[An American in Turkiye]

I am number 9 out of 10 kids from a Catholic family. And when I say that, I mean my dad is a fanatical Catholic, who never truly showed any of us true fatherly love. His love was the Catholic church. I grew up in a family where my parents fought. Violently. Constantly. I grew to despise organized religion because of what I saw growing up. So did my brothers and sisters. Only 1 kid in our family is still Catholic. The relationship I have with my dad (if you can call it that), is that he still lectures me about all things Catholic, and that's all he talks about. He tries to belittle me when I try to change the subject. I'm 42 years old. I've never known what it's like to have a healthy relationship with my father. He pushed every one of his kids except 1 away from religion.

I have a personal relationship with God, but I left the church long ago. And my dad still belittles me when he talks religion to me. Believe me, I never bring it up to him. He just takes it upon himself to belittle me that I am no longer a Catholic.

The fact that the pope sat down with Obama and gave him a rosary confirms why i left the church. The pope isn't stupid. He knows what Obama and Pelosi stand for.

So hey, Pope Francis, go kiss the feet of an idol statue and worship it, like you apparently did to Obamas ass.

[steve86]

You really think all Catholic families fight violently?

Too bad your childhood warped you so.

[2ndDivisionVet]

If you ever get a chance read Pat Buchanan's Right from the Beginning about his upbringing in the church.

[boatbums]

It took me until I was already an adult before it sunk in that God is our TRUE Father and those earthly, biological ones we got in no way can ever compare to Him. We often think of God like we do our fathers. But God's love is unconditional, unaffected by our actions and a constant that we need never doubt. Our human fathers - no matter how good or loving they are - can never compare to our Heavenly father.

All you can do is pray for your Dad to come to a genuine, saving faith in Jesus Christ instead of trusting in his church to save him - it won't and can't. Love and respect him and let his criticism roll off your back. He does not know what he is talking about. Cling to your ETERNAL Father, who loves you and gave Himself for you.

[napscoordinator]

I am so sorry that you had such a rough upbringing. The only thing is that you let your Dad win by giving up your religion.

[pbear8]

Sorry to hear about your experience with your paternal unit. St Paul wrote about your dad as a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal, he has not love. You bear an enormous cross. Please pray for your dad, he missed the message and has hurt many, he will have to answer for that.