Trying to answer Sue's question to PMR about Charismatic groups (Y-not question the Sunday Readings)

by Sue, Sydney, Monday, June 25, 2012, 19:50 (333 days ago) @ PMR

Bud, Francis and Shar.  Thank you all for responding to my question charismatic groups and spiritual experience.  Looks like all three of you have had firsthand experience of the meaning of the word 'metanoia' .... as a particular moment that brought about a permanent reorientation of your lives.

I also appreciated being told why none of you were attracted to being with Catholic or Protestsnt Charismatc groups.  As you say, Shar, the Catholic movement did seem to move towards fundamentalism, I suppose in their eagerness for approval by Rome.  But I think the Protestant groups may have moved in that direction too, as far as I could tell from limited contact with some evangelical members.

 I have been remembering my own contact with members of such groups, and feeling there was a lot of group pressure to conform to their views and not to question their beliefs.  I was also uneasy about their readiness and certainty in believing 'messages' that Jesus/the Spirit was telling them to do this or that.  It all seemed a bit close to the New Age phenomenon of spirit guides and 'channeling' the voices of such guides.  Nevertheless, I do not doubt for one moment that the original metanoia experience was not genuine.

Many thanks for your stories, they help to make Catholica the rich place that it is.

Sue