When are we obligated to correct or teach another, or evangelize?

[WoundedIcon]

This is weighing on my conscience heavily because I’m young and the blogs I frequent are full of teenagers and hip new atheists and feminists who just spout off the most ridiculous nonsense about the faith, and are so triumphalist about it. Quite frankly I’m afraid of engaging these people (I mean, I have Asperger’s and Social Phobia) and hold a lot of spite toward them. But if I don’t say something I feel like I’m not living up to what God expects of me.

Primarily the sites are the Gawker blogs and the ICHC network of sites. It’s not even that don’t think I have the answers, or am embarrassed of being Catholic, as it is that I find these people highly arrogant, ignorant, rude, and emotionally driven. Quite frankly I find them to be deluded, but that only increases my pain because it makes me want to save them out of it and I feel like it’s impossible. A part of me just wants to wash my hands of them and say if they’re damned they did it to themselves. I know I’m saying a lot of nasty things here but I do care about them, otherwise I wouldn’t be so frustrated.

 

[Catholic1954]

Make it your New Year’s Resolution to quit these blogs, they are not supporting your faith. Pray for them daily and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit.

 

[John21652]

This is weighing on my conscience heavily because I’m young and the blogs I frequent are full of teenagers and hip new atheists and feminists who just spout off the most ridiculous nonsense about the faith, and are so triumphalist about it. Quite frankly I’m afraid of engaging these people (I mean, I have Asperger’s and Social Phobia) and hold a lot of spite toward them. But if I don’t say something I feel like I’m not living up to what God expects of me.

Primarily the sites are the Gawker blogs and the ICHC network of sites. It’s not even that don’t think I have the answers, or am embarrassed of being Catholic, as it is that I find these people highly arrogant, ignorant, rude, and emotionally driven. Quite frankly I find them to be deluded, but that only increases my pain because it makes me want to save them out of it and I feel like it’s impossible. A part of me just wants to wash my hands of them and say if they’re damned they did it to themselves. I know I’m saying a lot of nasty things here but I do care about them, otherwise I wouldn’t be so frustrated.

You might be saying some harsh things, but sometimes the truth is indeed harsh.

You need to realise that you can’t reason with unreasonable people. Unless others are willing to listen, with an open mind, then, short of a miracle, nothing you say will penetrate their thinking. They have to want it and if their hearts are hardened, then so be it.

You look after yourself first and foremost and don’t go beating yourself up over the actions of others. They have Free Will too, you know. It’s up to them to use it wisely.

catholic 1954 gave some very sound advice. I support what he says.

 

[GraceSofia]

This is weighing on my conscience heavily because I’m young and the blogs I frequent are full of teenagers and hip new atheists and feminists who just spout off the most ridiculous nonsense about the faith, and are so triumphalist about it. Quite frankly I’m afraid of engaging these people (I mean, I have Asperger’s and Social Phobia) and hold a lot of spite toward them. But if I don’t say something I feel like I’m not living up to what God expects of me.

Primarily the sites are the Gawker blogs and the ICHC network of sites. It’s not even that don’t think I have the answers, or am embarrassed of being Catholic, as it is that I find these people highly arrogant, ignorant, rude, and emotionally driven. Quite frankly I find them to be deluded, but that only increases my pain because it makes me want to save them out of it and I feel like it’s impossible. A part of me just wants to wash my hands of them and say if they’re damned they did it to themselves. I know I’m saying a lot of nasty things here but I do care about them, otherwise I wouldn’t be so frustrated.

I was not familiar with Gawker so I just had a look. Um, I cannot see that reading that stuff would have any benefit to you and I agree with Catholic1954 and John.
If you do go there, then don’t read the comments.

You have no obligation to correct or teach random people on the internet. You will drive yourself nuts – not to mention it would take up all your time.

 

[Ian_Ward]

Defend your faith at every turn, never back down or let anyone speak anything bad about the one true faith because God will ask you why you were afraid or embarrassed to defend him when he died for you?

Also check with yourself to see what spirit you are arguing with others so that you recognize that the point is to bring people closer to God, to enjoy life and to get along with everyone because we don’t want to hate each-other just hate what they do.

Be strong about refuting and pay attention to whether you are actually enjoying life or if you are just making yourself more miserable arguing with people who just make you miserable.

Have fun with it :thumbsup:

 

[nahbios]

From the Baltimore Catechism:

Q. 814. When are we bound to admonish the sinner?

A. We are bound to admonish the sinner when the following conditions are fulfilled:

When his fault is a mortal sin;
When we have authority or influence over him, and
When there is reason to believe that our warning will not make him worse instead of better.

I think that it’s better to stop going to such sites and to pray for those who are astray from the path to God. Prayer can do a lot, with God’s Grace! I recommend reading about the Spiritual Works of Mercy, of which ‘admonishing the sinner’ and ‘instructing the uninformed’ are the two with which you are concerned here.

In short: avoid those sites; pray; and learn.

I wish you a happy and peaceful New Year. May God bless you and yours always.