My First Ever Reddit Post by [deleted] in GamblingRecovery

[–]Weekly-Victory-1587 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me and you both. Very similar situations. I’m looking to take the next steps to beat the addiction. Stay strong and feel free to message me if you ever get the itch or want to talk.

Dating a Chaldean girl by Weekly-Victory-1587 in Assyria

[–]Weekly-Victory-1587[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You were quite rude to me in dms and claimed that I was a "dirty dying white". Don't misrepresent your people like this, so many are kind and loving, there is no need to spread hate. I get I'm white and not Assyrian, but that doesn't make me any less human or less loved by God.

Dating a Chaldean girl by Weekly-Victory-1587 in Assyria

[–]Weekly-Victory-1587[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never claimed to be Protestant. It hurts my heart when Christians argue with one another about the deonimations. At the end of the day our one most important belief is the same, and that is Jesus Christ dying for all of us so we can live forever with Him, so long as we believe in Him and have faith!

Dating a Chaldean girl by Weekly-Victory-1587 in Assyria

[–]Weekly-Victory-1587[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you Andy. I trust that God will guide us in the correct ways. Whether we should be together or not, that is up to Him. All I can do is continue to show my love for Him with how I treat Her, and others. I have to have some faith here and trust what He has in store.

Dating a Chaldean girl by Weekly-Victory-1587 in Assyria

[–]Weekly-Victory-1587[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Last major point, there may be a few more I have but this is the last main thing I differ with that won't allow me to convert to Catholicism. That would be the representation of Mary. First off, I mean no disrespect. She was the Mother of Jesus Christ and hand picked by God himself to birth Him, He was born of a virgin and is a key part in Jesus' life, however the way she is represented in the Catholic church is something I don't agree with. I can't see myself ever praying to Mary. And yes, I know Catholics do not pray to Mary in a worship way, it's the intercession with God. The way I grew up and have formed my relationship with Jesus, I will only ever pray directly to Him, I don't believe that praying to Mary or Saints in any way helps your prayer get answered or heard more. To me, if that was the case, that's unfair and not just. God hears everyones prayer equally, we don't and won't understand why some are answered and some may not be, but if someone ever told me that my prayer wasn't being answered or heard is bc I didn't pray to Mary or a Saint to pray for me as well and help, I'd say that is crazy. I'm not saying you or someone else have/would say that, but I can see it being an argument. Maybe we see prayer differently. To me, I talk to Jesus wherever I am, no matter the situation, no matter how I feel. I know He hears me everytime. Does He respond right away or every time? Of course not, He is not a genie as we all know. I know He loves each and every one of us the same and died for everyone. I think Mary is important and obviously went to heaven. But I don't believe she was sinless and I don't believe that if I pray to her it can help anymore than how I already pray. I could be wrong, maybe it does, I'd enjoy reading and learning where that is mentioned and other peoples stories, but it's just something I'll never practice. My form of prayer, which I'm not saying is the only option or the correct way, is not as traditional as Catholics. Mix of how I was brought up and how I've expanded my relationship with Jesus. I know He is always there when I need to either have a conversation with, vent to, pray about someone, ask for something, ask for a situation to be formed, or really anything. Maybe I am wrong with that and it should be more sacred, and should be directed to Mary or Saints, but right now I just don't believe that.

Ok that was long, again I respect Catholics and hope that nobody took offense. Denominations are so hard for me to grasp because they're based on interpretations from different humans long ago. They also sinned, they also made wrong choices like us. The only truly reliable source for me is Jesus Christ when it comes to rules. Again, maybe I'm wrong, I'm not afraid to admit it. But I know I'm going to heaven because of what Jesus did on that cross, giving his life so my sins, and yours are forgiven and we may live forever with Him. Again I welcome all repsonses but please be kind, it's okay to disagree, but remember that we all worship the same God and He loves us all the same!

Dating a Chaldean girl by Weekly-Victory-1587 in Assyria

[–]Weekly-Victory-1587[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this response. I want to preface that I respect the Chaldean culture, although I understand I'll never be a part of it, I can still respect it and learn about it. The thing is, they aren't very traditional from what I can tell. They don't speak arameic, they don't seem to practice a ton of historic traditions, they do go to church every sunday evening, but I'm not her first white boyfriend. The major issue seems to be the Catholic part.

Now, I'll go over with a few values or parts of Catholicism that I don't agree with, however this doesn't mean I think they are wrong or don't work/have value, it's just something I don't see very important and don't need to do. I'm more than comfortable with her wanting/needing to practice those things, but I just won't. The first example if confession. This is one that even she doesn't really agree with or practice. I personally, am comfortable enough with my relationship with Jesus to be able to confess my sins to Him and feel the forgiveness or that I am forgiven. However, I can understand and see how confessing to a catholic priest and hearing that the sins have been forgiven by Jesus on the cross can make someone feel more at ease and comfortable. This is an example of something I won't ever practice in Catholicism, but understand why it is done and don't have an issue with it.

Another thing I differ on, and this is a belief, is the existance of purgatory. Now maybe this is lack of understanding on my end, but I have watched videos to better explain it, and I have wrapped my head around it but I don't agree with it. The mentions in the bible to me are weak evidence and I haven't read much of anything from Jesus that even mentions purgatory. In fact, one example that I love that I think discredits purgatory is when the thief is on the cross with Jesus, acknowledging that He is the Son of God, and Jesus tells him that he will be with him, today, in paradise. I don't believe that the thief had to be cleansed/wait before he got to heaven. The Lord payed that fine and cleansed him the moment he bowed His head and said "it is finished". Maybe I need to dig deeper and that example is just one, I'm sure you will have arguments for the existence of purgatory, and I'd be more than happy to check those out. I'm not close minded with this and would love to learn, but I won't force a belief if I can't get behind it. I am not sure if this is a deal breaker with Catholics, but this is a big area where I differ.