www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology New Age Practitioners

I started a new thread as to not derail the other one on New Age practices (Prayer Posture). This was posted there...

The seductive power of the "new religious consciousness" is so great today that it can take possession of one even while he believes that he is remaining a Christian. This is true not only of those who indulge in the superficial syncretisms or combinations of Christianity and Eastern religions which have been mentioned above; it is true also of an increasing number of people who regard themselves as fervent Christians. The profound ignorance of true Christian spiritual experience in our times is producing a false Christian "spirituality" whose nature is closely kin to the "new religious consciousness."

Excerpts from Fr. Seraphim Rose

My question is this: what does one do if someone in their family fits this description and when you try to talk about it, you are met with stubborn insistance that they are in the right?

AndreaW:

IMHO, every Christian seems to think he has a hold on the complete and perfect practice of the Faith and of an understanding of the Faith. Unfortunately few of us have the gift of the Faith in that perfect way. We all need ongoing conversion of life (metanoia) and we all need to be constantly challenged by our spiritual father for our attitudes, practices, and sins. Even the holy monks who give guidance to others have themselves a spiritual father to keep them on track. Otherwise we all risk falling into some idiosyncrasy of our own that is not the Faith but our own little "sect."

Unfortunately it is also true that family is one's own worst enemy in the Faith, as Jesus tells us. He told us that and you are living it. Welcome to the Gospel lived out!!

Good luck trying to convert a family member. In my own experience, it is simply better to stay close to your own spiritual father, provide a good example, and try to stay away from arguments within the family. It will disturb your own peace less. You may even draw someone away from an error, as you perceive it. But in all things, trust the Holy Spirit to work with each soul and place people, events, and things into God's Hands. My sister, for example, is objectively in an adulterous marriage--her husband was married before, never had an annulment, and they were married by a civil servant. Her very liberal pastor told her she should not stay away from the Eucharist, even though Catholic teaching says she should. My mother is upset at her attitude, has tried to warn her, and been told to mind her own business. The subject of religious practice is thus one that draws instant hostility.

In Christ,

BOB

Bob,

Thank you so much for your advice. You have given me something to think about. Very much appreciated.

Andrea

I've thought about this for some time, and the only conclusion I've come up with is to trust in the Lord and to not attempt to wrest (through argument) my family members into a faith they do not know.

Maybe the best method to convert a family member is to let them come into your way of seeing the faith through your private example, without lecturing to them (maybe without words).

If we need a good dose of humility, reading about the saints and their accomplishments can help, so can prayer and a hard life. Humility and wisdom are good to pursue...but that is a life-long pursuit and like Bob said, few are accomplished at wisdom, humility, love, and faith. We should seek growth in our spiritual development, for when can we say "we know" or when "we love enough"?

Terry

Thank you Terry. I appreciate your thoughts and advice on this as well.

Andrea