My Polish Catholic girlfriend thinks I'm a pagan...

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Apr 27, 11, 23:24 #1

A "staunch" Catholic who apparently knows little about other denominations, she asked me if I'm Baptist, and who I believe in. She's been to my church - I'm Episcopalian ("Catholic lite"), and probably should know better, but I get the impression she believes all non-Catholics are "surely going to hell." The plain gold cross around my neck "should have somebody on it" - a crucufix, of course.

I'm trying to figure out how and if this can ever work out for us. Has anyone here experience with or insight into this situation?

chichimeraThreads: 3 Posts: 356 Joined: Feb 4, 11 ♀	Apr 27, 11, 23:54 #2
Misiaczek56: I get the impression she believes all non-Catholics are "surely going to hell." Having grown up in a Catholic country I must say it's very probable she does believe so

AmathystThreads: 30 Posts: 3,968 Joined: Nov 10, 06 ♀	Apr 28, 11, 00:10 #3
Your Polish g/f is thick by the sounds of things if she thinks an Episcopalian is Pagan, but you could have some fun telling her that you are, take her in to the woods tell her that anal sex is a initialtion in to your religion :)... 9 our of 10 she'll want to convert!

isthatu2Threads: 13 Posts: 5,228 Joined: Apr 3, 08 ♂	Apr 28, 11, 00:16 #4
Misiaczek56: A "staunch" Catholic Its none of my buisness,and of course I dont expect an answer,but,Im going to throw this one out there anyway; Your G/F a virgin? If not,she's just another hypocrite.

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Apr 28, 11, 04:29 #5

Well, thanks for the comments so far! She doesn't literally think I'm "pagan," but maybe "godless," anyway. Still, the initiation rite sounds interesting ;)

If she's a virgin, then her two daughters are the product of immaculate conception, and I've clearly had some very vivid waking dreams during the past two years, too ;)

None of this makes her a hypocrite in my eyes, though. I am most concerned that we can stay together regardless of these "denominational" bumps in the road. I know we will need to talk a LOT more about it, but for now, I am trying to do "my homework" so I can better understand the situation.

I've heard that the Catholic church here in the US has become a lot more moderate over time, but also that this is likely not the case in Europe. Perhaps I should give her the opportunity to "save me" by conversion to Catholicism, but I suspect that family and friends may wish to intervene when they get the news!

Perhaps only time will tell. I've been hoping for a "magic pill" solution, but it probably doesn't exist.

"Initiation," you say, eh? Hmmmmmm....

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Apr 28, 11, 06:50 #6

Misiaczek56:

I've heard that the Catholic church here in the US has become a lot more moderate over time, but also that this is likely not the case in Europe. Perhaps I should give her the opportunity to "save me" by conversion to Catholicism, but I suspect that family and friends may wish to intervene when they get the news!

Nope it ain't moderate (first hand experience, born and raised Roman Catholic). If you're Episcopalian than you are already Catholic (English Catholic) which may be an older version of Catholicism than Rome. A good book to read is "How the Irish Saved Civilization" which is about the early Churches (Irish Catholic, English Catholic and Roman Catholic).

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Apr 28, 11, 12:22 #7

There is a sort of truth to that,but to be honest,with the coming of the Augustinian missionries the blend of "English " Christianity with the Roman version and the centuries of further blending before the stirings of reformation,well,all Im saying is, good luck using the "Im more "Catholic" than you " arguement :)
re the "hypcrite" bit,of course I wasnt implying any real bad meaning with that term,just the fact that in my experience those of any branch of Christianity who pass judgement on other Christians also tend to have chosen themselves just what aspects of their branch of the faith are convenient to follow .......so,its more a blokes silent victory,think about it,just never say it out loud to her ;)

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,959 Joined: May 17, 07 ♂	Apr 28, 11, 12:24 #8
Misiaczek56: Has anyone here experience with or insight into this situation? As an orthodox I am usually told that there is no major difference between us and catholics at least how Polki see it.

OlafThreads: 8 Posts: 1,369 Joined: Oct 29, 09 ♂	Apr 28, 11, 13:54 #9
Misiaczek56: believes all non-Catholics are "surely going to hell." Everyone might just as well go wherever they imagined. So believing in heaven & hell, while sinning (by nature of man) throughout your life will lead you down to hell... If you believe in it.

HarryThreads: 62 Posts: 8,508 Joined: May 2, 07 ♂ [Suspended]	Apr 28, 11, 14:02 #10
Misiaczek56: I've been hoping for a "magic pill" solution, but it probably doesn't exist. Bugger her with two crucifixes: one without Jesus on it and one with him on it. Then ask her if she still thinks there should be a Jesus on all crucifixes.

OlafThreads: 8 Posts: 1,369 Joined: Oct 29, 09 ♂	Apr 28, 11, 14:16 #11
Or announce to her that your creed involves wearing seeweed on your head (for men) and skirts made from palm leaves (for women). And explain to her how important it is to you that she complies to this. Maybe then she'll realize ridiculous it is.

alexw68	Apr 28, 11, 14:27 #12
Olaf: Or announce to her that your creed involves wearing seeweed on your head (for men) Seaweed, my child? I see that the cleansing fire of the Kelp-ist Reformation has not visited itself upon you. I will pray for your soul in the name of all that is a bit smelly at low tide. Guards! take him away...

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,959 Joined: May 17, 07 ♂	Apr 28, 11, 16:20 #13
Tell her she needs to be present next time you sacrifice a sheep to the pagan Gods.

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Apr 28, 11, 17:34 #14

Misiaczek56:

A "staunch" Catholic who apparently knows little about other denominations, she asked me if I'm Baptist, and who I believe in. She's been to my church - I'm Episcopalian ("Catholic lite"), and probably should know better, but I get the impression she believes all non-Catholics are "surely going to hell." The plain gold cross around my neck "should have somebody on it" - a crucufix, of course.

Buy her JP2's book on ecumenism. He had no problems with other religions.

Misiaczek56:

Still, the initiation rite sounds interesting ;)

It is, believe me...

TymoteuszThreads: 7 Posts: 694 Joined: Jul 25, 09 ♂	Apr 28, 11, 18:46 #15
Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Christmas tree, Easter eggs, all pagan reference rolled into Christianity. Its not really a problem so long as you give these things proper perspective.

z_dariusThreads: 22 Posts: 5,091 Joined: Oct 18, 07 ♂	Apr 28, 11, 19:14 #16
Tymoteusz: Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Christmas tree, Easter eggs, all pagan reference rolled into Christianity. Its not really a problem so long as you give these things proper perspective. Santa Claus - although heavily modified, comes directly from Christian roots. Easter Eggs - just like some other Biblical motifs, come from Beitzah, eaten during Erev Pesach (Eve of Passover)

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Jun 28, 11, 10:53 #17

southern:

Tell her she needs to be present next time you sacrifice a sheep to the pagan Gods.

Hahahahahh!

alexw68:

Guards! take him away...

Would you care for more seaweed, sire? ;D

Tymoteusz:

Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Christmas tree, Easter eggs, all pagan reference rolled into Christianity. Its not really a problem so long as you give these things proper perspective.

Oh, and I think I know what perspective it should be... ;)

MEMBER ♀

Jun 28, 11, 19:20 #18

Misiaczek56:

If she's a virgin, then her two daughters are the product of immaculate conception, and I've clearly had some very vivid waking dreams during the past two years, too ;)

Misiaczek56:

all non-Catholics are "surely going to hell."

ahh, the finest example of a religious catholic person. sin all you want but as long as you're catholic God will forgive you, just wait till you're 80 and go to church every day, kneel in the cold for hours and repent. ignorance is bliss! :)

catsoldierThreads: 90 Posts: 698 Joined: Sep 27, 09 ♂	Jun 29, 11, 00:40 #19
JustysiaS: Misiaczek56: If she's a virgin, then her two daughters are the product of immaculate conception, and I've clearly had some very vivid waking dreams during the past two years, too ;)Misiaczek56: all non-Catholics are "surely going to hell." I'd say it's working out ok so far and I see no reason why it cannot continue.

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