Posted on 01/08/2010 11:01:28 AM PST by Judith Anne
In the age of the internet, a lot of very good information is readily available for those who have sincere questions about the Catholic Church. The Catholic Encyclopedia, the Online Catechism, many good apologetic sites--all have excellent answers to nearly any question that anyone could devise.
There is really no need for FR Catholics to engage in endless religious argument, and I would like to urge us all to simply refrain. We could resign from the debating society and let those who sincerely want to learn seek it out for themselves from a local priest or look it up on the net. Others, who do not sincerely want to learn, could be ignored, and privately remembered in prayer.
Opinions from fellow Catholics?
No apology necessary. The Religion Forum is sort of complicated.
I understand and respect your position. I do have a question though. Can non-catholic but Catholic friendly posters be invited to the thread?
Salvation, Mark and NYer can all testify that although I am not Catholic I grew up in a Catholic school and study the Holy Mother church professionally and am friendly to the RC faith.
JA, if you feel this question is inappropriate, feel free to hit abuse on it.
No problem. Interesting questions. Thanks.
And your testimony is important and I think it makes an argument that while a fast which the entire Caucus or most of it agreed to would be wonderful, withdrawing forever would be to neglect a work of mercy and an important apostolate.
(And I don't think I could do it. I'm FULL of good reasons for stuff I want to do.)
“...some of the threads here can be gruesomely fascinating.”
ROTFLMAO!! Great post!
I would like to say, while I don't envy the ire directed toward the Catholics who participate in the Religion Forum, and I know I'm certainly not equipped to defend the faith myself, it was as a lurker here that I became convinced that either the Catholics or the Orthodox have it right. If someone here hadn't been answering what was being said, I might not have necessarily believed the things that were being presented, but would probably have continued operating on the assumption that the dogmas of most churches on the subjects we see debated here is mostly a reflection of each group's personal or preferred understanding of things that maybe can't actually be known. It was the demonstration here of the Church's historical continuity and internal consistency through the last 2000 years that has convinced me that it (along with the Orthodox) is the true Church.
(I will admit, it was the contentiousness that kept me reading long enough to learn this; some of the threads here can be gruesomely fascinating.)
Thank you for your post, it was fantastic and made a lot of other threads seem "worth it"!
By all means you belong here!
I feel it’s my duty to correct misunderstandings where they arise. If some people are tired of doing so, by all means take a break.
So, some of us want to keep on verbally defending the faith, others of us not so much...
I envision a non-Catholic thread discussing Catholic beliefs, with no participation from any Catholics at all...because we are all fasting from conflict!
Or, we could limit our participation strictly to prayers for the spiritual welfare of the non-Catholics, and nothing else...?
Any other suggestions not involving mayhem?
You are welcome. :D
Wait. Why are we ruling out mayhem?
Jeez! A fellow gets asthma and all of a sudden we gotta make NICE? What I'm gone do wif all this ammo?
If it could be limited to “misunderstandings” then I would agree.
*sigh*
“As long as both sides in the biggest disputes think I am a member of the opposition, then I am confident that I’m being even-handed. If any one side stopped complaining, I’d have cause for concern.”
That's what Dan Rather used to say about the quality of his reporting. He took criticism from both the right and from the left and thought that proved that he was unbiased and impartial.
sitetest
LOL! Short of a hand writing on the wall, that’ll have to do.
(1)I’m guessing we are too fractious to get everyone on board.
(2) We could have a tag-team model.
(3) I noticed that last year things got really nasty as Easter approached. I think a “silence” from the Holy Thursday Mass until Easter Monday morning is something each of us should consider seriously. If there cant be an Easter truce we need to back off unilaterally.
(4) Sponsors/buddies. As part of the fasting/engaging or tag-team model, maybe those not participating could pray for those who are engaging.
Okay, that’s pretty much all I can come up with.
Hypothetically, that's all, just hypothetically. Don't panic, it could cause asthma (what a load).
Too complicated, although I really like the Paschal Triduum idea. That might work, for the Love of God...
I cannot believe your well has run dry.
Any other suggestions not involving mayhem?
Are you ready to R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-UUUMMMMBBBLLEE!!!!!!!!
"I love the smell of napalm the Religion Forum in the morning!!!"
Thank you.
I completely understand where you are coming from. I need to take a break from RF at times as well. Defending the faith can be exhausting.
I agree with Wagglebee when he said “My real concern are the lurkers who will be lead to damnation by some here.”
There are many who learn from these friends and your defense of the the faith. Sometimes posts (in my experience) are directed at the lurkers rather than the posters themselves. That is an invaluable service. While it is true that you may not reach those who are most vocal in posting, you may reach those who are just reading.
you said: “I envision a non-Catholic thread discussing Catholic beliefs, with no participation from any Catholics at all.” While I believe that is an admirable goal, from my experience on other threads, it will lead to a “field day” for those who most vocally oppose Catholic faith and doctrine.
As an outsider, I love Mad dawg’s idea of “tag teaming”, a period of silence from Maundy Thursday through Easter Monday (during which the Sacrifice and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ should be foremost in ALL of our minds), and prayers for those who are participating. It would serve both the defense of the Faith and a respite for those who need it.
1 Peter 3:15 states: “But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.”
Defense of the faith is part of the faith. However, not everyone is given the same spiritual gifts and that is good. We are all to use our strengths (and apologetics can be one of them, as can prayer) for the Glory of God. And, IMO, both are needed.
Just my 2 cents.
I want my fellow Catholics to know how very honored I am to be one of you, to be able to post this caucus thread and hear your ideas.
Those here who disagree with me have good reasons, and I am proud to know you. I read your posts on the contentious threads, and sometimes laugh, and sometimes cry.
My *thin-skinned* nature has been the subject of much discussion, but here I am in my Church and safe. Thank you all; I am still waiting if anyone wants to post.
Oh, THANK YOU!
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