Should We Listen To Our Conscience If The Church Does Not Oppose Those Things?

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Steven87

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(I asked this question ealier but the topic got deleted because I had a couple like it, but the only reason I asked the other 2 was because I didn’t get to the root of what I wanted to say until the third topic, so sorry if this caused any trouble.)

But I asked this question because the church objects some things but doesn’t others, and if your conscience is bothering you about a certain movie, or tv show you are watching, or a book you are reading or anything like that in general (for example: If it is God talking to us through our conscience then why would people question what their conscience is telling them by asking in the AAA forum, if it really is God nudging people about what is right or wrong?)

I just don’t understand… If the church doesn’t object on certain movies, books, or tv shows and these things don’t lead you to sin then should you always listen to your conscience? Because I do suffer from anxiety and I seriously worry about everything, especially something that will potentially send me to hell.

(Sorry to those who already answered.)
 
certainly cannot advise any individual on forming one’s conscience, other than following Church teaching. Someone who has anxiety or compusiveness about certain moral decisions should seek guidance from their priest about scrupulosity, and help from doctor or therapist if anxiety has become a problem in their life.
 
I would say if you don’t feel right about it even if the Church opposed it or not. Don’t do it. We all have free will, but our Conscience helps us to say “whoa…not good for me.” There is so much objectionable stuff out there and so many hours in a day we can not expect the Church to rule on Every song, book, movie, TV program ect. It’s simply put but I hope it helps you.
 
I agree w/ all posts. I’ve had anxiety, and now I have a therapist and treatment etc, and it helps to be able to know that I’m only human just like everybody else. And true, the CHurch is infinitely mysterious: I think not even the Pope could know all that the Church truly teaches. It’s a personal jouney I think. The Church is infinite in Divinity and in humanity, together.

But I’ll also suggest if I may for ya: I know I am not saved by works. It’s all, for all eternity, by the grace of our Lord’s infinite Blood (or something like that). Thus, as Paul (methinks) said: all things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial. I could be gay and still eventually go to Heaven. Same thing with having an abortion: I would still go to Heaven if I merely believe in and profess Jesus Christ’s atonement and resurection. But I still want to grow and it sounds like you do too. Inner transformation beyond what we now know. Beattitudes etc.

IOW: don’t every fear. Never worry. Don’t be anxious, because it’s a sin to be anxious, lol. lol? lol. 🙂 Be joyful in all you have and work your way to a wonderfully personalized concious in peace. IN PEACE!! ok?

That’s my best advice, and I have an idea of what you’re going through. So I am able to speak here for your help.

~Jason~
 
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love-bias:
But I’ll also suggest if I may for ya: I know I am not saved by works. It’s all, for all eternity, by the grace of our Lord’s infinite Blood (or something like that). Thus, as Paul (methinks) said: all things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial. I could be gay and still eventually go to Heaven. Same thing with having an abortion: I would still go to Heaven if I merely believe in and profess Jesus Christ’s atonement and resurection. But I still want to grow and it sounds like you do too. Inner transformation beyond what we now know. Beattitudes etc.
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Jason, that is Protestant teaching that all you need is faith. Catholics know that true faith can never be separated from works. Jesus died for our sins, so we must make every effort not to sin, because we love Him and appreciate His sacrifice.

Steven, do listen to your conscience, know and understand Church teaching, and don’t worry. God is not waiting for you to slip up so he can send you to Hell. He very much wants you to be with Him.

Try praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and always remember:

Jesus, I trust in you.
 
So I should always listen to my conscience, because i’m wrong about a lot of stuff, and if I listened to my conscience about everything then the only thing I would feel safe doing is nothing, thats the problem.
 
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Steven87:
So I should always listen to my conscience, because i’m wrong about a lot of stuff, and if I listened to my conscience about everything then the only thing I would feel safe doing is nothing, thats the problem.
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Steven, it really sounds like you are having a rough time. I think you need more personal advice than you can receive from us here on the forums. The best you’re going to get here is “trust God and don’t worry”. We don’t know you so we cannot comment further than that.

On one hand, if we say always listen to your conscience, then you have the problem of feeling like nothing is ok to do/say/think etc.

On the other hand, if we say, don’t worry, God loves you, you may end up doing something really wrong.

It seems like you are having a tough time deciding what is your conscience talking and what is just anxiety/fear. Seek personal help. A priest? A spiritual advisor? A therapist?

I wish you luck and much peace!

Malia
 
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Steven87:
So I should always listen to my conscience, because i’m wrong about a lot of stuff, and if I listened to my conscience about everything then the only thing I would feel safe doing is nothing, thats the problem.
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Is it possible that you are confusing your conscience and your anxiety? They are not the same thing at all. Your conscience is God speaking to you. Your anxiety is you not trusting your conscience. That is just the way I look at it, and I am certainly no expert, just someone who has to battle anxiety from time to time.

I think you’ll always be safe trusting the Church’s teaching, so maybe that will help free you from anxiety. I hope.
 
When I find myself in confusing circumstances, I pray over it – continuously… non stop… the easiest thing for me – not very profound is simply to start saying “Hail Marys”. One after the other. Hail Marys are easy to pray under any circumstances, such as when driving a car… they are non-distracting. At the office. On airplanes. At home.

And I find it amazing …

I won’t say any more… just try it…
 
Thank you all for your opinions, I will keep praying and will try and talk to my priest sometime soon…

I don’t know what I would do without all of you or this forum!
 
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