| Author | |
Jenn Sal
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 23 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 897
|
| Posted: July 30 2009 at 3:29pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I have new neighbors that are Christian. The mother and I had a coversation last week that left me feeling like I need to be on my toes. To make this short, she explained that she had been "shopping around" to find a place that her family was comfortable with. They are attending a place that she said has been around for a long time, but didn't tell me the name. I asked if she was baptist, "No." I began to get confused. Anyway, she said that it is based on bible interpretation. Respectfully, I said, "By who's interpretation?" That's when it went bad. "Well, by the bible's interpretation, not some individuals." Then she went on to talk about an experience (that was obviously in the Catholic church) where she and her husband disagreed with the "interpretation" of the gosple. I let her go on and then just said that I was glad she seemed happy where she was. But, I then told her that my daughter (who was playing with her daughter) has a very strong faith and loves being Catholic. So don't be alarmed if you hear her speaking of it. I got the LOOK again, and she told me that her daughter knows bible history and will put up a good debate. I just moved on.
What can I do? I felt like I didn't "stick up" for the Catholic church. I felt like I wasn't knowledgeable enough. Any advice on how to handle this? This is a new neighborhood, and we are the only Catholics within 3 blocks and only one of two! No issues with anyone else. All are very respectful.
Also, I'm going to try to limit our time with them, but the kids are right here, riding bikes in the cul-de-sac. Can't avoid this situation.
__________________
Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: July 30 2009 at 3:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Friendly Defender Cards can be fun and give kids short answers to difficult questions.
For instance the card that's pertinent to the particular questions you posted is phrased like this..
the child on the front with the challenge says:
Everything God wants us to know is in the Bible alone.
The child on the back answers with:
The Bible doesn't say that. The Bible does say that God's Word comes ot us through written and unwritten Tradition.
Then it gives the verse (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
and a bit of other info.
But it's a nice kid friendly way to teach some basic appologetics.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mom2mpr
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 16 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1550
|
| Posted: July 30 2009 at 4:44pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I second the Friendly Defenders cards. My kids enjoy picking a few to read at breakfast. The characters are cool, too.
I also will pray for you.
We had to deal with the same sort of issue in our previous home. Ds went to church with our neighbor once(we are trying to be friendly and open to others, and all). It was a BIG mistake. Ds hounded us for weeks to go to C's church. It was so much fun, not boring, got to play with other kids, etc. And when C told me, when he was over playing, he got "church money" for bringing friends to Awana. We never let him go with them again.
Now, we still are friends. I did let ds play with him, on a limited basis. I tried to keep ds pretty busy and they didn't end up playing but once a week or so. It was OK.
Sad thing is, I told C's mom we were happy at our church and thanks for the invites but we were raising our kids Catholic and I would appreciate her cooling it. She did some, but the people at C's church apparently kept working C to bring kids in.
I think the kids will be fine together. I think the mom had a problem. Kids have more important things to do at 7 years than talk about church. Unless of course the mom pressures them to evangelize to the neighborhood. I would suggest limiting time as you can, and teach, teach, teach ,yourself and your kids about the church and read some apologetics books.
I have found these issues in MY life have brought me so much closer to my faith and God. I wouldn't have been "pressured" to learn if these things didn't happen. I am not there yet. I still freeze up (and come back here and ask questions  )when put on the spot and having to defend the Catholic church.
Anne
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
RA's Mom
Forum Newbie
Joined: April 03 2009
Location: Turkmenistan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 43
|
| Posted: July 30 2009 at 9:39pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I take great comfort in Luke 12:11-12: "When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say." You are called to recognize the Son of Man and never blasphemy the Holy Spirit but don't worry!
You didn't fail to stick up for the Catholic Church. You quietly suggested that the Bible needs to be interpreted, the Bible does not provide interpretation, and told your neighbor that your faith traditions are important to you and your family.
I think reading about apologetics will be useful for you and your daughter but not so that you're ready to go win theological debates with your neighbors. I think knowing the basis of our beliefs will help give you and your daughter serenity when you are attacked and help you explain the teachings of the Church to people who have questions and misconceptions but respect you and the integrity of their own beliefs enough to listen. Your neighbors probably aren't there yet. Pray that the Holy Spirit comforts them too and that one day they're able to experience Christ not just as words but as the Word Made Flesh.
Blessings,
Karen
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Jenn Sal
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 23 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 897
|
| Posted: July 31 2009 at 4:19pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I forgot about Friendly Defenders. I had some given to me several years ago and I need to find them. Thank you for the reminder! 
Karen, I was praying to the Holy Spirit during the entire conversation asking for help to get me through. 
__________________
Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Non-Catholic neighbor - need help
