Prayer request

[Anthony]

Hello all:

I just want to ask for prayers for a lot of students at my university. I attend the Univesity of Nebraska-Lincoln which is a very secular institution. This past week, there was a couple of guys who came by the campus and began preaching some most outrageous anti-Catholic smut. They attracted a lot of people each of the days they were there. They were not well recieved (Thank God). There were a few honest Christians who stepped in and debated with them (unsuccessfully). However, many were antagonistic and were only there for shock value. I was embarassed for many of these students who represented the number of Christians who just thought he was there to cause trouble.

The men claimed to be sinless because they repented once and for all which is some pretty serious stuff in my opinion. They claimed that all Catholics were going to hell because we worship Mary. Though a few of us made it clear that our beliefs were on the contrary, he was persistent to say that we are going to hell because of that.

They also kept yelling at everybody who gathered in a huge circle around him calling them fornicaters and masterbaters. His resorted to a few Biblical passages as the basis for his argument without looking at the other equally important passages. I was frustrated as were many other Christians. One girl was so angry that she got into it with him say how dare he come here passing judgement on us when he clearly was not any better than we were. A group of us gathered in circle and started praying for him and his colleagues. He came over after he had just said that he was protected by the first amendment right of freedom of speech telling us that we couldn't pray on public ground knowing that the first amendment protected us too by giving us the freedom of assembly. I told him that we'd pray for him. He doesn't want our hypocritical prayers. That's why we need to pray for him.

The other people in the group (the antagonizers) kept feeding into his rage by stating that they did all those things that he thought were sinful. They were saying aweful things that I have to agree with the man about. These things are sinful, but not worth being yelled and screamed at about. They too need our prayers.

Finally, on a more humorous note; a friend of mine confronted this guy who told him also that all Catholics were going to hell. He told the pastor at our Newman Center (Fr. Matya) about it. Well, if that's the case, we're just going to have one hell of a party then. That's what he said. At least we'll be in good company. Mother Teresa will be there, JPII will be there, as will every pope who has ever lived. Micah can vouch, Fr. Matya knows how to throw a party.



Anyway, please pray for the students here at UNL. Most of all, pray for these men. They are misquided from the truth. I don't know what possess someone to say some of they things they have said Your prayers are much appreciated

God Bless,

[littleflower+JMJ]

You definitely got my prayers--whats up with all that anti-catholic stuff...soemtimes I think every campus has one. well maybe not stubie teehee

Prayers for hearts to open and Truth to be found! that must have been really hard on you guys--i dont know what i would do if that was me!

[Brother Adam]

lol. I dare someone to try to get anti-Catholic here. I can imagine they would be surrounded by profs and friars.

I'm sorry about that. but they are completely crazy, not even a Baptist would listen to them if they are claiming to be sinless.

[morostheos]

Prayers!!!

[Cathurian]

Prayers for them.

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

we actually do worship mary..............

Edited September 14, 2005 by Extra ecclesiam nulla salus

[Old_Joe]

I saw them and almost started laughing. I can't help but admire their fervor (I'm being sarcastic), but it's misguided. Also, I finally saw one of the flyers for the UNL Pagans group. I think I shall put some FOCUS flyers up next to them. :

[Dreamweaver]

Ok, so this is a campus student organization? Does your school have any policy about student organizations, such as they're not permitted to harass others and such? Maybe you could talk with a student organization comittee about this incident.

Also, don't many pagans pride themselves as being loving, tolerant and peaceful? Like the Wiccan "rule of three". Wow, pagans don't even believe in a hell, in a Christian sense. Could they be "fringe paganists/satanists" who only wanted to cause a commotion and test the patience of Christians?

Prayers for all involved.

[Anthony]

[quote name='Extra ecclesiam nulla salus' date='Sep 13 2005, 10:27 PM']we actually do worship mary..............
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[/quote]

Um, No. No, we don't worship Mary. I'm sorry somebody told you that we do. You were misguided.

[Anthony]

[quote name='Dreamweaver' date='Sep 13 2005, 11:07 PM']Ok, so this is a campus student organization? Does your school have any policy about student organizations, such as they're not permitted to harass others and such? Maybe you could talk with a student organization comittee about this incident.

Also, don't many pagans pride themselves as being loving, tolerant and peaceful? Like the Wiccan "rule of three". Wow, pagans don't even believe in a hell, in a Christian sense. Could they be "fringe paganists/satanists" who only wanted to cause a commotion and test the patience of Christians?

Prayers for all involved.
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[/quote]

Okay. That is different. There is a pagan organization here, but these men were not affiliated with them. However, pray for the pagans as well.

[Wynd]

We have those at my school (ISU), they come around a few times a year and today was time #1. I don't know if it's the same group or what, but it's the exact same thing. I watched for about two hours, then had to go to a class. I felt bad for all the people involved, especially the campus police who had to stay there the whole time to make sure no riots happened. The students' actions made themselves look at least as bad as the preachers.

Some excerpts:

One of the preachers had a giant sign saying something like "You will go to Hell if you are:" with such options as Saint Worshippers, Bar Owners, Animists, Angry Women, Homosexuals, etc., and hats with flames on them saying "Jesus or Hell: John 3:16."

One of my friends and I tried to talk to a less-explosive guy about Mary. We tried to explain to him what intercessory prayer was, but he kept replying to our arguments/Bible verses with "Well, that's wrong."

When we said we were Catholics to a couple of girls in the group, they said they used to be Catholic, but they "read their Bible now."

[Anthony]

[quote name='Old_Joe' date='Sep 13 2005, 10:55 PM']I saw them and almost started laughing.  I can't help but admire their fervor (I'm being sarcastic), but it's misguided.  Also, I finally saw one of the flyers for the UNL Pagans group.  I think I shall put some FOCUS flyers up next to them.  :
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[/quote]

Wait a second! Old_Joe. As in Joseph Cupertino. I KNOW YOU!
Sorry! could resist. (if you saw the movie you'd know what I mean). Anyway, if this is Zach,

[Anthony]

[quote name='Wynd' date='Sep 14 2005, 12:00 AM']We have those at my school (ISU), they come around a few times a year and today was time #1.  I don't know if it's the same group or what, but it's the exact same thing.  I watched for about two hours, then had to go to a class.  I felt bad for all the people involved, especially the campus police who had to stay there the whole time to make sure no riots happened.  The students' actions made themselves look at least as bad as the preachers.

Some excerpts:

One of the preachers had a giant sign saying something like "You will go to Hell if you are:" with such options as Saint Worshippers, Bar Owners, Animists, Angry Women, Homosexuals, etc., and hats with flames on them saying "Jesus or Hell: John 3:16."

One of my friends and I tried to talk to a less-explosive guy about Mary.  We tried to explain to him what intercessory prayer was, but he kept replying to our arguments/Bible verses with "Well, that's wrong."

When we said we were Catholics to a couple of girls in the group, they said they used to be Catholic, but they "read their Bible now."


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[/quote]

Uh oh. That sound awefully familiar. Please, don't argue with them. They need our prayers. The only way they will be converted is through our prayers. Let God handle it. He's the man. But, yeah, if not them, then there are more misguided people preaching on college campuses. Keep your eyes and ears open, but let your heart guide your actions. Know the truth and stand your ground. Thanks be to God for good Christians everywhere. Lord, hear our prayers!

[missionseeker]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Sep 13 2005, 10:02 PM']lol. I dare someone to try to get anti-Catholic here. I can imagine they would be surrounded by profs and friars.

I'm sorry about that. but they are completely crazy, not even a Baptist would listen to them if they are claiming to be sinless.
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[/quote]



I had a Baptist tell me that he could shoot me (fataly) then turn around and shoot himself (fataly) and still go straight to Heaven cuz he was saved. He also told many other ridiculous things.
Now I take a Catechism when ever I go on youth conferences

[Anthony]

[quote name='missionseeker' date='Sep 14 2005, 12:39 AM']I had a Baptist tell me that he could shoot me (fataly)  then turn around and shoot himself (fataly) and still go straight to Heaven cuz he was saved. He also told many other ridiculous things.
Now I take a Catechism when ever I go on youth conferences
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[/quote]

Hey! That sounds like a great idea. However, would they even bother looking at the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I have never met a Baptist so I don't know their temperment or their view of the Church. Do you get anywhere with that idea? If so, maybe next time I should carry my Catechism with me.

[Anthony]

[quote name='Extra ecclesiam nulla salus' date='Sep 13 2005, 10:27 PM']we actually do worship mary..............
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[/quote]

I'm sorry. I don't mean to accuse you. I don't get sarcasm well enough to know if you're serious. I don't worship Mary. I love her and honor her as my Mother. I hope you do the same.

[son_of_angels]

The Catechism is a great teacher. As long as one simply makes the arguments that it makes, and says the things it says, usually the Baptist opposite its arguments will melt in his shoes.

Ah well, better for him to melt in his shoes than burn in his soul.

And yes we do praise Mary, just like they do the Bible (except their way is more like idolatry than ours).

Edited September 14, 2005 by son_of_angels

[Old_Joe]

[quote name='Anthony' date='Sep 13 2005, 11:07 PM']Wait a second!  Old_Joe.  As in Joseph Cupertino.  I KNOW YOU!
Sorry!  could resist.  (if you saw the movie you'd know what I mean).  Anyway, if this is Zach, 
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[/quote]


What!?! You just figured that out!?! I told you in person when you first joined. What movie is that from?

[Anthony]

[quote name='Old_Joe' date='Sep 14 2005, 01:28 PM']What!?!  You just figured that out!?!  I told you in person when you first joined.  What movie is that from?
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Sorry!

Elf. Don't tell me you have never seen Elf (with Will Ferrel)

[Old_Joe]

No. I'm like Ned Flanders. You name it, I haven't done it.