Have I let in Evil

[Loobyloo0209]

I think its the fact that the book and Catholicism is so “black and white” that its led me to reflect on my life that I feel relieved by the direction but feel overwhelmed by the life changes I have to make…commitments that are so much greater than just repentance and mere faith. I feel like I have failed before I’ve even started!! Its not the information and advice that I’ve been given…its the realisation of “modern life” and how we shape it suit.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I think its the fact that the book and Catholicism is so “black and white” that its led me to reflect on my life that I feel relieved by the direction but feel overwhelmed by the life changes I have to make…commitments that are so much greater than just repentance and mere faith. I feel like I have failed before I’ve even started!! Its not the information and advice that I’ve been given…its the realisation of “modern life” and how we shape it suit.

You are learning the truth about the Catholic Church. Yes, there are commitments to make going forward, but one step at a time, try not to leap forward too far and too fast. You are being led, do not worry and do not fear! You certainly have not failed! In fact, you are on your own “journey home,” as we like to say.

I think that once you speak to a priest, you will understand more. Don’t forget to ask when the next initiation class starts! That’s Roman Catholic Initiation for Adults or RCIA, here in the US - not sure if it’s called something else over there. But your self-study can continue in the meantime, and alongside the classes should you choose to begin. You’re also not obligated if at any point you decide it’s not for you or that you want to take things more slowly.

Do this for YOU, not for your friend, however. I understand that you love him and want him to return to church, but if you do start into the Church, it should be because YOU want it more than anything. It’s God we’re talking about, in the end.

And by the way, I love English villages and sometimes, it’s London I’d rather forget about!

 

[v123456]

I have also books on Santeria and tools, was initiated. Now I am trying to get rid of all of this. I pray and pray. Yet have I opened the door to evil in my life or to my children? I regret the day I starting reading about that false religion and especially the day I initiated. My relatives who we all leave together are in that religion. Can I get rid of all the tools books given to me and still have peace within when their tools r in the same household? I cannot live my life based on divination practices blood sacrifice or being devote to false beliefs. I pray for protection though sometimes thoughts from those other practices cone to mind. I want out.

I don’t even know why I initiated or began to look at that practice when all along I always prayed to st. Micheal for protection and guidance.

Please what should I do?

 

[Mickey]

Please what should I do?

Go to confession and get yourself and family away from that environment.

 

[Isaiah45_9]

See a Priest and Pray without ceasing!

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the power of His cross, His blood and Resurrection, I confess that I believe in Jesus with all my heart, my mind and my soul.

In the Holy name of Jesus, I ask forgiveness for and denounce all negative inner vows and agreements that I have made with the deceiver, and I ask that you Lord Jesus Christ release me from any bondage they may have held in me.

I claim your shed blood over all aspects of my life and I thank you Lord Jesus Christ for your enduring love, your angelic protection, and for the fullness of your abundant blessings.

Heavenly Father please strengthen my spirit with the power of your Holy Spirit, so that Christ may dwell in my heart. Through Faith, rooted and grounded in Love, may I be joined with all the saints in the breath, length, height and depth of Christ’s Love, which surpasses all understanding. Amen.

 

[Loobyloo0209]

V123456…I really feel for you and the fear that you’re feeling. I notice that you are new to this forum as I am also. I cannot advise from a Catholic / religious point of view but I can tell you that since joining, I have felt so accepted (regardless of my past), comforted and “safe” in the knowledge that so many people from all over the world care about us as one of Gods children…that appears to be what unites the diversity of people here…afterall we’ve all ended up here on this site haven’t we! I was told…“Do not fear”…and that is what I offer you. Good luck on your own journey and take comfort from the prayers that are being said for you.

 

[atheistgirl]

now afraid that I may have opened my soul up to evil.

You haven’t.

My ex partner believed in magic and he once disclosed to me that he had placed a curse on two people.

No, he didn’t.

He’s deluded if he thinks he did.

In addition, I used to read horoscopes and was fascinated by astrology (again I still have many books of this).

Silly, but harmless.

My dad who has now passed away gave me a piece of an egyption stone that he told me was from the pyramids,

Did he obtain this legitimately?

I’m worried that this may be cursed.

It’s not.

There’s no such thing.

My question is…what do I do about all of this…

Get rid of the books if you don’t like them and replace them with books you do like, and are likely to read.

Books on Catholicism and a Catechism would be good.

I feel like I have unknowingly opened up my soul, my home and my son to great evil.

No, you haven’t.

My partner said he would ask his priest to do this for me but as I am protestant can he do this for me?

I don’t see why not.

How about also getting some holy water and a nice container for it, and place it in each room of your home?

Sarah x

 

[Loobyloo0209]

Thank you sarah for breaking my fears down and rationalising them…I am learning so much. i have asked before but my head is buzzing with so many questions, I could take over the forum!..is it ok to have Catholic items ie crucifix, sacred Heart. Holy water etc if I’m not yet Catholic? Speak soon Leah

 

[campeador]

How about also getting some holy water and a nice container for it, and place it in each room of your home?

Sarah x

Yes, some holy water, sprinkled vigorously and with supplication of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[campeador]

Thank you sarah for breaking my fears down and rationalising them…I am learning so much. i have asked before but my head is buzzing with so many questions, I could take over the forum!..is it ok to have Catholic items ie crucifix, sacred Heart. Holy water etc if I’m not yet Catholic? Speak soon Leah

Absolutely. There’s no prohibition to you using Catholic sacramentals.

May God bless and guide you on your spiritual journey. Amen.

 

[atheistgirl]

is it ok to have Catholic items ie crucifix, sacred Heart. Holy water etc if I’m not yet Catholic? Speak soon Leah

The Catechism says this:

“every baptized person is called to be a blessing and to bless…Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the same way the Sacraments do but by the Church’s prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it…They include blessings of persons, meals, objects and places.”

Holy water is a sacramental.

It seems to me you’re someone who is drawn to this kind of thing.

I would see no problem with religious icons, crucifixes or Holy Water in your home.

I think it would be a good thing for you at this stage as it might help replace the worry you have about the symbolism of the other items referred to in your OP, and make you feel better.

Get the Holy Water from the Catholic Church where it will have been blessed and get the crucifix and icons blessed too.

Perhaps it could all be done in one sitting when the Priest comes over for dinner and blesses your house

Sarah x

 

[TheRealJuliane]

The Catechism says this:

“every baptized person is called to be a blessing and to bless…Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the same way the Sacraments do but by the Church’s prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it…They include blessings of persons, meals, objects and places.”

Holy water is a sacramental.

It seems to me you’re someone who is drawn to this kind of thing.

I would see no problem with religious icons, crucifixes or Holy Water in your home.

I think it would be a good thing for you at this stage as it might help replace the worry you have about the symbolism of the other items referred to in your OP, and make you feel better.

Get the Holy Water from the Catholic Church where it will have been blessed and get the crucifix and icons blessed too.

Perhaps it could all be done in one sitting when the Priest comes over for dinner and blesses your house

Sarah x

Thanks for advising correctly on Catholic sacramentals. It’s pretty astounding coming from a self-declared atheist…for now…

 

[fredystairs]

Loobyloo0209;10637349:

In addition, I used to read horoscopes and was fascinated by astrology (again I still have many books of this).

Silly, but harmless.

I would respectfully disagree with athiestgirl’s statement that horoscopes and astrology are “silly, but harmless” . From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Divination and magic

2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility.

2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future. ** Consulting horoscopes, astrology**, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.

Looby, since you didn’t know about the disrespect that astrology shows to God, then I think that you acted innocently. Further, since you have said that you will get rid of the astrology books, you will be freed of this potential occasion of sin and can continue on your spiritual journey at peace.

 

[atheistgirl]

or the exploitation of another’s credulity.

This is where I’m coming from with this.

I accept the Church says evil exists as an entity and as such, can be invoked, but to me, cursing, spells, astrology are just silliness and exploit the gullible.

I’ve actually written to stations in the past to try and get people like Benny Hinn and astrologers and psychics off the air, but of course was wasting my time.

It appalls me the way these people exploit vulnerable people.

So I’m coming at this from an atheistic angle and as such, I recognize and accept the Church has a bit more to say, and believe, on the matter of invoking evil.

You’re correct to point this out.

However, the OP seems to me to be genuinely averse to such things, wants no part of it, and as such is not likely to have invoked anything evil or nasty since this was never in her mind, or her intention.

I hope she gets some blessed water, icons and a crucifix for her home to replace anything occultist, and starts to feel mentally reassured.

Sarah x

 

[Angels_Eyes]

I recently posted regarding how I am starting to explore Catholicism and how I have started to find comfort and understanding in my Catholic partners views. In light of this I have been reflecting upon my previous spiritual journey and am now afraid that I may have opened my soul up to evil. My mum went through a stage where she believed herself to be pagan and books that she bought for me including spells sit (unread by me) on my bookshelf. My ex partner believed in magic and he once disclosed to me that he had placed a curse on two people. In addition, I used to read horoscopes and was fascinated by astrology (again I still have many books of this). My mum also introduced me to cosmic ordering which I have to confess I did try on several occassions. My dad who has now passed away gave me a piece of an egyption stone that he told me was from the pyramids, I’m worried that this may be cursed. My question is…what do I do about all of this…I feel like I have unknowlingly opened up my soul, my home and my son to great evil. I asked a vicar to bless my house but he said he could only pray for us and that I would need someone else to bless the house. My partner said that is because only a priest has the power to do this (forgive me if I have incorrectly phrased that). My partner said he would ask his priest to do this for me but as I am protestant can he do this for me? Thank you in advance.

Hi Loobyloo,

I was deeply into the occult for over 10 years. When I decided to accept Christ back into my heart a few years ago, I (through the advice on many on this forum), donated some of my books and most of my crystals and other occult ‘symbols’ that I had in my home. Some books etc I sold on Ebay too. With this money I purchased a St.Benedict cross (excellent for previous occult activity in the home - please try to get one of these and have it blessed) and other holy items, to make up an altar for my family and I. I have felt peace since and have not wanted to go back to the occult ways.

I would encourage you to get rid of the books and anything else you might have and start afresh, so you can begin your journey in a positive way to the catholic church.

Good luck and God Bless you.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Hi Loobyloo,

I was deeply into the occult for over 10 years. When I decided to accept Christ back into my heart a few years ago, I (through the advice on many on this forum), donated some of my books and most of my crystals and other occult ‘symbols’ that I had in my home. Some books etc I sold on Ebay too. With this money I purchased a St.Benedict cross (excellent for previous occult activity in the home - please try to get one of these and have it blessed) and other holy items, to make up an altar for my family and I. I have felt peace since and have not wanted to go back to the occult ways.

I would encourage you to get rid of the books and anything else you might have and start afresh, so you can begin your journey in a positive way to the catholic church.

Good luck and God Bless you.

I am glad that you got rid of your occult objects and books, but sorry that you passed those on to others. I smashed my jewelry into bits because I did not want to be the occasion for others to sin, even if they don’t currently recognize it as sin. In fact I have been tempted to buy such objects myself and smash them, so as to take them off the market. But I don’t like to spend God’s money to buy such things so…

My priest suggested that I continue to pray for people who are deluded by the devil, as I once was.

 

[fredystairs]

This is where I’m coming from with this.

I accept the Church says evil exists as an entity and as such, can be invoked, but to me, cursing, spells, astrology are just silliness and exploit the gullible.

I’ve actually written to stations in the past to try and get people like Benny Hinn and astrologers and psychics off the air, but of course was wasting my time.

It appalls me the way these people exploit vulnerable people.

So I’m coming at this from an atheistic angle and as such, I recognize and accept the Church has a bit more to say, and believe, on the matter of invoking evil.

You’re correct to point this out.

However, the OP seems to me to be genuinely averse to such things, wants no part of it, and as such is not likely to have invoked anything evil or nasty since this was never in her mind, or her intention.

I hope she gets some blessed water, icons and a crucifix for her home to replace anything occultist, and starts to feel mentally reassured.

Sarah x

Atheistgirl,

Your post says that you come from an atheistic viewpoint. I can respect that. Obviously, I do not come from that same viewpoint. When you posted that horoscopes and astrology are “silly, but harmless” I was, quite frankly, alarmed. It seemed to me that you were dismissing something that to me, and to the Church, is very spiritually dangerous. I was concerned that the OP would possibly come up with the impression that horoscopes and astrology are harmless. That is why I objected to your post and quoted the CCC. From my viewpoint, this is very serious. This viewpoint I assume you do not hold.

You state that some exploit vunerable people. I acknowledge that, but understand that that was not my intent. My intent was to share the Church’s teaching.

But this now brings me to a quandry in your post. I assume some things below, and apologize in advance if I assume incorrectly.

Since you say that you are an atheist, I assume that you do not believe in God, since that is, by definition, what an atheist is. I assume that you do not believe that God took the form of man, lived and died among us, rose from the dead, sent HIs Holy Spirit, and established a Church that he continues to guides today. Just like horoscopes and astrology are “silly,” I would assume that you think those teachings are “silly” as well.

This leads me to my quandry. If I have assumed the above correctly, why do you “hope she gets some blessed water, icons, and a crucifix?” These things are part of that Church founded by the God you say does not exist. The Church states that these are holy things just like horoscopes and astrology are evil things. Would not these holy things be “silly” as well? In fact, would they not be even worse than silly; would they not be a lie? If so, then why do you hope that she gets them?

Again, I apologize if I have assumed something incorrectly. Peace.

 

[Dorothy]

Loobyloo,

May the Lord lead you on your journey to Him!

Get rid of the Egyptian stone as well. It is not dishonoring your father to do so.

 

[atheistgirl]

Since you say that you are an atheist, I assume that you do not believe in God, since that is, by definition, what an atheist is. I assume that you do not believe that God took the form of man, lived and died among us, rose from the dead, sent HIs Holy Spirit, and established a Church that he continues to guides today. Just like horoscopes and astrology are “silly,” I would assume that you think those teachings are “silly” as well.

This leads me to my quandry. If I have assumed the above correctly, why do you “hope she gets some blessed water, icons, and a crucifix?” These things are part of that Church founded by the God you say does not exist. The Church states that these are holy things just like horoscopes and astrology are evil things. Would not these holy things be “silly” as well? In fact, would they not be even worse than silly; would they not be a lie? If so, then why do you hope that she gets them?

Again, I apologize if I have assumed something incorrectly. Peace.

I’ve only got time for a quick reply at this time.

I do not believe there is sufficient evidence for the existence of a Deity.

I do not say, and have never said, there is no God.

Humans have a propensity for ritual.

This is not necessarily a bad thing and in fact can keep us safe - for example of you go through a ritual before driving of walking around your car but you’re also checking the tires at the same time.

Somebody can think rubbing their dogs ears just before their teams plays helps them win, based on three for three experiences of doing the same.

That’s a bit of harmless fun and silliness to me.

Their life will not be negatively affected if they didn’t rub their dogs ears.

However, when charlatans exploit the vulnerable, or people get the point of thinking if they don’t do a certain thing in a certain way, then bad things are going to happen to them, that’s where I draw the line.

The holy water is a sacramental.

It is harmless in itself, and if there is a belief it’s use can open open a person to certain graces, good things, then there’s no harm in my view, as the outcome with be neutral or positive, not negative.

If a person believed if they did not bless themselves with the holy water then they would be struck with lightening, then that’s a bad thing.

As the OP seems to be somebody who is easily invested in rituals, my view is using Catholic Sacramentals is way better because of the positive psychology associated with them, than using things linked to the occult which is causing them mental stress.

Does that help?

Sarah x

 

[fredystairs]

This is where I’m coming from with this.

So I’m coming at this from an atheistic angle

Sarah x

I do not believe there is sufficient evidence for the existence of a Deity.

I do not say, and have never said, there is no God.

Sarah x

Greetings,

I based my questions on the first thread above, where you say that your are coming from an atheistic point of view. That and the fact that your name is “athiestgirl” led me to believe that you were an atheist. In my understanding an athiest believes that there is no God.

The second thread above would lead me to believe that you are closer to being an agnostic.

**From the Bing Dictionary: ag·nos·tic ag nóstik ]

1.somebody denying God’s existence is provable: somebody who believes that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists**

Would this be closer to your position? Or am I missing something here?

Finally would you prefer to be addressed as “Sarah” or “Atheistgirl”?

Shalom.