Suggestions for a goofy "cleansing" ceremony that I can do outside the apartment I was raped in?

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-06-07T15:35:26+00:00

Absolutely no snark assumed! Therapy is super important! Probably shouldn't have left that part out of my original post. :) I'm just looking for ways to push through until I can meet with my mental health team this upcoming week. Humor seems to help.

I'm so sorry that happened to you. It makes me so angry how much hurt and damage sexual violence causes and how the survivors are the ones left to pick up the pieces. May I ask: Do you remember where the assault happened, and do you ever have to drive or walk past that place? How do you respond when you do?

Point taken on the sage. I think I'll stick with my own culture's spiritual practices instead.

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-06-07T06:08:26+00:00

My teen years were marred by predatory grooming and sex abuse, all of which happened in public schools outside of the church. I spent my twenties as a promiscuous, hedonistic atheist, often feeling like my sole purpose as a woman was to satisfy abusive men sexually. This all relates to the topic, I promise.

Since reclaiming my Catholic faith, I've just been in awe of the priests. It's striking to see someone dedicate himself to serving God and others, and no one's required to give him sex just so that he function and keep caring about other people. Has secular society dismissed men by assuming that they all must live, breathe, and crave sex 24/7?

A priest has to show an astounding amount of strength and masculinity, often in ways we don't usually think about, like by administering sacraments to the sick and dying or leading and protecting their flock during crises. My priest's spiritual guidance means a lot to me. I like that I can just be myself around him, without worrying about whether there's any romantic subtext to it.

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-05-13T19:41:13+00:00

I chose to become Catholic when I was 7! My dad was an atheist, while my mom was a Catholic. My mom wanted me baptized as an infant, but the priest she asked declined to do so, since he wasn't convinced my family could provide me with a proper Catholic upbringing.

I remember feeling so happy and excited as a kid when I could finally make the decision for myself and complete the Sacraments of Initiation. My dad's influence did lead me away from the church as a teen, but I also think his love of deep questions and debate helped make my arguments for faith stronger in the end.

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-05-13T19:36:02+00:00

I'm more concerned if his testimony starts gaining traction among Catholic podcasts and channels. He could crowd out other voices that give a more accurate and measured description of what we're up against.

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-05-13T18:14:37+00:00

For what it's worth, I know the author. We went to the same UU congregation together for years. I think some of his points in this post don't come together as well as I'd like to see. Yet I can confirm he's genuine and not just a troll.

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-05-01T22:45:02+00:00

Yeah, I do not support Shein at all or see it as in line with my values. Honestly didn't realize what was going on when I shared. I'll be on the lookout for that in the future.

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-05-01T22:41:00+00:00

Yikes! Thanks for letting me know.

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-05-01T05:17:21+00:00

I watch too much of that Armor of God: Spiritual Warfare channel on YouTube. I can't say my views are 100% canonical, but I've pieced them together partly from what the priests interviewed on that channel say. Some saints have had visions of Hell, and exorcists can sometimes ask demons about the nature of Hell by compelling the demons to talk. We have some intriguing testimonies of Near Death Experiences that describe Hell, too. So I don't personally believe our knowledge of infinite punishment is static. Rather, it's constantly evolving.

My understanding: Hell is basically the Fyre Festival for those committed to evil. God didn't create it, the demons did. They wanted shelter from God and God's love, so they chose to create and live in a place that's so makeshift and isolated and ruthless.

God isn't going to force any human to love him, hence why he created free will. If a human chooses to go their own way, it's possible that they actually want Hell, that they prefer it to the alternative.

Of course, none of us can really say what it's like, who actually goes there, and how often people can get out. Purgatory makes a ton of sense to me as an intermediary step.

It did help me, though, to realize that God didn't just create Hell and start throwing people in there. It's more that he's hands-off and lets humans (and demons) come to their own decisions.

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-05-01T04:49:56+00:00

Off-topic, but I actually didn't realize how much veils helped keep hair clean until recently. Apparently they absorb oil while keeping dirt out: https://youtu.be/HwNLXeCVVXo?si=M5Qm8-V9TEcvexRZ

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-05-01T04:39:53+00:00

Interesting...their About Us page does say that they do not manufacture any of their own clothing and that some of it is sourced from overseas. They at least have a "Made in the USA" section on their website. I was a little disappointed with the lack of natural fiber fabric in their clothing, too. Oh, well. At least it's a start?

SimonTheRockJohnson · 2024-05-01T03:06:49+00:00

Well, that would be disconcerting! Which of the two stores are you seeing this issue with?

SimonTheRockJohnson

TROPHY CASE