Even if we didnt harm anybody or anything. Even if we comitted a stupid crime when we were teenagers, how come some of us cannot forgive ourselves and move on? I cannot forgive myself for stealing something, i tried to make it up by giving the same exact amount of money that the item was worth to charities but i still do not feel peacful with myself.
2007-03-28 14:54:36 · 19 answers · asked by Krispy 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
to the person that said we beat kids with sticks, thats in areas where that is legal. here in the states hitting kids with sticks at school is against the law. even though people still do it. sadly.
2007-03-28 15:03:19 · update #1
+ yes i go to confession on a regular basis, in fact im going tomorrow.
2007-03-28 15:04:40 · update #2
b/c the priests taught you from an early age to feel guilty for anything you do by having to confess to them on a regular basis. God will forgive you - you don't have to go through a priest.
2007-03-28 14:58:46 · answer #1 · answered by Sharp Marble 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it's just a Catholic thing. Your conscience bothers you because you are really a good person inside. If you weren't, you would have forgotten this long ago! (And might still be doing it, as well.)
I think that giving an equal amount to charities does not really help you feel better because they are not the place from which you stole the item. Is there any way you can return this item (or something of equal or even greater value) to the person or place from which you stole it? Then you'd have repaid the debt as it truly stands, and you'd be able to stop beating yourself up over it. Good luck to you!
2007-04-05 12:00:42 · answer #2 · answered by pattyz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Catholicism is not a divine religion as many people believe it to me. It was created long after the Crucifixion and followed a system set up by monks. You, are having a problem with self forgiveness because you have never truly turned you sin over to God. Once you establish a relationship with god without a middle man (the Priest) you will find that by inviting Jesus into your life and repenting your sins to God you will receive salvation by the Grace of God. then and only then will you feel the inner peace.
2007-04-05 12:42:50 · answer #3 · answered by CheryllDianne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have two questions there. Let me answer the question about yourself first.
If you are a Catholic I would suggest you talk to a priest about that thing that is bothering you. Confession is not done the same way as before. It is now called the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He will help you reconcile yourself with God. After that, you will be at peace with yourself, I guarantee. It is not the priest who is forgiving you but God. A Catholic priest has that authority to "bind or unbind sins" in behalf of God. Don't worry about the details of making a confession. Just tell the priest that it has been a long time and he will help you.
About your other question, Catholics believe that a Christian is not saved by grace alone. Initially yes, but works perfect and complete our salvation. If all it takes to be saved is "to confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead" (Romans 10,9) then why must I change? Oh sure, I should change my sinful ways. I should try to please God. But if I don't does it really matter? My salvation is assured?
Salvation is a process of perseverance through faith, hope and love. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that one is justified or saved by "faith alone." On the contrary, man is not justified by faith alone. A person is justified by faith and works acting together, which comes solely from God's divine grace. Faith alone never obtains the grace of justification. Also, the word "justified" is the same word Paul uses for justification in Romans 4,3 in regard to Abraham (so Protestants cannot argue James is not referring to "justification" in James 2,24 unless they argue Paul wasn't either in Romans 4,3).
(See also: Luke 24,47; Acts 2,38, 3,19, 17,30; John 3,36; 2 Corinthians 10,15; 13,15; Galatians 5,6)
Peace and every blessing!
2007-03-28 15:15:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Quit dumping manure on yourself. The evil one will try to undermine you and be an accuser. If you've gone to confession and did not believe that you got absolution, you have again sinned. Do not do this again. You have made restitution. You have done your penance. Do you not believe now, that Christ has forgotten it? It has been erased from your record. If the devil brings it up again...and he'll bring it up to the end of your life, visualize yourself at the foot of the cross with St John and Our Blessed Mother.
Believe.
We cannot undo the bad things that we have done. Everyone is guilty. We can, however, do good things. Weed your garden so that good things can grow in it, but first, plant good things. In other words, do good deeds to choke out the bad. If your conscience bothers you about a past deed, say an Our Father and Hail Mary and Glory Be. Jesus likes being the gardener of our souls, so ask Him constantly for help.
2007-03-28 15:05:55 · answer #5 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Causing someone to feel guilty about something they have done or thought is a way to control them . The church is big business, a money making business dependent on siners . The more they make you feel guilty , the more fear they instill in you , the more you feel the need to confess and ask for forgiveness . The more time and money you will end up putting into the church .
2007-04-05 12:35:47 · answer #6 · answered by darsow@sbcglobal.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what is it that you feel guilty about? The stealing when young? Sometimes doing something similiar to make up for it won't work- you have to make up for it directly. An absurd suggestion is to return to that exact shop and exact shop onwer, confess, apologise and ask the owner for forgiveness(return him the money too). You may feel alot better for doing that, although it sounds ridiculous. Donating to charities it a good thing by the way :)
2007-03-28 15:03:58 · answer #7 · answered by Kuji K 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because we know that committing a sin is a serious offense to God. Have you been to confession? You really need to purge these sins and then repent and part of repentance is forgiving ourselves. This is the hardest thing to do to forgive ourselves. But it must be done or we can not move on. Pray and forgive yourself and then move on. Go and do a deed for someone.
2007-03-28 15:03:13 · answer #8 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In order for this to be a fact, catholics everywhere would have to change so many of their ways and beliefs, to the point of finally knowing the real difference between what is wrong and right...
Come on...
Don't you watch or read the news???
As for your own feelings, they have nothing to do with the catholics...
you may not be aware of it yet but the true God knows the hearts and reads them better than we ourseves do... I suspect he is trying to draw you to Him and this would be why we are both here today... He knows He can use me like a carpenter uses a hammer as I have put myself at His total disposal for years now. And don't get me wrong on this, I'm not perfect. I can't even leave this place alone to go for breakfast. I'm not too sure who's will that is but in case it's His, I can't let Him down, as men can't live on bread alone can they???
2007-03-28 15:01:12 · answer #9 · answered by Teri 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
did you personally ask God for forgivness not the preist at confession but one on one prayer with God in order to repent you must forgive yourself . I shoplifted a twenyfive cent peice of candy at a store when i was 15 i have repented and preayed about it and im over it im now 24 years old . you need to come to terms with this issue it was long ago you were dumb and you learned your lesson period
2007-04-05 10:05:53 · answer #10 · answered by Beth G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋