Bug Sushi

[Nihil Obstat]

[img]http://narwilliams.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/zombie-road-sign.jpg[/img]

[Moosey]

Ppft! I've been ready for that since before you were born kiddo.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Moosey' date='11 August 2010 - 03:58 PM' timestamp='1281560294' post='2156091']
Ppft! I've been ready for that since before you were born kiddo.
[/quote]
Little Moosey:
[img]http://www.ausgang.com/collect/gif/gun/baby/Girl-With-Machine-Gun.jpg[/img]

[Moosey]

Basically. But with bigger hair.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Moosey' date='11 August 2010 - 04:02 PM' timestamp='1281560532' post='2156096']
Basically. But with bigger hair.
[/quote]
[img]http://newsimg.ngfiles.com/140000/140675_Giant_Afro_Bunneh___.jpg[/img]

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Moosey' date='11 August 2010 - 02:31 PM' timestamp='1281555088' post='2155956']
If it had truth in it then it couldn't have been too far off from our beliefs [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif[/img] Don't give up! We're a lot of fun when you get used to us.
[/quote]

I know you're fun, and kind, and intelligent, and wise--which is why I stay. But, it's the serious part I can't deal with. A large part of me is secular, and yet I'm not a bad person--far from perfect, but no worse than many religious people (of whatever religion). But, sometimes I want to be a little bit "earthy," but instead I frequently have to "stifle" myself.

To become Catholic, I would have to reject some of my most important core beliefs, including things that are the best parts of me. I was raised to try to be wise, ask other's opinions (including God's), and then trust my own judgement. I can't reconcile that with strict obedience to rules of the magisterium that are sometimes completely opposed to my common sense--and my common sense is mostly pretty good. It's not in me to obey a group of rules without at least a LITTLE mercy, a little elasticity (not situational ethics--I don't believe in that, either)--it's just too rigid. I think a Catholic who tries their best to follow the magisterium, and to listen to God on a regular basis, should have a little room to say, "In this specific case, in good conscience, I have to act in a different way, because it is the kind, merciful, and common-sense solution." I see people twisting themselves into knots to obey the magisterium, when the God I know isn't totally rigid, and believes in common sense, too, especially after a lot of prayer, thought, and good advice. And, sometimes, obeying every tiny rule of the magisterium causes decisions by priests and others that are downright cruel. I can't blindly obey ANY priest, no matter how wise, because NO ONE walks in my shoes but me. A priest may represent God, but he is still human, with his own biases. And, I honestly think that God understands this. I'm not talking about big things like murder, stealing, physical abuse etc. I'm talking about decisions that, for most people, are entirely private and no one's business but their own.

I'm pretty intelligent, but I just don't understand. And, I'm far too honest to lie to God and say I accept every single Catholic teaching when that is not the case.

I was going to put a moratorium on worrying about this for 6 months, but every day some post comes along that brings it all up again. [b]I don't want to stop posting on Phatmass, because I love all of you (in the most Godly, platonic way).[/b] [b]If it weren't for all of you, none of this would even be an issue. I would say, "I tried, but I can't think seriously about becoming Catholic," and I'd move on. It is you--your kindness, your silliness, your fun, and yet your thoughtful, serious posts, and honest faith that have made this an issue. You have something I want--no, that's too light--something I deeply desire.
[/b]
I think it's easier for a Southern Baptist to become Catholic, because they are used to having lots of rules. I'm not, and although I have made decisions that were stupid, I don't think I have ever made a decision (or at least not many) that was deliberately cruel or evil.

I try my best to give people the benefit the doubt because we are all human (although sometimes I fail miserably at this). With God's help, we do our best. Why doesn't the magisterium allow for the fact that it's not possible for a group of rules to provide the best solution in EVERY situation? It's not realistic, and I honestly don't believe that a group of rigid rules truly reflects what God wants for us. To me, God is FAR beyond the understanding of even the wisest human, and even with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the magisterium, if followed rigidly, falls short of relecting the true nature of God. It can't help it--The true nature of God is too big for us to understand, even with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Why would I have to throw out my conscience, the specific circumstances, and the lessons life (and God) have taught me, and follow a decision that was made by someone (or a group of men--no women), who knew nothing about my situation, and which might not be the best solution in a particular, individual case?

I know this is very hard for a cradle Catholic to understand, and I don't expect you to understand. You are good people who have been wonderful (and patient) with me--far more than I deserve.

I deeply apologize for hijacking this thread. But, perhaps this post best belongs in the Lame Board, anyway.

But, right now, I can't even imagine becoming an Orthodox Catholic, as this Board expresses it--my core values are too deeply set. If I were Jewish, I wouldn't be an Orthodox Jew, but probably a Conservative Jew (since I'm always striving for a balance), and not Reform. Although, even if Reform Jews accept female rabbis, their services are still conducted in Hebrew--they may be called "Reform" but, for the most part, they still strongly identify with their Jewish roots, even if they don't keep all the rules the Orthodox do. (Although most Reform Jews I know still can't bring themselves to eat bacon or lobster).

If all the posters on Phatmass aren't quite as rigid on certain issues, I wish they would speak up, because it would help me if I felt that there was more than one way to be a good Catholic, without going to the opposite extreme and resorting to silliness and clown Masses. If people are afraid to speak up on Phatmass about personal decisions they have made according to their conscience, after much prayer and thought, that don't follow the magisterium to the letter, that, to me, is very sad. There HAS to be some middle ground.

If no middle ground exists--if I have to be either totally Orthodox, with complete obedience to the Magisterium in every action, or Neo, with nothing in between that allows for conscience, then I have to give up totally, and just post in the Lame Forum and ignore any seriously religious thread.

Thank-you for your patience. I'm tired of having outbursts of frustration on a regular basis. My life is far too hard and I don't have the energy for that. And, I'm sure you're VERY tired of it.

Forgive me. I appreciate your listening more than you can ever know.

And, I will get back to sorting my tiny beads by color. (They are for making Rosaries, so I have not completely gone to the Dark Side.)

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

Maybe I ought to give lessons on how to kill a thread. My sincere apologies for being a noob. It really is too bad that my body is allergic to alcohol, because I'm sure that would help. But, next time, I'll buy a round, so that you can go ahead and have fun without my "noobness." (If that's a word.) Maybe I'll make it unlimited drinks, then you won't even remember my "noobness" the next day.

P.S. My male cat also pooped on my pillow. He's definitely giving me a message. Unfortunately, I think the message is that he doesn't like the litter in his litterbox. Unfortunately, I was using a store brand, and the store chain no longer carries that brand, so it's not like I can buy it somewhere else. I've tried the new store brand but he doesn't approve. I just have to keep trying until I find one he can live with. Males!

[MIKolbe]

:crickets:

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='MIkolbe' date='11 August 2010 - 08:08 PM' timestamp='1281575332' post='2156225']
:crickets:
[/quote]

Who knew that any Lame Boarder would turn down an offer of as many free drinks as they could consume? [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/idontknow.gif[/img] [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/paperbag.gif[/img]

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

Duplicate post.

Edited August 12, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[MIKolbe]

oh, did you offer that?

i would like an appletini, please.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='MIkolbe' date='11 August 2010 - 08:47 PM' timestamp='1281577673' post='2156246']
oh, did you offer that?

i would like an appletini, please.
[/quote]

Coming right up. I've made it a triple, since the purpose is to make everyone so drunk they forget what a noob I am.

[Guest Crabpack]

[quote name='IgnatiusofLoyola' date='11 August 2010 - 08:54 PM' timestamp='1281578056' post='2156255']
Coming right up. I've made it a triple, since the purpose is to make everyone so drunk they forget what a noob I am.
[/quote]

You arn't as noobish as me.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Crabpack' date='11 August 2010 - 08:58 PM' timestamp='1281578288' post='2156261']
You arn't as noobish as me.
[/quote]

Welcome! What would you like to drink? Since I don't know you, I don't know if you're noobish or not, but since I killed this thread faster than a can of Raid, I'd say that right now I'm noobier than you are. Over time, my opinion could change.

[Moosey]

Woah look at that noob! PWN THE NOOB!


Jk, Welcome to phatmass