Gregoriana of Nyssa Posted July 4, 2009 Posted July 4, 2009 (edited) In college, I had a Swiss roommie who was friends with a Frenchwoman; their friends would count how many times they kissed cheeks whenever they met. Different countries have different customs. [quote name='Vasilius Konstantinos' post='1910688' date='Jul 4 2009, 11:45 AM']I will remember this next time I am in Romania and Serbia. "Hey! We are not Europeans!" and then there would be great rejoicing. I do not think its something to brag about, being European anyways. After all, since I am Native American mostly, I have to ask all of you this Fourth of July to get off my property. Now. [/quote] Aww, can I stay? You like me, doncha? Edited July 4, 2009 by Gregoriana of Nyssa
Gregorius Posted July 5, 2009 Posted July 5, 2009 [quote name='Vasilius Konstantinos' post='1910688' date='Jul 4 2009, 12:45 PM']I will remember this next time I am in Romania and Serbia. "Hey! We are not Europeans!" and then there would be great rejoicing. I do not think its something to brag about, being European anyways. After all, since I am Native American mostly, I have to ask all of you this Fourth of July to get off my property. Now. [/quote]
alimarie_11 Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 "Can catholics be friends with a sinner"? as if catholics aren't sinners? that makes it sound ..like all catholics are above, 'better' than people who aren't catholic i think anyone can be friends with anyone, as long as the person you befriend, doesn't cause you harm
Kitty Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 [quote name='alimarie_11' post='1913217' date='Jul 6 2009, 10:55 PM']as if catholics aren't sinners?[/quote] I believe this is the first person who has mentioned this... for shame, people
KnightofChrist Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 (edited) Can Catholics be friends with sinners? Yes. But can Catholics be friends with unrepentant proud sinners? No. Edited July 7, 2009 by KnightofChrist
CatherineM Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 [quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1913260' date='Jul 6 2009, 11:20 PM']But can Catholics be friends with unrepentant proud sinners? No.[/quote] That's a good point. What do we say when we do this? That it is okay? That there are no consequences? Not to mention that we put ourselves into a position of slowly having the water turned up under us. We might slowly have our conscience influenced. The problem comes when the unrepentant proud sinner is a close family member though.
Vasilius Konstantinos Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 I think a good sound statement would be that we define friend as being someone we are affiliated with and an associate is someone we are around whom we do chat with on a general level. I have few friends whom I hold dear to that are good Christians but many associates who are bad Christians and not people of the Church.
BG45 Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 [quote name='Lil Red' post='1910751' date='Jul 4 2009, 02:31 PM'] heck no. oh wait. then i couldn't be friends with myself, my husband, or my family.[/quote] Ditto. Had Rexi not had the forethought to state that our Lord was without sin on page three, I would have questioned him as to the nature of Christ and His sacred ministry. After all, the Savior of humanity was often accosted for His ministry...being friends and dining with whores, idolaters, and all the manner of dregs and sinners of Judean society was seen to be of great scandal at the time. Given that Christ, a friend to all of we sinners, would dare associate with us, I think the real question here is somewhat akin to Pilate's nihilistic "What is truth", except that "truth" is "scandal".
MissyP89 Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 I think, at the risk of sounding trite, the thread's question would best be answered this way: [size=7]Um, DUH.[/size] LOOK at our Lord! Look at who He kept company with--the outcast, downtrodden, and untouchables of society. I dare say He even preferred them to the Pharisees. If we can't be friends with sinners, then how, pray tell, are we to spread the Gospel? Are you suggesting, Rexi et al, that we should walk up to a sinner, "fraternally correct" them, and walk away? You remind me a bit of my friend before He had some life experiences. He nearly got beat up a few times for speaking the Truth without compassion or love. You can't just pummel people, or drive-by evangelize, and expect to actually convict people's hearts. My best male friend is proudly bisexual and polyamorous. He knows absolutely where I stand on his behavior, yet he also knows that when he needs me to listen, I'm there for him, and he for me. He may be a sinner, but you know what? [i]So am I.[/i] I can't remove myself from his life because I disagree with him. I could very well be the only witness to the Gospel he has. Love people. Be salt and light to them. That's how grace sneaks in...and that's what Jesus did.
Selah Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 (edited) What on earth? Can we be friends with sinners? We are ALL sinners. So, by that logic, I can't be friends with any of you. Heck, I can't even be friends with myself, and I gotta tell ya, that's messing with me a little. So, in short: yes. [quote]But can Catholics be friends with unrepentant proud sinners? No.[/quote] So, how do you expect them to become humble, repentant sinners? Should we just ignore them? Edited July 7, 2009 by Selah
iheartjp2 Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 [quote name='OraProMe' post='1910360' date='Jul 4 2009, 04:03 AM'][url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=95842&st=120&start=120"]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...0&start=120[/url] In the posts above a phatmass member says that friendships between catholics and homosexuals are only appropriate if there is no chance of scandal (however that comes about through friendship) or the Catholics beliefs changing. I think we should avoid another debate about sexual ethics and assume the Church is right. I'd also like to expand the question to all sinners, not just active homosexuals. Clearly, I think so and I think it's great. Seperating ourselves from others is bad and this attitude smacks of arrogance. You guys? Maybe real life experiences too...[/quote] Having a gay friend and going to a gay club/bar with them on a regular basis would be scandalous. Having a gay person as a friend isn't scandalous. If anyone makes a big deal out of someone having a friend who decides to live a certain way, they're the one with the problem, not you. People ragging on others for their connections should take a hard look at themselves and ask what they're [i]really[/i] objecting to.
iheartjp2 Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 [quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1913260' date='Jul 7 2009, 12:20 AM']Can Catholics be friends with sinners? Yes. But can Catholics be friends with unrepentant proud sinners? No.[/quote] Hm, what if that person was someone in your family? I don't know your plans (or God's for you, for that matter), but what if one of your children turned out to be an "unrepentant[,] proud sinner"? It happens to the best of parents. How would you react to that?
Vasilius Konstantinos Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 In love and prayer. Thats all I have been able to do in such cases.
Archaeology cat Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 *disclaimer - haven't read the entire thread [quote name='goldenchild17' post='1910387' date='Jul 4 2009, 09:45 AM']Prayer is as powerful a weapon as anything as far as I'm concerned, so if discussing it doesn't work, I'm sure they're as good a friend as any in this regard and doing what they can.[/quote] Very much agreed. I mean, think of St Monica. [quote name='goldenchild17' post='1910387' date='Jul 4 2009, 09:45 AM']I think people can be friends and get along while still openly disagreeing with each other on fundamental issues.[/quote] I hope so. Otherwise I might have to stop associating with a lot of my friends and family.
CatherineM Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 One of my best friends here has a niece who she told us was a lesbian, and now she is undergoing a sex change ala Chastity (Chaz) Bono. She walks such a tight line in loving and supporting her niece, and not approving of what she is doing.
Mapache Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 [quote name='CatherineM' post='1919059' date='Jul 13 2009, 07:37 PM']One of my best friends here has a niece who she told us was a lesbian, and now she is undergoing a sex change ala Chastity (Chaz) Bono. She walks such a tight line in loving and supporting her niece, and not approving of what she is doing.[/quote] Hate the sin. Love the sinner. It's what we're called to do even in tough cases such as this.
Jesus_lol Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 the only people who arent friends with sinners look like this: [img]http://hotbiscuits.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/nerd-46422.jpg[/img] and thats because they have NO friends. everyone sins.
picchick Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 No. You are not a good Catholic unless you avoid ALL sinners.... sinners....all of you....
Jesus_lol Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 (edited) [img]http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/diablo_man/av-1057.jpg[/img] better watchout meg! its a slippery slope! Edited July 16, 2009 by Jesus_lol
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