Little Flower Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 So someone please help me. I feel like people see me as this "holy person" or whatever because I try to live my faith. I'm concerned people see me as "holier than thou" because I go to daily mass a lot and stuff. So some people see me like that. But then, there are those who pretty much think I'm a saint. AHHH! no I've failed pretty miserably, God has brought me out of that so that today I can say I am no longer stuck in the awful situation I was in a year ago, but I am pretty far from perfect. People say stuff to me that they admire me or whatever, and when I say stuff like, well I don't judge others because I've failed more than they have, when you consider the amazing upbringing and all the graces i've had in my life, compared to these kids who drink party and have sex, but were brought up like that and therefore imho have little guilt in it, then people think I'm just being oh so humble and oh she's so holy or whatever. But i mean it! I can't go around telling everyone I meet the story of my complete failures, I mean its completely humiliating, and certainly not something I want public, but what do I do???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Why are you looking down on me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicsAreKewl Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I party and drink and have a bunch of sex. I wish I was like you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicsAreKewl Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Jk, I'm like you but I'm not religious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I think often we are much harder on ourselves than we need to be. I've experienced a bit of this. I think the best response is when someone comments on how "good" or "holy" you are, smile and thank them. Then remind yourself not of your failings but that there must have been a reason they said that. Sometimes we get so focused on how we feel we have failed that we forget about where we have made progress. You have to balance the two if we focus just on our failings we become over scrupulous and frustrated, but if we focus on our successes and how good we are we fall into the sin of pride. Don't allow others opinions to consume so much of your attention. If they make a comment thank them and move on that is all you need to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestertonian Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Jk, I'm like you but I'm not religious. You srsly an atheist now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicsAreKewl Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) You srsly an atheist now? Since my brain is a bit discombobulated, I might not be able to explain things fully. In my culture, it's hard to separate oneself from a religious identity. It's part of one's cultural/political identity as well. I don't feel like I'm lying when I tell people I'm Catholic or when I tell people I'm atheist. Oddly, I identify with both. I don't believe in God, though, If that's what you're asking. Edited July 16, 2013 by CatholicsAreKewl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Just wondering why you don't believe in God ? I know you used to. Just wondered what got you from there to where you are now. And I respect your honesty. If you don't believe in God you don't believe in God. It doesn't make you a bad person. Anyone who says it does is a smug prick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilllabettt Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 when I was in the convent, we were taught to say "blessed be God" when somebody gave us a compliment. I have changed that up since; now I say "thanks be to God." It sounds more natural to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 One way to go about not seeming holier than thou is to make sure you're kind and friendly to people who aren't practicing Catholics. Be open to being friends (or friend-ly) with people who aren't Catholic. At my college, there was a group of "super-Catholics" who only hung out and talked to each other, only did Catholic things (they were always doing some kind of adoration or rosary or going to mass and only talked about Catholic things), to the point where it felt their little group was super exclusive. I was good friends with one of them, and she even stopped hanging out with me and our friends in lieu of spending all her time with that group (even though most of our old group were trying to be good Catholics). So what I'm saying is that you don't have to suddenly become best friends with the local atheist or whatever. But be kind and friendly to those who aren't practicing the Catholic faith like you are (which I suspect you're already doing!), and make sure you're doing things that aren't super Catholic to have fun too (which I also suspect you're already doing!). And like others have said, say something like "thank you, you're too kind!" when they compliment you. Maybe add something like, "Hey, would you like to come with me next time?" Like others have said, just accept their compliment gracefully, and be a kind, charitable, joy-filled person. I bet you'll lead a lot of people to the Church by just being a happy, friendly Catholic. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContemporaryCaflicCrusader Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I like to tell my non believing friends: There have been two people that are perfect: St. Mary Mother of God and the 100% God 100% Man Jesus Christ. It is said by Jesus Himself that St. John the Baptist is the best born of men. In another spot in the bible it is stated that the most righteous of men sins at least 7 times a day. So if St. John did 7 things wrong on his awesome days, You can look down the line of saints. Ones who always weren't doing the right thing; St. Francis of Assisi and St. Augustine. I mean St. Dismas is the good thief and he made it in. So you tell your buddies if St. John was 7 on a good day maybe 20ish on a bad day; St. Francis of Assisi (depending on when in your life) mighta been more like 20 to 50. Think about where we might be (A lot higher a number in my case I would say I dunno bout you guys). And remind them these are estimates. I remember someone saying at my work "I did my good deed for the day" And just about threw her feet up on my desk (If I had a desk.) "One good thing," I thought. Vs at least 7 bad? And did you examine your conscience like if your mom was over your shoulder. Seriously it's a helpful thing to envision. That not working? Picture Jesus looking over your shoulder. Or maybe you need to be double teamed. I've kinda been here myself being "Dogma the Catholic dishwasher" for over half a decade at a bar full of, well from time to time narcotic dealers and such. Just remember you the only Bible some people are ever gonna read. So live it. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 "All the glory belongs to God." j/k that still sounds really pompous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicsAreKewl Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) but what do I do???? Make a shirt and list everything bad you've done on them. Lol make it like 2 sentence long. Edited July 16, 2013 by CatholicsAreKewl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 "All the glory belongs to God." j/k that still sounds really pompous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 "All the glory belongs to God." j/k that still sounds really pompous. much better. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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