An atheist with faith...

[RobertJS]

I think that some of the atheists have come with good intentions.  At any rate, we should assume that people have good intentions until there is strong evidence otherwise.

Yes, I agree. Zzyz came here with good intentions.

The intentions behind the errors neither substantially changes the danger, nor our obligation to avoid it.

True, we have an obligation to avoid errors.  We also have an obligation to treat others with kindness and charity, and give them the benefit of the doubt.

That actually has an ecumenical tinge. The Church has never looked at keeping atheists away from other Catholics as being anything but charitable, and in the process we can still consider them to be sincere.

[ElizabethAnn]

I have lurked here for a while.  Genuinely curious because it appears that my Catholic upbringing and education were a bit lax as compared to things that I read here.  I have been trying to fill in some blanks in my knowledge.  I have been afraid to even ask questions, which is why I have stayed quiet.  Now, I am torn as to why I should even bother. 

If people come here from TTA, as I did, and you consider them undesirable...even when interested in learning from you, why is it okay for someone from here to go to TTA and bash even those that have not done anything to insult anyone here?  To me the best way to show your faith to others is to live it.  When you act counter to what you preach you don't attract anyone to your belief system.

I am disappointed, I thought that I may learn something crucial that I had missed.  I am even more disillusioned now. 

EA

[Spooky]

I have lurked here for a while.  Genuinely curious because it appears that my Catholic upbringing and education were a bit lax as compared to things that I read here.  I have been trying to fill in some blanks in my knowledge.  I have been afraid to even ask questions, which is why I have stayed quiet.  Now, I am torn as to why I should even bother. 

If people come here from TTA, as I did, and you consider them undesirable...even when interested in learning from you, why is it okay for someone from here to go to TTA and bash even those that have not done anything to insult anyone here?  To me the best way to show your faith to others is to live it.  When you act counter to what you preach you don't attract anyone to your belief system.

I am disappointed, I thought that I may learn something crucial that I had missed.  I am even more disillusioned now. 

EA

Shorter: you guys aren't perfect, therefore religion is false. 

[ElizabethAnn]

I have lurked here for a while.  Genuinely curious because it appears that my Catholic upbringing and education were a bit lax as compared to things that I read here.  I have been trying to fill in some blanks in my knowledge.  I have been afraid to even ask questions, which is why I have stayed quiet.  Now, I am torn as to why I should even bother. 

If people come here from TTA, as I did, and you consider them undesirable...even when interested in learning from you, why is it okay for someone from here to go to TTA and bash even those that have not done anything to insult anyone here?  To me the best way to show your faith to others is to live it.  When you act counter to what you preach you don't attract anyone to your belief system.

I am disappointed, I thought that I may learn something crucial that I had missed.  I am even more disillusioned now. 

EA

Shorter: you guys aren't perfect, therefore religion is false. 

Absolutely not what I meant.

[Basilios]

Elizabeth, hello.

I think you'll find that those with no agenda except to learn and grow in faith (such as you) will be treated as one of our own. Those who post with agendas, or moan and whine, or sneak around other forums, or bait, will be treated with the contempt they deserve and banned.

There is no contradiction here: the command to be charitable to all and having a defense for all who ask also comes with the command to not tolerate error or let heretics, pagans or unbelievers mock, scorn and belittle with little to no sincerity in their posts.

[ElizabethAnn]

Thank you,
I think I will continue to read.  Can you direct me to who would be most open to questions? 

EA

[Basilios]

Thank you,
I think I will continue to read.  Can you direct me to who would be most open to questions? 

EA

I think all of us :-)

The best place I think for general queries on the faith and traditionalism is the "Ask A Traditionalist" sub-forum.

If you want someone to perhaps be your 'buddy' who can be a bit more personal, there is a poster here called Jayne who is very nice and knows the faith well so I am sure if you ever needed to you could PM her. She's a dear.

[ElizabethAnn]

Thank you again Basilios. 

[Michael Wilson]

Welcome Elizabeth Ann.
Yes, I second Basilios' suggestion; Jayne is a very good person to contact.

[Recovering NOer]

Thank you,
I think I will continue to read.  Can you direct me to who would be most open to questions? 

EA

Basilios probably stated this too, but I wanted to re-emphasize: please read the forum rules first of all.  I'm constantly surprised at how many post on here (even some long-time members) apparently without having ever looked at them.  A lot of this recent drama stems from people disregarding the rules for whatever reason and then a few days later pretending to be shocked at the "close-mindedness" of the whole forum.  Usually with much histrionics.

[zork]

Yes, Jayne is a very good resource. Also, INPEFESS is a great resource as he is both very knowledgeable and charitable. I would hate to see you leave, elizabeth ann. Curious atheists should be welcome to learn, even if they are not open to conversion.

[ElizabethAnn]

Thank you everyone. 

I am looking to your forum as a resource for me to learn, not as a place to debate or challenge.  I would like to be clear about that.  I just don't want any questions I pose to be seen as challenges but to be seen as a way to fill in some blanks for me.

Thanks again for the warm welcomes.

EA

[voxxpopulisuxx]

Welcome and Happy New Year!

[zork]

Thank you everyone. 

I am looking to your forum as a resource for me to learn, not as a place to debate or challenge.  I would like to be clear about that.  I just don't want any questions I pose to be seen as challenges but to be seen as a way to fill in some blanks for me.

Thanks again for the warm welcomes.

EA

You're very welcome.

[Jayne]

If people come here from TTA, as I did, and you consider them undesirable...even when interested in learning from you, why is it okay for someone from here to go to TTA and bash even those that have not done anything to insult anyone here?  To me the best way to show your faith to others is to live it.  When you act counter to what you preach you don't attract anyone to your belief system.

It is not OK for someone from here to go to TTA and bash people there.  I hope that you are not talking about me.  I have been posting on TTA but none of it was intended to bash anyone.

Anyhow, I have seen some people recommending me as a person to talk to.  I would be very happy to answer any questions you have about Catholicism.