First of all, thank you to all the apologists who respond to the questions relentlessly posed at the Interfaith forum.
What an opportunity, if we take it. Whatever the intent behind the question, or the tone in which it is put, it is always possible to answer with patience and without asperity. Possible, but not always easy, I grant you.
What is it St. Paul says, "Exhort, reprove, correct...and never lose patience." However the question is put, it is always possible to answer matter-of-factly, to put the best possible interpretation on their post, or use it as a teaching opportunity.
Unless their diction is outrageously inflammatory or sacriligeous, it is possible to overlook it, or rework it.
Remember that besides the poster, there are many viewers who are not only evaluating the doctrinal content but also the person who is responding to them. "Just how christian is this guy when put to the proof?" Since we are representing the Church, we need to keep this in mind.
If they are not brothers in Christ, it is really not the place for fraternal correction. Many are simply zealous with an ill-informed zeal.
Who needs to hear this most of all but myself? I realize it.
This is never a struggle that can be won on this board, so we are going to have to go over the same ground again and again as new people come on. Why refer them to old posts, when we have a fresh opportunity to reassert the teaching of Christ in a new way?
It is work. It is sacrifice. It is a sharing in the cross of Christ. It is a glorious opportunity in the Lord, one that we should grab with both hands, and respond better every time the occasion presents itself. Much good will come of it.
Lee
What an opportunity, if we take it. Whatever the intent behind the question, or the tone in which it is put, it is always possible to answer with patience and without asperity. Possible, but not always easy, I grant you.
What is it St. Paul says, "Exhort, reprove, correct...and never lose patience." However the question is put, it is always possible to answer matter-of-factly, to put the best possible interpretation on their post, or use it as a teaching opportunity.
Unless their diction is outrageously inflammatory or sacriligeous, it is possible to overlook it, or rework it.
Remember that besides the poster, there are many viewers who are not only evaluating the doctrinal content but also the person who is responding to them. "Just how christian is this guy when put to the proof?" Since we are representing the Church, we need to keep this in mind.
If they are not brothers in Christ, it is really not the place for fraternal correction. Many are simply zealous with an ill-informed zeal.
Who needs to hear this most of all but myself? I realize it.
This is never a struggle that can be won on this board, so we are going to have to go over the same ground again and again as new people come on. Why refer them to old posts, when we have a fresh opportunity to reassert the teaching of Christ in a new way?
It is work. It is sacrifice. It is a sharing in the cross of Christ. It is a glorious opportunity in the Lord, one that we should grab with both hands, and respond better every time the occasion presents itself. Much good will come of it.
Lee
I think an imporant thing to remember is that even if the original poster doesn't want to learn other posters are reading it. If there is no Catholic correction then others will probably believe that it is true. Plus we are planting seeds that probably won't sprout for years.