Author Topic: Friend left Catholic Church (Read 6252 times)

Raoul76 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 03, 2010, 12:04:01 AM »

Quote

He was born Catholic and is a revert to the church during adulthood. He's an artist and I know before his conversion he was living a pretty decadent lifestyle.

He was born Catholic, became decadent, converted, and then fell out of the Church AGAIN? That's my worst nightmare. I have a similar past as an artist though I don't know if I was ever exactly decadent. Depends on your standard. Compared to neo-pagans around me, I was practically a secular saint. It was kind of a shock to discover after my conversion that I was actually a sleazebag because I thought I was so moral and good.

Do you know if he fell back into sin? If so, God may have withdrawn His grace and your friend just went blind. He is in truly bad shape and I feel sorry for him, because he is like those Jesus compared to dogs who go back to their own vomit -- the ones who would have been better off never converting.

parentsfortruth · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2010, 01:22:31 AM »

Read what some of the saints, specifically Saint Alphonsus, have said about human respect.

It's a very dangerous thing, when it comes to the faith.

I lost my best friend of 19 years because I love God more than I love our friendship. She became liberal, still attends the "indult" mass, and doesn't even recognize it. When I brought it to her attention, she didn't take it well and snapped at me publicly. I haven't spoken to her since.

I can't believe how many people get mad if you don't believe in evolution these days. It's absolutely disheartening.

I know what you're feeling... the best thing you can do for those people is PRAY for them.

Saint Mariana de Jesus, pray for us.

Caraffa · « **Reply #17 on:** July 07, 2010, 03:39:03 PM »

Quote from: jhfromsf68

Also he had a disease which was healed at this Church when they laid hands on him. He claims traditional Catholics are wrong for believing in suffering and physical illness can bring you closer to Christ, that God doesn't want anyone to be sick and illness is sign of lack of faith. Which leads me to a question, can the devil heal someone of an illness? if my friend did indeed recieve a healing at this church did it come from God? Can the devil heal someone of an illness to keep them in deception?

Thank you for your responses, I'm little confused about this whole thing and I'm not complelty familiar with the Pentecostal movent and their theology

God bless
James

It looks like your friend fell for the "prosperity gospel" in which the focus, as one popular Evangelical prosperity "preacher" puts it, is to live your best life now. Their theology is not that hard to debunk, they basically take verses from scripture that deal with sanctification out of context and turn them into how to live a materially prosperous life.

JoanScholastica · « **Reply #18 on:** July 07, 2010, 06:27:41 PM »

Quote from: jhfromsf68

Hello forum,

Recently my only traditional Catholic friend has left to Catholic Church to become a Pentacostal. I really don't know how to deal with this, I'm trying to be nice and understanding and respect his decision on a personal level but on the other hand I realize what he has done is not very comendable, leaving the true church of Christ for a Protestant sect.

I recently got together with him for dinner and he brought up all the anti catholic protestant arguements that I've heard before. I wont go into detail, because I'm sure you guys have heard them too.

I really don't know what's going on with him inside his head, It's hard for me to understand how someone can go from attending mass at a sspx chapel and even going on ignation retreats too becoming a tongue talking pentacostal.

Although I promised to get together , I've been avoiding him and I'm sure he thinks I'm some kind of flake now. I just don't want my own faith disturebed by listening to his ditribes against the Catholic Church.

Has anyone here been though a situation like this and how did you handle it?

God bless
James

People are getting desperate with the SSPX these days. And that's probably why your friend left. Of course, the SSPX isn't perfect but that's the only logical thing to do at the moment to practice the true Catholic faith. Your friend perhaps lost patience.

I believe you should still maintain your friendship with him but you're also right in keeping your faith intact. Better seek advice to your confessor. I'm sure you will get many wonderful tips. Good luck and I'll pray for you. The last advice I'm going to give is "Love the sinner but hate the sin."

Sigismund · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2010, 03:31:04 PM »

Treat him decently and kindly while making it clear you disapprove profoundly of his heresy. Pray for him.

You can respect him for having human dignity without respecting his departure from the Church.

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2010, 05:07:57 PM »

Quote from: jhfromsf68

Hello forum,

Recently my only traditional Catholic friend has left to Catholic Church to become a Pentacostal. I really don't know how to deal with this, I'm trying to be nice and understanding and respect his decision on a personal level but on the other hand I realize what he has done is not very comendable, leaving the true church of Christ for a Protestant sect.

I recently got together with him for dinner and he brought up all the anti catholic protestant arguements that I've heard before. I wont go into detail, because I'm sure you guys have heard them too.

I really don't know what's going on with him inside his head, It's hard for me to understand how someone can go from attending mass at a sspx chapel and even going on ignation retreats too becoming a tongue talking pentacostal.

Although I promised to get together , I've been avoiding him and I'm sure he thinks I'm some kind of flake now. I just don't want my own faith disturebed by listening to his ditribes against the Catholic Church.

Has anyone here been though a situation like this and how did you handle it?

God bless
James

Hello, James.

I understand the position you are in. I am in a similar situation. I was raised in a family that is half Catholic, half Protestant. My father (earthly father that is, as the Heavenly Father is God) is a Protestant (Baptist) while my mother is a Traditional Catholic. Her side of the family is mostly Catholic as well, while my dad's side of the family is Protestant (I don't think there is one Catholic on his side of the family). As you can imagine it was a bit akward being raised in a half Catholic, half Protestant family, especially considering my dad is not open to Catholicism what-so-ever. Now that I have grown up I remain a Traditional Catholic. I've spent years trying to convert my dad, no luck.

Your situation, however, may be slightly easier considering your friend has atleast been a Catholic before. You should certainly try to convert him. Remember to influence him more than he influences you. However, keep in mind that he likely won't be easy to convert. The best thing you can do is pray for him. You should still try to convert him though. God wants us to do our part as well, we shouldn't leave it all up to God. You should also try to find out why he left the Catholic faith. Also, do some research on Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant Reformation. Luther is believed to have been mentally ill and there are some good sources out there about him. Simply show him why the Catholic faith is the true faith and why other religions should be avoided. Don't worry about what he thinks of you.

God Bless.

Bruno · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:49:42 PM »

Be kind but firm with your friend. Never get angry. Anger is the refuge of those loosing a debate. You might point this out to him (nicely). :-)

Christ established only one Church in 33 AD.

The only Church calling Itself "Christian" with a proven existance from 33AD to the present is the Catholic Church.

This Church has the Holy Father as the Head.

Christ promised to be with His Church till the end of the world and that She would be the "pillar of Truth" and that the gates of Hell would not prevail against Her.

Those who claim that the Catholic Church fell away from the Truth (what She has always taught) in the same breath accuse Christ of lying because of the promises He made above.

Of course this cannot be since Christ is God.

It is possible for some within The Church to teach something contrary to what The Church has always taught. In this case they speak only for themselves and not for the Church. Do not look at the weeds inside The Church and make the spiritually fatal error that they are The Church - look at Her Saints and at what She has always taught through the Centuries.

As far as speaking in tongues is concerned point out to your friend that Holy Scripture forbids this:

1 Cor. 14:4 "He that speaketh in a tongue, "edifieth himself" = self pride.

1 Cor. 14:6 Speaking in tongues does no good unless others know what it means - so why do it.

1 Cor 14:8 If the trumpet gives a n uncertain sound, who can prepare himself for battle.

1 Cor. 14:9 "So likewise you, except you utter by tongue plain speach, how shall it be known what is said. For you shall be speaking into the air."

1 Cor. 14:14 "For if I pray in a tongue,....my understanding is without fruit.

1 Cor. 14:16-18 "...how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen to thy blessing? Because he knoweth not what thou sayeth."

1 Cor. 14:19 Five understandable words are better than ten thousand words in "tongue".

1Cor. 14:23 St. Paul warns that the unlearned will think you are mad if you speak in that incoheent babble.

1Cor. 13:8 Speaking in tongues shall cease

1 Tim. 1:5-6 Some stray from Charity and turn to vain babbling.

Hope this helps.

God Bless,

Bruno

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2010, 01:49:30 PM »

Quote from: jhfromsf68

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies to my post.

I really don't think it's a good idea to get into any kind of debate with him. He's coming from a place of feeling and emotion and bases his convictions on impressions he feels is coming from the Holy Spirit. I also detect spiritual pride in his decision to leave the Catholic Church. Since this has become the focus of his life, the best thing for me to do right know is to end the friendship (hopfully temporary) and pray and do penance for him.

God bless
James

The impressions he is receiving aren't coming from the Holy Ghost, they are coming from the Devil! I think you should atleast try to convert him back to Catholicism. I, however, will also pray for him.

God Bless.

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #23 on:** July 13, 2010, 10:14:53 PM »

Quote from: jhfromsf68

Now he is sending me anti-catholic links :really-mad2: How do I answer something like this?
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/vain.htm

Send him Traditional Catholic links back. I've been here, done that before. You have to beat Protestants at their own games. He's trying to rub his Protestantism in your face hoping to make you leave the Catholic faith as well. Don't let his links convince you to do so.

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #24 on:** August 04, 2010, 01:29:57 PM »

Quote from: jhfromsf68

My friend (ex friend) is still sending me emails. He's become even more strident and zealous in his anti-Catholicism.

I won't share the email since it's private, but basically he says that I'm bringing down a curse from God on myself because I'm gulity of idolatry for praying to graven images like the Blessed Virgin and other saints. He quoted old testament passages condeming idol woship and not making graven images. He's very worried for my soul!

I've never been confronted with these arguments before so I really don't know how to tell him the statues in Catholic Churches are not false idols in the biblical sense. I know they're not, I just don't know the correct arguements to put forth in defense of the Catholic position.

Actually I'm gald he's throwing these things at me, it's forcing me to study the faith more closely which is good:)

God bless
James

Just tell him that Catholics honor and love Mary but don't worship her. You can also find some links to prove it that you can send to him. Don't let his Protestant viewpoints get the best (or in the case the worst) of you.

God Bless.

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #25 on:** August 04, 2010, 02:42:03 PM »

Quote from: SpiritusSanctus

Quote from: jhfromsf68
Now he is sending me anti-catholic links :really-mad2: How do I answer something like this?
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/vain.htm

Send him Traditional Catholic links back. I've been here, done that before. You have to beat Protestants at their own games. He's trying to rub his Protestantism in your face hoping to make you leave the Catholic faith as well. Don't let his links convince you to do so.

Here the answer:

http://www.fisheaters.com/vainrepetitions.html

TKGS · « **Reply #26 on:** August 05, 2010, 07:04:41 AM »

Quote from: jhfromsf68

My friend (ex friend) is still sending me emails. He's become even more strident and zealous in his anti-Catholicism.

I won't share the email since it's private, but basically he says that I'm bringing down a curse from God on myself because I'm gulity of idolatry for praying to graven images like the Blessed Virgin and other saints. He quoted old testament passages condeming idol woship and not making graven images. He's very worried for my soul!

I don't think you really need to present any arguments to your friend. Just tell him that he already knows his accusations are false and that you will pray for him for his malicious violations of the Eighth Commandment.

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #27 on:** August 05, 2010, 10:00:58 AM »

Don't even read his links. It is wrong to read anti-catholic materials. Many were lost because they thought they are too strong to lose faith. Some even had the intention of reading heresies so that they can refute them better! They ended in heresy themselves.

Matto · « **Reply #28 on:** August 10, 2010, 04:55:51 PM »

The early Christians had religious paintings and statues and did not consider it idolatry. According to tradition, Saint Luke was an artist who made sculptures and painted icons. Various works of religious art have been attributed to Saint Luke. "Our Lady of Czestochowa" is attributed to Saint Luke by tradition. The statue of Our Lady of Loreto in the Holy House of Loreto was sculpted by Saint Luke, according to an apparition of the Blessed Mother. I guess someone could claim that the traditions about Saint Luke are pious falsehoods. There are also religious paintings in many of the Catacombs of the early Christians.

I do not know how the Temples were decorated, though I have heard that the Temples were very beautiful buildings. I know the ark of the covenant had statues of angels on it.

Emerentiana · « **Reply #29 on:** August 10, 2010, 05:40:11 PM »

Quote from: jhfromsf68

Now he is sending me anti-catholic links :really-mad2: How do I answer something like this?
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/vain.htm

As with other readings on this forum.........NEVER read protestant literature, or open some the links people send. We have to oppose heresy in all forms. Its a sin against the 1st commandment to do so. Dont post protestant links on here either!
I read somewhere that we have to have severe custody of our eyes to survive this age.