Painful confusion

[tenderlynew]

I posted here about vortex healing about a week ago and, after googling it, realized it was not for me. Magic and karma draw my interest, unfortunately, I am a weak Christian I guess, but I am struggling to “keep the faith.” The friend who introduced me to it responded defensively to an e-mail I sent her asking her to stop practicing it and that I was now praying for a hedge of protection (she is a Catholic). One result of this experience is that I am now seeing the psychiatrist instead of the nurse practitioner where I receive psychiatric care; the psychiatrist is Arab. He has a lovely wife who works in the office. He is nice, and asked me to trust him, but I fear Islam because of my former husband’s frightening involvement with it. I know some Arabs are Christian, but I wouldn’t know how to ask. I believe he is Muslim. I feel I am getting very lost and am asking myself questions, pursuant to these new involvements like, is it even okay to pray for someone without their permission, if it truly has power over them? (in light of the current interpretation of religious freedom in America.) This, and witnessing to others, could be considered an act of religious aggression.

Very confused. My world view has been complicated and I was already struggling with an extremely complicated life.

 

[tenderlynew]

For instance, I still think the bumper sticker I saw years ago: “I used to be a Catholic until my karma ran over my dogma” was funny. I just like the word play. Does that mean there’s something wrong with me as a Christian? My Project Rachel counselor said “the Lord doesn’t want robots” and suggested that I was under some sort of mind control. I think the mind control came from my parents but also from so much psychological treatment dictated by them. I have broken away from that but now I am somewhat passive, which is better than being a “robot,” but leaves me so very vulnerable.

 

[GEddie]

Back off of “spiritual seeking” for a time and let yourself breathe.

You have been deluged with religious information, some of it contradictory, and there is no reconciling all of it. Sometimes it is better just to let go.

BTW, you can pray for anybody at any time. Consider that we pray for the dead, although their is no human way to “obtain their permission.”

ICXC NIKA

 

[chefmomster2]

One result of this experience is that I am now seeing the psychiatrist instead of the nurse practitioner where I receive psychiatric care; the psychiatrist is Arab. He has a lovely wife who works in the office. He is nice, and asked me to trust him, but I fear Islam because of my former husband’s frightening involvement with it. I know some Arabs are Christian, but I wouldn’t know how to ask.

“Doctor, I need to ask you a very uncomfortable question. I am concerned about working with you. I don’t know if you are Muslim, but you should know that I had a bad experience with my husband because of his involvement with it. If you are Muslim, do you feel there could be a conflict between us?”

I had a Muslim psychiatrist. He was a generous and gentle man. Our faiths did not inhibit our interactions. You can always change therapists if he allows his faith to intrude into his professionalism.

I am happy you are seeking help. I will pray for you!

 

[chefmomster2]

Back off of “spiritual seeking” for a time and let yourself breathe.

You have been deluged with religious information, some of it contradictory, and there is no reconciling all of it. Sometimes it is better just to let go.

BTW, you can pray for anybody at any time. Consider that we pray for the dead, although their is no human way to “obtain their permission.”

ICXC NIKA

I agree! Catholicism, at its heart is simple.

The Great Commandment

You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart,
and with your whole soul,
and with all your mind.

This is the greatest and the first commandment.
And the second is like it:
you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

For now, act in a loving way and ask God’s help. Give your faith time to mature a bit. The more complicated issues can be sorted out later. If you try always act in a Christian way you cannot go far wrong.

:hug1:

 

[chefmomster2]

Remember that America is a political, social, cultural stare. It is not Catholicism.

The laws and attitudes are not Catholic. They are secular.

Matthew 22:15-22
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Question about Paying Taxes

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” 21 They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, **“Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” **22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Praying is religious. So are worship, charity, scripture, etc. Our requirements as Catholics are not generally inconsistent with America, but where it is, God comes first. Some examples are: abortion, birth control, secularism, pornography, and other cultural evils. I

Keep praying for your friend, our nation and all the nations of the world. It is what God asks of us!