[mgist]

Your experiences are why you love charismatics. The same applies for devoted Catholics. My mother is a Catholic and my father was a Protestant. Knowing those two families well, I appreciate what a devoted family I have on my mother's side. My father's side of the family was devoured by "the tides" of the 60's, and literally destroyed.

My mother is a spiritual rock, she has been a great example. Surprisingly enough I am the one who gets mad at her for not teaching me things that she had growing up, like the rosary. I am now more devout than she is. Still she credits her Catholic upbringing for protecting her from the social ills that really hurt an entire generation. My personal experiences make me appreciate the many great traditions of our Catholic faith. I'm sure there are many exceptions. There are exceptions for everybody. I believe what I believe, not because of the "magesterium", we all learn from our experiences.

[Quix]

Much wise insightfulness and perceptiveness in your post.

Thanks.