There goal in saying these things is to hurt you. To cause you pain. Why? Because they, themselves are hurting.
Many who called themselves “Satanists” are really just secular atheists. They know that Christians are triggered by Satanists and so they make Satan their mascot. Most actually do not believe in Satan. They just hate Christians.
I would have probably laughed too. It is a form of cosplay. At the 2016 Libertarian Convention someone wanted a piece of another person’s hair so that they could put a curse on them out in the parking lot. This individual believed he/she was a witch. Either that or they were just trolling. Either way, it is kind of funny.
I truly feel sorry for these individuals who think they are doing good by shouting profanities at individuals who Pray outside of these clinics. Whether they are driven by their politics or because they are hurting inside, I still have feel bad for them. And I Pray for them as well.
Jesus said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” — John 15:18
I appreciate your taking the time. Some posts I leave up, because, even though some of what these individuals said, were fruitful in other ways. I know that sounds strange. But, it allows someone to Pray for that individual. And it brings light to what someone, who is maybe not living for Christ thinks at that particular time in his/her journey.
There is a good documentary titled, “The Third Way” (the idea of this Priest who later found out he had a tumor in brain).
In the documentary a man with same-sex-attraction shares how he mocked Mother Angelica while watching TV (this was after she had had a stroke). That is where this man was at that point in his journey. This is something that he would later come to regret doing, but a part of his journey none-the-less.
None of us are where we once were. And most of us will not be who we are today later in our journey. Conversion is a beautiful (and sometimes not so beautiful) thing. But God is with us through the low points, in the high points, and in the in-between moments.
When I came back to the Faith, I had this idea in my head that I was going to change the Church, but what happened was that God revealed to me the beauty and goodness of our Faith, in Christ. I no longer wish to change the Faith, but to preserve that which is good, true, and beautiful.
But, I think we need the messy part to sometimes see the good parts. When we are living in the messy, we often do not see the good. So, though I could scrub this forum of all the mud, I don’t think it would represent the honest story of each and everyone’s journey here. Does this make sense?
No, I get it. My point is to meet individuals where they are. Conversion most often comes after an encounter. It does not most often happen after someone is discarded. Fact.
What I am talking about here is not affirming someone. Your example of welcoming Protestant Pastors come “have their way” with the Sacred Mass is not a good comparison, though I understand what you are trying to say. And I am taking your point in consideration.
I think the difference between you and I is (and correct me if I’m wrong) is that you see this forum as a database of Church teaching, whereas I see it more as a community who discuss ideas (even ideas that we may disagree with).
And I think it can be both a database of Church teachings and about relationships. The Church needs to be both mind and heart. I actually am more of a person of the mind than I am of the heart, but I think both are important.
I am of the belief that you cannot force someone to believe. I am someone who does not respond to force, but rather to invitation. I have a natural rejection to someone who tries to force me to do or believe anything. It has to make sense. There has to be a valid reason.
I am not threatened by bad ideas, because I am firm the Faith. I think others are threatened by ideas that differ from theirs, because I do not know why. Maybe they are convinced that they will be convinced. Or maybe they are simply totalitarian by nature, I do not know.
I think we form better and well-thought-out arguments when we better understand what someone else actually believes, rather than assume what they believe. And not everything has to be an argument either. I have seen that a lot here too. It is almost like our society has been programmed to always be in fight mode—that everything has to be an argument (I’m including myself here too).
As we get to know one another, we begin to see that we are not all enemies. We disagree sometimes, but that is okay.
The verses that you are referencing above are not about making us all into programmed robots. It is illustrating that there is authoritative truth and that we should be united in this truth voluntarily. St. Paul says, “I urge you.” This is a strongly worded invitation.
A forced conversion is never really a true conversion. In fact, The Catholic Christian Church strictly forbids forced conversions, teaching that an act of faith must be completely free and uncoerced.
