I don't like being here

[drewpls]

But I have to, it's all in the name of sociology :/

I joined this site as a complete outsider (homosexual atheist) to find out information of genuine christians today, and i'm quite scared, because the type of people i'm seeing are the same as the type of people who drove my brother to throwing himself infront of an 18 wheeler on the highway 4 years ago, I've still not recovered properly, the whole mess ripped up my family, and has both my mother and father blaming the conservative side of the roman catholic faith. I'm atheist, my whole family is, and it's not exactly like i can turn to any religion because A. My mother is forbidden entry to any roman catholic church after assaulting the minister that publically drove my brother to suicide, who was then convicted two months later of child rape, and I find most religious texts as a more elabourate form of greek myth sort of thing. I just don't know what to do, where i can find this kind of imformation available but isn't going to have me sitting in tears.

Help?

 

[SOZO84]

Im so sorry to hear what happened to your brother. Im not catholic im a christian and thats all i claim to be. No one is perfect and everyone that is a priest or a pastor is not always called of God to do his work. it even says in scripture that they will come as wolfs in sheeps clothing, and that is what it seemed like was the case here. Im just speculating seeing as i dont know exactly what happened. the scripture is not just myths. there were even historians who were not christians at all that claim that Jesus lived and that when he was crucified the sky darkened and all the things happened the way that the scripture said it happened and they were just historians not people of the church. again im sorry for what happened it hurts my soul when i hear stories about how people that are suppose to be spokseman for the LORD hurt others. I pray that you will find the answers that you seek. GOD Bless

 

[goldenviolet]

bless your heart little brother. i'd dee. i was once upon a time in your shoes. i was abused by a prominate church and community member, my father, whom later commited suicide; put in foster homes and mental hospitals and lived on the streets eatting out of dumpsters. hard-knocks. "your shoes"... i mean the feelings, anger, hurt, disbelief, confusion... etc... i challenged God. i challenged Him to reveal Himself to me. help me, or kill me. i was tired of games, guilts, doubts, being under the thumb of Him and life. grrr. lol. right now i can only tell you empty words. because everything i say, will not have the meaning intended: to lift you up and encourage you. so, instead, i offer you a word of challenge and blessings in your quest here: my challenge is for you to see that both good and evil on this earth are unavoidable to even christians: but that the kingdom of God is still being built in us, with our failures and all: God loves us before we even understand any of these life things. and my word of blessing to you, is the same one God gives you: 100% compassion, 100% mercy, 100% love, 100% exceptance, and 100% value: as you are... doubts, sins, innocents, guilts; the whole ball of wax... so He is pursuing you, and will answer you: simply because you ask, seek, and crave truth. so, on your journey and in your quest: please consider my mailbox open to you as a friend, sister, and supportive ear. any scriptures you want to exsplore, questions, accusaions even. i'm not a debator (into arguing)... and i can also help you choose the forums you need. xo dee

 

[Mr.Cheese]

.

 

[goldenviolet]

ROFL!! mr.cheese!!! ... "need to be locked in a cave." i don't know why but i just about laughed myself silly. drew, he's quite right. the 'label' christian means different things to different people. you'll meet all sorts of personalities and beliefs here. you'll find some forums more "pronounced" with the diversity here. lol. the recovery forums are unlike most forums. here, we seek to just fellowship and support eachother. the recovery mods monitor anyone from comming in and preaching 'hell and brimstone' ... etc. we just basicall all hang out and socialize while we do our best to be supportive to all who enter the recovery forums: not focused on individual's beliefs unless invited, or to give an invitation for more. lol. xo dee

 

[FireyAngel]

I can't even pretend to say that I know what you are going through. The pain you have seen and felt is huge.

All I can say is...all are welcome at the table.

I'm glad you are here.

 

[Angeldove97]

Hi there,
I'm sorry to hear about this happening to your brother--- I wish some how your family could have been blessed with some wonderful priests like the ones I know. Like others have said: Christians are not all the same--- not every Christian who's in ministry is called to be there.

If you'd like to discuss Catholic faith with me, feel free to pm any time. I won't judge you because you're gay... I won't judge you because you're an atheist---- I just hope I can do some good for you because I really hate people getting a bad taste of Christianity and thinking that's all that is out there.

And I'll offer this up too. If you feel like corresponding with a Catholic priest, I know of the perfect one. Father Ted is my priest from my college campus so he knows how to minister to young adults and teens. My Protestant boyfriend thinks he's an awesome priest as well and thinks he's very "Protestanty" with how he preaches. I'm sure he'd be fine with you emailing him, if that's something you'd like to do.

I'm not going to try to get you to come back to the Catholic Church--- that's your own issue that you have to take up with God. I just want you to know that we're all here to discuss what ever you feel you need to ask or vent to us. And mainly in hope that one day you and your family members will find peace.

 

[lionscradle]

You're incredibly young for having to go through something so traumatic. I'm very sorry for your brother, and what happened.. the world is evidently, incredibly imperfect-- and even with our very best intentions we get caught by the jaws of some horrific things, ill-intentioned people, and situations.. as someone else here said, not all people who "claim" to be good, or normal actually are. In fact, what a perfect facade is "goodness" and "kindness" to cover up something truly malefic or bad, selfish intentions..
I'm sorry for your loss, though I can't claim to know how devastating it must feel.. we are all here trying, despite our circumstances and it is hard, but have some hope, I mean, I think it's necessary to work through our emotions and feel all the feelings, but have hope in the fact that your pain will one day be replaced by peace and calm.. sometimes I guess, we don't have all the answers.. but we learn to understand things, through our pain, through our anger, through our hope, and through perseverance.. and also forgiving ourselves in knowing the nature of the world we live in.. that even with as much filth and hate, evil, especially that which that lurks beneath a shiny, glossed veneer.. there is an incredible amount of goodness too, to remind us that we are not yet, all lost. We can rise above it, and heal. It takes faith. Please don't feel hesitant to express yourself and your opinion, ask questions, or what not, because of fear of prejudice, because I guarantee that even though you may be met with some, there are people here who genuinely want to clear up misconceptions, provide their guidance, and want to help you work through things you may personally be struggling with.

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11

Bless

 

[carlitoot]

I can see that you have gone through a lot already.. And I know you are looking for answers on why these have happened to you.. I know it is hard for you to accept the things which have happened and I think the only answer to this is to accept it.. I know it can be hard but I know if the time comes you will be able to accept it, by then you can already move on with your life and also let God in your life..

 

[Anti Existance]

my post dissapeared?

 

[DRL]

drewpls,
I am so sorry to hear of your brother. I cannot began to imagine what you are going through. I can see the pain in your writing and what you say.
You are going through the grief process. There are 5 stages and one does not pass through them in an orderly fashion. One bounces around from denial, the first stage to anger, there are 2 others until the person finally comes to acceptance. There is no set time frame for this either. Angeldove's suggestion is a very good one. There are various support groups for families of those who commit suicide in various cities. I think we have one at our church.
I will be praying for you as that is all I can do right now.
with much care,
Diana

 

[DRL]

I found the 5 stages of grief that I learned. They are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. I understand that others have made up lists with 4-12 stages. These 5 are the ones I learned. Hope this helps.
Diana

 

[Anti Existance]

drewpls did you read my message before it dissapeared =( ?

 

[Cirke]

Drewpls, I am so sorry for your pain. I do understand that you have every reason to doubt God, christianity and be angry... The "why" in our mind comes too many times in our lives and I am sorry it came to you in such a tender age... It is true and I agree with all here that these situations take time to heal... Slowly though things do get better and there is always hope. A suicide is always hard in a family and leaves scars. keep in your mind that althrough it mights feels like God is the one who is at fault here ...in reality He is not. God is the one who 'knows" no evil and does no evil... Whoever is telling otherwise is lying and is not telling you the truth about Him. I was not a theist at all living my life like there was no God... In the end when I actually seeked Him out He came... Not in 'cloud" or in a vision but in prayer and talked to me in ways that are not visible... He is out there and He listens but we have to be willing to hear Him... Keep searching Him out ... it is worth the waiting...