to baptize all nations. Maybe you should take it up with him? Or maybe you just misunderstand.

Baptism isn’t a contract. It is an indelible mark that you have been claimed by God and freed from the exile of original sin, and restored to the unity with God which was always intended for you. That mark isn’t erased by any bad acts of yours. There is nothing you can do to put yourself in need of a second baptism, even those things leading to excommunication. How that makes it into all the bad things you’re implying is beyond me. I think you may have been fed from a jar of bad catechesis.

The Church does not claim that only Catholics go to Heaven! We aren’t the gatekeepers! No! Read the catechism. It says very clearly that God may give eternal life to anyone He pleases, whether baptized by one of us or not, by ways known to Him alone. In other words, God can claim you for Himself, marking you with his own hand, and baptize you that way. The Catholic sacrament of baptism and the other sacraments are the normal vehicles of grace God has given us as His gracious gifts, the most obvious ways to access grace, but the Catholic Church doesn’t have God in a box!!

It is the other way 'round. We are the Body of Christ, and we are meant to act like it. The Holy Spirit comes into the world via the graces given to the Church. We’re not some kind of retailers of eternity. We’re servants of the children of God, whether they are baptized or not. The Holy Spirit comes through the Church, comes through the saving acts of Jesus, but not with a bridle on that we have been given control of. That is just silly!

Are there Catholics who want to do it by the letter of the law? Of course there are. All of humanity wants it to be that simple, and you’ll find that it every religion and every society. But that is not what the Church teaches.

And what about excommunication? A man with a mortal belly wound ought not be allowed to walk about eating and drinking as if nothing is wrong. He needs to be required to seek healing. What is so awful about that?