Post in now locked thread from Marilynk:

<<<<I ask this in all sincerity, and not meant in any snarky or bitchy way:
Do you see any areas of gray? Do you see everything as black or white?

If so, then that explains a lot.
That's probably why your posts tend to stir others to anger. A lot of people see things in varying degrees. If you think and see things in solely black or white then of course it's going to be hard to get others to see your perspective.

I don't agree with you. I do however think I have a better understanding of how your mind works---which helps me understand that you aren't intentionally being obstinate or snarky. >>>>>>>>>


Marilynk, I know you weren't directing this question at me, but I thought I'd throw out an answer, regardless. It's a good question, and I appreciate the respect you have here in looking for understanding of a faith different from yours.

With Catholicism, there are some topics, such as adultery and abortion, where we have no gray areas. It really *is* definitive to us, or black and white.

I also saw on the other thread another poster said in their "opinion" they were not sinning in a particular instance.

If we're Catholic, we don't interpret what is and isn't a sin based on "opinion." It is based on our knowledge and the beliefs of our faith. That is different than using our opinions to decide whether one activity or another is a sin.

There are a lot of times when being a Catholic is difficult. I don't always like the rules, but I do my best to follow them. Other Catholics don't, and that's their choice. (BTW, I also don't consider myself perfect - just someone who is doing her best to interpret and live by her faith). If a Catholic opts for a gray area (an 'opinion' that differs from what our faith tells us) in the areas of adultery, abortion, and other topics that Catholics consider sinful, then they are not, in that instance, practicing their faith.

That doesn't mean I judge them as "bad" and it doesn't make me "better" or "holier than thou." It just makes me/us people who are doing their best to practice their faith, regardless of what others do/think/say.

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell