Evangelize to Pentacostal Fundamentalist inlaws on 'God or the Gir

[jswranch]

I asked them to record 'God or the Girl' for me. They did. Here was the response. (emphasis added).

[quote]So far watching God or the Girl, the first four episodes...
I won't tell you what happens decision wise, but A&E did a pretty good job of showing what these guys experienced trying to make their decisons.
[b]However, I was very upset to see how much one guy's mom pressured him to become a priest because it would be prestigious for her, which she pressured every male child she had to do it, according to her kids, until the day they each got married.
And I was disgusted at the mentor priest who pressured another guy to become a priest, even to the point that he said, not to join the priesthood was like a dagger to him.[/b] And he pressured him by telling him how much his father would be proud to say, "My son's a priest" when in fact his father actually said he'd love for his son to marry his girlfriend, because she'd make a wonderful daughter-in-law.
I was [b]shocked and very upset[/b] to see some of the young men pressured severely, while one guy in particular was left to make his own decision, being supported to make his own choice. But when they show some priest mentors, they do tell the guys just become a priest. I don't think that's right for priests to tell a young man, because celibacy is a very hard choice and difficult choice, that most people cannot commit to for life. [b]Because God said, "he who finds a wife finds a good thing" and "be fruitful and multiply." God encourages marriage highly as a choice for his children.[/b]Blessings, B. [/quote]


I was thinking of a response that hit a few points:
1. Yes many of us here are upset by the negative encouragement.
2. This 'reality tv' was edited by unreliable sources. The priest may have said 10 things right and 1 thing wrong; the editors would have used only the one thing wrong. Either way, this is not the norm.
3. Celebacy is a gift. It can be for life. (scripture references needed)

[thessalonian]

3. Celebacy is a gift. It can be for life. (scripture references needed)

Matt 19
The disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry."
[11] But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given.

1 Cor 7

[6] I say this by way of concession, not of command.
[7] I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
[8]
To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I do.

23] You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
[24] So, brethren, in whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God.
[25]
Now concerning the unmarried, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.


[26] I think that in view of the present distress it is well for a person to remain as he is.
[27] Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage.
[28] But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a girl marries she does not sin. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.

Rev 14:

4. These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

One might also consider the stories of Samuel for instance who was given to the Lord by his mother and remained celibate. Also John the Baptist and I am quite certain some of the other prophets.

As for the pressure, certainly it is not good, but parents pressure children to do many things, become doctors, lawyers, etc. Catholic parents unfortunately are no different and make mistakes based on their wants. This should not be a matter that is used to judge the authenticity of the discernment process in the Catholic Church. In the end it is my guess that the young man who was pressured may be weeded out based on this fact. Though, who knows he may have a true calling and the parents, through the spirit may have had an inkling of this calling.

I have a son whom is 9. I believe he will become a priest. Why? Because many priests and others have just looked at him and talked to him a bit and said "your going to be a priest". They've not done this with our other sons. Further a woman at birth prophesied that he would be a priest. I am careful not to pressure but also to encourage when I can and not in any way to discourage his leanings in this regard. It's not easy. Prayer for him is what I think is most important over my words. If it is a true calling it will show in the end.

Edited April 26, 2006 by thessalonian