Yeah, regret is a much more comfortable alternative- the response to it does not change but the word change helps perspective
sorry I missed your point
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Guilt
73 posts · 9 participants · started Feb 15, 2015, 3:33 PM
- Keryn wrote: There is a fine line between guilt and regret.
That brings to mind the phenomenon of shame. Shame appears to be a human emotion not shared by the animal kingdom. We’re told that something bordering on shame appeared in the dawn mammals who preceded humans (62:2.3), so I’m thinking that it is a useful emotion. Some people seem to have no shame but rather delight in shaming others. Why is that?
62:5.5 Not only were such human feelings manifested in these primitive humans, but many more highly evolved sentiments were also present in rudimentary form. They were mildly cognizant of pity, shame, and reproach and were acutely conscious of love, hate, and revenge, being also susceptible to marked feelings of jealousy.
I agree, Bonita. Guilt, shame, regret, they are all nuances of the same family of emotions. Perhaps, in light of these subtly different terms, we can agree that guilt is somewhat productive in that it involves a realization of wrong doing; whereas, regret and even shame sometimes do not follow sin but can result from one’s unfortunate mistakes.
As an aside, out of curiosity, I looked on the online dictionary to see how “guilt” is defined and, among a few definitions, is this:
a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined.Regret is defined as:to feel sorrow or remorse for (an act, fault, disappointment, etc.)- Keryn wrote: Perhaps, in light of these subtly different terms, we can agree that guilt is somewhat productive in that it involves a realization of wrong doing . .
I can agree with that. Another thing that has been rattling around in my brain is this quote:
91:1.16 With those mortals who have not been delivered from the primitive bondage of fear, there is a real danger that all prayer may lead to a morbid sense of sin, unjustified convictions of guilt, real or fancied. But in modern times it is not likely that many will spend sufficient time at prayer to lead to this harmful brooding over their unworthiness or sinfulness. The dangers attendant upon the distortion and perversion of prayer consist in ignorance, superstition, crystallization, devitalization, materialism, and fanaticism.
There appears to be a connection between fear and guilt. But the quote uses the word unjustified. I think that is important. It also implies that prayer induces feelings of guilt. I’m wondering if you, and others, think I’m reading this right.
you agree because it sounds like I’m critical of someone??? Or?
Are you being critical of someone?
you agree because it sounds like I’m critical of someone??? Or?
Are you being critical of someone?
not intentionally:
however- I do enjoy reading your posts very much, you are intelligent and have compelling and different ideas-but there tends to be criticism in there much of the time and it is not easy for me to sort out so my question was sincere, not critical.
however- I do enjoy reading your posts very much, you are intelligent and have compelling and different ideas-but there tends to be criticism in there much of the time and it is not easy for me to sort out so my question was sincere, not critical.
Well, I am not as kind as you nelsong. I do intend to be critical but I mean it as constructive and not erosive. But other can take as they will or not take it at all. If I remained silent then that would mean that I don’t give a poop.
But I obey the law and scoop my poop. Ha Ha.
Manure degrades, like soap with which to clean yourself up after exposure to it. It’s a natural by product and biodegradable. It is like the weeds and leaves in the fields that blend with the soils to enrich them. It’s just another manifestation in the cycle of the effect of sunlight on our physical world.
I think you demean yourself when you get that manure-talk going. It’s kindergarten.
I think you demean yourself when you get that manure-talk going. It’s kindergarten.
Take it up with Bonita who referred to me as poop and fertilizer. I said in a self deprecating manner that I follow the law and I am a dutiful pooper scooper.
Bonita meant to demean me but I took it as a joke. How about a sense of humor around here. I am not demeaned. Every time I make a full turn I have four new cheeks and I getting to like my rosy cheeks. Gives me a little color and I save money on blush. Otherwise I would look like the Coppertone girl. Ha Ha.
Well, I’m not as kind as you nelsong.
why not? Is that a badge of honor? It is easier to be abrasive.
91:1.16 With those mortals who have not been delivered from the primitive bondage of fear, there is a real danger that all prayer may lead to a morbid sense of sin, unjustified convictions of guilt, real or fancied. But in modern times it is not likely that many will spend sufficient time at prayer to lead to this harmful brooding over their unworthiness or sinfulness. The dangers attendant upon the distortion and perversion of prayer consist in ignorance, superstition, crystallization, devitalization, materialism, and fanaticism.
I’m wondering why it’s so hard to stay focused on the topic. My question concerns prayer and guilt. The above quote suggests that prayer can lead to harmful brooding about one’s own unworthiness. What is it about prayer that opens the pathway to guilt? Could it be the sense of smallness one has when asking for help? I guess what they might be saying is that so few of modern people will bother to ask for help. And that, in turn, must mean that so many modern people are too full of themselves to think that they need help.
The above quote suggests that prayer can lead to harmful brooding about one’s own unworthiness. What is it about prayer that opens the pathway to guilt?
It may relate to how individuals are taught to pray in the different traditions. For some, praying is a way to unburden themselves of any wrong doing they may have done during the day. Sometimes children may be taught to pray thusly, and never grow out of that early teaching when they become adults. It may also be due to a misguided and overzealous desire to be humble in prayer and to acknowledge one’s inferiority or weaknesses as a means of exhibiting humility.
Pray only for the strength to grow in faith.
- Keryn wrote:It may relate to how individuals are taught to pray in the different traditions. For some, praying is a way to unburden themselves of any wrong doing they may have done during the day. Sometimes children may be taught to pray thusly, and never grow out of that early teaching when they become adults. It may also be due to a misguided and overzealous desire to be humble in prayer and to acknowledge one’s inferiority or weaknesses as a means of exhibiting humility.I can see that. Everyone has their own ideas about prayer and their own experiences with prayer. I think any sincere prayer is humbling because it is a supplication of some kind. Supplication is the act of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly. Although, I do think that prayer can simply be a conversation with God, one not requiring any favors, but people generally bristle when I say that as though it’s not really possible. So, I think most people consider prayer to be a plea for help on some level. And, anyone pleading has some measure of humility or they wouldn’t be pleading, they’d be demanding.
I can see that. Everyone has their own ideas about prayer and their own experiences with prayer. I think any sincere prayer is humbling because it is a supplication of some kind. Supplication is the act of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly. Although, I do think that prayer can simply be a conversation with God, one not requiring any favors, but people generally bristle when I say that as though it’s not really possible. So, I think most people consider prayer to be a plea for help on some level. And, anyone pleading has some measure of humility or they wouldn’t be pleading, they’d be demanding.
Yes, Bonita. Pray for strength to be humble before God’s Will. Pray for strength of Faith in His Will.
Apparently religious daydreaming can be bad for you if it becomes a habit of reality avoidance. So, I’m wondering what are the signs of reality avoidance? Could one of them be a lack of guilt?
Apparently religious daydreaming can be bad for you if it becomes a habit of reality avoidance. So, I’m wondering what are the signs of reality avoidance? Could one of them be a lack of guilt?
Reality cannot be avoided, only denied. Denied completely and there is no reality for the denier.
100:5.8 There is great danger associated with the habitual practice of religious daydreaming; mysticism may become a technique of reality avoidance, albeit it has sometimes been a means of genuine spiritual communion.
Did you all notice that Jesus did not permit himself to be alone for long periods and that he sent his apostles out in pairs on missions? There must be a clue here somewhere that applies to this question!!!!!!
- Mark Kurtz wrote: Did you all notice that Jesus did not permit himself to be alone for long periods. . . .
On the subject of isolation:
112:1:16 Personality cannot very well perform in isolation. Man is innately a social creature; he is dominated by the craving of belongingness. It is literally true, “No man lives unto himself.”160:2:8 Isolation tends to exhaust the energy charge of the soul.160:2:9 Man languishes in isolation.Said Jesus:193:3:2 Have you not read in the Scripture where it is written: ‘It is not good for man to be alone. No man lives to himself’? And also where it says: ‘He who would have friends must show himself friendly’? And did I not even send you out to teach, two and two, that you might not become lonely and fall into the mischief and miseries of isolation? You also well know that, when I was in the flesh, I did not permit myself to be alone for long periods. From the very beginning of our associations I always had two or three of you constantly by my side or else very near at hand even when I communed with the Father. Trust, therefore, and confide in one another. And this is all the more needful since I am this day going to leave you alone in the world. The hour has come; I am about to go to the Father.”
