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 Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:58 pm
Lithanus Ah, Catholicism is a lot like like and exclusive club, most protestant churches are more receiving. But you might have also experienced a stagnant church that has lost its passion for God. I've seen so many turn from Christ because of such churches, they miss out on the relationship that we should have with God. They are too bent on discipline, tradition, and rituals and don't advocate a healthy relationship with God. It reminds me too much of what happened to the Jews and why Christ had to come. There is a much better life through Christ that does not require just rituals. Jesus advocated love above all else, not strict discipline. If you ever decide to give Christianity another shot, you should try a different church next time. Unless, your father is the one who you take your example of Christianity from. Then you must keep in mind, we are all human and make mistakes, even priests sin. Perhaps your dad was scared of losing you in the afterlife and that is why he reacted the way he did. It was out of love, but done in a terrible way. Keep in mind if you look to man to find God, you'll only find satan. To really find God you must seek Him yourself. Don't miss out on something so great just because of the few people who misrepresent it. If you like, you can tell me exactly what you dislike about what you've seen of Christianity, and I can tell you what I've learned. That's unfair. confused I happen to be Roman Catholic and it isn't exclusive. You accept the rules God lay down, and people accept you, and God accepts you. You should ask a Catholic before you say things that you believe to belong to us. Catholics are amazing people who want to help. I REALLY don't like the stereotypes.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:01 pm
Lithanus Unfortunately that is how the sterotype of our religion goes. Fire and brimestone is how it is displayed, this often comes from the Catholic perspective who love to tell you if they feel you are going to hell. They have no right to tell anyone that, only God can make that jugement. Believe it or not, our religion is actualy about love, peace, and having a close, personal relatioinship with God/Christ. It is very fulfilling. Unfortunately, there is a lot of things you have to understand before you can get the full grasp of christianity. It took my a few years of bible study to find that out. Once again, I want to INFORM YOU KINDLY as above post. neutral I don't like having to 'be kind and respectful' preached at me by members and yet Catholics are steroetyped. We aren't a scapegoat for everything wrong. confused Try looking a little deeper than at Catholics. I would like some respect shown, please and thank you. Most statements are UNTRUE. I think you get this from the media.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:29 pm
I apologize for my misconceptions, but I've had some experiences with a few Catholic churches and have heard things as well. This is just what I have gather from what I have learned. It was wrong for me to generalize like that. I only assumed he ran into the same things I did seeing as he only learned about the surface of Catholicism as did I, and I accidentally fell in the trap of generalizing. I meant no disrespect. I hope that you can clear these misconceptions up in the thread in the fellowship hall.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:44 pm
Shuici7 I don't 'sin' just because it's a sin. I am gay and have a boyfriend because I love him and the sex......well, it feels good and is one way of expressing our love for each other. I do not believe that something that feels so right can be wrong. Well, God won't condemn you for love, but there are somethings He would prefer us not do. My suggestion is not to worry about sin so much as discovering God first. From a logical stand point, sin is a term from the bible regarding what actions God does and doesn't want us to do. If you do not believe in the bible, then why worry about sin? If you worry anyways, it might be something telling you that the bible is right whether you want to believe or not. If that is the case then that is a good sign that God is tugging at your heart. Instead of ignoring Him, listen for once. Try to learn more about Him, the REAL God. Not just what people say of Him. It says in the bible, if you search for God, He will reveal Himself to you. So search Him with your whole heart, and then you can decide whether it is worth trading your life of sin for a life with God. Don't let a few people's bad actions stop you from learning the TRUTH about God. Try this, then you'll know if you made a logical decision.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:18 pm
......Lithanus.......I.......
.....Allright......I'll listen....I'll try to understand......I'll listen sincerely.....
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:12 am
If have any questions about anything, let us know.
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:48 am
Shuici7 ......Lithanus.......I....... .....Allright......I'll listen....I'll try to understand......I'll listen sincerely..... That's the first step. I have a question...what are YOUR views on God? Just to clear it up.
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 5:53 pm
My views. Well, I don't believe that there is such thing as God because of............past experiences......Lithanus knows what I am talking about....
I don't know what to think of this god......
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:53 am
In time that could change. Seeking God is important to find Him, because you won't find Him otherwise.
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Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:43 am
Shuici7 My views. Well, I don't believe that there is such thing as God because of............past experiences......Lithanus knows what I am talking about.... I don't know what to think of this god...... Just because something happened to you, something bad, doesn't mean God left you. In fact, He wants you to come to Him. And He wants you to tell Him all your problems. Think of God as love. A powerful love. He never leaves you when you need Him. You have to find him in your heart. Seek him out- because you'll find Him if you do. Think not about humans, and the sins we do- as well as suffering. "Blessed are those who suffer, for they shall be comforted". We sin and hurt others- but God loves you and wants to help you. It's about you reaching back and taking His hand.
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Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:41 pm
Well god left me in my moment of utmost need........and it's hard to go to him if he waswillling to let me go through it.
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:45 am
Shuici7 Well god left me in my moment of utmost need........and it's hard to go to him if he waswillling to let me go through it. Hmm...here. 'Love is in the hearts of all men, you're not alone' = 'God is in the hearts of all men, you're not alone' He never left you. 3nodding You didn't reach out to Him. He wanted to extend a hand, but you turned away and lost yourself. In the darkness of sin, or even just pain, we can forget God cries out to us. He met you half way...but you didn't trust Him with your whole life and being and didn't meet Him. Putting yourself in His hands is the best thing you can do. Try praying. Listen to your heart. God gave us free will. You can choose good and evil...but God is always reaching out, you have to find Him yourself. If you hang onto Him, no matter what, you will grow stronger, and you will feel love, and His will, in your heart. By pushing away you lose Him- due to yourself. Um...is there any Christian faith you were in? (Catholic, Protestant etc.) Or did you never go to any faith services?
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:15 pm
I was reaching out, crying out and asking for help, and I felt nothing but emptiness.
I was christian/catholic, i don't really remember which. I went to a catholic church
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 3:52 pm
I understand you went through a traumatizing event, but it doesn't mean God left you. I have shown you many times that He hasn't left you. Have you thought that you may have left Him? What did you expect? Did you think that if you called His name He would appear out of nowhere and whisk you away out of danger? Look, this life is a test. There will be things that will happen that will test your faith and you can either grow closer to God or driven away. The way to get through this life by putting your trust in God. If you don't, sin will continue to tear you apart. You can call out to God when you are in distress, but you have to meet Him half way. If you trust Him things will turn out much better. The reason you felt emptiness is because you didn't trust God, and then blamed Him for not doing something He never promised He'd do. God saved our lives through Jesus Christ, not by being a super hero. The good news is that after our life on earth, if we were faithful, we can spend an eternity with God in joy and peace. The way to get there, is by trusting God to follow the rules left to us, and to spend time with Him everyday. To start your walk I suggest reading the book of John. Learn the nature of Jesus, and you'll learn the nature of God. Then tell me if He'd abandon you. If you don't have access to a bible go here: http://www.biblegateway.com/
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:59 am
Shuici7 I was reaching out, crying out and asking for help, and I felt nothing but emptiness. I was christian/catholic, i don't really remember which. I went to a catholic church So this may be a bit easier for me. Finding God is hard work now. Not because He left you, or not because you don't deserve His love. It's because of sin. Of satan. The road to light is blocked for you. If you are from a Catholic Church, I think it would be best if you went in to pray. The Church is a central point for your struggle to begin. You don't have to go straight to Mass- go in, pray a little, listen to what you have in your heart. If you don't feel up to that right now, pray in your room. Or go straight to the source of some of your sins. Finding God is a process of letting Him have access to your heart- by wanting to find Him, and by wanting Him to forgive you, is the best way to become stronger in faith. It's already a step that you wanted Him to help you!! if you want to go right into it head first, ask a Priest. He'll clear up things much better, and he may be able to help you with your baby steps- it's like learning to walk again. It's important you find support in the Church. But if you don't feel ready, the best thing is to seek comfort in prayer. If you let God in, you'll find things get better gradually. Look for little miracles you can build on. Love the sinner, but not the sin.
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