Originally Posted by Joykins1

Yeah. And it's supposed to be a *safe* place for Catholics to fellowship. If certain kinds of Catholics don't feel safe there, and don't get to be themselves in fellowship, what good is that forum for them?

Originally Posted by MichieC

Well this might make you feel better. My priest said last week I had a fantastic ministry & is very pleased.

I've developed relationships with these people that has seemed to help them in a small way.

Catholic or not.

Originally Posted by Teshi

The thing that irks me the most about it, although it's not actually the straw that broke the camel's back and led me to change my icon, is that it puts me into battle mode. It's not what others are saying to me that bothers me the most - although it's sometimes very insulting - but the reaction I have to it. It gets my back up and I just can't get back into a "fellowship" mindset the same people who've ripped into me. Which is my own failing, of course. But I see a similar thing happening to other people - folks will bait them into a regular fury - and then sit back and tut tut when they finally lost their temper. It's just...for lack of a more evocative word...icky.

Like a bully provoking a kid into taking a swing, and then causally fending off the blow and laughing at him.

Ick.

Ick all around.

Originally Posted by rigorist

No.

He pretends to hate you because that entertains him.

In some ways that is worse than hate. It is contempt.

Originally Posted by Annabel Lee

Nightmare sequence....

I was going into church with my daughter and the priest pulled me aside and said "Quick! In 100 words or less, explain the Immaculate conception and why Catholics believe in this doctrine!!"

"Shouldn't you join the procession to the altar, Father?"

"Stalling for time, are we?? Get thee out of this church, hellbound one, and take your demon child with you!"

End of nightmare sequence.

Wakes up.

Originally Posted by Protinus

Bless you Michie...bless your heart...and your giving soul.

Originally Posted by MichieC

Yes, I fear the same.

I don't worship Rome or the men in Rome, my Bishop, my priest or the Church.
The law? Not that either. I follow the spirit of the law.

I worship the Lord & I thank Him for the Church.

We are the Church.

Believers in Jesus Christ.

I'm not going to measure who is greater than whom or better than whom. The last shall be first, the lesser will be greater, etc.

I'm a Catholic Christian, not a zombie.

I may question, I may disagree, I may ask how the faith works in an everyday situation. I want to do that freely in honest exchange, not in deliberate or snarky attacks & snubbing.

I got away from fundamentalism in my protestant walk & I'll not go back into it with the Catholic version.

Because that is exactly what it is.

Only they are doing it with the writings of the Church Fathers, Rome, etc.

Not the Bible.

I'm afraid the difference is not much so they should refrain from commenting on fundamentalists all together because it is rampant among them.

I've had about 4 Catholics contact me since I left.

Wanting me to return but I'm sorry to say that my conscience will not allow me to contribute to that atmosphere when I cannot freely express myself as a Catholic Christian among the many cliques there.

*sigh*

I just have to live my faith & apply it daily & be myself.

I've never been much of a go with the crowd girl anyway.

Originally Posted by Teshi

EXACTLY. Although for me the only person who's encouraged me to return is Protinus, lol. A couple of other people did basically PM me and tell me what an assface they think I am, but I don't think that counts

Originally Posted by Daemana

The careless mind will build a cage
of arrogance and lies
and lock within some loving heart
that slowly, sadly dies.

The careless mind dwells clasped within
Self's own cold embrace
oblivious to wasted lives
it robbed of truth and grace.

Originally Posted by MichieC

LOL! you said assface. :grin: