Confessional
May 11th, 2016 at 3:44:03 PM permalink | |
Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 239 Posts: 6095 |
Thanks. May I ask what you would advise if a 10-year-old kid confessed he toilet papered another kid's house a week ago? Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |
May 11th, 2016 at 4:05:23 PM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 |
In this case I would encourage him strongly to admit what he did and learn his lesson by taking the punishment and cleaning the yard. However, I could not make that the penance. Perhaps fasting for a day from video games and a few Our Fathers would be the penance. “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |
May 11th, 2016 at 4:40:04 PM permalink | |
Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 239 Posts: 6095 |
Thanks. So you can suggest that he reveal the sin, but you wouldn't order it. May I ask why you didn't like the idea of revealing the sin in the case of the stolen candy bar? Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |
May 11th, 2016 at 10:08:19 PM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 |
An adult stealing a candy bar? Revealing it would tend to trivialize the sin. Stealing is serious and taking it serious in this case I think should involve more than just admitting to stealing a little candy bar. It is the behavior and mindset that God is desiring to change. Oh by the way I need to say that it is the penitent's canonical right to refuse a penance that is given if it is deemed to be too harsh or difficult. “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |
May 11th, 2016 at 11:43:28 PM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25011 |
Stealing may be wrong, but it's hardly a 'sin', an offense against a god. You can't even show evidence of a gods existence, let alone that he's offended by anything we do. The whole thought of it is offensive to me. That we're so self important, so narcissistic, that we have to invent a god so we can be the apple of his eye. It's appalling. It's a doting mother that follows us around all of our adult lives, correcting our mistakes and punishing us when we misbehave. Narcissism personified. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
May 12th, 2016 at 7:58:52 AM permalink | |
FrGamble Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 67 Posts: 7596 |
I am puzzled by a lot of what you say. When you continue to claim there is no evidence for God and then ignore all the examples of evidence given such as personal testimony, history, science, logic, and reason. However I am most confused by your continued insistence that religion is somehow narcissistic?!? I believe is a higher power, a God who created the whole universe and created me. He is supreme and I am His creation. I owe everything, including life itself to Him. God loves us unconditionally but I am under no pretense that I deserve that free gift of His grace and mercy. What seems narcissistic to me is making ourselves into God. To imagine that there is nothing higher power than my own will and desires. That I could make up whatever meaning or purpose to life I choose or choose that there is no meaning or purpose. That I can be selfish and that nothing I do wrong has any real consequences. Talk about appalling and offensive. Give me a break and check your ego son! “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures.” ( |
May 12th, 2016 at 8:01:14 AM permalink | |
Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 239 Posts: 6095 |
Doesn't a belief in reincarnation imply there is some kind of higher power behind it? Couldn't one argue it is narcissistic to believe that we're so self-important that our soul can't die but travels to another body after physical death? Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |
May 12th, 2016 at 8:16:04 AM permalink | |
DRich Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 51 Posts: 4966 |
I would have never drawn that conclusion. At my age a Life In Prison sentence is not much of a detrrent. |
May 12th, 2016 at 10:59:04 AM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25011 |
You'll have to explain that to me, I don't see it. No narcissism in reincarnation, it happens no matter what you believe, if you like it or don't, know about it or not. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
May 12th, 2016 at 11:06:59 AM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25011 |
Ever spend much time around Christians? They really think god is sitting in heaven worrying about them 24/7. They thank him and bless him constantly, pray to him and ask him to do things for them all day long. They believe that to god, they are the most important thing in the universe. That doesn't sound just a tad bit narcissistic to you? They even invented sin, the concept that you're so important in gods eyes that your thoughts and actions can actually offend him. You don't think that about anybody else, you don't think you're powerful enough to offend your barber or the traffic cop. But to what you believe is the creator of the universe, you think you can offend him all day long. You have that much power. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |