I write today regarding the religious prejudice that is unfortunately trending right now. We live in an era where doomscrolling exists, and I know a lot of us Christians are guilty of watching these flood of influencers preaching the Gospel of Jesus. However, I’m here to call out the negatives of this new religious culture. It is full of pride, hatred, and all things that Satan loves.
Influencer or not, reacting to other people’s reels or TikToks of their own opinions is not okay. Whether the video is talking about their own religion, or different societal opinions such us abortion or war, or even those who talk smack about Catholicism, it does not matter the topic. Freedom of speech is effective in majority of countries. However, as Christians, we are taught to speak life (Ephesians 4:29).
Two words. Shame and conviction.
Shame is the feeling of guilt that may lead to trauma. It can place you in a cycle of self pity, and struggle to trust good.
Conviction is a strong belief. It is certainty in oneself that allows them to forgive themselves (through God) for their mistakes, repent, and continuously seek good.
I understand other people’s different beliefs and values can sometimes make our blood boil. Though, before you decide to respond to someone, a heart check is needed. Ask yourself. What is your true intention? Are you currently in a place of pride, or do you genuinely want them to seek God? What would God like you to do? Are your words only going to shame them, or will you allow the Holy Spirit to work in the situation and allow the person to instead be convicted so that they may get closer to goodness, and eventually place their faith in God?
See, people won’t get closer to Him if we choose shame every single time a person hurts us. That’s the thing about being Christian. We must love our Lord so much so that we put full trust on Him to change their deceived hearts (Psalm 37:5).
Look at the lives of our saints. Saint Monica prayed for her son, Saint Augustine of Hippo, for nearly two decades to convert him to Catholicism. The patience that his mother had, we should aspire to imitate with our fellow brothers and sisters. Saint Paul murdered Christians. Saint Mary of Egypt was a prostitute. Saint Vladimir the Great was a rapist and too, a murderer. Yet, they are all united in Jesus Christ because of their faith and repentance. How incredibly great is God’s grace and mercy for these people to now join Him in Heaven. These were humans who shed the blood of His children, blasphemed, and committed adultery.
The best advice I can give is to pray Luke 23:34 over our fellow brothers and sisters. The verse writes “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.” Do you know how insane that is? To be midst in prayer while the Roman soldiers stripped Him of His clothes. Fully exposed and vulnerable, yet still incredibly loving.
Our God is everyone’s God, whether they know it or not, and whether they accept it or not. It isn’t up to us to make them listen, but it is up to us to pray for them and show them love. Even when in our human eyes, their actions or beliefs seem wrong. Luke 6:35–36 states “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Another verse we can learn from is Galatians 6:1. It tells us to restore our fellow brothers and sisters in the spirit of gentleness. Not only does this teach us to be humble and loving, but also warns us that we too will be affected if we do not speak from gentle hearts.
“Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum,” translated as “With love for mankind and hatred of sins,” is a quote from Saint Augustine’s Letter 211. It permits us to hate sin, not people. For it is not the devil that forms our identity, but God alone.
We should consider ourselves blessed. We have food to eat, a roof over our heads, money to spend, and a faith that offers us salvation through grace, and the posture of our hearts. Since, we are privileged, let’s not hate on our brothers and sisters. They too are lambs who may be lost, and God is still working through them. We were once the one God left the 99 for. Yet, now that we are part of that 99, we still choose evil — through shaming, bullying, and gossiping. Why? We are no better than a murderer. No better than the Pharisees. Let’s live the good life as God wills us to. For we were once like them before we were saved by Christ Jesus. Remember that.
Let’s live up to the word “Catholic”, meaning universal. Choose unity.
Even the Catechism teaches that salvation is not limited in the way we sometimes think. At the end of the day, it is God who knows every heart, and it is He who will judge us. That is not our role, it is His.
May we be united, Venice Renee
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
