Help! Struggling with pantheism

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I will report anyone who encourages me to become occult/new age/pantheist or explore those groups.

I have heard of little kids having NDEs where they see their past lives. The reason this compels me is because they are too young to have acquired the knowledges other sources and if it was a demon, why would God let it attack a child.

Now pantheism is back as a dog tagain, and I ask your prayers and apologetics to help. Christian CAFers, help!

The reason I am posting in spirituality is because my spirituality is attacked by the doubts, and philosophy is more of a debate thread.
 
Do people usually encourage you to become pantheist or any of those other things on a Catholic forum? Or Muslim, as your previous thread indicated? It sounds like you are too readily affected by things others say or are insecure about the fear that you might be so swayed. Why don’t you seek out resources to help you grow in your faith rather than getting so overwrought on the potential threats to it? As they say in sports, “prevent defense prevents winning.” You can’t play not to lose, play to win. Don’t battle unbelief but seek belief. You should seek to bolster your prayer life. And you should probably talk to a priest about this, and not random strangers on the internet who you seem to fear have so much sway over you.

-ACEGC
 
Upgrade25 said:
I will report anyone who encourages me to become occult/new age/pantheist or explore those groups.

I have heard of little kids having NDEs where they see their past lives. The reason this compels me is because they are too young to have acquired the knowledges other sources and if it was a demon, why would God let it attack a child.

Now pantheism is back as a dog tagain, and I ask your prayers and apologetics to help. Christian CAFers, help!

The reason I am posting in spirituality is because my spirituality is attacked by the doubts, and philosophy is more of a debate thread.
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Pantheism holds that all beliefs are true. This is a logical impossibility. Two contradictory statements cannot both be true. The belief in past lives is irreconcilable with the Christian belief of the judgement of the soul.

There are a handful of potential explanations for “past life” experiences, ranging from them being complete fabrications, all the way down to demonic influences. As for the “why” you posit about God allowing a demon to attack a child, we can’t know. I know that’s not a satisfactory answer, but we know that if He does allow it, it will result in a greater good than had He not.

I think it’s telling that this sort of experience always happens under hypnosis, when the mind is extremely open to external influences, both positive and, most likely in this case, negative. It might not be so much that God is allowing it as it is that the family is allowing it inviting it through their decision to open their child up to external influences.
 
edward_george said:
Do people usually encourage you to become pantheist or any of those other things on a Catholic forum? Or Muslim, as your previous thread indicated? It sounds like you are too readily affected by things others say or are insecure about the fear that you might be so swayed. Why don’t you seek out resources to help you grow in your faith rather than getting so overwrought on the potential threats to it? As they say in sports, “prevent defense prevents winning.” You can’t play not to lose, play to win. Don’t battle unbelief but seek belief. You should seek to bolster your prayer life. And you should probably talk to a priest about this, and not random strangers on the internet who you seem to fear have so much sway over you.

-ACEGC
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Certain people, yes. I talk to a priest, but I can’t wait for a month or so to see Father, and I won’t call the rectory every time I have a doubt.
 
I will DEFINITELY pray for you!

Now, think of God as a Father. Nature cannot be Father. God is a person. You are his beloved child. No doubts, He is not a force, He is a PERSON(a forceful one though).

We look around and we see nature, power, spirit, and we think it is all one impersonal soup. But we are just seeing the cells of God. It is not soup, it is God up close, a personal, loving God.

Think of how dark and depressing pantheism is. Then, God doesn’t love you. Doesn’t care. And will never be your father, friend, or even sentient deal partner. Just nature. Looks beautiful on the outside, but very cold and dark and LONELY on the inside.
Pantheism explains NOTHING about our meaning in life.

What I want you to do is say the Our Father, and focus on the words “Our Father…who art in Heaven”. Say it slowly and meditate on it. God is a personal Father, we are his LOVED sons and daughters.

Then go to the Eucharist, in mass, communion, or adoration. You want proof somebody exists? No better way then talking with them face to face. ;)🙂

PAX CHRISTI!
Isaac
 
You’re getting close to scruples here. Meet with the priest and ask him to recommend a good Spiritual Director that is nearby that you can meet regularly with.
 
pianistclare said:
You’re getting close to scruples here.
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I was scrupulous before. It happens when you are forced into leading a double life of mammon at school and depressed devout Catholicism at home. The doubts made it worse. But they’re a wake up call to my lifestyle, in a way. I throw a hundred pity parties a day, as well.
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pianistclare:
Meet with the priest and ask him to recommend a good Spiritual Director that is nearby that you can meet regularly with.
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I’ll try… Maybe I’d be able to meet regularly with Father, but he has responsibilities like giving Last Rites, right?
 
Upgrade25 said:
I was scrupulous before. It happens when you are forced into leading a double life of mammon at school and depressed devout Catholicism at home. The doubts made it worse. But they’re a wake up call to my lifestyle, in a way. I throw a hundred pity parties a day, as well.

I’ll try… Maybe I’d be able to meet regularly with Father, but he has responsibilities like giving Last Rites, right?
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24-7? No.
You are really overthinking at an obsessive level. Ask your parents to take you for a complete physical You’re 14
You’re throwing around terms like you’re a grad student.
Where’s your school counselor in all this?
Scruples don’t just disappear without serious therapy.
Seek a priest who can guide you.
What other people think should not overwhelm you at 14.
Will pray for you.
 
pianistclare said:
24-7? No.
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?
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pianistclare:
You are really overthinking at an obsessive level. Ask your parents to take you for a complete physical You’re 14
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Yes, I am overthinking… But why a Physical?
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pianistclare:
You’re throwing around terms like you’re a grad student.
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I say it was my fault for not milking everything out of the weekly classes at our parish(called PSR around here, CCD most other places) we took from 1-6th grade. Internet catechesis doesn’t mesh well with a 14 year old brain, but it’s better than darkness.
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pianistclare:
Where’s your school counselor in all this?
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I talked with her on several occasions.
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pianistclare:
Scruples don’t just disappear without serious therapy.
Seek a priest who can guide you.
What other people think should not overwhelm you at 14.
Will pray for you.
Click to expand...
I see a doctor and may see another. I am praying every day, what else can I do?
I don’t expect a miracle from my parents, doctors, Father, or God.
 
Upgrade25, give us a little background:

Are you currently enrolled in a religious education course at your parish (or your school, if it’s a Catholic school)?

Are your parents supportive of your faith and your interest in God and religion?

Do you attend Mass most Sundays?

What else might you be doing to build your faith?

Do you often go to other Catholic websites? What about non-Catholic religious/spiritual websites? Atheist or anti-religious websites? (Please be cautious about any of these; there is an awful lot of junk on the internet.)
 
“But a created and finite God is an absurdity, found in pantheism, which cannot distinguish uncreated nature from created nature, which forgets that God is God and creature is creature.”
  • Rev. Garrigou-Lagrange
Pantheism contradicts the distinction between potency and act; it suggests that something can be the efficient cause of itself, which is pure nonsense.
 
Beryllos said:
Upgrade25, give us a little background:

Are you currently enrolled in a religious education course at your parish (or your school, if it’s a Catholic school)?
CAF and other Catholic sites are my Religious Ed
Are your parents supportive of your faith and your interest in God and religion?
**Sort of. They’re cafeteria Catholics though, they think that I go way too far by following Church teaching. **
Do you attend Mass most Sundays?
**Yes. **
What else might you be doing to build your faith?
**Praying more. My parents won’t let me fast. **
Do you often go to other Catholic websites? What about non-Catholic religious/spiritual websites? Atheist or anti-religious websites? (Please be cautious about any of these; there is an awful lot of junk on the internet.)
Sometimes I have to go on anti-Catholic Protestant websites for apologetics on more obscure faiths. It’s strawman attacks, but better than nothing.
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Upgrade25 said:
?
**Priests are busy people, yes. But a large part of their job is counseling people like yourself who are blurring the lines of what we need to be concerned with at any point in our lives. I’m sure he would be keenly interested in helping you sort out your thoughts. **

Yes, I am overthinking… But why a Physical?
**Your diet, your health stats, your sleeping habits…everything colors your thinking. A complete workup will determine if you may have some areas that need attending to, physically that are affecting your emotions and your mindset. **

I say it was my fault for not milking everything out of the weekly classes at our parish(called PSR around here, CCD most other places) we took from 1-6th grade. Internet catechesis doesn’t mesh well with a 14 year old brain, but it’s better than darkness.
**Again, overly melodramatic. Your job at this stage in your life is getting good info about Catholicism and studying your own faith, forming your conscience, and frankly getting out and doing community service, helping others. Of any faith. **

I talked with her on several occasions. **I won’t ask what she said. **
I see a doctor and may see another. I am praying every day, what else can I do?
**TRUST GOD. It’s not up to YOU to save the world. **
I don’t expect a miracle from my parents, doctors, Father, or God.
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**Work on yourself. Let the Holy Spirit work on others. The BEST way to Evangelize is by your life. When you write things like “I’m struggling” or “I live in the crucible of doubt”, you’re not winning any souls. You should NOT be this disheartened at your age.
Join your parish Youth Group, volunteer in your community. Get out there and be the hands and feet of Christ, and get Spiritual direction from a priest or a great Master Catechist, at least. **
 
Beryllos: Are you currently enrolled in a religious education course at your parish (or your school, if it’s a Catholic school)?
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Upgrade25: CAF and other Catholic sites are my Religious Ed
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That is a problem. You don’t get accurate, reliable religious education by “group-sourcing.” You might do better to enroll in the RCIA program at your parish, or see if they have any teen faith formation programs. Get yourself a copy of YOUCAT (or equivalent catechism for teens), read it, and discuss it with anyone who will support your faith.
Beryllos: Are your parents supportive of your faith and your interest in God and religion?
Click to expand...
Upgrade25: Sort of. They’re cafeteria Catholics though, they think that I go way too far by following Church teaching.
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Don’t be so hard on them, nor so proud of yourself. Sometimes parents know and understand stuff better than you think.
Beryllos: Do you often go to other Catholic websites? What about non-Catholic religious/spiritual websites? Atheist or anti-religious websites? (Please be cautious about any of these; there is an awful lot of junk on the internet.)
Click to expand...
Upgrade25: Sometimes I have to go on anti-Catholic Protestant websites for apologetics on more obscure faiths. It’s strawman attacks, but better than nothing.
Click to expand...
Actually I think it is doing more harm than good. You need to prepare a strong foundation and build a brick house, so to speak. Okay, how about a better metaphor? You need good armor, good weapons, and good training before you go out and tickle the dragon’s tail. Be patient. Work on building a strong faith before seeking out challenges.
 
edward_george said:
Do people usually encourage you to become pantheist or any of those other things on a Catholic forum? Or Muslim, as your previous thread indicated? It sounds like you are too readily affected by things others say or are insecure about the fear that you might be so swayed. Why don’t you seek out resources to help you grow in your faith rather than getting so overwrought on the potential threats to it? As they say in sports, “prevent defense prevents winning.” You can’t play not to lose, play to win. Don’t battle unbelief but seek belief. You should seek to bolster your prayer life. And you should probably talk to a priest about this, and not random strangers on the internet who you seem to fear have so much sway over you.

-ACEGC
Click to expand...
I’d have to agree with this. First and foremost, pray and fast. Then also, seek a good priest that you can trust the orthodoxy of, and ask for spiritual direction and guidance from him.
 
ProdglArchitect said:
I think it’s telling that this sort of experience always happens under hypnosis, when the mind is extremely open to external influences, both positive and, most likely in this case, negative. It might not be so much that God is allowing it as it is that the family is allowing it inviting it through their decision to open their child up to external influences.
Click to expand...
^^this
 
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