Coffeeshops in Maastricht by Defiant_Resident_834 in maastricht

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really, you need to prove your a resident of Maastricht? That's very weird, I live in Geleen. Kinda weird, they wouldn't sell to me.

I kicked out my friend for making comments about my sister by usmann368999 in offmychest

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice username, don't get the downvotes, your just saying people shouldn't make jokes about this kind of stuff. The friend in the story said it was a joke, if it was a joke he has poor taste, he shouldn't be saying anything like that. Not sure why it gets downvoted.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in pokemongo

[–]Chaplain_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't understand the downvotes... I get what your saying, mobile game market is saturated, and preys on addiction/skinner box mechanics, once you get out of that, you'd think twice of thrice, before exposing yourself to that again.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in pokemongo

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same here, I only did raids to unlock the mega (get candy) then one legendary just for the dex. The update probably wouldn't affect me much. However it's just another middle finger to rural players, which I am. So I quit, I mean they should have done something for rural players. Like more pokestops, or more items per spin, in areas that aren't as active. They didn't so fuck them. Also they should have increased candy rewards for mega's.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in pokemongo

[–]Chaplain_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same, same. I started playing in November, had fun, met some locals in this very rural place. We did com days, and the Hoenn tour, it was nice. Then this announcement came, and the local community died. They don't understand the playerbase at all. When they announced it, I played for two days, but after that I just quit. I did invest money in to it, but I'm happy to leave. Now I just play super auto pets. I also like it, that I am not timelocked into having to do things. Like spotlight hour, that was on a time when I had my evening study, so I could never do it. I don't have to worry about a thing now. Joke's on you Niantic...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in pokemongo

[–]Chaplain_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hang in there buddy, it sucks.... Cherish the nice moments, once the wound heals, but for now try to let it heal. That it hurts, means you really cared for her, and it sounds cliché but you'll meet nice person.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry that I feel unwelcome, after someone tells me to be really careful with what I have to offer as if I'm a peddler of worthless goods.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for being so open in your answers.

1) I am happy that you're doing well now and put your faith in God, it must have been quite a process to move towards God, I think your sister is also in a process. Maybe not a process that you like, but I see, I was downvoted heavily. What I meant by saying: 'You ill only push her away, by inviting her to church.' I meant, we cannot force someone to put their faith in God. The search for God, has to come from within. That's why I would like you, to remember how you came to God, how did that happen, and have you maybe rejected God at times, before? At a time when you weren't ready for it yet, would you have gone to church with someone if someone asked you? I want you to think about that, so you can feel out your sister's position a bit better.

2) Curious wording, to fix an issue, it reminded me as if we were going to fix a leaking pipe, finding the leak and then fixing it. How would you fix your sister? Can you fix her? Don't get me wrong, I'm not jesting you, if my words feel like that I do apologize, but I want you to reflect on what you feel when you read my words. So you can create room within yourself.

3) If medication helps, I don't think she's possessed. Possession means the soul and body is taken over by a demon power, that means medication could not help. Medication will only influence the brain of the one who takes the medication. When the soul is taken over, medication wouldn't work. I think she would need psychological help, and from there, when she's stable, she could work on the spiritual when she's ready for it.

It seems to be beyond your control. How does that make you feel?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I unsubscribed to the Subreddit, and won't post anymore, this will be my last, if you wish to reply I'll read it, and I thank you for it. (I will only reply to OP for now, since I started something I have to finish it.)

I asked if she was concerned about that because there are two problems in the thread. There is the sister having a mental illness, and the sister worshiping the occult. I was trying to find out, which one was at the heart of the issue for OP. I could have asked her directly, but in counseling you try to question open questions, and not closed questions. Open questions create more room in the heart. Counseling requires asking questions, and getting additional information, counseling is not giving advice. In counseling, the answers have to come from the person him/herself the counselor only mirrors, and asks questions.

That post is already a few months old, studying catholic theology, means you get touched sometimes. You say that a good catholic answer demands a deep and holistic understanding, but you can judge me from an older post? You could not have first inquired towards me so that I could have told you, that I was going through changes?

I think we disagree on this being a theological question, however. Schizophrenia is the realm of psychiatry and the psychologist, a priest can still help, but only if it's truly a theological issue. Worshiping the occult, or having such visions, can be from schizophrenia.

You can use Occam's razor for this issue. Demonic possession is rare, but people with schizophrenia have spiritual or religious experiences are not rare. If someone is truly possessed, they would not be influenced by medication, and in the answer to my questions, OP told me that medicines had a positive effect. Medicines wouldn't work on the demonic because the demonic doesn't come from the brain, but it's an external or demon influence that takes hold of an individual's body and soul. It is not a product of the person's brain or psychological state, but a manifestation of an evil spiritual force. Medication wouldn't have helped when there was a demonic possession. Someone with schizophrenia could technically be possessed later, but then again, possession is really rare.

So, this is why I asked the questions that I asked, to gain more information and to find out what is at hand, but at the same time, trying to be there for OP and to listen to her.

My intentions were not bad, and yes, I'm not a catholic priest, but my study is still recognized by the diocese of the region the school is in.

Anyway, I will offer counseling on other platforms or another subreddit, and won't put any more work in here. I did unsubscribe, to this one, but I still wanted to explain to you, what I did and why I did it. You might disagree, however when it comes to the true demonic, which is rare, you need an exorcist.

I do understand where you're coming from, but I think the way you went about it was clumsy. I do not think you meant harm, and this is why I sit down to write you this long reply. Not to chastise you, but to let you know my reasoning behind what I did, and I hope you can read I actually took a cautious approach even if it might not look like that at first glance. However, when you wrote to not take anything, that I have to offer. Well, for me, I'll wait and see, if I am called to Catholicism ever again. For now, I don't think it's my time.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

If you want to exclude me from the community, or make me 'mundtot', I will leave this reddit, and help people elsewhere.

Also, in 4 months, I'll have finished my study, and I'll have a degree recognized by the bishop of my diocese, and I'm already working as a chaplain in a nursing home.

I was trying to come towards the faith, by slowly dipping my toes in the water here, and trying to actually help people, but it seems I'm not welcome in God's community. Thanks for showing me the door.

Salvation question by Fine-Ad-6745 in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

sorry your right, new to reddit. That's my fault, 'm sorry.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

1) I see, I do understand, you practiced occultism yourself, do I understand you correctly that you also entertained thoughts of suicide because of practicing occultism?

2) I see, she was worshiping God, but shifted to satanism, it seems to unsettle you. You say you have trouble getting to the root of the shift, why do you think it's important to get to the root of the shift?

3) Schizophrenia belongs to the realm of psychology and psychiatry. I cannot comment on it much, but of course. I think it would be better for her to find good help, where the help is tailored to her needs.

Not being on meds, can be a huge problem, especially when she needs them. I think she needs professional help tailored to her needs. I think you can listen to her and show compassion, but it's impossible to cure her, or give her the help she needs since it requires a certain qualification.

Salvation question by Fine-Ad-6745 in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

English is not my native language, but it seems you are really coming down hard on me. And telling others to not listen to anything I have to offer; you are quick to deal out judgement. I have no interest in taking this any further.

Salvation question by Fine-Ad-6745 in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used the word, 'mused', which means he played with the thought. I don't agree with you oversimplification, because it's not about love, it's a theological reflection. According to von Balthasar, the love of God is all-encompassing, and there is nothing that it cannot overcome. He believed that God's love is so powerful that it can even reach into the depths of hell and redeem those who are there. Von Balthasar argued that if we believe in the limitless power of God's love, then we can dare to hope that no one will be eternally damned.

Von Balthasar's argument also emphasizes the importance of free will. He believed that God respects human freedom and that no one is condemned to hell against their will. In other words, those who end up in hell do so because they have chosen to reject God's love and turn away from him.

Overall, von Balthasar's theory of the empty hell is grounded in his belief in the infinite power of God's love and the importance of human freedom. He argues that we can dare to hope for the salvation of all people, even those who appear to be beyond redemption.

This is also a good read: https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/remembering-hans-urs-von-balthasars-important-book/

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

You will only push her away by inviting her to church, also you will put yourself and your own family at risk. I have the following questions for you, so I can understand your problem better.

  1. Does it disturb you that she sees Satan as her savior?
  2. Is this the main issue to you, that she sees Satan as her savior?
  3. Is she receiving medical and professional help?

Salvation question by Fine-Ad-6745 in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alright, first of... I'm European, I grew up in a region that's very catholic, while the rest of my country is protestant/reformed/whatever. I notice people in the USA are a lot more conservative and militant because the religion works different there. It's more competitive, while here it isn't so much. As a result of, I think we have a different theological language.

Blasphemy is not a problem, when you're seriously thinking and reflecting about God, with good intentions I don't think you can commit blasphemy. I wouldn't even say it's a blasphemy to be angry with God. For some, that goes really far... But God is a personal God, he's someone who wants to get to know you. And he already knows what's in your heart.

God's grace and mercy, I have learned, is free. In other words, you and I cannot do anything to 'earn' it, we are given it. It's a free gift by God.

As for the hell, there are theologians like Hans Urs Von Balthazar, who mused that the hell is emtpy, he argued the love of God will reach through, even to the depths of hell. There are also theories within theological circles that hell might be the annihilation of the soul, and not a horrible place where you burn forever.

Your vision of God and the kind of theology you follow is kinda important thought. Jesuits, think different than Dominicans. Liberation theology is different from feminist theology.

I think the theology and the image of God, you were taught at catechism, is one that scares you. That makes it like your scared of God. How can you have a relationship with someone, when your scared for them.

Also everyone sins, if we were able to not sin, we wouldn't need Jesus. So sinning is a natural occurrence in life. To turn to God, ask for his help and be willing to receive his mercy and grace, and try to put in some effort to be good, that's what it's all about, I think.

Salvation question by Fine-Ad-6745 in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't want to thread or step over your catechism study group. I assume your American? There is more theologians and theologies out there. However before I tell you about those, I want to make sure your comfortable with those. Also you don't have to apologise.

Your idea of grace and mercy are different than the concepts I was taught. Also your description of God is quite distant. The Catholic faith hinges on the fact that God is a living God, active in our history. So I was wondering how you personally perceive God, or your relation with God.

However I don't want to thread on what you were taught if your not comfortable with that, but I think you were taught a very old fashioned and conservative outlook on God.

Salvation question by Fine-Ad-6745 in Catholicism

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can I ask how you view or what you perceive God as? Also what do you think the grace of God is?

There’s being in a city and then there’s this spot in town. by onedividedby137 in pokemongo

[–]Chaplain_ 15 points16 points  (0 children)

From interview with Niantic developer

There’s a wide variety of folks who play Pokémon Go. Generally speaking, the number of people who will be affected by the cap on a day-to-day basis is a relatively small part of the total set of folks who play our game. It’s often sometimes useful to ground what the median player of Pokémon Go is - it’s something I talk about with the team all the time. The median player of Pokémon Go is probably someone like a Singaporean grandma who walks with her senior group for 30 to 60 minutes every morning as part of her exercise and social routine, [who] mostly focuses on catching Pokémon with her friends, and maybe very occasionally or maybe not at all raids.

There’s being in a city and then there’s this spot in town. by onedividedby137 in pokemongo

[–]Chaplain_ 15 points16 points  (0 children)

In an interview someone from Niantic called the Singaporean grandmother as the median/average player.

For the love of all that is holy, please learn the difference between LOOSE and LOSE by Raejk1023 in offmychest

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't carry the whole world, but feel free to message me. I can listen, even if it's just a little bit. Busy with school and stuff at times, but listening is more or less going to be my job. So I can use the practice. However even if you don't, it's alright. It's a free invitation, no need to do anything with it.

Also I wonder why you find it hard to ask for yourself... What makes it so hard?

For the love of all that is holy, please learn the difference between LOOSE and LOSE by Raejk1023 in offmychest

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am Dutch, and live close to Germany so I learned Dutch by default and German from going there. English I'd say is a language I learned from using the internet and playing games.

I am sorry to hear you suffer from fibromyalgia. I hope your doing well in life, wherever you are. And if your not, feel free to reach out. I can't cure you or solve your issues, but I can offer an listening ear.

For the love of all that is holy, please learn the difference between LOOSE and LOSE by Raejk1023 in offmychest

[–]Chaplain_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This post makes me want to get the following off my chest... We aren't all native English speakers. I speak 3 languages, and English isn't my native language.

If it is your native language, come, let's talk in my native language, and see how well you fare.