I'm angry with God

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Cojuanco

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Right now I am angry with God and his Church.

No, I have not apostatized. I still believe in the tenets of my Faith. I even believe the difficult teachings, though Lord knows I stumble. If offered a Statement of Faith that required me to assent to everything the Catholic Church teaches, I would sign it in a hearbeat. No, I still believe in God. But I am pissed off at him. Pissed off that the successors of the Apostles he picked can be such lousy, cowardly idiots, who today did nothing in the face of evil. Pissed off that my fellow laymen feared for their lives more than seeing a perpetrator get justice in this world. Pissed off that they let a domestic abuser intimidate them into robbing a Catholic family out of their sole provider in San Diego.

Then there’s all the other things - like the pedophile clergy, and the spinelessness of our bishops before all sorts of politicians, and how Canon Law does next to nothing to those in the Church who hate it the most, and… you know…

Yes, God, I believe you exist, and I believe the Catholic Church is the Church you set up. That’s why I’m pissed off at you, perhaps irrationally so.
 
So its the people you’re angry with basically?

Understandably so for the faults you mentioned.

Does that anger help the situation at all?

What would?
 
So, what you’re really saying is that you are angry with yourself because things aren’t going the way you want…I guess that makes you pretty normal…what’s the problem?
San Diego, Dublin, London,…what’s so special about your little patch?
Sink to your knees my friend and pray with all your heart and lots of humility. The One you are angry with is bemused by your human weakness but understanding and loving. He is master and not answerable to mere miserable human beings. One day, all will be revealed and good will conquer evil. Stay strong my friend, eyes upward and focus on Heaven. God Bless you
 
FrancisBenedict said:
So its the people you’re angry with basically?

Understandably so for the faults you mentioned.

Does that anger help the situation at all?

What would?
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Yes. In retrospect I am more frustrated that God left the care of his Church to men who I thought had spine and seem now to lack it. How can a good God leave his sheep to neglectful shepherds? I do not doubt His goodness. But it is hard to see sometimes.

I know my anger isn’t rational. And I know there’s precious little aside from praying for our priests, bishops and teachers that I can really do. But it eats me when I read of the people who are supposed to fight against injustice stand aside.

What would help would be if certain bishops once again found their spines. Of course, I know that this has been a problem from the founding of the Church. But it is frustrating to see it happen and knowing that there is nothing I can do but pray.
 
So what your saying is you are angry with God because of free will correct?

I guess you should also be angry with Jesus since he allowed Judas as part of the Church, or even the first Pope himself, Peter the Apostle, who denied Jesus three times. We are all sinners and this is not the first time in history there has been problems in the Church. Pray for the Church and please seek confession with all your heart asking for God’s mercy for being angry, which is a deadly sin, and especially at him. None of us know better than God, so why question him? Have faith!

God Bless,
BVMFatima
 
Cojuanco said:
Right now I am angry with God and his Church.

No, I have not apostatized. I still believe in the tenets of my Faith. I even believe the difficult teachings, though Lord knows I stumble. If offered a Statement of Faith that required me to assent to everything the Catholic Church teaches, I would sign it in a hearbeat. No, I still believe in God. But I am pissed off at him. Pissed off that the successors of the Apostles he picked can be such lousy, cowardly idiots, who today did nothing in the face of evil. Pissed off that my fellow laymen feared for their lives more than seeing a perpetrator get justice in this world. Pissed off that they let a domestic abuser intimidate them into robbing a Catholic family out of their sole provider in San Diego.

Then there’s all the other things - like the pedophile clergy, and the spinelessness of our bishops before all sorts of politicians, and how Canon Law does next to nothing to those in the Church who hate it the most, and… you know…

Yes, God, I believe you exist, and I believe the Catholic Church is the Church you set up. That’s why I’m pissed off at you, perhaps irrationally so.
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I dunno what others answered because (forgive me) I haven’t read the answers, I was just prompted to post my own (worth its two cents). We have FREE WILL. If God were able to stop all the abuse in the clergy, the politics in the Vatican, the grossly unjust things that occur in the world to otherwise “innocent” people, then He would but we would no longer be on earth, as we know it, as He created it. We’d be someplace where we were automatons, where our actions were per-determined and then actually performed by the Creator.

You want to be angry at God? Walk in my shoes. But I’m not angry at God. In fact, if not for Him, I wouldn’t be sitting here typing this. My horrific (and recent) experience has made me realize that He prepared me, when I was a child; that without that preparation, I would not have known “something cataclysmic” was coming in my lifetime; and without that preparation, I would not have known when (and I did know). He saved me from the horror He knew would occur but which He DID NOT CHOOSE, and did not “will”.

As for the Church, and its clergy, and everyone else for that matter, there is a day of particular judgment and one of general judgment. At that time, the beatitudes will have a life and light so bright it will be blinding. Stop blaming Him, start thanking Him that he gives you courage to maintain your faith, grace to adhere to His truths.
 
Thank you for the advice. I really do need to see things in perspective.
 
I think it’s been established that really you are angry at the people for lacking character, integrity, a sense of justice, and courage. The quickest way to get over that anger is to spend some time thinking about all your own screw ups, all your own weaknesses, that Jesus has so lovingly and compassionately forgiven you. Wiped the slate clean without ever throwing it in your face or even making you pay your debt back. Anyone who knows and is honest about their own need forgiveness finds it quickly and easily in their heart to forgive others. It is in moments like these that you have the opportunity to be “like Jesus” and impart forgiveness.
 
Cojuanco said:
Right now I am angry with God and his Church.

No, I have not apostatized. I still believe in the tenets of my Faith. I even believe the difficult teachings, though Lord knows I stumble. If offered a Statement of Faith that required me to assent to everything the Catholic Church teaches, I would sign it in a hearbeat. No, I still believe in God. But I am pissed off at him. Pissed off that the successors of the Apostles he picked can be such lousy, cowardly idiots, who today did nothing in the face of evil. Pissed off that my fellow laymen feared for their lives more than seeing a perpetrator get justice in this world. Pissed off that they let a domestic abuser intimidate them into robbing a Catholic family out of their sole provider in San Diego.

Then there’s all the other things - like the pedophile clergy, and the spinelessness of our bishops before all sorts of politicians, and how Canon Law does next to nothing to those in the Church who hate it the most, and… you know…

Yes, God, I believe you exist, and I believe the Catholic Church is the Church you set up. That’s why I’m pissed off at you, perhaps irrationally so.
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You’re in good company.

The prophet Jonah felt angry at God and even told God to His face.–Jonah 4:9.

St. Joan of Arc became quite angry at the hypocritical ones conducting her trial, a trial composed of Catholic clergy.

God understands we can get angry with him. We can even argue and constantly fight with God.–Compare Genesis 32:25-31.

It sounds like when your anger subsides that your reason will help you see things straight again. And hopefully so, for as Pope Francis recently stated, we need to look past complaining about the problems and ask ourselves: “What am I doing to set matters right?”

It is often said that the world is a terrible place. You know what? It often is. But that is because the world is what we make of it–and often the result of what we fail to do.

The same thing goes for the Church. It isn’t God who did these horrible things, it is us. And when all we do is complain, we show that we don’t want to take the responsibility for changing things.

You may have set up a room to be clean, orderly, and tidy, but if other people come in and mess it up, should people blame you or be angry at you?

Just because God set up his Church doesn’t mean that we should stay angry at God for the problems we humans cause.

It’s okay to be angry. Just remember what the Scripture says: “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil,” for he is sure to take advantage of it if you do.–Ephesians 4:26, 27.
 
Cojuanco said:
Right now I am angry with God and his Church.

No, I have not apostatized. I still believe in the tenets of my Faith. I even believe the difficult teachings, though Lord knows I stumble. If offered a Statement of Faith that required me to assent to everything the Catholic Church teaches, I would sign it in a hearbeat. No, I still believe in God. But I am pissed off at him. Pissed off that the successors of the Apostles he picked can be such lousy, cowardly idiots, who today did nothing in the face of evil. Pissed off that my fellow laymen feared for their lives more than seeing a perpetrator get justice in this world. Pissed off that they let a domestic abuser intimidate them into robbing a Catholic family out of their sole provider in San Diego.

Then there’s all the other things - like the pedophile clergy, and the spinelessness of our bishops before all sorts of politicians, and how Canon Law does next to nothing to those in the Church who hate it the most, and… you know…

Yes, God, I believe you exist, and I believe the Catholic Church is the Church you set up. That’s why I’m pissed off at you, perhaps irrationally so.
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I would certainly agree with the “irrationally so” part. Why don’t you talk to a priest for help with all this anger. Sounds like you could use a good Spiritual director. I’d kinda watch the language too if you don’t mind. God Bless, Memaw
 
Cojuanco said:
I intend to go to Confession as soon as I can. Thank you.
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Remember that God is not happy when any of us sin, bishop or anyone. God rejoices when we repent.

Also remember that sometimes what we think we know about a person (even a bishop) may not be the whole of what they are experiencing and why they did what they did.

Why be angry at God for some of his children going astray?

Should people be angry at us if one of our children decided not to listen to us as parents? Sometimes people do feel angry at the parent. Sometimes the parent is partially to blame, as they didn’t teach the child properly. We shouldn’t blame God for His children who went astray. He did not parent them poorly.

Anger is okay to feel. Sometimes we realize that it is not really anger we have, it is hurt and pain. Sometimes we feel angry because it allows us to be in control. When we feel hurt and pain we sometimes feel vulnerable and don’t always like feeling that way so we transfer our hurt and pain into anger.

May you feel Peace today. God Bless.
 
No you’re not. You’re angry with yourself. Go be the man you say you want the church to be and you’ll stop being mad at God and start being mad at perpetrators of Domestic violence and cowardly School Administrators.

You know, I bet God is sitting up there saying “I gave you Freedom of Religion, I gave you Freedom to Protect yourselves, I gave you a Spirit of Strength and not Fear and YOU WANT TO BLAME ME!!!”

Stop feeling sorry, go be a man and change the church. Be the man you say you want in the church.

~Just Saying.
 
Cojuanco said:
Right now I am angry with God and his Church.

No, I have not apostatized. I still believe in the tenets of my Faith. I even believe the difficult teachings, though Lord knows I stumble. If offered a Statement of Faith that required me to assent to everything the Catholic Church teaches, I would sign it in a hearbeat. No, I still believe in God. But I am pissed off at him. Pissed off that the successors of the Apostles he picked can be such lousy, cowardly idiots, who today did nothing in the face of evil. Pissed off that my fellow laymen feared for their lives more than seeing a perpetrator get justice in this world. Pissed off that they let a domestic abuser intimidate them into robbing a Catholic family out of their sole provider in San Diego.

Then there’s all the other things - like the pedophile clergy, and the spinelessness of our bishops before all sorts of politicians, and how Canon Law does next to nothing to those in the Church who hate it the most, and… you know…

Yes, God, I believe you exist, and I believe the Catholic Church is the Church you set up. That’s why I’m pissed off at you, perhaps irrationally so.
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As I recall, several of the psalms are centered around being pissed off at God. It happens. Ideally, we should come to the understanding that God works for the best of everything (while respecting our free will), but it seems like the best thing to do when feeling angry at God is to talk to Him about it.
 
I myself would lean into the anger, and demand an answer from God. I suspect that the Lord is far more angry at the situation than you are. I think there’s a passage in Ezekiel where the Lord rages against false prophets and bad shepherds of His people.

The biggest challenge is this: we are God’s servants now. If He wants to express his righteous anger, He probably wants to use us.
 
I recall reading somewhere that noted Catholic theologian Hans urs von Balthazar once recommended to a friend who was mad a God for the loss of her husband to pray the imprecatory Psalms, particularly the cursing Psalms. It worked for her!
 
Cojuanco said:
Right now I am angry with God and his Church.

No, I have not apostatized. I still believe in the tenets of my Faith. I even believe the difficult teachings, though Lord knows I stumble. If offered a Statement of Faith that required me to assent to everything the Catholic Church teaches, I would sign it in a hearbeat. No, I still believe in God. But I am pissed off at him. Pissed off that the successors of the Apostles he picked can be such lousy, cowardly idiots, who today did nothing in the face of evil. Pissed off that my fellow laymen feared for their lives more than seeing a perpetrator get justice in this world. Pissed off that they let a domestic abuser intimidate them into robbing a Catholic family out of their sole provider in San Diego.

Then there’s all the other things - like the pedophile clergy, and the spinelessness of our bishops before all sorts of politicians, and how Canon Law does next to nothing to those in the Church who hate it the most, and… you know…

Yes, God, I believe you exist, and I believe the Catholic Church is the Church you set up. That’s why I’m pissed off at you, perhaps irrationally so.
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I understand your frustration. I gave up believing completely in anything human, long ago, for similar reasons. Frustrated idealism hurts. Nonetheless, it’s a big part of life. Whenever people are involved, weakness and failure can prevail. The trials of Christ reveal this truth. The crowd denounced Him and screamed for His death, when all He had done was help people. Hang in there. In the end, it’s just you and God.
 
God allows things to happen, and we must simply thank Him for what He allows. We cannot possess nor understand His infinite wisdom and timing of events. For one to be angry at God for what He allows is to want Him to conform to one’s own will. We are called to be at peace. Who or what would want us to be angry at God? Satan comes to mind. Satan and his legion of demons influence people to sin, and this causes people to be angry at God rather than the Satan, the author of the misdeeds.
 
Deus_tecum said:
God allows things to happen, and we must simply thank Him for what He allows. We cannot possess nor understand His infinite wisdom and timing of events. For one to be angry at God for what He allows is to want Him to conform to one’s own will. We are called to be at peace. Who or what would want us to be angry at God? Satan comes to mind. Satan and his legion of demons influence people to sin, and this causes people to be angry at God rather than the Satan, the author of the misdeeds.
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No. Satan wants us to hide and repress any anger we have toward God. When we repress these feelings, we will find ourselves mired in dysfunction, or rewarded by our own Pharisee-like self-righteousness.

God wants us to express anger, like Job did. Of course this anger is not properly directed, but that does not make it any less real. When we express our anger FULLY where we feel that anger (in a safe place, like prayer), then we will hear God gently redirect our anger in the proper direction. We will experience God’s comfort.

And that is a very good feeling. 🙂
 
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