| |
|
Repent, for the Lord is coming to judge.
|
|
 |
Father Oleg Molenko Answers Questions
| |
| Aleksey, Astrakhan, Russia |
|
Dear Father Oleg,
1. I don’t know how harmful the horoscope hobby is, but I know for a fact
that it’s one of the catchiest. It’s been a long time since I read
horoscopes purposefully, but every time I hear someone’s date of birth,
I subconsciously start associating it with a Zodiac sign. Or, if I know someone
who is of a certain sign, I (again, subconsciously) start ascribing certain
characteristics to that person according to what sign he is.
How can I get rid of these harmful obsessions? Will you agree that they are
against nature and destructive for an orthodox person?
2. My sister’s husband is, like all of us, orthodox and he says that to
kill spiders is a sin and never kills any. On the contrary, I can’t stand
spiders and often kill them. I’ve never come across anything on spiders
in the orthodox literature.
Maybe you know? Is it a sin to kill spiders or not?
|
| | | Father Oleg's Answer |
1. I totally agree that going after horoscopes and astrological signs is sinful
and destructive for an orthodox believer. You should resist this harmful habit
the same way you do any other lust: by prayer, confession and repentance, asking
for God’s help, by exercising your will, by watchful life, controlling
it in all its movements.
2. The question is posed incorrectly. It would be equal to ask, “Is it
a sin to kill a fish or a chicken?”
There is only one answer: if there is a need or necessity for it, then it’s
not a sin. If there is no need for it, then it’s a sin to deprive of life
any God’s creature.
|
|
|
