Mom says the Bible was written by men. I was taught in school that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. How can I prove to her that the Bible came from God, not from mere mortals?

You are both correct. God spoke to certain men and women throughout Judeo-Christian history. He asked them to write their vocation, their experience, and what transpired.

Do not fall into the circular argument regarding 2nd Timothy 3:16 and 2nd Peter 1:21 - "It must be the Word of God because it says so".

First, we know that the events of the Bible actually occurred, so it's much more than a collection of fictional stories. The people, places and events are real. numerous archeological findings have proven this. Secondly, we can look at the contents of the Bible itself. It is a collection of books written by 40+ individuals, over 1,500 years and 3 continents & 3 languages. With that kind of authorship, how is it still possible that the message is still clear: the redemption of Man through the sacrifices of God?

But what you are really looking for is not the historical accuracy, but the spiritual authenticity. Is the Bible really the Word of God? How can we be sure this is not the anthology of men and women who've had the same patriarchal visions, dreams, hallucinations, &c?

We can be assured that the Bible is a divinely inspired text due to the hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. The Lord spoke through Ezekiel to prophecy that the ruins of Tyre would fall into the sea, and they did 200+ years later with Alexander the Great; or Psalm 22 prophesying the crucifixion of Christ. These are just two examples, centuries apart.

Hope that helps!

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Litany of the Saints

h/t: phatcatholic

Ephesians 4:26 says to "be angry and sin not." I don't understand. Could you give an example of being angry and sinning, then could you contrast that example with an example of being angry without sinning?

The full verse of Eph. 4:26: In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,"

Anger is an emotion, and our emotions are good and healthy to experience. What makes the difference is what we do with that emotion. If someone cuts you off on the freeway, do you flip them off? If someone pushes you around unnecessarily at the club, do you punch them? Someone insults you, do you gossip, back talk, talk bad, slander them?

Do something about it; make amends, or move on. Don't dwell on it and fume. Also, do not take on the full responsibility of their actions (don't you be the one to constantly apologize or go to Confession for it). Was the cause of the anger, something significant? Does a compromise need to be reached? Does someone need to be taken down a notch? Would some time away be wise?

An example in my own life: I cut off one friend and deleted all his contact information because I told him I wasn't going to stand for one more abusive 2am drunken phone call. I would be there if he needed help, but if all he wanted to do was to cuss me out, I wasn't going to stick around for that. And I haven't. Another person told me that I should not speak until I was spoken to; to not offer an opinion or thought unless it was specifically asked of me. Words were exchanged and I decided that I wasn't going to speak to this person until they spoke to me. I haven't spoken to him since: I deleted his email phone number etc - why bother? Its not the 1800s and the original instigation of this 'rule' was something that I was perfectly justified in saying (I've gone to Confession time and again for it, I've spoken to so many priests about it) why should I have to keep apologizing for it? I don't! I've let it go. Anyone who makes demands on me to keep quiet, without proper reason, when they themselves cannot follow propriety themselves is not a person I'll be acquainted with.

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Hallowe'en

I watched The Phantom of the Opera with a girlfriend during the week.  I mentioned that it "must be the tragic in me that wants her to be with the Phantom."

So on this day reinvented by WASPs ;) to eradicate the bothersome Catholics & their blasted purgatory: I'm sharing a link.  I'm not weirded out by any of this.  Okay, so maybe St Rita would give me a run for my money.

I should pray the Rosary to improve my relationship with Jesus. However, I find myself praying the Rosary mostly in times of extreme stress because the Rosary has a wonderful calming effect. Is there benefit even though it was for the wrong reasons?

Why should it be wrong for Jesus or His Mother to comfort you? Mary has many titles, one of them being "Our Lady of Mental Peace."

While Jesus & Mary would like to hear from you on a more frequent basis, I'd say do what you can. I can't say the Rosary daily, it feels too routine; you've heard it said it's a 'weapon' - I use the Rosary for intercession. I have my little prayers & my favorite saints. So long as you keep the lines of communication open. What you "should do" gets easier with time. Pray a hail mary daily or do a decade per week. No ones expecting the 15 decade.

Here's the prayer that I mentioned above - you may like it: "O Lady of Mental Peace, Mother of Tranquility & Mother of Hope, look upon me in this time of my weakness and unrest. Teach my searching heart to know that God's Love for me is unchanging and unchangeable; and, that true human love can only begin and grow by touching His Love. Let your gentle Peace - which this world cannot give - be always with me. And, help me to bring this same Peace into the lives of others. Our Lady of Mental Peace, Pray for me!"

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