Charity, Please.

[Metanoia02]

I want to remind everybody to act with charity towards those who come to this thread as guests. I know it can be difficult at times when someone says something the disagrees with the teaching of the Catholic Church. We can be unyeilding in our beliefs, but we can never be uncharitable in our manner.

I am not disagreeing with the closing of threads, but what causes them to be closed.

I understand some of you take issue with the way Lisa aka racer participates in this forum. I am sure a number of you think she is anti-Catholic. Other have issue with the way she comes accross.

What most of you don't know is that I invited here more then a year ago. I have known her for a few years now. She has come a long way in her understanding of the Catholic Church. We argued and debated many times over a number of issues. The environment we debated in was no-holds barred. We were quite uncharitable to one another. But over time we were able to stop yelling long enough to see the good in the each other.

So when I ask for charity, it is not out of consideration for me personally, but because it works and it is what the Lord wills us to do. Always remember that every person you meet is a potential convert. Just think of the many conversion stories you have read. There is no such thing as a lost cause or no one worth our efforts.

The fear of hell will never be a sufficient reason for someone to be drawn to the Church. I doubt very few of us remain Catholic because we fear hell if we leave. What we fear is the loss of a great Love. It is that Love that we should use to draw others to Christ's Church.

I love all of you here. I love your enthusiasm and commitment to the Truth. This is not a condemnation, just a request for an increase in charity.


Peace

 

[Miss Shelby]

I understand some of you take issue with the way Lisa aka racer participates in this forum.

Well I used to not get along with her at all, but now we talk about movies and stuff and we forgo the discussion about doctrinal issues. I like it much better that way. Reminds me, I need to pm her about another movie that I just saw.

Michelle

 

[anawim]

I want to remind everybody to act with charity towards those who come to this thread as guests. I know it can be difficult at times when someone says something the disagrees with the teaching of the Catholic Church. We can be unyeilding in our beliefs, but we can never be uncharitable in our manner.

I am not disagreeing with the closing of threads, but what causes them to be closed.

I understand some of you take issue with the way Lisa aka racer participates in this forum. I am sure a number of you think she is anti-Catholic. Other have issue with the way she comes accross.

What most of you don't know is that I invited here more then a year ago. I have known her for a few years now. She has come a long way in her understanding of the Catholic Church. We argued and debated many times over a number of issues. The environment we debated in was no-holds barred. We were quite uncharitable to one another. But over time we were able to stop yelling long enough to see the good in the each other.

So when I ask for charity, it is not out of consideration for me personally, but because it works and it is what the Lord wills us to do. Always remember that every person you meet is a potential convert. Just think of the many conversion stories you have read. There is no such thing as a lost cause or no one worth our efforts.

The fear of hell will never be a sufficient reason for someone to be drawn to the Church. I doubt very few of us remain Catholic because we fear hell if we leave. What we fear is the loss of a great Love. It is that Love that we should use to draw others to Christ's Church.

I love all of you here. I love your enthusiasm and commitment to the Truth. This is not a condemnation, just a request for an increase in charity.


Peace

Well said!

I always like to keep in mind something that Tim Staples said in his conversion story. He said that he would agrue with Matt Dula, even when he knew he wasnt' making any sense, because he didn't want to give up his dream of being a minister. So when you think you're not getting through; if you think you're not getting any where, just remember that the person may not be letting on.

 

[nyj]

I am not disagreeing with the closing of threads, but what causes them to be closed.

What causes them to be closed is not just debating by the non-Catholics, but the continual baiting of non-Catholics by Catholics into debating. If Catholics see something that they feel should not be in OBOB, the worst possible thing to do is to quote it and respond to it. It is then even more reprehensible that, upon receiving a reply, reporting the reply and accusing the non-Catholic of debating.

If you see something which should not be in OBOB, report it, and then leave it alone. If the staff agree with you, it'll go bye-bye, if the staff disagree, they'll let you know and it'll remain, and then you can reply to it, in a civil and respectful manner.

 

[Dream]

I totally agree that we need to be charitable, but that doesn't necessarily mean that we have to be gracious to our attackers. Throughout the Bible, Jesus was charitable, but He wasn't a pacifist when it came to discussing theology. His words were sometimes harsh, because that is what needs to be said. When He would discuss something with the Pharisees, He wouldn't just say "I'm sorry you disagree with me." Jesus would stand firm in His convictions and show the error of His opposers.

Now fast forward 2000 years. Here we are at OBOB, a place of fellowship for Catholics. Somtimes we have some non-Catholics that come in and give reasons why the Catholic Church is evil or why we are all going to Hell. Are we just supposed to appease them? Or should we stand firm in our convictions and show the error of our attackers, harsh as it may be? I vote for the latter.

 

[NDIrish]

Now fast forward 2000 years. Here we are at OBOB, a place of fellowship for Catholics. Somtimes we have some non-Catholics that come in and give reasons why the Catholic Church is evil or why we are all going to Hell. Are we just supposed to appease them? Or should we stand firm in our convictions and show the error of our attackers, harsh as it may be? I vote for the latter.

Nah, we should probably just let the mods handle it. The moderators of this forum do a phenominal job of not allowing anti-Catholic sentiments to be spewed here...much more so than other forums I've been a part of in the past. In fact, that's a large part of why I like this forum so much. The moderators really moderate!

 

[Metanoia02]

Throughout the Bible, Jesus was charitable, but He wasn't a pacifist when it came to discussing theology. His words were sometimes harsh, because that is what needs to be said. When He would discuss something with the Pharisees, He wouldn't just say "I'm sorry you disagree with me." Jesus would stand firm in His convictions and show the error of His opposers.

DT,

You are almost quoting word for word what I have heard non-Catholic say when they are confronted with thier harsh attacks on Catholics. I have heard it a hundred times. Guess what it never worked on me, it only made me hold more firmly to what I believe.

 

[nyj]

Now fast forward 2000 years. Here we are at OBOB, a place of fellowship for Catholics. Somtimes we have some non-Catholics that come in and give reasons why the Catholic Church is evil or why we are all going to Hell. Are we just supposed to appease them? Or should we stand firm in our convictions and show the error of our attackers, harsh as it may be? I vote for the latter.

I vote that you report them and leave the posts alone.

 

[Dream]

DT,

You are almost quoting word for word what I have heard non-Catholic say when they are confronted with thier harsh attacks on Catholics. I have heard it a hundred times. Guess what it never worked on me, it only made me hold more firmly to what I believe.

I'm confused as to what your position is, Metanoia.

When somebody asks about salvation, should we tell the Truth in saying that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church, or should we sugarcoat our answer to make it seem as the though religion is obsolete?

 

[Metanoia02]

I'm confused as to what your position is, Metanoia.

When somebody asks about salvation, should we tell the Truth in saying that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church, or should we sugarcoat our answer to make it seem as the though religion is obsolete?

We should always tell the Truth. But we lack charity when we insist that they believe as we do by badgering them and by being dismissive of them. This is not sugarcoating nor is it making religion obsolete, it is having respect for a persons free will to chose.

 

[Dream]

We should always tell the Truth. But we lack charity when we insist that they believe as we do by badgering them and by being dismissive of them. This is not sugarcoating nor is it making religion obsolete, it is having respect for a persons free will to chose.

What do you mean by badgering and dismissing them?

 

[Metanoia02]

What do you mean by badgering and dismissing them?

This often happens when a discussion has run its course and the only ones left are trying to prove thier point by more dramatic means. This is usually when pride creeps in and when being "right" takes precedent over being charitable.

 

[Dream]

This often happens when a discussion has run its course and the only ones left are trying to prove thier point by more dramatic means. This is usually when pride creeps in and when being "right" takes precedent over being charitable.

I'd ask for specific examples, but I really don't care that much.

You're right, Metanoia. We should always be charitable.

I have nothing further to say.

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

See my signature

 

[racer]

Met,

Thank you so much!! Yet another reason I admire you so much!!

I doubt not at all there is a place for you in heaven.

 

[racer]

I'd ask for specific examples, but I really don't care that much.

You're right, Metanoia. We should always be charitable.

I have nothing further to say.

DT,

Honestly, I can't think of a time I found you to be ungracious or offensive. Nor, have I seen you compromise your beliefs to appease others.

Just wanted you to know that.

God Bless!!

Lisa

 

[racer]

Well said!

I always like to keep in mind something that Tim Staples said in his conversion story. He said that he would agrue with Matt Dula, even when he knew he wasnt' making any sense, because he didn't want to give up his dream of being a minister. So when you think you're not getting through; if you think you're not getting any where, just remember that the person may not be letting on.

But, anawim, I always make sense . . . . . . . .