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Tuesday, June 19, 2007

This is an article I posted today over on my main blog in response to HMB University. I respost it her just for continuity. My comment notifying Candy of the article is above.



I had a thorough posting on Home Management Binders a few months ago here.
There are several good ones available on line and in book stores. It really doesn't take a lot of time or energy and it can be as individualized as each mom is! My advice is make it useful, and have fun with it.


As an aside:

I would not however recommend Candy's home management binder, for reasons I go into in that link.

On my Visits to Candyland Blog I had ladies who criticized my opposition to that blog and probably my boycott of her e-binder.
They said they supported her because she supported sanctity in the home. They did not support me because I was just "creating fights where there is none."
Or that if I truly felt she was wrong, "the only Christian thing that you can do is pray for her."

I submit that if someone is spreading lies and untruths about your faith, there is a fight there, whether you participate in it or not. I also believe that there is nothing wrong with Christians taking a little more assertive action aside from prayer in the face of persecution and bigotry. In fact in the Catholic tradition, I think we're called to do so.

9 comments:

blessed with sons said...

Linking her HMB information to the most obnoxious blogger site is not charitable at all. It is obvious that you two will never agree. It is unhealthy to be so concerned with another's thoughts and opinions. I am disappointed in you and can remember a time when a very liberal blogger set up a blog to make fun of you. It was disgusting to me and I remember feeling bad for you. Now, you go and do the same thing to another person who does not agree with your views.

Stop reading her blog, go and enjoy your family. Hug and savor your time with that precious baby that will grow up before you know it. it is not worth it to live your life so worked up over other's views. She is entitled to them as you are to yours.

Elena LaVictoire said...

The purpose of this site BWS is to document my comments so that they are not misrepresented.

I wonder if I were a black woman concerned about deliberate racial slurs and attacks on my race if you would likewise tell me to "not be so worked up." If I were disabled and a blog made fun of the handicapped would you likewise tell me to forget it?

What about if I were Jewish and a sweet blog with flowers and sweet little household hints made anti-semeitic slurs on a regular basis and encouraged a book read-along that directly attacked Jewish people? Would you as readily let that go?

Why is it in this culture we are so ready condemn attacks on people of other races, life styles, political persuasions and body types - except for Catholics?

I do hug that baby girl. I hope that when she grows up she won't have to read crap like "Roman Catholicism vs. God" or the "Cult of Mary." I hope that eventually, with mass media and the internet, all of the misinformation about what the Catholic church really teaches will eliminate such lies.

Until then, I'm willing to put myself out there a bit to help set the record straight.

And frankly it is quite obnoxious to have your religious beliefs ridiculed over and over again and be prevented from explaining or correcting them.

blessed with sons said...

To answer your what if questions; please let it go. Candy obviously believes that her way is the right way and that is her opinion. You believe that your way is the right way and that is your opinion. You will never solve the Catholic/ Protestant differences. The two groups will NEVER agree on everything. That liberal blogger that I refered to in my first comment truly believed her way was the right way. All of the scenarios that you listed can be viewed the same way.

I feel that you believe that anyone that does not belong to the Catholic church is anti-catholic. That is puzzling. I have read many disagreements that you have had over the internet. I agreed with you at times and often wondered how you find the time to wage these wars. I personally do not think it is making that big of a difference in the big picture. I remember some of those lost liberals stating that they have been turned off completely to religion as a result of what they had read. It was heart wrenching to read. Jesus has asked us to go and make disciples and tell the Good News. Picking people apart is not what he has asked of us as his children even if we feel we are just standing up for what we think is right.

How is picking apart Candy's grocery list documenting your comments? She has multiple sources that she links to on her website. Some of that is useful information. If she chooses to formula feed that is her choice. She has since stated that she had problems with her milk supply and then you listed links to ways to help with that. I am sure that would have been useful information for her while she was going through that time. Posting that information when you knew she was ff seemed like you were trying to make her seem foolish. I am sorry that you took offense to her thinking bf an older baby is yucky. As a breastfeeding Mom that nursed her children well over a year, I am quite aware of that opinion. We will never change some people's minds on that and the only thing we can do is encourage other new moms and get information out there where it is needed on the benefits of breastfeeding.

Please take some time to think about this. Pray about this.
All of those women who read her blog are reading this and when they happen upon this site they must see the same thing I am. You are partly trying to tell your side of the story and partly trying to make Candy appear as foolish as possible. Encouraging people to not buy her binder makes you seem like you are just trying to hurt her because she hurt you with her words. How about not talking about it at all? Again, linking her to the most obnoxious blogger site is another example of just tring to discredit her and make her seem foolish. When unsuspecting people read all three blogs, what conclusions do you think they arrive at?

I am in no way trying to be mean here. I read your blog often and enjoy most of it. I am a Protestant and obviously do not hold all of your beliefs. We are sisters in Christ and serving HIM. It should not matter that you are Catholic and I am a Protestant.

Go and enjoy your family, take a fast from her blog and when it comes to your mind, pray for her and pray for yourself. That is when God really goes to work. Stop reading that book that she is going through. Those are her interests and you WILL NOT change her mind. This is only affecting you. My Mom used to tell me that when I stayed angry at someone I was only hurting myself. She is a pretty smart lady.

Blessings,
bws

Elena LaVictoire said...

I feel that you believe that anyone that does not belong to the Catholic church is anti-catholic. That is puzzling.

That is puzzling. Especially since it seems that you have read my blog for at least two years! I have many friends that are not Catholic. My best friend and third son's godmother is a nonCatholic. My favorite niece- nonCatholic. Many of the people who come and post on my blog are nonCatholic. If you dig a little further back you might remember my championing the Mormon bloggers when I felt they were being treated unfairly.

While I certainly welcome a challenging theological debate and discussion I really don't think blatant bigotry and slurs belong. Serious apologists get along fine without those.


I personally do not think it is making that big of a difference in the big picture.

Maybe, maybe not. But I think we have a reponsibility to act on a micro levels for the things we can do. I will also say that I have seen changes in heart over times from these "wars." And in some cases friendships forged. They do, in my experience, sometimes make a difference.


I remember some of those lost liberals stating that they have been turned off completely to religion as a result of what they had read.

It's a debate tactic. There are several. That's a common one.

You are also remembering that debate incorrectly. Those were Christian women who were supporting the write to premature induction for infants with abnormalities. They were supporting a Catholic lady who had one. They weren't liberals. They are also as far as I can tell in cyberland, still Christians.


It was heart wrenching to read. Jesus has asked us to go and make disciples and tell the Good News. Picking people apart is not what he has asked of us as his children even if we feel we are just standing up for what we think is right.

Go to My Domestic Church. Look on myleft sidebar and download Dave Armstrong's free e-book. IN the introduction he gives a very good discussion of the history and tradition even in scripture of Christian debate.

How is picking apart Candy's grocery list documenting your comments?

It's not. But that's how it started. I asked a simple question. She put up a huge rant acusing me of many untrue things (which she later took down). I decided then that I should probably document what I write.


She has multiple sources that she links to on her website. Some of that is useful information.

I absolutely agree. That's how I first found her blog. That doesn't excuse the hateful links that are also linked there.

If she chooses to formula feed that is her choice. She has since stated that she had problems with her milk supply and then you listed links to ways to help with that. I am sure that would have been useful information for her while she was going through that time. Posting that information when you knew she was ff seemed like you were trying to make her seem foolish.

I don't particularly care if she uses formula or not. I simply asked about the discrepancy with all of the nutritional and homemade whole foods information. That's it.

Also it appears that a lot of young women read her blog. Some willthink "If Candy can't do it, then maybe neither can I." And it's not necessarily true. I would ask a La LEche Leage leader or a lactation consultant.


I am sorry that you took offense to her thinking bf an older baby is yucky.

She said she found it repulsive.

As a breastfeeding Mom that nursed her children well over a year, I am quite aware of that opinion. We will never change some people's minds on that and the only thing we can do is encourage other new moms and get information out there where it is needed on the benefits of breastfeeding.

... thus my post on breastfeeding.

Please take some time to think about this. Pray about this.
All of those women who read her blog are reading this and when they happen upon this site they must see the same thing I am.


I can't control how people see things. I do try to remain calm, gracious and logical in everything that I write. I believe I have continued to do that.

You are partly trying to tell your side of the story and partly trying to make Candy appear as foolish as possible.

If points and arguments are logical and true then they are not foolish. The things speak for themselves.



Encouraging people to not buy her binder makes you seem like you are just trying to hurt her because she hurt you with her words.

yea, it's called a boycott. A perfectly legitimate form of protest.

Again, linking her to the most obnoxious blogger site is another example of just tring to discredit her and make her seem foolish. When unsuspecting people read all three blogs, what conclusions do you think they arrive at?

It's hard to say. As Candy doesn't post all comments and as she takes down ranting posts, unsuspecting people do not get the full picture. This blog is attempt to correct that.

I am in no way trying to be mean here. I read your blog often and enjoy most of it. I am a Protestant and obviously do not hold all of your beliefs. We are sisters in Christ and serving HIM. It should not matter that you are Catholic and I am a Protestant.

I totally agree. Oh that other Protestant sisters in Christ would chastise their sister Candy forher poor behavior in tis matter.

Stop reading that book that she is going through. Those are her interests and you WILL NOT change her mind.

I have made a committment to my readers to followthe series through. So I will.

Whether it changes her mind or not isn't the entire goal. The goal is to correct misinformation and provide that information in search engines. After all, that is probably how most "unsuspecting people" will find any of these blogs anyway.


This is only affecting you. My Mom used to tell me that when I stayed angry at someone I was only hurting myself. She is a pretty smart lady.

But you see, I'm not angry. In fact I am quite calm. I'm looking at this as more of a fact finder/archeology/apologist. My purpose is set the record straigh and provide correct information if I can. That's it.

Thanks for commenting.

Deb said...

Hi Elena,

I just wanted you to know, as a Protestant observer of Candy's blog and now yours, you have my support.

I am not personally involved with Candy, in that I haven't attempted to comment on her blog, and at this time I don't intend to do so. I have recently come through "discussions" with another group of like-minded people that took a lot of my energy and time, and I'm not ready to dive back into that yet. ;-) I have four little children to take care of at the moment. Having said that, I admire your willingness to follow this through, and do what you can.

I understand your heart in this matter, as I have been through it. People will continue to misunderstand your motives and jump to wrong conclusions about you. Others will continue to tell you to "go and enjoy your family" and stop getting so "worked up" about the injustices and dangerous ideals pronounced by Candy. Hopefully you will be able to maintain a clear focus and do what you need to do. As one wise lady said to me when I was in the thick of it, you never know what seeds you are planting, but if the Lord has laid it on your heart to pursue this, you can be sure there will be fruit.

My email is naughtydebbers @ hotmail . com . You can email me anytime if you need a little support. :-) God bless you!

--Deb

Anonymous said...

Elena said: I also believe that there is nothing wrong with Christians taking a little more assertive action aside from prayer in the face of persecution and bigotry. In fact in the Catholic tradition, I think we're called to do so.

I say:
I can not agree with you more Elena. If someone were bashing my belief system I would surely defend myself.

Its like when parents of institutionalized kids start attacking me for homeschooling my children. Would I meekly sit by & let them talk down to me? NO. Not at all. I would speak up & I do. This is why I am so vocal about home education & spiritual issues. Just to name a few. When it comes to home education parents of institutionalized kids have no clue what they are talking about! They don't want to even listen to your point of view but you must listen to theirs cuz they're right & you're wrong! UGH!!

Anonymous said...

I understand & support Elena & the rest of the Catholic mums who have been bashed for their RC faith.

I enjoyed Candys blog a lot until she started bashing Catholics. That's how I found Elenas blog. MDC is fabulous! I enjoy this blog as well. The Catholic bashing really bothered me. You know why? Cuz my roots are RC. I have had other people related to me through marriage (not hubby)complain about the RCC as well. That bothered me too!

What makes Candy an authority on the Bible? On Christianity? Cuz she picks up a book & reads it, likes it, & then tells everyone on her blog it is a reliable source of information? Please! She has a lot of falsehoods on the RCC & other religions listed in her posts. Talk about the blind leading the blind.

I don't really care one way or another about what any of the Candy followers think of me. I pride myself in being open minded not close minded. I think many could take some cues from that. I have friends that are Earth Based, Catholic, Christian, & Spiritual. Do I toss them on their * to the curb because of it? No. I don't say they are bad people cuz we differ in beliefs. I know that even though we are of different beliefs that they are still worthy of my respect & friendship. I don't try to recruit them every chance I get. I don't tell them that they are going to burn in hell cuz they aren't saved or how they aren't praying to the one true God...blah blah blah Do you know why? Cuz I myself am eclectic. Spiritual. I am open to learning about more Christianity & staying in touch with my RC beliefs. People can call me what they want. They can't hurt me.

What Candy & her followers do is turn people off of Christianity.

Tanya said...

I'm getting fed up with the anti-Catholicism on that blog too. I first ran into it a couple months ago and "let it go" - but she keeps bringing it back. It seems lately she is bringing up something anti-Catholic a couple of times a week, almost as bait? It's unfortunate that she has to taint her website with this crap. I liked her website when I found it. One of my favorite subjects is time management and organization. In fact, I even purchased her HMB several months ago, before I ran across all her anti-Catholic diatribe.

Here's the real problem: she presents Catholic teaching in a false light. It's NOT a matter of disagreement. If it were that, I would be fine with it. But the things she is teaching on her blog about the Church are simply NOT TRUE. In fact, as a Catholic who understands and knows my faith, I have to chuckle at some of the gross misunderstandings she has about Catholicism. She's not even close! Lies, falsehoods, and rumors MUST be corrected. It concerns me that people read her blog and believe what she says about the Catholic Church.

I am led to believe that she A) has no real understanding of the Catholic Church, or B) purposely lies about Catholicism. It's either one or the other. And when a knowledgeable Catholic like Elena comes along and tries to correct her misunderstandings and misinterpretations, and she refuses to publish their comments or engage in a real discussion, well I just don't get it.

Elena you are doing a good thing here - you are defending Christ's Church, and I'm glad you are taking the time to do so.

God bless!

Anonymous said...

Blondie,
Well said & again I agree! :)