those wretched Evangelicals again

[catmint_1984]

*groans* I know their hearts are in the right place, but I'm getting rather annoyed about all this. I get the impression that if it's not got the word "evangelical" attached to it, they don't consider it suitable.

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Subject: RE: news e-mail

Dear [Catmint]

Thank you for

Comments

[dainul]

So I'm not the only one getting stressed with life.

It really does look like you might have to write these people off as friends in the near future, if they are unwilling to accept the path you want to walk. It's your life therefore your choice, not that you need to be told that. I hope they don't cause too many problems when you do explicitly tell them.

[catmint_1984]

I just want to make it through the rest of my life in Essex before permanently leaving. I love my parents and everything, but I hate the town and most of the people in it. Think of all the worst Essex stereotypes - that's my area.

If it weren't for the Deaf church and a couple of friendships, believe me, I'd've explicitly told them and if they didn't like it, that's their problem. I'm trying to be diplomatic for the time being. Seeing out my time in peace, if you will. And Evangelicals wonder why people have very little time for them?!?!?!

[rule_number_7]

No offence but these people take this all too seriously. And the nagging would annoy the crap out of me. Someone should tell them nagging may push people away instead of keeping them close...

[catmint_1984]

I agree completely. If the nagging doesn't stop (although at least they recognise that it is nagging) I will tell them that I don't appreciate it and that they need to appreciate that I have limited energy. And hello, I've told you that I go to "chapel" and that I live with a Christian (though as Georgia's Catholic, they'd tell me that she was a heretic, yada yada yada). Aforementioned housegroup leader must have accidentally hit the "reply all" instead of "reply" buttong - Kim got the response and I sent a long ranty e-mail to her about how I felt that they were expecting me to be just like Carol and I'm *not*. I feel like they've forgotten about the whole Spoonie thing.

[gy8_sarnians]

Hmm, why don't you tell them either that you have become a Catholic, or that you are ow a worshipper in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Seems these people are FAR to focused o religion.

And anyhow, if it weren't for catholicism, most of europe would still be illiterate.

[catmint_1984]

And if it weren't for Catholicism, Britain might still be pagan - just imagine the looks on their faces if I told them THAT!!!

What particularly annoys me is that a) they seem to expect me to be just like Carol and live in a Christian bubble, and b) I'm a Spoonie and have to be careful about what I do.

And I'd have a bit more respect for them and what they had to say if they could get their facts right. For example, Catholics do not worship Mary - they respect her, and considering what she did, I think that warrants more than a little respect!!!

Maybe I should tell them I'm considering becoming a Scientologust of Jehovah's Witness!!! *plot plot*

[lyssiae]

At least they're reading and responding to your emails now. They weren't before, right? Or did I get that mixed up

[catmint_1984]

You got it right about the lack of responses before. At one point I was wondering if they were getting through, because I heard nothing, despite asking for news from home repeatedly

[lyssiae]

Well - not to sound unsupportive, but - you ask and ask for a reply from them, and then they give one, and you rubbish it? It might not be exactly what you had in mind, but in their own way they care. They've expressed it in rather snooty language but you got what you asked and wished for: people back home who are interested in not only your academic but also your spiritual life.

The phone follow-up thing comes over as a bit OTT, I'll agree with you (over the past couple of weeks here I've had to deal with a mother and aunt back in the UK who were "concerned" about me - a woman nearing 30 - to such an extent they were constantly trying to call, arrange my finances and (worst of all) treating another aunt like a 14 year old - and she's one of those even less than you are). The wording certainly seems a bit "check up on the runaway" but (remembering that you know the people involved personally and I don't) it also reads as though they really do see you as part of their church community who happens to be away for most of the year. As

[catmint_1984]

What I wanted from them, for which I asked, was some news from home. I never get any of that from them; they only reply when it's to ask about church stuff. It wouldn't put my back up so much if they asked about that *and* answered my questions for news from home, but they expect me to answer their questions but don't do the same thing. It's not that difficult to do, surely.

Could you give me the names of a few saints to ask for help? It would be appreciated - I'm not really familiar with many saints at the moment.

[lyssiae]

PS oh yes, there are two excellent town churches in Exeter - Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament! ;)

[catmint_1984]

I have been to Sacred Heart, but not made it to Blessed Sacrament (it's always been right over the other side of town for me - last year I was in Mardon Hall and this year I'm down in St. Thomas). Maybe next academic year I'll make it to Blessed Sacrament.

Somehow, though, I can't imagine they're the sort of "good" churches that certain people had in mind! ;P

[lyssiae]

You're in St. Thomas? Hehe, that's where I grew up :D

I don't know Blessed Sacrament so well (it was always "the other parish) but it's a pretty cool place. I don't know Fr. Deeny so well though.

If you feel up to it, get to know Fr. Mike at Sacred Heart better. He's a really super priest, he celebrates Mass with an intensity which is mind-blowing and like Fr. P he's super clever. At the moment he's also spending lots of time looking after his family, so I'm sure another supportive fan (hehehe ;)) would be a great help to him :D

Did you know that we also had a church in St. Thomas? On Dunsford Hill, dedicated to St. Thomas of Canterbury. Unfortunately it closed a few years ago and has since been sold off - a real shame as it was the most perfect little place. Anyway, I'm rambling now.