When Are We Obligated To Put Our "2 Cents In"?

[dailey]

I’m been wondering this for awhile. When are we, as Catholics, obligated to say something when we hear or read something that goes against our beliefs? For example, on Facebook, I have “friends” who will make a comment about how “ignorant” people are for not believing in gay marriage. I don’t really know these “friends” (former classmates, former co-workers, etc) and I never comment on FB ( i only used it to promote my business) so I feel funny jumping into their conversations.

Now before anyone tells me that I should say something, I have something else to throw into the mix. Awhile back, I asked for advice regarding my husband who is not religious…at all. The responses that I got were all pretty much the same… to not force my beliefs on him and to pray for him instead. So if I am to keep my mouth shut regarding my very own husband…then why would it be any different with strangers?

Can anyone clarify?

 

[Bob_Aliano]

I’m been wondering this for awhile. When are we, as Catholics, obligated to say something when we hear or read something that goes against our beliefs? For example, on Facebook, I have “friends” who will make a comment about how “ignorant” people are for not believing in gay marriage. I don’t really know these “friends” (former classmates, former co-workers, etc) and I never comment on FB ( i only used it to promote my business) so I feel funny jumping into their conversations.

Now before anyone tells me that I should say something, I have something else to throw into the mix. Awhile back, I asked for advice regarding my husband who is not religious…at all. The responses that I got were all pretty much the same… to not force my beliefs on him and to pray for him instead. So if I am to keep my mouth shut regarding my very own husband…then why would it be any different with strangers?

Can anyone clarify?

Standing up for what is right against those who are misled or misleading is not forcing your beliefs on anyone. We are expected as citizens and Christians to defend the principles of democracy and religion or face the danger of losing the right to both.

As an aside, I strongly advise anyone and everyone to avoid sites such as Facebook, those sites are in the business of mining as much personal information as they can and selling it to the highest bidder.

 

[dailey]

Standing up for what is right against those who are misled or misleading is not forcing your beliefs on anyone. We are expected as citizens and Christians to defend the principles of democracy and religion or face the danger of losing the right to both.

As an aside, I strongly advise anyone and everyone to avoid sites such as Facebook, those sites are in the business of mining as much personal information as they can and selling it to the highest bidder.

Thanks for the response. The biggest problem I have with "“speaking up” is I am not very good at articulating what I want to say. I end up sounding like a fool, lol!

You sound just like my husband regarding FB…he hates that site. I think you both are right though. Hmm, perhaps its time to delete my account. Though i must admit, I do like being nosy.

 

[archangel04]

Thanks for the response. The biggest problem I have with "“speaking up” is I am not very good at articulating what I want to say. I end up sounding like a fool, lol!

You sound just like my husband regarding FB…he hates that site. I think you both are right though. Hmm, perhaps its time to delete my account. Though i must admit, I do like being nosy.

Well if you are using it to promote your business then just let if be. If you want to defend the faith, then i sugest to study a little bit on the topic that is at hand, and what the Church teaches. One trick many anti-Catholics use is to bombard you with questions of different subjects, this is a no no when it comes to intelligent discussions. If this happens, ask them to return to the subject at hand, or just leave the conversation, most of these people argue out of feelings instead of logic and reason.

 

[Pregustator]

I think if you’re going to stand up and admonish someone, you should always be sure you have the whole picture, that the admontion you want to deliver is actually correct, and that you have an expectation that your words will actually have a positive effect.

If a drunken homeless man passes you on the street and utters the Lord’s name in vain, that shouldn’t be viewed as an opportunity to admonish and lecture. If your kid does it, that’s a different story.

What people post on their own Facebook walls is their own business; nobody is forced to read anybody else’s Facebook wall. If you dislike what someone has written on their Facebook wall or what someone has tweeted on Twitter, ignore it. Imagine what your reaction would be if you posted a remark on Facebook only to have one of your FB friends reply negatively to it. Let’s say you post “I love Pope Benedict XVI” and they have the nerve to respond, on YOUR wall, “Pope Benedict XVI is an evil man who ought to be charged with crimes against humanity!” You’d certainly be annoyed if not outright appalled, wouldn’t you? You might even delete their post. And why? Because it’s YOUR wall on which you may freely express yourself and if somebody else doesn’t like something that you have posted on YOUR wall, too bad. Let them keep their criticisms to themselves, right?

The sword cuts both ways.

 

[Apryl]

For example, on Facebook, I have “friends” who will make a comment about how “ignorant” people are for not believing in gay marriage.

I find mysel find such situations all the time.

My personal ‘favorite’ is, ‘How can they not support that women NEED to have abortion legal and available?’ <>

They don’t know who they are talking to, do they?

Typically, what I find is the most helpful way for me to react is NOT to remain silent, but to ask them for justification for their arguments.

So, for those who want gay marriage, I could ask them, ‘but who exactly gets to define what a marriage is? If it’s the church who defines it, shouldn’t they say what defines it?’

… and then let the discussion from from that.

I find that is more helpful in getting the shortcomings to show up in their argument than me trying to convince them myself.

 

[Apryl]

I’m been wondering this for awhile. When are we, as Catholics, obligated to say something when we hear or read something that goes against our beliefs?

… and another thing…

and this is just MY opinion

but there is a vast difference in a person saying,‘Chocolate Cake is better than Red Velvet Cake’ and a person saying to you, ‘Chocolate Cake is better than Red Velvet Cake, don’t you agree?’

One is a statement. If they are just talking, and it’s not to you or not in a position of authority, I say stay mum.

The second is a statement of OPINION, and they are ASKING you TO AGREE with them. There is nothing to compel any one to agree with someone or something they don’t agree with.

For some people, they idea of educating them is more than a notion. :banghead: