No worries, Ken_S. At my age I can honestly say that in every organization or group, there is at least one who, for reasons of personal and emotional issues, will target a newcomer and try to stir up the rest of the group; especially when that newcomer is perceived as a threat. Even if the newcomer is not a threat in reality, misconceptions will perseverate inside the thought processes of the persecutor.ken_sylvania wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2021 1:17 pmYea you did get the hot seat for a while, didn't you?MaxPC wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2021 11:23 amPersecuted Catholic more like.ken_sylvania wrote: ↑Mon Sep 06, 2021 10:18 pm
Is that what the PC part stands for? Persecuting Catholic?
I changed mine to something a bit more descriptive since there are 24 "flavors" of Catholic Churches (who are in communion with each other by the by); they are divided into 6 Rites. As with anything with the label "Catholic", it can be complicated.
Plain Catholics are persecuted by other Catholics too, especially when the other sees the plain lifestyle and simple clothing. We are sometimes perceived as a threat by individuals who have their own problems; even though we say little and simply attend to our prayers. We cannot control how others react and overreact.
Most mature individuals will recognise those behavior sets of the agitator for what they represent and will engage the newcomer in a reasonable manner. There are many reasonable and mature individuals here on MN as well as MD. Many have even become stalwart friends.
I came because I was invited to clarify certain misconceptions about Catholic doctrine that were being repeated. I am not interested in stealing converts. Misconceptions about any group can abound for any reason: historical, hysterical, bitterness and lack of forgiveness, etc. The important thing is for reasonable and mature men to get past those issues and to simply talk to clarify any misconceptions. As mature and reasonable men, we can hold to different opinions as well as avoid holding grudges.
All in all, Robert has done a stellar job of MN. It is one of the more peaceful and reasonable forums for civilised conversations on the internet.