When they are far from the perfect role model for the church ,who dose she think she is?
2007-12-26 00:56:19 · 15 answers · asked by Darlene 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I suppose it depends on her attitude. If she's all "I'm right and you're going to hell," it surely would be a difficult thing to swallow, but if her attitude is more of, "I'm trying to do this, and I think it's helping, do you want to try, too?" then one ought to be gracious.
For example, if the lady in question was morbidly obese and lost 25 lbs. on a certain nutrition/exercise program, and if she heard you over-saying you'd like to lose 10 lbs, then answered, "You might want to try this program. I've lost 25 lbs. so far and I have 100 more to go, but it's really working for me." -- that wouldn't be insulting or judgmental on her part. She would be speaking from experience and offering you a solution that she is finding helpful.
Catholicism is a journey. Being Catholic doesn't mean you're perfect or that you think you're perfect or that you're a perfect role model for others. It means you've committed yourself to taking the journey that one hopes will bring perfection in the long run. She may have farther to go than you do, but if she's really just trying to be helpful, I would hope you'd be nice about it and show her some mercy because she's got a lot more "fixing up" to do on herself than you do on yourself, apparently.
2007-12-26 04:28:40 · answer #1 · answered by sparki777 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to handle the situation is with humility. Have the grace of acknowledging that you are no closer to God than this person by politely accepting the literature and read from it, possibly even learn from it.
It appears to be that you are relishing the possibility of shooting the messenger.
Let's look at this objectively. Here are the two of you at a family gathering. This person is handing out religious literature for the Spiritual well-fare of those she loves. You, on the other hand, seem eager to reject God's message because you reject the messenger.
It sounds to me as if the one handing out the Literature demands more Christian respect than you do.
2007-12-26 02:39:38 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I thought you were asking for yourself, and I was going to say to announce that you will leave it at such and such table for anyone who's interested. That way everyone who wants it can take it, and everyone who doesn't isn't put in a position to take it and trash it later, or stand out as the one who said no thanks.
But since it was someone else, if you're not interested in the pamphlets, either tell her no thanks, or after the event is over, leave them on a table or something that she'll see so she can get her material back, and maybe get the hint that not everybody wants it.
Good luck! It's not fun dealing with arrogant people.
2007-12-26 01:35:02 · answer #3 · answered by hayaa_bi_taqwa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say do not judge and be open to the message of Christ's One True Church on Earth. Through actively seeking God only will you find Him - this is why there are so many Protestant heretics these days. People think that they know everything. Let me tell you from experience as a born and raised Baptist - once you start relieving yourself of false pre-concieved notions and actively seek God out through careful study and prayer, God will INEVITABELY lead you to His One Church, the Holy Catholic Church.
I say embrace this person, for she is only doing her God-given mission of spreading the Good News.
2007-12-26 01:20:00 · answer #4 · answered by Nic B 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honestly!!!! At the family gathering, WOW!
Well depending how strong you are in YOUR own beliefs, i would just let it go, unless it's at your house. Then i would pull the person aside and ask if she could just leave them in a certain spot, but not to announce "THE BOOKS ARE HERE"... on the other hand you could just come right out and ask "what are trying to prove"... hope this helps
2007-12-26 01:54:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just hand out some anti-catholic literature at the same time.
EDIT: Very good Corrosion EAC! Thats the first answer you have given that impressed me.
2007-12-26 01:01:26 · answer #6 · answered by Poor Richard 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just let her know that your family worships a cloven hooved, horned beast and then set the pamphlet on fire by staring at it.
She'll get the message.
2007-12-26 01:12:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Take it and throw it away later.
Or don't go to family events.
2007-12-26 01:14:37 · answer #8 · answered by harshmistressmoon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be humble, take the tract and say thank you and put it up.
read it later if you want. But dont bring yourself down to their level, and show disrespect. For future get togethers bring your own tract to pass out. Or write a poem, whatever you like.
2007-12-26 01:05:12 · answer #9 · answered by JESUSFREAK 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Laugh merrily, accept, make origami.
2007-12-26 00:59:26 · answer #10 · answered by Doc Occam 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋