An atheist with faith...

[Penelope]

ElizabethAnn, it's not RobertJS' decision whether you stay or go. Please, stay, ask questions, take advantage of the information that folks are offering. We're glad to have any sincere posters here.

Robert, moderate your tone. You can instruct and explain the truth without being harsh and unwelcoming to new members, especially ones who are uncertain about where they stand here.

If you can quote me and suggest how I should have worded it, I would appreciate it. Otherwise I really don't know what you mean.

How about this:

Instead of

You are promoting a mortal sin against the 1st Commandment. From a traditional examination of conscience:

"Have you doubted in matter of faith?"

Perhaps you could have said, "Vakarian, you probably didn't intend to promote this, but doubting a matter of faith is considered grave matter for mortal sin against the first commandment. We don't want to give the impression that doubting is something to be encouraged." Then, you could have made Jayne's distinction about voluntary versus involuntary doubt so that ElizabethAnn could understand that you weren't directing your comment toward her necessarily.

[ElizabethAnn]

Thank you again.  Many of you have been quite welcoming.  I need to do more reading because I really think I need to start over from the beginning and that is the only way I will fill in gaps in my religious background.

EA

[RobertJS]

ElizabethAnn, it's not RobertJS' decision whether you stay or go. Please, stay, ask questions, take advantage of the information that folks are offering. We're glad to have any sincere posters here.

Robert, moderate your tone. You can instruct and explain the truth without being harsh and unwelcoming to new members, especially ones who are uncertain about where they stand here.

If you can quote me and suggest how I should have worded it, I would appreciate it. Otherwise I really don't know what you mean.

How about this:

Instead of

You are promoting a mortal sin against the 1st Commandment. From a traditional examination of conscience:

"Have you doubted in matter of faith?"

Perhaps you could have said, "Vakarian, you probably didn't intend to promote this, but doubting a matter of faith is considered grave matter for mortal sin against the first commandment. We don't want to give the impression that doubting is something to be encouraged." Then, you could have made Jayne's distinction about voluntary versus involuntary doubt so that ElizabethAnn could understand that you weren't directing your comment toward her necessarily.

Perhaps. (Which implies, perhaps not).

[zork]

You're a class act, rjs.

[RobertJS]

You're a class act, rjs.

Perhaps "world-class"?

[Kaesekopf]

Thank you again.  Many of you have been quite welcoming.  I need to do more reading because I really think I need to start over from the beginning and that is the only way I will fill in gaps in my religious background.

EA

If you want a good Catholic catechism, the Baltimore Catechisms are great, but Canon Ripley's "This is the Faith" is also stellar.

[Basilios]

The fisheaters website (not the forum, the actual main website) has good information too.

[Penelope]

Thank you again.  Many of you have been quite welcoming.  I need to do more reading because I really think I need to start over from the beginning and that is the only way I will fill in gaps in my religious background.

EA

I might recommend getting the St. Joseph's Baltimore catechisms that are used to prepare elementary school aged children for their sacraments. They're thorough, but not overly complicated, and they're straightforward.

[per_passionem_eius]

The Penny Catechism. 

[Penelope]

Perhaps. (Which implies, perhaps not).

In that case, consider this another official warning. You did not post in charity when you did not give Vak the benefit of the doubt. Further, your absolute refusal to listen to moderators' repeated warnings to moderate your tone, as well as your apparent inability to not be rude, seriously makes the moderation team question your ability to continue as a member of this forum. Per the new banning system, this is your second warning. Your next offense will result in a ban.

Edit: Actually, I got the banning system wrong. RobertJS gets a one-day ban.

[ElizabethAnn]

The Penny Catechism. 

An easy way to start, thank you, I have that site bookmarked!  This weekend, I can do some reading.

I will also be looking into the other suggestions that have been made. 

EA

[ImperialGuardsman]

The Penny Catechism. 

An easy way to start, thank you, I have that site bookmarked!  This weekend, I can do some reading.

I will also be looking into the other suggestions that have been made. 

EA

I'm glad that you are finding good information.  I for one am a convert from, well, I'll call it "Cultural Christianity."  That is, Christmas is about Christ (whatever that means) and that there is a God.  I had terrible formation through RCIA but was able to more fully come to tradition with the help of the internet (and a few honest Catholics I have known).  Welcome and I hope you can one day understand the faith and to hold it yourself.