Author Topic: Defending the faith (Read 1024 times)

Earl of Devonshire · « **on:** February 16, 2016, 04:16:49 PM »

How do I go about defending the faith? When people ask me questions or make arguements against the faith I find myself severely struggling (and often failing) to make an answer which then leads them to doubt even more if Catholicism/Christianity has any truth to it. Thanks!

Nadir · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2016, 06:39:29 PM »

Earl, even many cradle Catholics struggle and fail, so don't be too concerned at this stage of your conversion.

There are certain things though you need to do, in order to be able to cope well in these situations.

Firstly, and the most important, is that you need the Grace of the Sacrament of Baptism.

Secondly, in order to fight for the Faith you need to become a soldier. This will happen when you receive the Sacrament of Confirmation which will bestow on you many graces and abilities which you don't possess right now.

Thirdly, always remember that some people may ask because they are sincerely interested and searching. Just tell them your story and offer to find out for them. Others are asking because they have a deep-seated animosity to Catholicism. These you should say Goodbye to.

Fourthly, it is God who gives the Faith. So put the matter in His Hands. You can't convince anybody who does not want the Truth.

Fifth, study and pray as much as you are able, not forgetting the duties of your state in life.

God bless you!

Earl of Devonshire · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2016, 11:25:51 AM »

Quote from: Nadir

Earl, even many cradle Catholics struggle and fail, so don't be too concerned at this stage of your conversion.

There are certain things though you need to do, in order to be able to cope well in these situations.

Firstly, and the most important, is that you need the Grace of the Sacrament of Baptism.

Secondly, in order to fight for the Faith you need to become a soldier. This will happen when you receive the Sacrament of Confirmation which will bestow on you many graces and abilities which you don't possess right now.

Thirdly, always remember that some people may ask because they are sincerely interested and searching. Just tell them your story and offer to find out for them. Others are asking because they have a deep-seated animosity to Catholicism. These you should say Goodbye to.

Fourthly, it is God who gives the Faith. So put the matter in His Hands. You can't convince anybody who does not want the Truth.

Fifth, study and pray as much as you are able, not forgetting the duties of your state in life.

God bless you!

Thanks but a lot of these questions/arguements come from members of my family (none of whom believe in God). Also we've had a fair bit of death so it's become more intense. I can't just avoid them due to the fact they're my family and I feel obliged to try and answer.

Nadir · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2016, 03:19:39 PM »

Earl, I am sorry to hear about the deaths in your family.

It sounds like they are blaming God and, because you are the one committing your life to Him, they are taking it out of you - the next best thing in their eyes (what a compliment!). When you commit yourself to Him you are going to be faced with all sorts of problems as a result of that commitment.

The first thing is for you yourself to understand the meaning of death. A believer can come to understand but a non-believer can never understand. That is because they don't know the reason (purpose) for their own existence.

Because you are the lone believer the lot falls to you to pray for the souls of the deceased. This refers to the situation in the death of a Catholic but it may help you to go through this difficult time: http://traditionalcatholicteaching.com/lesson19-death-and-after.html

They are obviously searching for meaning in all this, so they seem to be among the first group that I mentioned, even though they are at present showing negative attitude towards you, your Faith and Your God. Your steadfastness will help them, even if it seems to you, you are not performing in the way you would like to.

Have you been able to do anything about your Baptism? It is rather a pressing matter, and because it seems that it will be impossible for you to attend a traditional Catholic priest, I think you should consider a visit to that bishop who was concerned about the Latin Mass being available to the people who desire it. You could explain your situation to him and see what eventuates. He may kick you out on your ear, but it may also tip the scales for him. Bishops are only human after all. A visit to him would not hurt, though I would not recommend that you attend Novus Ordo masses.

Earl of Devonshire · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2016, 03:47:25 PM »

Quote from: Nadir

Earl, I am sorry to hear about the deaths in your family.

It sounds like they are blaming God and, because you are the one committing your life to Him, they are taking it out of you - the next best thing in their eyes (what a compliment!). When you commit yourself to Him you are going to be faced with all sorts of problems as a result of that commitment.

The first thing is for you yourself to understand the meaning of death. A believer can come to understand but a non-believer can never understand. That is because they don't know the reason (purpose) for their own existence.

Because you are the lone believer the lot falls to you to pray for the souls of the deceased. This refers to the situation in the death of a Catholic but it may help you to go through this difficult time: http://traditionalcatholicteaching.com/lesson19-death-and-after.html

They are obviously searching for meaning in all this, so they seem to be among the first group that I mentioned, even though they are at present showing negative attitude towards you, your Faith and Your God. Your steadfastness will help them, even if it seems to you, you are not performing in the way you would like to.

Have you been able to do anything about your Baptism? It is rather a pressing matter, and because it seems that it will be impossible for you to attend a traditional Catholic priest, I think you should consider a visit to that bishop who was concerned about the Latin Mass being available to the people who desire it. You could explain your situation to him and see what eventuates. He may kick you out on your ear, but it may also tip the scales for him. Bishops are only human after all. A visit to him would not hurt, though I would not recommend that you attend Novus Ordo masses.

Thanks.

Yeah that is what's happening at the moment. They often say this is why they don't believe in God (things like suffering).

How would I go about praying for the souls of the dead? Also would they go to hell as they don't believe in God?

In what way will it help them through this? I'd like to know what else I could possibly do to help them through this.

No I haven't yet. I was advised by someone not to affiliate with the mainstream nodus orvo church so i'm not sure what to do.

Maria Regina · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2016, 03:54:46 PM »

C.S. Lewis in his book, The Problem of Pain, really helped me. It answers a lot of questions with which atheists and agnostics struggle, particularly pain and suffering.

I read it while in college, and used some of his quotes in my linguistics classes when we needed to give examples of the hypothetical. However, one of my professors was not impressed and thought I was trying to convert her from her own atheism. I had no idea that she was Jєωιѕн!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060652969/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060652969&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwchanco-20

Nadir · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2016, 06:06:16 PM »

Quote from: Earl of Devonshire

Thanks.

Yeah that is what's happening at the moment. They often say this is why they don't believe in God (things like suffering).

How would I go about praying for the souls of the dead? Also would they go to hell as they don't believe in God?

In what way will it help them through this? I'd like to know what else I could possibly do to help them through this.

No I haven't yet. I was advised by someone not to affiliate with the mainstream nodus orvo church so i'm not sure what to do.

Rebellion against suffering is a most natural and common reaction, especially from those who do not understand the meaning of it. God gives and allows suffering for own good and benefit. It is most obvious, isn't it, that suffering actually makes us think about God and for those who wish to forget or deny Him it is not welcome.

We cannot say that they will go to hell. We cannot know how God judges. Just assume that they are suffering in Purgatory. No prayer is wasted and God will use that prayer to help another soul.

This prayer of St Gertrude: may be learned off by heart, but any prayer, just a simple one from your heart will help any soul who is in Purgatory.

Here is another Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

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O gentle Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on them.
Be not severe in Your judgments, but let some drops of Your Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames.
And, Merciful Saviour, send Your angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed by the mercy of God rest in peace.

And another:

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Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed by the mercy of God rest in peace.

The Rosary is a most powerful prayer. Have you learned it yet, Earl. If not for the moment at least say three Hail Marys every day for them.

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Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary. Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen

.

Nadir · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2016, 06:58:47 PM »

Quote

In what way will it help them through this? I'd like to know what else I could possibly do to help them through this.

They will see that you have a peace about this that they do not possess. If they are open to it they will be curious as why that is and may even desire it. You don't know how God is working on them, but be sure He is. He wants to save every soul.

Quote

I was advised by someone not to affiliate with the mainstream nodus orvo church so i'm not sure what to do.

Yes I knew that. It is a dilemma. You must ask God to direct you. Pray to do His Will. He will show you what to do. Many here have been baptised in the novus ordo and have made their way, by the grace of God, to tradition. You have been alerted to the risks so you are so much better off than those who go through the RCIA, which is the program devised for the novus ordo converts, not knowing its pitfalls.

Matthew 7-11

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Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone? Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent? If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?.