deb1:
I am joining the church Easter and I am so happy and overjoyed. But this past few weeks I have come across so many angry, exCatholics that it is really begining to weigh on me. Not that I have any doubt about my decision but just the vitrole that these people seem to expend against God’s Church really, really gets me down. It breaks my heart.
My neighbor is an Independent Baptist and I love her like a sister. I met a woman at her home, an exCatholic, agnostic. I liked the woman…In fact, we have some things in common…I was overjoyed to have a new friend.
Last night I went to my friend’s home…this same woman was there. First she asked us, “Why the **** are you becoming Catholic.” WHich my baptist friend laughed at. I would never have allowed anyone to confront her like that, so I felt a tad bit betrayed. Then this woman went into a lecture on how hardcore Catholic her family was and that was why she disliked the Church. Of course she also explained later that her mom was crazy and she hadn’t talked to her dad in fourteen years.
I should have said something but I just changed the subject and this has angered me with myself. I have been praying to God that he give me the opportunity to witness to others but when the chance comes I fail miserably.
Peace.
First of all, I think people on this thread need to address your concerns rather than allow kujo to hijack another thread. I would suggest kujo begin another thread under the title “Why I dislike the Catholic Church” then all the issues and concerns obsessed by kujo may be confronted.
Second, deb1, I appreciate what you are currently going through, particularly with a person who is questioning your decision. In reserving judgment on your neighbor and her friend, they strike me as many non-Catholics and ex-Catholics of whom I have met in my life. They have such little regard for the Catholic Church that they dismiss it and mock it whenever possible. People who would not ordinarily be allies suddenly become joined at the hip in their opinionated disrespect for the Catholic Church.
As I understand, this is a very vulnerable time for many in the RCIA programs as the non-Catholics and ex-Catholics rise from the stagnant and polluted ponds of prejudice to swarm like mosquitoes on the Catechumens. To inoculate yourself from the diseases spread by their venomous attacks, you need to surround yourself with positive Catholic influences. I have noticed that non-Catholics tend to “gang up” when they are trying to coerce a Catholic into their way of thinking, burying them in an avalanche of Biblical chapters and verses to endorse their misinterpretations, but Catholics are more generous and patient in demonstrating similar passions.
I was blitzkrieged in my college days by the non-Catholics and was too weak defending the true Church of Christ and that has made me incredibly intolerant of the negative and proselytizing non-Catholics/ex-Catholics. They may mean well, but I don’t think so. I believe, for them, it is about recruiting people to endorse their own beliefs so equate it with ego and selfishness. If you are one of them then you are in the inner circle; if you are not one of them then you are the scourge of the earth.
Also, I do not think you need to regret your decision to remain mum when the ex-Catholic agnostic (whose very description defines herself and any opinion vocalized by her should be summarily dismissed by you) because nothing you would have said would have made a difference. In fact, I suspect she would have laughed or mocked you.
2 Timothy 2:23-26: Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels. A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant, correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth, and that they may return to their senses out of the devil’s snare, where they are entrapped by him, for his will.
Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet.
Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you; going forth from thence, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them.
Luke 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off even the dust of your feet, for a testimony against them.
Luke 10:16 He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.
Matthew 10:40 He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.
John 13:20 Amen, amen I say to you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.
Peace.
It was only by the Grace of God that I ever even considered becoming a Catholic…I knew so many in name only… Ahhh…and the ones who attended Mass every Sunday and still called me a little heathen because I was a Baptist…(family members)…
