How does one find a balance between being spiritual but not going overboard into religion?

[Anonymous]

First off, I'm catholic and I love Jesus but at the same time I'm not too religious. I guess I'm just tired of some people I know who got turned into born again Christians telling me about the true statements about the bible and how wrong Catholic religion is. Not saying that all Christians are like that. Anyways, sorry not trying to start a war here but I do want to a bit more spiritual with Jesus but at the same time I don't want to dive too deep into the bible. Is there a way to balance it all out in today's society? Or I am being unrealistic about this?

[Anonymous]

I try to keep it simple. Jesus's message was love. Love God and love eachother. If you not coming from a position of love then you're doing it wrong. God is the judge he doesn't need any help there. I think some Christians forget that. I'm a firm believer that a good product sells itself. And God's love is the best product. I used to have a pastor that would say "God's time is PERFECT" what he meant by that is God will keep talking to each of us. And we'll accept him (hopefully) when we're ready to. As Christians our job is to facilitate that whenever we can be of assistance. My attitude is enough of Christinanity has been spread throughout history at the point of a sword or the barrel of a gun. Be an example of peace and love that beckons people to ask how they can find that peace. Never apologize for your faith. God is not ashamed of your weakness do not be ashamed of his omnipotentence. And never wear it like you're better than another. None of us, saved or not is deserving of God's grace. We all fall short of the glory of God. God's grace is his GIFT to us. Boast in your weakness. When I talk to people who have not been saved I'll be the first one to say, "I don't know what happens when we die". Because none of us have ever been dead before. Faith is not knowledge. Faith is just that. It's faith that God's word is good. I tell people I was saved 20 years. Ago. But it took me 20 years. To fully accept God's love. Faith is one of the hardest things to have. And a lot of times it's in our moment of deepest desperation that we put our arrogance aside to hear God's voice.

This is what I've gleaned from 20 years. If it helps you in any way, good. If not, God bless, and I hope you find your peace in this. Remember we're all works in progress.

[normalice]

There are no religions or branches of Christianity that don't want you to go overboard. Indeed, if you dig in to the origins of the US, the Mayflower Compact was this exact problem - puritans and normal people stuck on a ship together for months and the very first thing they did when they landed is put it in writing that they would stay well away from each other. There is nothing you can do to appease them if you value your peace of mind in any way. And there is nothing they can offer you that would be of any interest or usefulness. You just have to let them have their space but not take a single inch of yours or they will just take more..

[BCRanger10]

You have to be able to think like a Catholic does. By that, I mean you ought to know basic philosophy and catechesis (I happen to be a Catechist, formally consecrated by Cardinal Raymond Burke). You don't need to be a total expert, but there are some important things every serious Catholic ought to know.

The idea that knowing a lot about your faith makes you some kind of stuck up jerkface or less charitable, if that's what you're asking, is wrong and, to be completely honest, kind of dumb. The more you know about someone you love, the more united you are with that person and the more deeply you love them.

[strateguy632]

by dividing your time , you can evangelize one hour a week and *stil *hav job n family n even fun.

[jahaims]

It's all imaginary so you can decide how to do it based on feelings

[Anonymous]

Can't stand the Catholics, so brutal and strict. And you dare not swear around them, they treat it like it is the worse you can do.

[slatyb]

No idea. It's all nonsense to me.