Fallen Away Catholics

[Vincent Vega]

My earlier post was hilarious, by the way.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' date='10 May 2010 - 07:38 PM' timestamp='1273538305' post='2108376']
My earlier post was hilarious, by the way. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Sorry, I might have laughed if I had understood it. I got that it was a pun of some kind, but I don't know enough about sports to know if it was a good pun or not.

[Mark of the Cross]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' date='11 May 2010 - 12:38 PM' timestamp='1273538305' post='2108376']
My earlier post was hilarious, by the way.
[/quote]

What post?

[Socrates]

[quote name='BG45' date='10 May 2010 - 06:04 PM' timestamp='1273529048' post='2108313']
Cliche it may be, but often St. Francis advice on only using words when the need arises is sometimes the best. As freethinker said, often an attempt at conversation can be more detrimental than good.
[/quote]
"Preach the Gospel always. Use words when necessary."

Whether or not St. Francis actually said this, the point is not that we should avoid preaching the Gospel with words, but that our behavior should reflect the Gospel all the time, whether we are preaching with words at the moment or not.
The idea is that walking the walk is more important than talking the talk - not that we should rarely preach the Gospel with words. Preaching with words was (and still is) an integral part of spreading the Gospel around the world.
It bugs me when people misuse that quote to mean that we should avoid preaching with words.

[Socrates]

[quote name='tinytherese' date='10 May 2010 - 06:23 PM' timestamp='1273530196' post='2108325']
Let's be careful everyone. We don't want to scare Freethinker away.
[/quote]
I think he's a big boy and can handle it.

It's stupid to avoid preaching the Faith on a specifically Catholic website for fear of "scaring off" unbelievers.
Whether he wishes to stay on here, or whether or not he converts, is up to him of course.

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='Socrates' date='10 May 2010 - 09:17 PM' timestamp='1273540634' post='2108401']
"Preach the Gospel always. Use words when necessary."

Whether or not St. Francis actually said this, the point is not that we should avoid preaching the Gospel with words, but that our behavior should reflect the Gospel all the time, whether we are preaching with words at the moment or not.
The idea is that walking the walk is more important than talking the talk - not that we should rarely preach the Gospel with words. Preaching with words was (and still is) an integral part of spreading the Gospel around the world.
It bugs me when people misuse that quote to mean that we should avoid preaching with words.
[/quote]
thank you. that misquote has become a minor pet peeve of mine for the reasons you describe. cheers mate.

[Ephrem Augustine]

[quote name='littleflower+JMJ' date='14 April 2010 - 06:55 PM' timestamp='1271289344' post='2093594']
What do you tell or how do you answer fallen away Catholics who grew up in the faith but never really participated but attended mass, CCD, etc. but are now non-denominational Christians? Its just so awkward and I have no route to take.
[/quote]
fallen away from what?

[BG45]

[quote name='Socrates' date='10 May 2010 - 09:17 PM' timestamp='1273540634' post='2108401']
"Preach the Gospel always. Use words when necessary."

Whether or not St. Francis actually said this, the point is not that we should avoid preaching the Gospel with words, but that our behavior should reflect the Gospel all the time, whether we are preaching with words at the moment or not.
The idea is that walking the walk is more important than talking the talk - not that we should rarely preach the Gospel with words. Preaching with words was (and still is) an integral part of spreading the Gospel around the world.
It bugs me when people misuse that quote to mean that we should avoid preaching with words.
[/quote]

Then I'm glad I wasn't bugging you, since I would never tell anyone to NOT share the Gospel.

[Guest Freethinker]

[quote name='tinytherese' date='10 May 2010 - 07:31 PM' timestamp='1273537913' post='2108373']
And keep in mind that I am not saying we should water down our answers, but to discuss truth with charity and compassion. As at least one phatmasser put it before however many months ago, how we can really evangelize is by touching the heart of an individual. This doesn't mean that we ignore reason, but that we try to show them the beauty of the faith and not just the "head knowledge" stuff. Remember the encyclical Fides et Ratio-On Faith and Reason.
[/quote]

This is[i] exactly [/i]the reason why I decided to start a discussion here. I've read through the forums here and I understand that folks here are pretty orthodox, but I've also noticed that everyone here is knowledgeable and can quote from Canon Law and the catechism. I don't have a problem with that at all and was actually impressed with the depth of knowledge. I want to know what the official teaching is rather than what someone's brother's best friend who is a Catholic said about the matter. I don't mind being told that I'm in danger of going to hell; based on my knowledge of Catholic I've figured out for myself that, according to Church rules, I'm in danger of going on the down escalator. What I don't like are ad hominem attacks. What I get really tired of are snap judgments such as "Well, since you aren't a practicing Christian then you probably worship the devil or some strange nature goddess." Uh, no. Right now, I don't "worship" anything, and if I did, it certainly wouldn't be the devil. So yes, I am very willing to have a big boy discussion.

[Mark of the Cross]

[quote name='Freethinker' date='11 May 2010 - 03:07 PM' timestamp='1273547227' post='2108471']
So yes, I am very willing to have a big boy discussion.
[/quote]

I'm glad to hear it. You are nine tenths of the way there then.

[quote name='Socrates' date='11 May 2010 - 01:17 PM' timestamp='1273540634' post='2108401']
"Preach the Gospel always. Use words when necessary."


It bugs me when people misuse that quote to mean that we should avoid preaching with words.
[/quote]

People are quite good at screwing up scriptures and writings. It clearly means what you said, that actions speak loudest, but we still need to preach the word and it is most important that we do. Where I might differ is that we should definitely use demonstration to the max never hiding the fact of who we are and what we represent. But, preaching is a little more difficult and diplomacy and tact is required. From writing on forums I got the message that in the USA at least there are many people who feel oppressed by Christianity. Their relatives friends and others love them to death trying to save their soul before it is too late, with the result they obtain a deep resentment of Christianity. There is never any need to panic! God knows what will happen and if it is a persons destiny to find him, then they will and neither the devil or anyone can prevent that. It is truly good to care about the soul of another but we must also remember 'free choice' and we should respect the right of a person to their own Freethinker! er freethinking!

Edited May 11, 2010 by Mark of the Cross

[tinytherese]

[quote name='Socrates' date='10 May 2010 - 08:20 PM' timestamp='1273540819' post='2108403']
I think he's a big boy and can handle it.

It's stupid to avoid preaching the Faith on a specifically Catholic website for fear of "scaring off" unbelievers.
Whether he wishes to stay on here, or whether or not he converts, is up to him of course.
[/quote]

Did you see post #30 where I expanded on that previous statement?

"And keep in mind that I am not saying we should water down our answers, but to discuss truth with charity and compassion. As at least one phatmasser put it before however many months ago, how we can really evangelize is by touching the heart of an individual. This doesn't mean that we ignore reason, but that we try to show them the beauty of the faith and not just the "head knowledge" stuff. Remember the encyclical Fides et Ratio-On Faith and Reason."

I haven't gotten to it yet, but this book is highly recommended on the subjects of evangelization and catechesis. The Beauty of Holiness and the Holiness of Beauty: Art, Sanctity, and the Truth of Catholicism. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0898706327/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Edited May 11, 2010 by tinytherese