I don't know whether I've been doing the wrong thing

[survive]

I have a good friend from my former denomination. She has been telling me for a year that she is trying to learn to think and feel for herself. I’ve been encouraging her in this because it seems like a healthy thing to do. After all, it usually leads to more wisdom, when people think and are honest with themselves, not less. I was hoping the idea of independent thinking would get her curious about other churches and denominations, so she could end up somewhere better – not worse. I kept dropping hints about what’s out there.
I sort of knew or suspected but wasn’t sure – and didn’t really want to believe – that she was actually getting into some weird moral ideas, and doing wrong things, endangering herself sexually, and possibly in other ways as well. She let me know a little at a time of what she was thinking and what was going on but I always tried to spin it to show her the right way to handle things without openly judging, because I didn’t want to scare her off. She’s a fragile person emotionally. I know this has to do with drugs but I don’t know how much it’s related. Anyway, she told me more than I can handle a few days ago, and now I feel like I should never have encouraged her independence because maybe it was sinful after all or dangerous anyway.
What should I do? Should I let her authority figures know it’s gone so far? Or is that a betrayal of confidence?:banghead::crying:

 

[AdriannaJean]

How old is she? If she’s still with her parents then yes absolutely it is your duty to tell them. If she’s living on her own then it gets trickier. If it’s getting bad maybe having an “intervention” of your own with everyone who is close to her. Do whatever you can to make her well again, but not without weighing the risks of how it will affect her. Ease into it, but surely do something.

 

[tbcrawford]

You sound a good caring friend trying to do the right thing…I dont think a forum like this is really the right place to get proper advice.None of us are experts or trained etc and we dont know the age of your friend or yourself etc.Lots of information would need to be shared.So if you see my point an internet site might not be the correct place to get good information privately.
That said please dont blame yourself for encouraging more independence.This friend has his/her own mind for him/herself.Be there to pick up the peices after the mistakes get rectified as im sure they can and will.
Speak to your priest in confidence.Talk hypothetically about your friend if you like but i bet you he will have good sound advice and will be able to guide you.
In the meantime pray for your friend.Tell him/her how worried you are and how much you care.Dont be afraid to be honest with your friend tell the friend you dont like drugs and how its affecting your friend.Good luck and i hope you do speak to your priest dont be afraid to approach him and if its confidential he will be bound by that.

 

[ready]

I have a good friend from my former denomination. She has been telling me for a year that she is trying to learn to think and feel for herself. I’ve been encouraging her in this because it seems like a healthy thing to do. After all, it usually leads to more wisdom, when people think and are honest with themselves, not less. I was hoping the idea of independent thinking would get her curious about other churches and denominations, so she could end up somewhere better – not worse. I kept dropping hints about what’s out there.
I sort of knew or suspected but wasn’t sure – and didn’t really want to believe – that she was actually getting into some weird moral ideas, and doing wrong things, endangering herself sexually, and possibly in other ways as well. She let me know a little at a time of what she was thinking and what was going on but I always tried to spin it to show her the right way to handle things without openly judging, because I didn’t want to scare her off. She’s a fragile person emotionally. I know this has to do with drugs but I don’t know how much it’s related. Anyway, she told me more than I can handle a few days ago, and now I feel like I should never have encouraged her independence because maybe it was sinful after all or dangerous anyway.
What should I do? Should I let her authority figures know it’s gone so far? Or is that a betrayal of confidence?:banghead::crying:

Talk to your friend and express your concern.

 

[survive]

I ran into her former guide accidentally days ago and spilled the beans. I hope I wasn’t too specific. I was flustered. Now whatever is going on is out of my hands. I just have to pray. Thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[tbcrawford]

Hi survive well done & im still praying for you & your friend.
God Bless