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As a follow-up to my article from last week, I did some unique research delving into what people actually reveal and confess in anonymity. I conducted this via perusal of an interesting website called simpleconfess.com. The results are- maybe- not so shocking.
The premise behind Simply Confess is not Christian in nature. It simply gives people a means of releasing their innermost confessions to anyone who wants to read it. In some ways it is similar to journaling. Generally speaking there is no feedback or guidance given by the website owner or any of the site readers/ visitors. (If there is any feedback or comments often times it is not helpful in any way to the confessor.)
Before anyone visits this site, please be aware that some of these confessions are quite vulgar and rather troubling. I would highly recommend only those 18 and over surf this site. Christians will find some of the confessions obscene- but I believe that those kinds of confessions and obsessions are entrapped within Christianity and the Church as well.
The chart below shows the results of my relatively scientific analysis of the confessions I read on this site. My guess is that a pastor or priest hears the same kinds of issues when a parishioner comes to him with a confession. That said, this site is a window into what many people truly struggle with.
| Main Issue/ Diagnosis/ Dilemma | % of Confession Entries | ||||
| Lust/ pornography | 19.8% | ||||
| Other sexual issues other than lust | 1.2% | ||||
| Love, or love longed for | 19.8% | ||||
| Serious suicidal tendencies | 2.5% | ||||
| Moderate/ possible suicidal tendencies | 3.7% | ||||
| Anger/ hate | 6.2% | ||||
| Depression | 2.5% | ||||
| Anxiety | 1.2% | ||||
| Lack of self-worth / self-esteem | 3.7% | ||||
| OTHER/ Misc. | 8.6% | ||||
| Random babbling/ nothing significant | 4.9% | ||||
| Putting down someone else | 2.5% | ||||
| Guilt | 3.7% | ||||
| Seeking God/ divine guidance | 2.5% | ||||
| Deception/ lying | 3.7% | ||||
| Alcohol/ drug related | 1.2% | ||||
| Regret | 2.5% | ||||
| Demonic possession/ occult | 1.2% | ||||
| General complaint | 2.5% | ||||
| Paranoia | 1.2% | ||||
| Desiring a change | 1.2% | ||||
| Thank you/ gratitude | 1.2% | ||||
| Shame | 1.2% | ||||
| Jealousy | 1.2% | ||||
As is clear from this chart, the overwhelming subjects people are struggling with are love and/or lust. These two subjects dwarf all other issues. The pornographic nature of many of these confessions is a simple mirror of the society that we live in, with all of the overtly suggestive advertising, movies, music, and more that are all around us all the time.
Though not as prevalent, suicidal tendencies is another serious issue and feeling that many people are dealing with. There is also a significant amount of anger and hate spouted on this online “diary”.
Most therapists or pastors are well aware of the popularity of these personal problems, but many of the rest of us have no idea about what is really going on out there. This site, to me, is a rather surprising look into what dwells all around us in society. And often times, in our own families.
