Catholicism on tolerance and a family problem-- once a catholic always a catholic working4christ2 working4christ

Today, 2:33 pm

Philae Trial Membership   Join Date: July 23, 2013 Posts: 1

Catholicism on tolerance and a family problem Hello, I am writing here to seek a possible solution within the doctrines of Catholicism to a very grave problem in my family. I'll give the short version and forgive me if this is the wrong forum (it seems to discuss doctrine though). I come from a traditionally Catholic family, only a few actual Catholics remain, but baptism of newborns is still a tradition held. I have never been Catholic and converted in my teens to another religion (about ten years ago). Recently, my aunt became aware of my conversion and has been aggressively harrassing me about it. She believes baptism permenantly makes me Catholic whether I believe or not. She has not particularly bothered the non-religious in our family but has targetted me for, I believe, my non-Christian religious beliefs I have been discussing this problem with Catholics and I was pointed to several places, finally here and to this document (http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_cs...m/p3s1c1a3.htm) as a statement of the Church's support for my religious freedom. My aunt eventually countered with points 1739 and 1740, claiming that my freedom is limited and fallible and I've deviated from moral law by rejecting Jesus (in her language, I never rejected Christianity as I never accepted it). I want to leave aside how all of this, both her behaviour and the resources I've uncovered, has made me feel about Catholicism, I'm here to ask, for the sake of my family's stability, is there any Catholic catechism or statement that either expressly denies any Church authority over my person despite the baptism or my right to be free of these repeatedly and often aggressive attempts at conversion? Our family, if it came down to out and out conflict, would take my side, but if I can resolve this peacefully via some doctrine of the Church, I would prefer that. Thank you.

#2     Today, 2:42 pm

bben15 Junior Member Prayer Warrior   Join Date: April 21, 2013 Location: United States Posts: 326 Religion: Catholic

Re: Catholicism on tolerance and a family problem Quote: Originally Posted by Philae Hello, I am writing here to seek a possible solution within the doctrines of Catholicism to a very grave problem in my family. I'll give the short version and forgive me if this is the wrong forum (it seems to discuss doctrine though). I come from a traditionally Catholic family, only a few actual Catholics remain, but baptism of newborns is still a tradition held. I have never been Catholic and converted in my teens to another religion (about ten years ago). Recently, my aunt became aware of my conversion and has been aggressively harrassing me about it. She believes baptism permenantly makes me Catholic whether I believe or not. She has not particularly bothered the non-religious in our family but has targetted me for, I believe, my non-Christian religious beliefs I have been discussing this problem with Catholics and I was pointed to several places, finally here and to this document (http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_cs...m/p3s1c1a3.htm) as a statement of the Church's support for my religious freedom. My aunt eventually countered with points 1739 and 1740, claiming that my freedom is limited and fallible and I've deviated from moral law by rejecting Jesus (in her language, I never rejected Christianity as I never accepted it). I want to leave aside how all of this, both her behaviour and the resources I've uncovered, has made me feel about Catholicism, I'm here to ask, for the sake of my family's stability, is there any Catholic catechism or statement that either expressly denies any Church authority over my person despite the baptism or my right to be free of these repeatedly and often aggressive attempts at conversion? Our family, if it came down to out and out conflict, would take my side, but if I can resolve this peacefully via some doctrine of the Church, I would prefer that. Thank you. The document, Dignitatis Humanae, of the Second Vatican Council support religious freedom. And yes, according to Church teaching, you are forever Catholic by your baptism. You cannot change that. Points 1739 and 1740 point out that freedom is not unlimited. So, not all beliefs can be tolerated. But, this is only in extreme cases. If, for example, the religion advocated the extermination of all black people, obviously, we should limit the practice of that religion. If these points were referring to rejecting Jesus, then there was no point in issuing the document. I highly doubt you converted to a religion that advocates something other than peace. Your aunt should not be discriminating against you because of your religious beliefs. She should be praying for you, instead. __________________ Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, et Beatam Virginem.

#3     Today, 3:21 pm

1ke Forum Elder   Join Date: May 25, 2004 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 21,489 Religion: Catholic

Re: Catholicism on tolerance and a family problem Quote: Originally Posted by Philae is there any Catholic catechism or statement that either expressly denies any Church authority over my person despite the baptism or my right to be free of these repeatedly and often aggressive attempts at conversion? No. She is correct. You, if baptized a Catholic, are always a Catholic and the Church does indeed have authority over you. Authentic freedom is not the freedom to do "whatever you want". Authentic freedom is freedom to do the good. Quote: Originally Posted by Philae Our family, if it came down to out and out conflict, would take my side, but if I can resolve this peacefully via some doctrine of the Church, I would prefer that. That is too bad. While she is certainly right, she is not being prudent by her aggressive posture and by bringing dissent and discord into familiy relationships. __________________ Pax, ke ke's universal disclaimer: In my posts, when I post about marriage, canon law, or sacraments I am talking about Latin Rite only, not the Orthodox and Eastern Rites. These are exceptions that confuse the issue and I am not talking about those.