Hater

Yip. Sneered at for speaking the truth. Labeled a “hater” and “intolerant” and a “bigot” for expressing my Catholic opinion on the supreme court decision on same sex marriage or on the Bruce Jenner/Caitlyn issue. Doesn’t matter that I explain what the church teaches on marriage and those issues. Doesn’t matter that I post articles and videos on Facebook that clearly and simply explains my position. Doesn’t matter that I explain how I love the person first and value the dignity of the human person, and that we are to hate the sin not the sinner. Doesn’t matter. I am told I should not judge others …and they think they can just shut me up with that statement and the discussion is over.

yeah. They throw bible quotes at me but they do not understand the Christian faith at all and what it teaches. They are either cafeteria Catholics/Christians or they do not want to even bring in religion to the discussion at all.  I even post articles/videos on the social or scientific aspect of the issue… but still… no…  I am still a “hater” … sigh.

I am tired of it. I am tired of being misunderstood. I am tired of explaining myself over and over… it’s like banging my head against the wall. They don’t hear me. and they assume I am just a nasty, ignorant, unenlightened bigot.

Case in point:

When the Bruce Jenner came out as Caitlyn and everyone was oooing and ahing over his picture on the cover of a mag I wound up having a very interesting discussion with a very upset young woman about this. She was angry at people for being intolerant. I told her she cannot make/force people to agree with her. She could not force people to accept something that went against their faith.  I went on to explain how some people’s religious beliefs were very important to them and that they would defend those beliefs.  I then went on to explain my beliefs, my faith and how I try to live the gospel in my life. I explained how I love a person no matter what. I respect their human worth and dignity. I told her I had people in my life who I would do anything for, I would even give my life for them … but I did not agree with their choices or their beliefs. I loved them but I did not have to accept and agree with how they lived.  Though I kindly and simply explained my beliefs to her she still had that crazed “you’re a hater” look on her face. She even asked me to do her a favor: “When you talk about her (Bruce/Caitlyn) could you please call her ‘she?'” I again reminded her that she could not force people to do/say things that go against their beliefs… she did not like that. What bothered me the most about the whole honest, revealing conversation was: she now carries a grudge against me. I am no longer a nice person in her eyes. It didn’t matter that I explained about love and my faith, to her because I did not accept her view point I was a “hater” … end of story.

I think that hurts the most. Being thought of a hater. Being misunderstood. Yes Jesus said we would be hated and persecuted for our beliefs. I know. But it doesn’t make it any easier.  Being catholic is so hard… but yes it is worth it.

The one good thing those who believe we are haters do not see….  we have been praying. A lot. About the whole serious situation. We may be called names, we may be misunderstood… but there is good coming out of this… a whole lot of prayer is going up…

amen.