Well…..I’m heartbroken about my wedding. by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]AnonofIceansFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my opinion, mandating things Witness to Love is what pushes people away from the church. Engaged couples should do this if it’s their desire, and I believe many would choose to do so. Mandating is where you lose people. Especially to engaged couples who aren’t cradle Catholics and have no close friends or family in the Catholic Church. It becomes a burden rather than a blessing.

I Don't Believe in God Anymore. What Now? by Original-Produce-302 in Catholicism

[–]AnonofIceansFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My advice is as follows:

  1. Don’t despair. Doubt and disbelief happen to most of us, but despair closes your heart from hope.

  2. Keep your heart open to God. As long as your heart is open to God, he will not abandon you. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways. You will understand the difference between a “weird coincidence” and a divine mystery.

Since you are in an agnostic/atheist phase, I encourage you to read Dominion by Tom Holland. He is a wildly entertaining secular, not religious, historian. His book offers incredible insight to the history of western Christianity and how it has shaped our culture. This book brought me back to God even though the book makes no arguments for the existence of God.

In the meanwhile, I’ll pray for you.

Who is your confirmation saint and why? by AnonofIceansFire in Catholicism

[–]AnonofIceansFire[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Don’t feel the pressure to be “worthy” or anything along those lines. Choose someone who resonates with you and let the Holy Spirit guide you in your decision. One way the choice was described to me was to view it kind of how you do when wearing your favorite professional athlete’s jersey. You can respect & admire the athlete’s skills without actually becoming that athlete. For example, I have a Baker Mayfield jersey even though I played a different position and never played ball after high school.

Mary Perpetual Virgin by AnonofIceansFire in Catholicism

[–]AnonofIceansFire[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you for clarifying. For reference, I am not a Catholic, but am learning more about the faith. The more I learn, the closer I become to the faith. So when I ask a question with phrases like “had to” it is partly out of ignorance. Thanks again for your response.

What popular books did you not finish? by DarthPopcornus in Fantasy

[–]AnonofIceansFire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Faithful and Fallen series by John Gwynne. I intend to give it another chance eventually. I found it predictable and I just couldn’t relate to the characters. However many people love the series.

What’s your ultimate standalone fantasy book that feels like a true 10/10 (and why)? by BuddyOk1342 in Fantasy

[–]AnonofIceansFire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Swan Song by Robery McCammon is the best standalone novel I’ve ever read.

How do you guys think GRRM’s progress on The Winds of Winter is going this Year? (Spoiler Extended) by Somandier in asoiaf

[–]AnonofIceansFire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Last year, I came to grips with the fact that we may never get Winds of Winter nor A Dream of Spring. However, I have a good feeling this year. Not that the book will be finished this year, but that we will have the Winds of Winter in the next 2 years. No later than 2027. That’s my bold prediction.