Help me out here brothers. Let's be honest, a single man in this world, especially in this culture is looked at strangly and judged rashly quite often I imagine...At least in my case it has been...

Have any of you straight (I'm assuming that's all of you) single men experienced the same persecution, especially while trying to pursue the religious life or priesthood while living a chaste, single life (Oh well, I guess it comes with the territory-one of those small persecutions Our Lord permits. Blessed be God.)

Rejoice for Jesus says the kingdom of Heaven is yours!

Most of my friends are at that age were they are all married and having kids, and my family are beginning to wonder why I haven't started yet. I probably would be, but for some reasons I won't go into I'm not. I wouldn't say i'm persecuted because of it, but yes I know what you mean, certain friends and family members give me the impression that they find it a bit strange that I'm not going out with someone or am married yet.

You might well be on the wrong end of misunderstanding and careless rude remarks, but let's reserve the word "persecution" for serious offenses. You aren't being persecuted unless someone deliberately sets out to make your life miserable because you're single.

There were people who said things to me that I found hurtful, but I don't think any of them was deliberately malicious.

I agree with Father. And it's not unique to straight single men. Try going out in public with your 5 kids. It's not persecution, though it can feel like a burden. (I don't mean the kids...I mean the looks and the comments. In fact, even the positive attention, which we do get sometimes, usually from sweet older ladies, can be a bit of a burden.) We've all got stuff to deal with.

I'm fat and trust me, I get remarks every time I eat ANYTHING in public (not always to my face, but I've heard people go 'Look at that, isn't it disgusting for her to eat that! Even if it was a dry bread roll !) I was also single until I was 28...and did get remarks like when I was finally going to get hitched, whether I had ever had a boyfriend and such...but it never bothered me. So, yeah...persecution, bad choice of words...but I know what you mean!

I think after three is when the "line" is crossed where people think it's OK to start giving looks. Unless you're downtown where no one has more than two and heterosexuals are often outnumbered. But I agree with Father. Looks and comments are one thing. Having words with someone is another. And actually being persecuted is still another.

Having met my children I would rather bear the cross of the looks and comments than the cross of never having known and loved them.

Would it be ok if we all just put these people in headlocks and moderately bodyslam them?

Maybe there's something on this in the Summa?

St. Thomas clearly comes down on the side of the moderate bodyslam.

Good comeback.