Among Friends

[Mominohio]

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@Karnerblue wrote:

I think you either believe or you don't.  It's called faith.  You either have it or you don't,  No one can change a person's mind or make them believe.  It has to come from within.  How educated you are has nothing to do with this.  My only suggestion would be to talk with a priest.

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I disagree with this. There are many who want to believe, or believe more deeply, but something is blocking that. It isn't as simple as you either believe or you don't. Many people struggle with it, in varying degrees.

And OP has stated, that he 'wants' to believe. I think what is needed is the right religious leader. It may be from his Catholic past, but most likely not, because that didn't stick the first time. He may need the counsel of just the right minister that can help him get past whatever is blocking him being a full believer.

And unfortunately at his age, time is of the essence. He is, with what he has expressed to the OP, looking and searching. I think that especially at his advanced age, he may need some help, and hope that OP can find the right person to help.

[Mominohio]

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@chickenbutt wrote:

I truly don't mean this in a disrespectful way, but I'd back off.

I know from experience that the more people push it the more it makes you want to run from it.

There is nothing wrong with him believing, or not believing, what he wants to believe.  Freedom OF religion also means freedom FROM religion. 

He'll be ok.  There is nothing wrong with him not believing in something that you believe - NOTHING at all.     Some people need to believe that there is some magical god watching over them.  I understand that.  But some people don't and that's fine too.   I would stop treating him like he's wrong or 'less' for his beliefs, or non-beliefs. 

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No where did I see the OP treating him like he is wrong or 'less' for his struggle with believing. 

This is a common tactic of non believers, to assume that a believer is judging a struggling or non believer. OP is trying to help him achieve what he has vocalized, that he wishes he could believe. Nothing at all wrong with someone (especially a family member) helping a person who is searching for something like this.

[chickenbutt]

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violann wrote:

I wish with all my heart someone could format ALL of these posts so that they could be printed.

Every single post has given me something worthwhile, whether I personally agree or not.

My personal thanks to all who have taken the time to reply.

I am dealing with a terrible sorrow, and over the last two or three weeks I have begun to experience some relief. Again, Thank You.

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Violann - I wish you well and hope that things let up for you and yours.  Sometimes life sure is a challenge and I guess whatever grounds us is what we need.  

Sending you positive thoughts and good vibes.  That might not mean anything to you and I get that.  It's totally ok.  But it does mean something to me and I hope it is taken in the way it is meant.  

[chickenbutt]

MominOhio - Please don't judge everybody, or anybody, by my words.  I came to undersdtand, as this thread went on and as the OP went on to clarify what she was saying, that it was not what she was trying to do.

No tactics here OR ill-wishes.  I wish her and her father all the best.

[Apple Crisp]

I commend you for wanting to give your father some peace of mind. Perhaps there is an educated clergyman that can speak to him. Also, I would suggest you get him some books written by people who have had near death experiences. The best one I have read is "Embraced by the Light," by Betty Jean Eadie. She also has a website, embracedbythelight.com. I know you feel for your father and want to help him. I will keep you and him in my prayers.

[CalminHeart]

Don't nag him.  Just pray silently for him.   Catholics  believe everyone has one last chance to choose God at the moment of death.   If your dad is a good man, the odds are that he'll choose right at that moment.

[goldensrbest]

Housecat, is searching also,for not only her dad but in the process herself, i pray she finds the answers she needs.

[LTT1]

@house_cat ((( )))

I have questions:

Does your father want or will he accept help from clergy?

Do you feel it is up to you to give him these answers?

Or are you uncertain about what to do?

Would a member of the clergy (or a particular kind of counselor) give you the information you need to feel at peace?

Thinking and trying to imagine how I woul feel in your place.

[house_cat]

Thanks so much to everyone who posted a comment.  I think we can all be proud of ourselves that we allowed a thread of this nature to last this long. That's due to the fact that everyone was civil and non-judgmental.  That alone should be proof of a higher power!  

Does anyone know if there is a simple way to print the entire thread?

[Plaid Pants2]

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@seaBreeze wrote:

Plaid Pants,

You're right .... but look at the consequence if you're "wrong."  

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That's not your concern, is it?

This is still the U.S. of A., where we are free to CHOOSE for OURSELVES, correct?

And just because what *I* choose isn't what you would choose, does not make my choice automatically "wrong".

It's interesting how people get all frantic when they find out that someone is a non-believer.

Has an Athesist ever tried to convert you from believing?

So, why the need to try and convert a non-believer to a believer?

See how it works both ways?

You leave me to believe what I believe, and I'll leave you to believe what you believe.