When is Apologetics acceptable?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Patrick1540
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Patrick1540

Guest
With the Holidays coming up and family gatherings, we are called to love, and charity. In my Dad’s family were I live,( No Catholics), they are Evangelical Christians, of different denominations. When we all get together, all they want to do is talk about, their interpretation of Scripture, the Rapture,the Beast and Anti-Christ. I’m so tired of it, that I avoid the family, because of debates, we have gotten into in the past,that some times, become heated. I’m proud to be Catholic, I try changing the subject,but they are zealots about their beliefs,even when I’ve politely asked, not to discuss religion or Scripture. I feel, I have been uncharitable before, when I have hit them hard with Apologetics. It is to the point, I even avoid their phone calls. My question is this, am I doing the right thing by staying away from them or should I use apologetics at family gatherings? My Mom and Dad are no longer on this earth.My dad’s family, always made fun of Catholics for not being into the Bible, which I have shown them not true. This situation seems to me not to have Love and charity, because they want to save me,in their mind, infant Baptism is wrong. I have been staying away, like my Dad told me to do. Is this wrong on my part? Or should I go and defend the Catholic Faith to empty ears? I ask this because I know there may be other Catholics in this same situation.P.S. My Mom’s family that is Catholic is over 2,000 miles away:confused:
 
Patrick1540 said:
With the Holidays coming up and family gatherings, we are called to love, and charity. In my Dad’s family were I live,( No Catholics), they are Evangelical Christians, of different denominations. When we all get together, all they want to do is talk about, their interpretation of Scripture, the Rapture,the Beast and Anti-Christ. I’m so tired of it, that I avoid the family, because of debates, we have gotten into in the past,that some times, become heated. I’m proud to be Catholic, I try changing the subject,but they are zealots about their beliefs,even when I’ve politely asked, not to discuss religion or Scripture. I feel, I have been uncharitable before, when I have hit them hard with Apologetics. It is to the point, I even avoid their phone calls. My question is this, am I doing the right thing by staying away from them or should I use apologetics at family gatherings? My Mom and Dad are no longer on this earth.My dad’s family, always made fun of Catholics for not being into the Bible, which I have shown them not true. This situation seems to me not to have Love and charity, because they want to save me,in their mind, infant Baptism is wrong. I have been staying away, like my Dad told me to do. Is this wrong on my part? Or should I go and defend the Catholic Faith to empty ears? I ask this because I know there may be other Catholics in this same situation.P.S. My Mom’s family that is Catholic is over 2,000 miles away:confused:
Click to expand...
Stay away. Send them a note if you want and explain, you are very happy as you are, that you have a vibrant spiritual life. Conclude by saying that if they value your presence they must stop talking about religion in your presence. If they aren’t willing to do that, leave them alone. Make friends in your parish, be involved there. Pax 👍
 
I would personally love to go WELL prepared and debate

but thats just my personality - because there is some history and evidence that they cannot deny

but you could probably argue that you should or should not go

and if you do not want to go then you probably should not because it doesn’t sound fun or productive… IMHO
 
Patrick1540 said:
With the Holidays coming up and family gatherings, we are called to love, and charity. In my Dad’s family were I live,( No Catholics), they are Evangelical Christians, of different denominations. When we all get together, all they want to do is talk about, their interpretation of Scripture, the Rapture,the Beast and Anti-Christ. I’m so tired of it, that I avoid the family, because of debates, we have gotten into in the past,that some times, become heated. I’m proud to be Catholic, I try changing the subject,but they are zealots about their beliefs,even when I’ve politely asked, not to discuss religion or Scripture. I feel, I have been uncharitable before, when I have hit them hard with Apologetics. It is to the point, I even avoid their phone calls. My question is this, am I doing the right thing by staying away from them or should I use apologetics at family gatherings? My Mom and Dad are no longer on this earth.My dad’s family, always made fun of Catholics for not being into the Bible, which I have shown them not true. This situation seems to me not to have Love and charity, because they want to save me,in their mind, infant Baptism is wrong. I have been staying away, like my Dad told me to do. Is this wrong on my part? Or should I go and defend the Catholic Faith to empty ears? I ask this because I know there may be other Catholics in this same situation.P.S. My Mom’s family that is Catholic is over 2,000 miles away:confused:
Click to expand...
I think as Catholics we can live another form of apostolate.

See this article midway down.

wdmr.org/living-your-faith-joyfully-going-beyond-words-and-ideas-part-ii/
 
You’re only called to endure that if, after serious reflection, you feel there is actually a reasonable chance of conversion. If you determine that there’s no real chance, you don’t have to go in there and fight about it.
 
Burdensome1 said:
You’re only called to endure that if, after serious reflection, you feel there is actually a reasonable chance of conversion. If you determine that there’s no real chance, you don’t have to go in there and fight about it.
Click to expand...
This is very good advice. The answer for you will be found when you are with God in prayer and at peace.

Rom 14:19
19 Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

It does not sound like the interaction you have with your family makes for peace and mutual upbuilding. Listen to your heart, and your gut.

Mark 9:50
Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

You are called to be a good flavor, but they may not need or want the salt you are. There comes a time when you must even shake off the dust of your feet even with your own family. It sounds like you have tried to do this charitably, and because of their zeal about their faith you have not been able to extricate yourself from their agenda. Do what gives you the greatest peace of mind, and joy of heart.
 
Patrick1540 said:
With the Holidays coming up and family gatherings, we are called to love, and charity. In my Dad’s family were I live,( No Catholics), they are Evangelical Christians, of different denominations. When we all get together, all they want to do is talk about, their interpretation of Scripture, the Rapture,the Beast and Anti-Christ. I’m so tired of it, that I avoid the family, because of debates, we have gotten into in the past,that some times, become heated. I’m proud to be Catholic, I try changing the subject,but they are zealots about their beliefs,even when I’ve politely asked, not to discuss religion or Scripture. I feel, I have been uncharitable before, when I have hit them hard with Apologetics. It is to the point, I even avoid their phone calls. My question is this, am I doing the right thing by staying away from them or should I use apologetics at family gatherings? My Mom and Dad are no longer on this earth.My dad’s family, always made fun of Catholics for not being into the Bible, which I have shown them not true. This situation seems to me not to have Love and charity, because they want to save me,in their mind, infant Baptism is wrong. I have been staying away, like my Dad told me to do. Is this wrong on my part? Or should I go and defend the Catholic Faith to empty ears? I ask this because I know there may be other Catholics in this same situation.P.S. My Mom’s family that is Catholic is over 2,000 miles away:confused:
Click to expand...
Oh boy, I hear you. My wife and I are the only Catholics in our families. Holiday time is pretty rough for us. Especially my family. We have many different people who love to give their opinions. A gay cousin who promotes the homosexual agenda and brings a new boyfriend to Christmas, Evangelical drug addicts who think they should save the only Catholics in the place and tell us we are going to hell. But mostly just people who think they are better than “religion” and think you are nuts for believing in God and a faith that you practice. Not to mention that we are pregnant with our fourth in a family where you NEVER EVER have more than two kids. So we get the “I got you condoms for Christmas” comments. The baby is due on the 22nd with any luck we can spend Christmas in the hospital and avoid all this strife for a year.
 
Moore11 said:
Oh boy, I hear you. My wife and I are the only Catholics in our families. Holiday time is pretty rough for us. Especially my family. We have many different people who love to give their opinions. A gay cousin who promotes the homosexual agenda and brings a new boyfriend to Christmas, Evangelical drug addicts who think they should save the only Catholics in the place and tell us we are going to hell. But mostly just people who think they are better than “religion” and think you are nuts for believing in God and a faith that you practice. Not to mention that we are pregnant with our fourth in a family where you NEVER EVER have more than two kids. So we get the “I got you condoms for Christmas” comments. The baby is due on the 22nd with any luck we can spend Christmas in the hospital and avoid all this strife for a year.
Click to expand...
God Bless you Moore and your family.This is the very reason I posted this thread, not just for me ,but other Catholics going through similar situation. I have to tell you I feel you have it worst than me.My dad’s family are at least practicing christian that follow what they think the Word of God says.I will pray for your family.God Bless and congrads on your new little one. I have a daughter that has 8 children.She always got flack from every one that she is trying to populate the earth. But more Catholics to the glory of God.
 
=Patrick1540;10035171]With the Holidays coming up and family gatherings, we are called to love, and charity. In my Dad’s family were I live,( No Catholics), they are Evangelical Christians, of different denominations. When we all get together, all they want to do is talk about, their interpretation of Scripture, the Rapture,the Beast and Anti-Christ. I’m so tired of it, that I avoid the family, because of debates, we have gotten into in the past,that some times, become heated. I’m proud to be Catholic, I try changing the subject,but they are zealots about their beliefs,even when I’ve politely asked, not to discuss religion or Scripture. I feel, I have been uncharitable before, when I have hit them hard with Apologetics. It is to the point, I even avoid their phone calls. My question is this, am I doing the right thing by staying away from them or should I use apologetics at family gatherings? My Mom and Dad are no longer on this earth.My dad’s family, always made fun of Catholics for not being into the Bible, which I have shown them not true. This situation seems to me not to have Love and charity, because they want to save me,in their mind, infant Baptism is wrong. I have been staying away, like my Dad told me to do. Is this wrong on my part? Or should I go and defend the Catholic Faith to empty ears? I ask this because I know there may be other Catholics in this same situation.P.S. My Mom’s family that is Catholic is over 2,000 miles away:confused:
Click to expand...
NOW THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION!

It’s a fine line you have to walk Patrick.

Truth itself is charity in action; yet arguments ARE NOT discussions. We NEVER force anyone to Accept the truth; which we alone have.

Here are a few facts that GOD PERMITTING you might consider using in the right circumstances:

ASK: How many God’s do we Worship?
the answer OUGHT to be 'One" [Triune; but still Only One]

SO IF THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD, WHY WOULD THERE BE MORE THAN ONLY "ONE SET OF FAITH BELIEFS?🤷 THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ALONE IS GIVEN THE KEY’S TO HEAVEN FOR THIS PRECISE REASON: MATT. 16:18-20

Surprise them with a few bible quotes and this FACT:

THE NT ALONE HAS MORE THAN 100 REFERENCES TO ONLY ONE CHURCH [ONE FAITH]😃

Romans 13: 1-4 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Acts.20: 28 “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you [SINGULAR] overseers, to care for the church of God [SINGULAR] which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.”

John.10: 16 “And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd”

Ps.127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain”

tHIS MAY NOT CONVERT THEM; BUT IT might GET THEM OFF YOUR BACK:signofcross:

If they start spouting bible verses [almost always out of context and with a WRONG meaning and understanding… remind them:

**THERE IS ONLY ONE INFALLIBLE RULE FOR RIGHT UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIBLE:

NEVER-EVER; CAN, MAY OR DOES ONE PASSAGE VOID, INVLAIDATE OR OVERRIDE ANOTHER PASSAGE. If this were even a slight possibility [NOT!👍]
it would invalidate the entire Bible, making it usesless to teach or learn ones faith.

IF NONE OF THIS WORKS:o
ASK: HOW OLD IS YOUR CHURCH? MINE IS 2,000 YEARS OLD AND WAS ACTUALLY FOUNDED BY JESUS CHRIST. Amen!😃

God Bless,
pat/PJM
 
Patrick1540 said:
With the Holidays coming up and family gatherings, we are called to love, and charity. In my Dad’s family were I live,( No Catholics), they are Evangelical Christians, of different denominations. When we all get together, all they want to do is talk about, their interpretation of Scripture, the Rapture,the Beast and Anti-Christ. I’m so tired of it, that I avoid the family, because of debates, we have gotten into in the past,that some times, become heated. I’m proud to be Catholic, I try changing the subject,but they are zealots about their beliefs,even when I’ve politely asked, not to discuss religion or Scripture. I feel, I have been uncharitable before, when I have hit them hard with Apologetics. It is to the point, I even avoid their phone calls. My question is this, am I doing the right thing by staying away from them or should I use apologetics at family gatherings? My Mom and Dad are no longer on this earth.My dad’s family, always made fun of Catholics for not being into the Bible, which I have shown them not true. This situation seems to me not to have Love and charity, because they want to save me,in their mind, infant Baptism is wrong. I have been staying away, like my Dad told me to do. Is this wrong on my part? Or should I go and defend the Catholic Faith to empty ears? I ask this because I know there may be other Catholics in this same situation.P.S. My Mom’s family that is Catholic is over 2,000 miles away:confused:
Click to expand...
If you feel that you should be with family at Thanksgiving, then go and forget about doing “apologetics”. Which Saint said. “Preach the Gospel and if necessary use words.” You could always smile (when someone is trying to pin you to the wall) and ask for a further explanation of their position…

If the conversation gets to you, clear the table and head for the kitchen to do the dishes. 🙂

If there are young kids and they are into board games or Rummy, play with them. My Dad would bring Parcheesi to family gatherings.

If the Salvation Army or other groups are serving Thanksgiving Dinner, volunteer for the hour where the Scripture battle would be the worst.

In other words, if plan A does not work, go to plan B. 😉
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top