Need your two cents

[John_5_24]

Hello everyone,
I find myself stewing about something that happened over the weekend and am in need of some advice from all of you.

Just a little background about myself (very brief): I grew up in a Catholic home, went to Catholic school and was involved with the Catholic Church for most of my adolescents (sp?). I had a very big and bitter falling out with the Bishop of my church. I left the Church and visited many many church before deciding to join a Presbyterian church in my area. My faith has grown exponentially in this church, Praise God! Not only has God placed me in a place where I have grown in his Word, but I also have a group of believers around me who do more than sit in a pew once a week. All that being said, it didn't take me long once I started reading the Bible for myself to realize how unbiblical the RCC is. The more I read, the more I realize this truth.

Ok, fast forward to this weekend. My brother was married yesterday in the Catholic Church that my family belongs to. I was not asked to be a part of the wedding, but my son was the ring bearer. I did not think anything of not being asked, and it truly did not bother me on bit. That is, until, the notion popped into my head that the reason that I wasn't asked is because I wasn't Catholic. That for some reason was extremely bothersome to me. For my brother, who is an Easter/Christmas Catholic AT BEST to leave me out for any other reason would be fine, but the thought of that being the reason really angered me. Anyways, Saturday was the service. It was actually performed by the Bishop that I had the falling out with, and the service itself was nauseating because of the incredibly antiBiblical things that were being said and prayed for. Still not a big deal, until my wife overhears the brother of the bride tell one of the guests that he was not included in the wedding either, because had he been included, then I would have had to be, and they explicitly did not want me involved in the service because of my beliefs. When my wife told me later that night, I was floored to have my suspicions confirmed, and am getting more upset about this the more I think about it. Had I known this was the reason, I would not have allowed my son to be the ring bearer either.

I am really angry that my "cafeteria Catholic" brother, who knows nothing about the Bible, or even the RCC for that matter, would take this position, knowing how I was wronged by the Bishop in the past. And, believe me, what the Bishop did to me was horrible. I had one of his Priests call and make a 35 minute apology to me.

So, if anyone actually made it this far and is still reading my diatribe, I would appreciate some advice on this. On whether to address it at all, or simply let it go.

[samohtwerdna]

Hi John 5_24!

Just a quick thought - hope it helps.

Family and religion are often not a good mix. Christ understood this when he was being called home by his mother and brothers - no doubt to try to save face with the neighbors, but Christ continued to preach and even made the most incredible statement:


Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

If you wish to convert your brother, challenging him on your participation at his wedding will probably not get you very far. Ask yourself first, are you angry for not being included in your family - or are you angry that your family will not tolerate truth? If the latter I suggest you don't confront your brother about this, but rather pray for his conversion. If the former, do what seems best to you, it's not a theological issue - but a familial one.

Remember that being a Christian will often cost us the most presious relationships (spouse, brother, parent...)

[wilsoner]

Purely my $0.02 and take it for just that.


My dad use to say to me when I would get angry with someone else for any reason (especially in the defense of theology) “seems you let his god get the better of your god”

There is a lot of truth in that statement I live by today.

[lionovjudah]

If I gave you my advice, you may have to give me change back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D :D

[CarolK]

Remember that being a Christian will often cost us the most presious relationships (spouse, brother, parent...)
That is so true. But what you have gained far, far exceeds what you have lost. --If I were you, I would just let it go. If your brother doesn't know Christ, he will not understand where you are coming from anyway, so there's really no point to making an issue of it. I would say you can probably expect more situations like this to come up as you go along. It seems you and you family serve two different Gods.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19

Maybe concentrate on your REAL family, --your brothers & sisters in Christ. That's who we will spend all eternity with!

Blessings,
Carol

[Ugly_Gaunt_Cow]

(Luk 12:49-53)

I have come to send fire on the earth. And what will I do if it is already kindled?
But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am pressed down until it is accomplished!


Do you suppose that I have come to give peace on earth?


I tell you, no, but rather division.For from now on, there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

[Robert R. Higby]

I had a similar experience recently; I was censured from speaking or praying at my grandmother's funeral because I had renounced membership in her church organization 24 years ago, which is a radical sect of Methodist theological persuasion. The planners stated that she would have wanted only loyal members of her own church to speak and pray. :cool: