Great Stress about helping others

[zeldamagic]

I’m not sure if Catholicism is true or not and I’m still searching for answers. I believe God exists but I’m not religious. I’ve been wanting to help people in my school by warning people about the dangers of eating unhealthy and being exposed to a lot of radiation from cellphones and wifi, but I’m worried that if they refuse to listen, they might be committing a mortal sin and going to hell if Catholicism is true. It’s horrifying to me. What should I do?

 

[CatholicRaven]

How would it be a mortal sin for others not to listen to your warnings?

It sounds like you have some big misconceptions and/or misunderstandings about Catholicism, the teachings of the Church, hell, and sin.

Using cellphones and Wi-Fi are generally not sinful. They are tools. It’s what you do with them that may (or may not) be sinful.

Unhealthy eating is also not necessarily sinful. And just because something isn’t healthy in large amounts doesn’t make it sinful in moderation.

Perhaps you should focus on getting your own answers first, so that you can give others the right message for the right reasons.

Will pray that God leads you to the truth, and that you are open to it.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I’m not sure if Catholicism is true or not and I’m still searching for answers. I believe God exists but I’m not religious. I’ve been wanting to help people in my school by warning people about the dangers of eating unhealthy and being exposed to a lot of radiation from cellphones and wifi, but I’m worried that if they refuse to listen, they might be committing a mortal sin and going to hell if Catholicism is true. It’s horrifying to me. What should I do?

I think you are being too scrupulous here. Going around telling everyone what they are doing wrong on the basis of something that MIGHT happen is not the way to be Catholic. In fact, it is quite annoying and may have the opposite intended effect.

Also, as a scientist, I have to tell you that some of the specific elements of the examples you are citing are under question. While I try not to press a cell phone to my ear all the time, getting cancer short-term from radio waves would require a remarkable feat, because the radiation level is several magnitudes lower even than X-rays. Also, there’s a lot of conflicting studies of late about eating different foods.

Read this : newadvent.org/cathen/04394a.htm

…and then ask yourself if you really have an obligation to run around warning people that they could die from everyday activities.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Using cellphones and Wi-Fi are generally not sinful. They are tools. It’s what you do with them that may (or may not) be sinful.

Unhealthy eating is also not necessarily sinful. And just because something isn’t healthy in large amounts doesn’t make it sinful in moderation.

Will pray that God leads you to the truth, and that you are open to it.

Mother Teresa was once offered to go out to dinner with some people. She said she could only eat the same food the poor ate.

 

[Bonnie]

Be very cautious about “warning” people about “health dangers” - especially if your advice was not asked for.

I eat a particular diet for my health (I’m diabetic) and several people have “warned” me that I’m endangering my health by eating meat and fat. Believe me, I steer clear of them (the people - not the meat & fat!). Years ago I wasn’t happy to be told I should quit smoking. I knew it was bad for me, but those people aren’t the ones who got me to quit.

I know smokers, alcoholics, overweight people, etc., and I don’t tell them anything. Unless they should ask. And that is rare.

 

[zeldamagic]

I think you are being too scrupulous here. Going around telling everyone what they are doing wrong on the basis of something that MIGHT happen is not the way to be Catholic. In fact, it is quite annoying and may have the opposite intended effect.

Also, as a scientist, I have to tell you that some of the specific elements of the examples you are citing are under question. While I try not to press a cell phone to my ear all the time, getting cancer short-term from radio waves would require a remarkable feat, because the radiation level is several magnitudes lower even than X-rays. Also, there’s a lot of conflicting studies of late about eating different foods.

Read this : newadvent.org/cathen/04394a.htm

…and then ask yourself if you really have an obligation to run around warning people that they could die from everyday activities.

I have actually read of how wifi and cellphone can be dangerous to your health. Here are some links: safespaceprotection.com/electrostress-from-wireless-routers.aspx
globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-shocking-facts-health-dangers-wifi/#5
healthychild.org/cell-phones-radiation-your-childs-health/
safeinschool.org/2011/02/latest-in-scientific-world-on-health.html
I would like to not have to run around telling others about these things but I feel like I might need to because there are apparently these hidden dangers. I hope that you can take a critical look at these links since you are a scientist. What are the conflicting studies specifically about?

 

[Bonnie]

I would like to not have to run around telling others about these things but I feel like I might need to because there are apparently these hidden dangers.

Do that only if you want people to avoid you. It’s very similar to toting a sign reading: “The End is Near!”

 

[ccmcmg]

If you want others to care about what you say, you need to show you care about them, and they need to care about you.

Is the best way to do that to become like a doomsday prophet?

If someone (friend, family or stranger) came up to me while I was using wi-fi or a cell phone to tell me these things, especially in an aggressive manner, I wouldn’t be very happy with them. If they shared the info with me kindly, in a non-confrontational manner, like in an email or a general post on a FB page, I would thank them for their info, and make the decision for myself.

You can’t save everyone. You can share the information in the best way it can be received without being in someone’s face and judgemental.

Catholicism is true. God is true. Wi-fi and cell phones are not mortal sins; nor are cars, jumping out of airplanes, or many other things that are inherently dangerous, yet are circumnavigated safely nearly all the time. They do not fall under any of the Ten Commandments, or the Greatest Commandments, of which mortal sins can be found as diametrically opposed to these Commandments.

 

[zeldamagic]

If you want others to care about what you say, you need to show you care about them, and they need to care about you.

Is the best way to do that to become like a doomsday prophet?

If someone (friend, family or stranger) came up to me while I was using wi-fi or a cell phone to tell me these things, especially in an aggressive manner, I wouldn’t be very happy with them. If they shared the info with me kindly, in a non-confrontational manner, like in an email or a general post on a FB page, I would thank them for their info, and make the decision for myself.

You can’t save everyone. You can share the information in the best way it can be received without being in someone’s face and judgemental.

Catholicism is true. God is true. Wi-fi and cell phones are not mortal sins; nor are cars, jumping out of airplanes, or many other things that are inherently dangerous, yet are circumnavigated safely nearly all the time. They do not fall under any of the Ten Commandments, or the Greatest Commandments, of which mortal sins can be found as diametrically opposed to these Commandments.

Ah that makes sense. I wasn’t planning on being judgmental or anything. I just wanted to help people. Would it work on people you don’t know?

 

[ccmcmg]

Ah that makes sense. I wasn’t planning on being judgmental or anything. I just wanted to help people. Would it work on people you don’t know?

What is your biggest ‘push’ inside yourself to do this?

Are you trying to help others’ health? Are you trying to save them from h*ll? Or are you trying to find your place in the world and make a difference? Dig a little deeper. You might be surprised by what you find that you’re missing, and how easily you can find Him.

(Also, even when we are not being judgmental, people’s own perceptions of your actions will influence how they receive them.)

 

[Bonnie]

Ah that makes sense. I wasn’t planning on being judgmental or anything. I just wanted to help people. Would it work on people you don’t know?

And exactly how would you show these strangers that you really care about them? You don’t have to answer - you can’t, because you need a relationship of some sort to show people you really care.

If you force “caring” on people, you’ll be like the Mormon missionaries who stopped to “help” me when I was having car trouble. I was just getting ready to head to my mechanic - less than a mile away - when these 2 jokers stopped. While one took his time going around my rig looking for whatever was causing the noise, the other hung onto my door and preached to me, trying to give me literature. I don’t think it was more than 5 or 10 minutes, but it felt like forever. I was too polite to tell him where to go.

There’s a good chance you could meet up with people who aren’t as polite as I am.

 

[zeldamagic]

@ccmg My main push is that I want to help other people’s health and potentially save lives, but it feels like a burden that I have to help others, because it makes me nervous that I might fail and I’m shy of speaking to people. I hope it isn’t a mortal sin to listen to my advice because of the dangers of some things and it might not be one but I’m not entirely sure.

@Bonnie That makes sense. Should I just try to help the people I know?

 

[Bonnie]

@Bonnie That makes sense. Should I just try to help the people I know?

Only if they ask! You really should study up on those things that concern you and not rely on junk science or emotional appeals. You may learn enough to calm your own fears of these things.

 

[ccmcmg]

@ccmg My main push is that I want to help other people’s health and potentially save lives, but it feels like a burden that I have to help others, because it makes me nervous that I might fail and I’m shy of speaking to people. I hope it isn’t a mortal sin to listen to my advice because of the dangers of some things and it might not be one but I’m not entirely sure.

@Bonnie That makes sense. Should I just try to help the people I know?

It wouldn’t be a sin in any way to listen OR not listen to your information. You seem to be too focused on that. Why is that? I know you saw what I wrote above and you said it made sense…

If you don’t like talking to people, why are you so intent on doing this?

 

[zeldamagic]

Only if they ask! You really should study up on those things that concern you and not rely on junk science or emotional appeals. You may learn enough to calm your own fears of these things.

I have done some research and I’ve found reliable sources from universities and government sites. I can show you links if you want.

It wouldn’t be a sin in any way to listen OR not listen to your information. You seem to be too focused on that. Why is that? I know you saw what I wrote above and you said it made sense…

If you don’t like talking to people, why are you so intent on doing this?

I just worry that people’s lives might be in danger so I want to help them.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Zelda, if you want to help people live healthier lives, you need to establish credibility, not just pushing articles and ideas in their faces. You do this by going to college and studying for a profession such as a physician, nurse, research scientist, dietician, etc. Then when you have earned your credentials and degree by study and proper research methods, and gained some experience, you will be qualified to help them. Right now you have no credentials or qualifications to back you up, and just reading articles on the internet does not qualify you as an expert.

And even if it seems that something is a well-established fact, it is often the case that further knowledge and research will prove it wrong, as is now happening in the field of nutrition and heart disease. You always have to be open to the possibility that what you are teaching has to be revised. But you do not have the knowledge or education, at this point, to evaluate such things.

Aim to find a profession in which you can become qualified in your field to help people in this way. Then do it. And God bless you.

 

[zeldamagic]

Zelda, if you want to help people live healthier lives, you need to establish credibility, not just pushing articles and ideas in their faces. You do this by going to college and studying for a profession such as a physician, nurse, research scientist, dietician, etc. Then when you have earned your credentials and degree by study and proper research methods, and gained some experience, you will be qualified to help them. Right now you have no credentials or qualifications to back you up, and just reading articles on the internet does not qualify you as an expert.

And even if it seems that something is a well-established fact, it is often the case that further knowledge and research will prove it wrong, as is now happening in the field of nutrition and heart disease. You always have to be open to the possibility that what you are teaching has to be revised. But you do not have the knowledge or education, at this point, to evaluate such things.

Aim to find a profession in which you can become qualified in your field to help people in this way. Then do it. And God bless you.

Oh that’s a good idea but I want to be a physicist so should I ask a nearby professional for help?

 

[CB_Catholic]

Oh that’s a good idea but I want to be a physicist so should I ask a nearby professional for help?

For help in what? Becoming a physicist?

 

[Bonnie]

Zelda - How old are you? Have you finished high school?

 

[zeldamagic]

Sorry for not specifying, I meant help in giving health advice to others. I’m a freshman and 15.