Ash Wednesday Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 haha.. I rubbed a Buddha belly a couple weeks ago as a joke! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Wednesday Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 I will also mention that even though many of us come from Christian families, there is often the cross to bear that many don't go to Church or practice the religion anymore... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justfran Posted June 22, 2004 Author Share Posted June 22, 2004 (edited) traichuoi - yep, I'm Chinese. I'm going to talk to my mum just before we go to the temple next time (should there be a next time - next year i might be moving away if I get into the uni course I want so who knows, I might never be home on the days...). We hardly ever go so i don't think I'd have to talk about it that early. [quote]Also, if you are praying for your parents' conversion, it doesn't say much about the strength of Christian faith if you give in.[/quote] Erm, I do like to think I've grown in faith since that time a few months ago. And trust me, my mum grabbed my hands and made me do it while i was too busy standing frozen and trying to figure out what to do. Then when my dad told me to do it he stood there and stared at me for what felt like ten minutes thinking that this really wasn't right, why are you still staring at me, Dad? I'm not a quick decider, and I still have to keep working on my faith. Edited June 22, 2004 by justfran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted June 22, 2004 Share Posted June 22, 2004 [quote]Erm, I do like to think I've grown in faith since that time a few months ago. And trust me, my mum grabbed my hands and made me do it while i was too busy standing frozen and trying to figure out what to do. Then when my dad told me to do it he stood there and stared at me for what felt like ten minutes thinking that this really wasn't right, why are you still staring at me, Dad? I'm not a quick decider, and I still have to keep working on my faith. [/quote] Wow. I'm sorry. All I can say is to continue praying and pray for the strength to resist. I understand this must be tough. My parents don't force me into other religions, but they are VERY opinionated in some ways against the Church and there isn't much I can do but defend the faith. That alone is difficult, so I can't imagine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norseman82 Posted June 22, 2004 Share Posted June 22, 2004 [quote name='justfran' date='Jun 22 2004, 07:16 AM'] And trust me, my mum grabbed my hands and made me do it while i was too busy standing frozen and trying to figure out what to do. [/quote] Then it almost sounds to me like the "full consent of the will" may not have been present, if you were physically overpowered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norseman82 Posted June 22, 2004 Share Posted June 22, 2004 [quote name='Ash Wednesday' date='Jun 21 2004, 12:33 PM'] I will also mention that even though many of us come from Christian families, there is often the cross to bear that many don't go to Church or practice the religion anymore... [/quote] EXACTLY! Many people think that persecution is the Roman soldiers throwing Christians to the lions or Communists in China sending priests loyal to the Pope to re-education camps, but today in the USA and other western countries it is more often than not the everyday harassment and family/society pressures against the faith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daugher-of-Mary Posted June 22, 2004 Share Posted June 22, 2004 Wow. All I can say is I'm praying for ya, dear. Ask St. Monica to help you with your parents. She spent 17 years praying for the conversion of her son, who became one of the greatest Saints of the Church! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
master_alterserver Posted June 22, 2004 Share Posted June 22, 2004 Maybe your parents will convert! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justfran Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 (edited) [quote]Then it almost sounds to me like the "full consent of the will" may not have been present, if you were physically overpowered. [/quote] Well when my Dad told me to bow, out of the panic and indecision I clasped my hands together and lowered my head, I was that scared. I'm pretty sure that would count as full consent of the will and since i really believe it to be a mortal sin, I'm praying that I get baptised, as soon as I go through RCIA. Hopefully this will be next Holy Saturday, as I'd prefer to start a clean slate so then I have a clear enough mind to start uni. Now I try and pray the Rosary every day, I try and not think of the 15 Promises that BVM to those who pray it, because praying for that alone just seems to cheapen it. Mainly I pray the Rosary, and carry it around with me, ever day just for support. This morning I told my mum that I can't bow to Buddha or anything like that anymore, because my heart tells me it's not right to (I figured I'd get it over and done with, since she's the Buddhist and not Dad). She was pretty hurt, but in the end she told me that she was concerned my conversion would interfere with my schoolwork. I guess I'll have to arrange RCIA by e-mail (since I've already signed up for it) and go to Youth mass on Sunday nights, so it'd be more convenient for me (I got a 51% in my maths test today so I don't think my parents will let me lose study time)... BTW Norseman, I'm 17. Edited June 23, 2004 by justfran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zwergel88 Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 Woah, this all sounds totally familiar, my dad is all into like new age spirituallity and yoga, and I also think he practices some aspects of Buddism. He didn't use to but his girlfriend got him into it. I try just to not get involved, and we don't talk about religion much. My advice would be to just be respectful of your parents faith, but still share your beliefs with them, and continue to pray for their conversion. It is totally great that you are going to start RCIA by the way, Congradulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justfran Posted June 24, 2004 Author Share Posted June 24, 2004 (edited) okay I sent an email to Fr telling him what some of you have said, and he admits that maybe he's misunderstood what I said. He says that it IS a sin for a Catholic to bow to Buddha, and that he would be willing to give me a lesson on the Catholic faith if I gave him a signed note from my parents saying that they approved of my desire to be Catholic. He also wanted to clarify some things for me. I asked my parents and they won't sign the note. I don't feel as upset as I thought I would be, it's more sort of like a calmness, because I feel that this will be a test of my faith, a challenge that I am willing to accept. I also prayed the Rosary just before I asked and said that I would accept whatever God's decision would be. I never specified an exact time for my parents to sign the note, after all. My parents will keep letting me come to Church, but they want me to focus on my studies before I study on the Catholic faith and they don't want me baptised. Dad wants me to have a think about what I really want first before I make any decisions. After I have really thought about what I want and have reached what Dad believes to be a suitable age, then he's going to let me go ahead whether he likes it or not. So I've made a promise to myself that I will try my best to keep. I will respect my parents' wishes for the time being. I do not know God's plan for me and my family, and I will trust in His Providence for us. I think that perhaps I am too impatient, so I will use this time to keep building on my faith (I only really started learning about Catholicism just a month or so ago, I think). I will keep up devotion to the Rosary, and will not stop praying for my parents' conversion and asking for intercession of the Saints. I'll still defend my faith to the best of my ability (though I am not good in debate, a lot of things escape me when I need it, and I never know what to say, let alone say it in Cantonese!). And I won't bow down to any idols. (I hope Mum remembers what I told her!) So please! PLEASE! Keep praying for me and my family!!! I know I will! Edited June 24, 2004 by justfran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justfran Posted June 24, 2004 Author Share Posted June 24, 2004 please, I need all the support I can get here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 (edited) Ask they people to pray for you [url="http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/define0b.htm"]http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/define0b.htm[/url] Here is stuff on Our Lady of Sheshan: [url="http://www.hsstudyc.org.hk/CBMAY04.html"]http://www.hsstudyc.org.hk/CBMAY04.html[/url] Edited June 24, 2004 by cmotherofpirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasJis Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 justfran, You are officially on my prayer list. I will think of you, and pray for you at every mass I attend. I keep the list short so I can remember them and keep to my promises to pray for them. Back to the bowing down thing. It's one thing to bow with your body, another to bow with your heart or mind. We are also to obey God's commandments to respect our parents, especially while we are under their authority. Raphael's comment about the status of your faith is a little harsh. I don't think he realized how new in faith you are. Also, you don't have some of the Graces we recieve from the Sacraments, such as Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion. How's this for a suggestion? Decide beforehand that you will honor and respect your parents because you choose to honor and obey God's commandment. Decide beforehand, that if you are taken to a temple and asked to bow before an idol, you will close your eyes and say a prayer to God such as: "Glory be to Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end. I bow my head to honor my parents in obdience to You, O Lord, but lift my head and heart and soul to You my God!" Keep this thought and prayer in heart heart as often as you can. Remember, you are being prayed for. Please come to us whenever you need help. May the Grace of God strengthen your heart and soul, bring spriritual nourishment to your young faith, and help you become the person God desires you to be. O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need or your mercy, especially justfran and her family. May the peace of Christ be with you. jas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Huether Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 justfran, Wow! you are awesome. I am so inspired by such faith. VeraMaria, another person on this phorum is in somewhat of the same situation. You both stand out to me as true Living Saints. I just cannot believe that such young people are so strong in faith! You are right, I am lucky. I've never had to deal with what you are going through. And for this reason I am totally and completely inspired by you. God will bless you BIG TIME for the struggle that you are enduring. I will pray for you. But promise to pray for us too. God will hear you. He knows your desires. Thanks for being a part of this phorum and please stay with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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