Withdrawing from secular sites

[Eruvande]

I’ve been active online since the turn of the century in one form or another. I’ve faced down a bit of opposition to my beliefs as a Christian, but it’s largely been water off a ducks back. But since I’ve been looking at life from a Catholic perspective, I’ve noticed the vitriol has ramped up to a really painful degree - from secularists and non-Catholic Christians alike.

Now, there are some places I shall continue to visit, like my FB page and so on, and forums like CAF, too, but I’ve decided that for now, while I discern my future in the church, it’s just counter productive to be constantly bombarded with so much hate. To those who manage to witness on secular sites, how do you manage it without going crackers?

 

[suko]

To those who manage to witness on secular sites, how do you manage it without going crackers?

It’s important to understand and remember that u are dealing with other people who’s shoes u have never lived 1 day in. So people will not be so willing to accept another person’s ideas and beliefs so readily. The most we can do, at times, is maybe plant a seed into someone, and that generally may not ever be seen by us.

I actually like St. Bernadette Soubirous’ approach when theologians and others doubted her story, "my job is to inform, not to convince.” ~ I kind of take this mentality to heart myself, and of course, when I do try to witness to others, I make it a priority to be very charitable and gentle.

 

[Casilda]

Noticed the same in person,too. Actually mentioned to an evangelical non-denom where I am attending on Sundays and her eyes bugged out and she looked shocked. I do not know how to explain it, people who formerly gave you cordial smiles and hellos, now just stare at you, as if somehow your human persona peeled away and you now look like a lizard. That’s okay. I pray for them.

 

[Eruvande]

It’s important to understand and remember that u are dealing with other people who’s shoes u have never lived 1 day in. So people will not be so willing to accept another person’s ideas and beliefs so readily. The most we can do, at times, is maybe plant a seed into someone, and that generally may not ever be seen by us.

I actually like St. Bernadette Soubirous’ approach when theologians and others doubted her story, "my job is to inform, not to convince.” ~ I kind of take this mentality to heart myself, and of course, when I do try to witness to others, I make it a priority to be very charitable and gentle.

oh don’t get me wrong, I’m not a harridan! I always try to be gentle and respectful, but oy vey, the nastiness about pro-life issues, or Mary or the pope, or anything else you care to name is so soul-destroying.

BTW, I love that St Bernadette quote, and have it in my profile on a number of sites - to remind myself!

 

[Eruvande]

Noticed the same in person,too. Actually mentioned to an evangelical non-denom where I am attending on Sundays and her eyes bugged out and she looked shocked. I do not know how to explain it, people who formerly gave you cordial smiles and hellos, now just stare at you, as if somehow your human persona peeled away and you now look like a lizard. That’s okay. I pray for them.

Right now I think prayer is the safest thing, I haven’t got the emotional energy to be an apologist all the time right now.

 

[Isca]

I post a lot on a big football (soccer) forum, which also has non-football discussion. It’s hard work evangelising and sometimes some of the things you read are shocking, in terms of blasphemy, misrepresentation and generalisation. Virtually no-one acknowledges the good works of our Church and everything seems to be fair game.

I have been very open about my faith - e.g., I might mention that I have just been to church and I have said numerous times that I am in the process of joining the Catholic Church. I am also very careful to treat other posters respectfully, even when their posts make me sad.

You have to be resilient if you want to get your views out there into the e-world, but I am convinced that we should be open about these things. My priest knows all about it and thinks it’s something worth doing, if you are comfortable with forum posting.

 

[CalCatholic]

I’ve been active online since the turn of the century in one form or another. I’ve faced down a bit of opposition to my beliefs as a Christian, but it’s largely been water off a ducks back. But since I’ve been looking at life from a Catholic perspective, I’ve noticed the vitriol has ramped up to a really painful degree - from secularists and non-Catholic Christians alike.

Now, there are some places I shall continue to visit, like my FB page and so on, and forums like CAF, too, but I’ve decided that for now, while I discern my future in the church, it’s just counter productive to be constantly bombarded with so much hate. To those who manage to witness on secular sites, how do you manage it without going crackers?

I generally avoid these sites. There is so much ‘hate’ on many of these sites, that It can affect your own faith negatively. Concentrate on your own faith journey for awhile. About one year after I went through RCIA, I was asked to help others who were going through the process. I concentrate my evangelizing efforts on those who are are inquiring about or seeking the Catholic Church. This has strengthened my own faith in the Church. So maybe take a break from the secular sites for awhile!

 

[DoGodsBidding]

I used to spend a lot of time on the USA Today web site defending Catholicism. If you to their web site today you will notice that not only is there no longer a religious web page, only religious stories imbedded within other news stories, you can no longer post comments. There was so much arguing and reporting of posts, posters being suspended, notes back and forth with moderators, etc. that they decided to shut it all down. I learned a lot during that time, but it also was painful. Many hateful posts, both personal and against the Catholic Church and against fellow Catholics, were made. It takes a toll and wears someone down. I have taken a break from commenting on secular sites, and instead spend much of my internet time on this site, where I do not have near as much stress for what I read and post. I have also moved on to other ways to evangelize and share God’s words. The Church has many ministries that are available and open to new members, and even in our every day lives when we treat everyone we meet with dignity and respect we help to continue Jesus’ mission.

DGB

 

[Kal2012]

I actually like St. Bernadette Soubirous’ approach when theologians and others doubted her story, "my job is to inform, not to convince.” ~ I kind of take this mentality to heart myself, and of course, when I do try to witness to others, I make it a priority to be very charitable and gentle.

Honestly, I didn’t know that this was St. Bernadette’s approach, but this is something that I’ve been doing for awhile now.

When you change your mindset to this, it does become easier to communicate and share.

When I do social media, this is the approach I take. I really don’t care if people argue with me anymore. I’m just sharing information to the best of my ability. It does get frustrating in the “why don’t others see it my way” way, but that’s human.

It really comes down to picking and choosing our battles. Also, witnessing comes in many forms.

It’s important that we are clear in the language that we use, but it is also important that we present the entirety of the gospel, not just the bits and pieces that “prove our point”.

In the circles that I run in, people are quick to point out that “gay marriage is evil”, but they don’t present the part where Jesus loves all of us regardless of our sins and it’s because we all sin that we need God’s redemption. If we are going to “share the gospel” we need to tell the whole story, not just the bits and pieces.

Secular sites is where our voice is needed the most. I say put your comments out there and let the Holy Spirit tug on people’s hearts.

 

[RPRPsych]

I actually like St. Bernadette Soubirous’ approach when theologians and others doubted her story, "my job is to inform, not to convince.” ~ I kind of take this mentality to heart myself, and of course, when I do try to witness to others, I make it a priority to be very charitable and gentle.

We really need a “like” button on these forums for posts like this.

 

[China123]

I will keep you in my prayers

I am currently not on FB or Twitter. Those are the only 2 secular sites I am on with any regularity. I am a cradle Catholic so am used to the jibes mostly. They hurt, they always hurt. I have never understood the pot shots people take at other people’s beliefs as I have never found it necessary to do this to others, even when I disagree. I drifted away from my faith in college and stayed away for 25 years. I always identified as Catholic though even if I wasn’t living my faith. I always felt I needed to defend the faith because the claims people have problems with are, quite frankly, kind of silly. Most of it is misinformation and misunderstanding and then people are “zealous” in retelling this misinformation.

I have these non-denom friends that when they always talk to me they would talk and then interject “You know you can never earn your way to heaven right?” To which I would shake my head yes and the conversation would continue. This happened several times and it started to annoy me. The next time they did this I stopped the conversation and asked “You keep making that statement to me. Why? Do you believe you earn your way to Heaven?” They replied of course not but the Catholic Church teaches that you earn your way to Heaven. I laughed and stated “No, the Catholic Church does not teach that. Hear let me show you”. and pulled out the CCC and we discussed. Now they don’t bring it up anymore. Their pastor had told them this is what Catholics believe and they bought it without researching it. Not uncommon as most people do not research anymore. They just live in short commercial bytes of information and call them truth. My point is I corrected something and we move on. Even if they don’t initially accept my explaination I have sown a seed that might flower.

Now mind you these are friends and not internet friends and the internet is so much more inhumane, IMO.

If you feel you need to step back from these secular sites then do so. Pray about it and ask the Lord to lead you in this decision. You might need a breather or maybe He wants you to focus on something else for a bit Many blessings!

 

[andremajic]

I just keep in mind the saying to try 3 times and then “shake the dust from your sandals”.

You only need to inform, as mentioned earlier.

The only way I’ve ever found that works is to get really excited about a book or a piece of information that I’ve found for the first time, and share the book title with them. It’s piques the curiosity and plants the seed.

“Have you read the book of Sirach?!?”

Stuff like this usually interests people.

 

[SecretCatholic]

The deck seems stacked against us. The rise of “scientism”, the breakdown of social morality, the lack of acknowledgement of sin and the militant crackdown and personal attacks on anyone who does not believe the current liberal consensus can be daunting, not just online but offline.

Its a bit sad that wearing a shirt with a popular brand name advertised across the chest is seen as normal and even fashionable, but wearing a shirt that says anything about God would be looked down upon.

Online I think things are worse because people group up. But you can express your view and leave it there without going back to duke it out. Let them have the last word. It’s enough that you got your in and that its actually truthful.