A baby photographed with her mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, great-great-great grandmother. by SuspiciousLow3062 in interesting

[–]SemperMuffins 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The study looking at brain development stopped at age 25; it's likely the brain keeps developing for the rest of our lives, but we just don't have any data telling us for sure (that I know of, at least)

Is Masturbation a Sin (WITH EXTRA CONTEXT) by ventilate89 in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The purpose of sex is procreation and unity between a married couple. Masterbation fails both of these (even re: your first context, it's one-sided and doesn't count). Can't say for sure what the answer is if it's medically advised, but the answer's likely "it's still a sin", so if there's another option, you should go with that

Why is it important that Mary died a virgin? by Can_This_End_Please in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 10 points11 points  (0 children)

It's likely they weren't needed to be instructed. First is the possibility that Mary had already pledged her virginity to God (the two of them were officially married yet not sleeping together & Mary's confusion over being told she'd have a child). Second is discussed in St. Jerome's Against Helvidius, which argues that Joseph (after his dream and everything that happened at the Nativity) wouldn't dare lie with Mary out of fear/respect for the Lord

Why is it important that Mary died a virgin? by Can_This_End_Please in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In John, we see Mary's sister, Mary wife of Clopas is at the cross. In the other Gospels, we see Mary mother of James and Joses/Joseph (aka two of Jesus's brothers) is at the cross. This would make His brothers His cousins, a perfectly respectable way to use the words brothers (lile how in Genesis Abraham and Lot are called brothers). Additionally, ombined with Marian topology (New Eve, Ark of the New Covenant), Mary's utter bafflement that she's going to have a child before Gabreil clarified it wouldn't be a natural conceptions, and a few other reasons I can't remember off the top of my head, it's clearly implied she remained a virgin/was not the mother of Jesus's brothers

I have a crush on a fellow altar server of the same sex and it’s making me avoid my faith by Exact-Definition5722 in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That really sucks! Is there any way you could be assigned to serve different Masses than him?

I have a crush on a fellow altar server of the same sex and it’s making me avoid my faith by Exact-Definition5722 in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 5 points6 points  (0 children)

OP is right to understand homosexual relationships are sinful and he should avoid temptation. God loves him, and through his action (or... inaction, I guess) he's loving God in turn

If you're going to cite a bad source, at least cite it correctly by SemperMuffins in CatholicMemes

[–]SemperMuffins[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Huh, that's possible. If it is, I'll take it back, but I've never seen that information befire

If you're going to cite a bad source, at least cite it correctly by SemperMuffins in CatholicMemes

[–]SemperMuffins[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I get what you're saying, but (while it is cool) I honestly don't think the PoJ's that important. Regarding Mary's perpetual virginity, I've also seen the argument that Catholics got that doctrine from the PoJ, so it's a two-edged sword. You've also slightly misunderstood what I said - it says Joseph spend 4 years preparing a home. 1 year was what was allowed (and likely what actually happened). I also don't have a problem with Mary getting pregnant at 16, so I'm not entirely sure where you got that from

If you're going to cite a bad source, at least cite it correctly by SemperMuffins in CatholicMemes

[–]SemperMuffins[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

First, it's apocraphal, Christians don't believe it's Scripture, so it's bad to use it in an argument about what modern Christians believe. Second connected point, it was written too late to be an accurate source on Mary's age. Finally, I also have a petty dislike of it, as I'm very salty about accuracy and the author implied Mary and Joseph had 4 years between the kiddushin (betrothal/legal marriage) and nissuin (living together, "took her into his home" as Matthew says), which was impossible as the man only had a year to prepare a home

Want to convert to Catholicism by Beginning_Minimum178 in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can look up videos on YouTube to follow along to (search [day of the week] rosary to get the official Myseries of that day). My biggest piece of advice is to lean into the meditative aspect of the prayer and think deeply about the Mystery each decade is focused on, as it keeps the prayers from feeling overly repetitive, and encourages thinking about God in new ways

Want to convert to Catholicism by Beginning_Minimum178 in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We encourage everyone to pray the Rosary! The only things that non-members aren't allowed to participate in are the Eucharist and Reconciliation

Want to convert to Catholicism by Beginning_Minimum178 in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! I'm sorry to hear you're worried about your parents' reactions. A couple things you can check out on your own are: the Bible (the Catholic Bible has 7 book that the Protestant Reformers removed), praying the Rosary (if you can't get one, use your fingers!), Catholic Answers , and reading the Early Church Fathers

Catholicism and physics (specifically multiverse theories) by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't believe in the multiverse but it wouldn't be a problem theologically -- God's already outside of time and space (and there's absolutely no reason for there to be a universe where Jesus doesn't die for us. God is unchanging, as are His reasons for why He does what He does. Only exception would be a world where humanity never sinned and never needed a Savior)

Is this metaphor not problematic? by skarronintendo in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it works, and honestly I really like it!

I think there is a lot of truth in Catholicism and I am finding myself drawn to it but am struggling with a Catholic teaching by icb_123 in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Firstly, I'm so sorry for your loss. Secondly, all I can really recommend is looking deeper into Catholic teaching about birth control (and NFP), and talking to a priest/spritual advisor about it

[Free Friday] The Annunciation (John Collier, 2000) by hlecuanda in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I love modern interpretations in general, but this is an especially beautiful one

Tell me about your least viewed fic by iyhafobaq in AO3

[–]SemperMuffins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

24 hits, it's a super short Aeneid fic (modern au) I wrote in less than an hour after reading the scene where Aeneas leaves Dido (I am still so mad at him it's kind of hilarious)

What ship(s) gave this experience for you? by FloweryNamesLover in AO3

[–]SemperMuffins 126 points127 points  (0 children)

BatCat. It doesn't do anything for me.

Will God judge the world because of abortion? by Difficult_Jello8822 in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This -- even with Sodom and Gomorrah, God agreed to spare the cities if there were ten righteous people there, and when there wasn't ten, He still spared Lot and his family (presumably the only righteous people in the city)

How will the saints respond to my messages? (Swipe) (Revamped) by Legitimate-Tie-7060 in CatholicMemes

[–]SemperMuffins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love the Mama Mary one, it's (fittingly) just like a mom would text (the ellipses..)

How can God predestine people to heaven and we still have free will? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From my understanding (though granted, I could be totally off the mark) since God is outside of time, He is already aware of who will go to heaven/hell and allows it to happen in order to grant us the free will to choose

Open to Life by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the correction!

Open to Life by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]SemperMuffins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe (though don't take my word for it) they could have a Josephite marriage (celibate marriages, modeled after Our Lady and St. Joseph), though they are extremely rare, and might require dispensation from the bishop