[Ciexyz]

I was at a cancer support group last night held at a NON-CATHOLIC church and I was distressed at the moderator allowing one gentleman (who did NOT nave cancer but was a congregation member and medical worker come to observe) to go on and on that Faith was more important than HOPE....

...that we should DROP the concept of HOPE because FAITH is all you need. That if you rely on HOPE, you don't have enough FAITH to be healed.

I went a few rounds with him but he kept needling me and the moderator let it go on. I asked him why he was trying to destroy the HOPE of people praying to God and I reminded him that the Bible extols faith, hope AND love. He joked that the moderator should change the name of the group from HOPE support group to FAITH.

Any comments on this? This disturbed me, because when I pray, my HOPE in the Lord's promises reminds me of God's LOVE for us and increases my FAITH. This guy was questioning the way I pray and the validity of my prayers for healing made in faith AND hope with trust in God's love for us. May God's perfect will be done in my life and I trust in HIS goodness to have a perfect plan for my life.

If certain Protestants put such an inordinate emphasis on FAITH alone, then I think I've found a major doctrinal difference between the different branches of faith. It's like they want to FREEZE your mind into one narrow channel. As in, if you didn't get healed, then you weren't walking in strong enough faith and it is your own fault! If you don't go down their narrow channel of faith, then they stomp on you unmercifully.

BTW, I have my surgery on Friday and I don't need all this controversy!

[Salvation]

Prayers for a successful surgery for you.

You do know that the word “alone” was added into the Protestant Bible by the principal defector who nailed a list to the front of the Church door, don’t you.

Hope is so important in your case and many others — that’s what prayer threads are all about. When we pray, we do have Faith that God will provide for us.

You were right in telling him that Faith Hope and Charity are emphasized by Christ.

Did you speak to the moderator afterward?

[Melian]

I like your fighting spirit— and spirituality! Keep on hoping and don’t let anyone or anything put mud in your wings.

I will say a prayer for your surgery and a cancer-free future. God bless you.
A fellow cancer survivor