This book is too negative

[Lady Bug]

Hi, I'm someone who may procure a book and then leave it on the shelf indefinitely - this is one such book. I'm not saying that the book has false teachings but then again, I'm not sure. Maybe no one here has read this. I'm not even on page 20 and I'm kind of struggling with feeling hopeless and scared, when I don't think that these are healthy feelings to have. It is not until literally page 131 of this book that it finally starts talking about heaven, but a few "decades" of pages before that, you "have to" read the complete description of what hell will be like, and even if the description is true, I'm not sure if I can handle reading it. I don't want to feel so terrified every day, just because of reading it. I do like that the reading style is very articulate and interesting, but then what? Something tells me that this is not a book I will read from cover to cover (or at all).

 

[Michie]

I have heard that book is highly recommended. I have not read it though.

Deacon Pedro thinks meditation on these things can be a good thing.

Here is what he wrote: Deacon-structing the Four Last Things | Salt + Light Media

 

[mourningdove~]

I'm not even on page 20 and I'm kind of struggling with feeling hopeless and scared, when I don't think that these are healthy feelings to have.

It is not until literally page 131 of this book that it finally starts talking about heaven, but a few "decades" of pages before that, you "have to" read the complete description of what hell will be like, and even if the description is true, I'm not sure if I can handle reading it.

I don't want to feel so terrified every day,

Is this a mandatory reading assignment given to you by your priest or confessor?

If not, then it would seem you have the option to put the book back up on the shelf, to be read at another time.

I've learned that sometimes when we are going thru difficult times, things like reading a book with frightening content ... watching scary movies ... observing persons or animals being abused ... etc. ... can be very emotionally 'triggering'.

So, if your instincts are telling you that this reading may not be healthy for you at this time, I'd trust 'em.
(And I'd put the book away for now, so as to 'take care' of myself.)

 

[Michie]

I have heard that book is highly recommended. I have not read it though.

Deacon Pedro thinks meditation on these things can be a good thing.

Here is what he wrote: Deacon-structing the Four Last Things | Salt + Light Media

I think the deacon helps clarify it a bit where you do not feel like you are being hit over the head. Sometimes there are things that are to be read at certain times. This may not be the time given current stress.

 

[FaithT]

Hi, I'm someone who may procure a book and then leave it on the shelf indefinitely - this is one such book. I'm not saying that the book has false teachings but then again, I'm not sure. Maybe no one here has read this. I'm not even on page 20 and I'm kind of struggling with feeling hopeless and scared, when I don't think that these are healthy feelings to have. It is not until literally page 131 of this book that it finally starts talking about heaven, but a few "decades" of pages before that, you "have to" read the complete description of what hell will be like, and even if the description is true, I'm not sure if I can handle reading it. I don't want to feel so terrified every day, just because of reading it. I do like that the reading style is very articulate and interesting, but then what? Something tells me that this is not a book I will read from cover to cover (or at all).

It sounds like a book I wouldnt be able to get through, either.

 

[Michie]

It sounds like a book I wouldnt be able to get through, either.

I think that why I never read it despite hearing so much about it.

 

[RileyG]

I read that book several years ago. I don’t remember too much detail, to be honest.

 

[Lady Bug]

I think that why I never read it despite hearing so much about it.

I forgot why I ordered it at the time, lol. I wish I remembered. I would say that make sure you are in a state of grace whenever you read out of that book. Don't read it if you know you have to go to Confession first. Until page 131, it's extremely unpleasant to read IMHO. I wish I were exaggerating

 

[Michie]

I forgot why I ordered it at the time, lol. I wish I remembered. I would say that make sure you are in a state of grace whenever you read out of that book. Don't read it if you know you have to go to Confession first. Until page 131, it's extremely unpleasant to read IMHO. I wish I were exaggerating

Yeah I heard some talk about it. I was not sure I wanted to meditate on it with my anxiety. Some rave about it but I don’t think it’s for everyone. Especially those with anxiety or scrupulosity. There have been times I just could not read a book and I put it on the shelf. I may return to it later and could handle it or even enjoyed it. I think there are many variables when it comes to what we consume. You may get more out of it later but right now I think your stress level is high and the content may add to that.

 

[Lady Bug]

Yeah I heard some talk about it. I was not sure I wanted to meditate on it with my anxiety. Some rave about it but I don’t think it’s for everyone. Especially those with anxiety or scrupulosity. There have been times I just could not read a book and I put it on the shelf. I may return to it later and could handle it or even enjoyed it. I think there are many variables when it comes to what we consume. You may get more out of it later but right now I think your stress level is high and the content may add to that.

I agree about the stress level thing. I'm not saying to say it wouldn't be a good book for anyone here but it's not going to be for everyone and that's OK too.

 

[Lady Bug]

I have managed to read up until page 85, where it starts getting deeper into Hell.

I don't know what prompted me to resume reading it or to keep going (until now). The author's writing style is extremely brilliant, and it reminds me of St. Alphonsus Liguori's writing style in Preparation for Death. However, as brilliant as the writing is, I somehow don't like him. LOL. I can't decide if the author is way too negative or if he's just telling the truth. The part where he says that the saved will rejoice at the destruction of the damned at the Final Judgment makes me wonder how people can do this regarding unsaved loved ones, but that's all I can ask.

It's not a book you would want to pick up unless you are pretty sure you are in a state of grace or know exactly when you are going to Confession next. I can't decide whether to keep going on because in order to get to the section on Heaven, I have to read literally 40 pages of what Hell will be like first. I could skip that, but that would feel awkward.

Over the past 20 years I've tried to read books but could never get more than a certain number of pages in when I lose all motivation to keep reading. This book, however, has an energy to it that helped me keep going, and I'm someone who honestly can't read a book even if I was paid to do it ("can't" as in don't have the fortitude). This is the only book in years where I have "motivation" to read it, but the problem is, the subject matter can be incredibly terrifying for the vast majority of people. Ironically, that abject fright I had when I was first reading this book has worn off, so maybe that's a good sign.

 

[Lady Bug]

I saw this on Wikipedia: The most voluminous is an ecclesiastical history in 2 vols, fol., composed for apologetic purposes and provoked by the attacks made upon the Catholic Church by Protestantism. However, the author brought it down only to the year 1100.

The problem is that his works are mostly in German and I would not be able to get this in English and I don't understand the second sentence either.

ETA, I don't think I understand everything in the first sentence either, lol.

 

[RileyG]

Ever read "Purgatory" Fr. F. X Shouppe SJ? , fascinating read, but also made me very nervous. I have scrupulosity so I don't think reading much about the afterlife is helpful to me, to be honest.

 

[RileyG]

I have managed to read up until page 85, where it starts getting deeper into Hell.

I don't know what prompted me to resume reading it or to keep going (until now). The author's writing style is extremely brilliant, and it reminds me of St. Alphonsus Liguori's writing style in Preparation for Death. However, as brilliant as the writing is, I somehow don't like him. LOL. I can't decide if the author is way too negative or if he's just telling the truth. The part where he says that the saved will rejoice at the destruction of the damned at the Final Judgment makes me wonder how people can do this regarding unsaved loved ones, but that's all I can ask.

It's not a book you would want to pick up unless you are pretty sure you are in a state of grace or know exactly when you are going to Confession next. I can't decide whether to keep going on because in order to get to the section on Heaven, I have to read literally 40 pages of what Hell will be like first. I could skip that, but that would feel awkward.

Over the past 20 years I've tried to read books but could never get more than a certain number of pages in when I lose all motivation to keep reading. This book, however, has an energy to it that helped me keep going, and I'm someone who honestly can't read a book even if I was paid to do it ("can't" as in don't have the fortitude). This is the only book in years where I have "motivation" to read it, but the problem is, the subject matter can be incredibly terrifying for the vast majority of people. Ironically, that abject fright I had when I was first reading this book has worn off, so maybe that's a good sign.

Have you read Preparation for Death all the way through? I have it. I haven't read it, yet.

 

[Lady Bug]

Have you read Preparation for Death all the way through? I have it. I haven't read it, yet.

No I have not. Not sure when I'll come back to it but I don't remember what page I was on.

 

[Lady Bug]

Ever read "Purgatory" Fr. F. X Shouppe SJ? , fascinating read, but also made me very nervous. I have scrupulosity so I don't think reading much about the afterlife is helpful to me, to be honest.

No I haven't but I love that topic. It's my favorite topic in Catholicism even though it's kind of scary at times.

 

[RileyG]

No I haven't but I love that topic. It's my favorite topic in Catholicism even though it's kind of scary at times.

Yes. One of mine too.

 

[RileyG]

No I have not. Not sure when I'll come back to it but I don't remember what page I was on.

I have many, many unread books in my bedroom. I need to get busy