It is surprising to me that the Vatican would be shocked over the pope's treatment. His treatment is indeed appalling, but after dialoguing with people over religion for several years, I've come to understand that hatred of the Church runs rampant. No offense to those over in Europe, but it's especially noticable among over there. It's in American too though, but not as bad. It seems to me that siding against the traditional religion automatically makes one an intellectual in certain circles. I know many who assume anyone who is Christian is unable to think for themselves and are only Christian because someone told them to be. What's sadder than that is after talking with people like this a little while, 9 times out of 10 they quickly show themselves to be irrational, gullible and confused . . . believing lies spewn by evil minds and never able to see how they are the ones being led around like sheep (a simile they often use to describe Christians). They accuse Christians of being intolerant of anyone who isn't Christian, when in fact it's the other way around . . . embrace our religion of liberal relativism or we'll try to squash you! The hypocricy is astounding, but I'm no longer shocked by it. Can our shepherds really be so clueless as to not understand how much Catholicism and all it stands for is hated? Animosity toward the Catholicism is like a disease spreading and growing . . . unchecked by Catholic leaders who are too scared to stand up for what is right and good, or worse, Catholic leaders who actually side with the popular culture over Holy Mother Church. Anyway, these thoughts have been churning around in my head for a long time now. I think Michael Vorst is saying the same thing. I intended to just his video, but I went on a rant. Sorry :mrgreen: . http://www.youtube.com/user/RealCatholicTV?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/H8yz6CZmKQ0
The irrational hatred of Catholicism could erupt into outright persecution if trends continue - the Popes have been warning of a growing dictatorship and we need to listen to the warning bells. Most people are really poorly informed on Church teaching and especially the media. Anti-Catholicism is 'trendy at the moment' but few actually understand church teaching and therefore are poorly informed. The hypocrisy of some of the Pope's critics in just breath-taking for example in London some 10,000 people marched against the Pope's visit and a prominent homosexual 'rights' campaigner Peter Tatchell criticised the Pope over the sex abuse scandal Mr Tatchell criticised Pope Benedict's apology for the child abuse scandal earlier in the day, saying it did not go far enough. The Pope said he deeply regretted the "unspeakable crimes" committed by priests who had abused children. But Mr Tatchell said: "He keeps on apologising for the failings of everyone but himself.". This is the man who once said - 'The positive nature of some child-adult sexual relationships is not confined to non-Western cultures. Several of my friends - gay and straight, male and female - had sex with adults from the ages of nine to 13. None feel they were abused. All say it was their conscious choice and gave them great joy. 'While it may be impossible to condone paedophilia, it is time society acknowledged the truth that not all sex involving children is unwanted, abusive and harmful.' In recent times he has argued for the age of consent to be reduced to 14 http://www.petertatchell.net/age%20of%20consent/consent%20at%2014.htm One of the leading critics of the Church and the Pope is hailed in Britain as a 'hero of the civil [homosexual] rights' and a darling of the media. Yet in reality he is a pervert and a disturbed person who is on the road to perdition.
Hi Rain, I understand your frustration with being Catholic in this world. It's not easy being called dumb, bigoted, a hater, etc. time and time again. It is especially frustrating that many people who say this do not understand the Catholic faith at all, and have no interest in learning more about the faith. I used to get really frustrated, but then a few years ago I read something about "white martydom" that really made me feel good and gave me a sense of purpose in this upside world we live in. White martydom is living a catholic life in this world that is so against the faith...giving our "daily witness". What Pope Benedict has said about white martydom: ""white martyrdom," no blood and guts, but the glory of earning one's way to heaven through "daily witness."" "The beauty of Christianity is that one can achieve greatness without fame or far-flung adventure. The Church recognizes the valiant endurance of men and women who bear witness to the Gospel in a world growing more overtly hostile to Christians every day. " Full article: http://www.zenit.org/article-20892?l=english so whenever I get really frustrated with living in this world, I try to remind myself that I can offer all this up to God, and ask Hime to help me live this white martydom with joy. I believe that is something we are all called to in these times. So, instead of getting frustrated with this world or leaders in our church, offer it all up and thank God for the opportunity to be a "white martyr!
I heard two really good Catholic ladies, grandmothers and practising Catholics talking really loudly about the Church and the Holy Father last week in work. Their attitude was that, 'Of course there should be married priests, women priests, ect, ect ect and that the Church should get with it and get with the times.......'. Another Catholic (non practising ) a grandfather, announced publically that I am a 'fanatic' for travelling by air to see the Pope in England. I metnion their age because they are of a generation of Irish Catholics wre, maybe you would not expect such attitudes, but in fact they are really commonplace now. I laughed at being called a fanatic, which I have been called many times before, and said I took it as a great compliment , whch I do. I think folks in work are fascinated by myself and my opinions and gawk at me ,rather as if I were a set of dinosaur bones come back to life. :lol: :lol: I do not mind this in the least in fact I am of an age were I rather enjoy the attention and I've always rather enjoyed being thought eccentirc or nuts; but for young people, well I think this would be very,very, very hard. I thought of arguing against some of these ideas, which are,after all not really their own but lifted right out of the TV, radio ad newspapers, but as I've got older I have realised that it is not so much what we say that changes hearts but what we are. One of the ladies, a Protestant stopped me the other day and said that as she was walking through the office she saw me working away at my computer and that the sun shone through the window directly on me and she said that she just stopped and stared because I looked, 'So serene' Several of the people at work have asked me why and how I could be so happy and peaceful al lthe time and I foten catch people looking at me in a rather quizzical way as though to figure me out. Certainly people are inclined to call me, 'nuts' for things like fasting (which despite my best efforts they all know about; offices being a small place) but I sense a certain envy, for many, many of them are very far from happy, very ,very, very far from happy. So I don not really argue with people, the devil I think likes a good row, but the Holy SPirit does not. Our Strongest argument is in who we are rather than in what we say. A priest was saying the toehr day about a young Protestant girl who came to him, asking to be instructed in the Catholic Faith and he asked her why she wanted this. She said it was because of a Catholic girl at work who, 'Always looked so happy' She wanted to be like this girl and simply to be happy......... For me this has always been my greatest argument for my faith , in that I am happy. Before I refound my Faith I was the most unhappy person in the world, now I think I am the happiest person in the world, no matter how bad things get in my life, no one and nothing has ever taken this peace and happiness away, a peace and joy that the World cannot ever know unless it embraces God. The way the world is at the minute, it reminds me of a candle that is lit in daylight and you can hardly see it. However as twilight comes and it gets darker and darker the little light shines more and more and folks grow to depnd on it more and more. When I was young being a devout Catholic in Ireland was quite usual, now it is far from usual and when we do so our little lights shine fiercely, likie little beacons, in the dark. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
