I feel so ashamed about this

[eastsideeric]

When I was 5 or 7 I abused my dog and when I was 14 I groped someone. The past year I have felt so ashmed about it. That’s two things I have done that society says they don’t forgive. Society says we don’t forgive animal abusers or people who sexaully abuse others. I wish I could take it back and never do it.

 

[Lea101]

You were 5-7 then, I wouldn’t think you’re scum. Have you apologized to the person you groped? Go to confession too. Take counseling if you need it, such behavior at 5-7 is definitely worrying. Were you abused as a child? Or anything like that? Good things to bring up to a professional

 

[MargaretofCortona]

It is good you feel bad about it, it proves you will not do it again. Go to confession. Take into consideration your age at that time.

 

[Jamie5]

This really isn’t the place to just air out all of the bad things you’ve done when you were younger. We all have secrets and sins from the past, but as stated go to confession if it’s making you feel horrible.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

You were 5 to 7. Kids that age need to be taught not to hurt animals, not to hit their playmates or siblings, etc. I had a dog when I was about 6, I can remember dragging it along on a leash out of frustration that it wouldn’t take a walk nicely with me, and some older kids telling me I was hurting the dog and me yelling at them. Obviously when I got old enough to understand I would not hurt a pet. If you feel bad about this now, talk to a priest and consider making a donation to your local no-kill dog shelter by way of making amends.

As for groping, apologize to the person if it is reasonable to do so, talk to your priest if you’re still bothered, and don’t do it again. If it makes you feel any better, the news events of the past week in USA have got all kinds of guys I know who have been leading responsible lives for decades remembering untoward things they did to women in their youth (groping, pressuring girls for sex who were saying no) and seeking to apologize for this. You are not alone, and no one is unforgivable.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

I’ve done some terrible, terrible things in my youth, teens, young adulthood, and adulthood. I made a general confession 6.5 years ago, it took about an hour, which cleared every stain of sin off my soul. Society’s forgiveness is not something we have to seek, fortunately. Society is not very tolerant of the Church’s stance on many issues, anyway. Concentrate on receiving God’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation

and

Be at peace.

 

[DaveBj]

Here are a couple verses that help me when I find myself obsessing about something from my own past:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Phil 3:13-14, KJV, emphasis added

D