are you catholic?

Question

do you always have a feeling of guilt, even though you don't have anything to feel guilty about? Just wondered...I do and some other people who are catholic or grew up catholic have said they feel the same way so just wanted to know if maybe that was what we all had in common.

Answer 1

I've heard of this "Catholic guilt" and have never had it. Normal guilt motivates us to repent and change, but the kind of chronic religious guilt you describe, no matter if you are Catholic or not, is not healthy, and contrary to sound Catholic spirituality.

Hollywood likes it though.

Answer 2

Yes, I am a Catholic and no I do not feel guilty. When was the last time you went to confession? I know lots of times a person does not quite understand sin and they get the temptations mixed up with the actual sin. Some of it is pride, we can get that feeling of guilt all of the time if you deny the fact that your a sinner. I know I am a sinner and I know Jesus loves me and helps me all the time . Maybe read some St. Therese' "The Little Flower" she is a great Spiritual Master really. She has a wonderful philosophy with her "Little Way". I have borrowed quite a bit from her. I kind of look at myself as a little child and so what every so often I have soiled undies that need to be changed -- that is what little children are like and this is what Jesus said we must become like. So Lord Jesus "here I am""

Answer 3

Yes, I am a Catholic and no I do not feel guilty. Being Catholic is the most liberating part of my essence. Contrary to an imprisoning idea the obedience and forgiveness taught by Christian Catholicism is incredible. I suggest you listen to Mother Angelica on EWTN. radio or TV.

Its my opinion that many outside the Church could be ailing by not having the answers provide by Catholicism on issues of pain, suffering, hardship and so on. There is this new movement called Prosperity Gospel preaching in many of the evangelical protestant communities which never touches on hardship and suffering but tends to ignore these realities and explain them away as your sins and lack of prayer for good times and prosperity, sometimes money is involved with their type of message "send us your money, tithe and ye shall be blessed, can I get an amen"

Answer 4

I grew up Catholic and went to Catholic school for a while. (Until I convinced my parents to send me back to public school.) In those days we were required to know the difference between mortal sins (the kind that would send you instantly to hell) and venial sins (which send you to purgatory for who knows how long.) We had to go to confession weekly and were taught that impure thoughts were always something to confess because they come to everyone. So... of course I felt guilty. Now I'm an Episcopalian and feel much better!

Answer 5

Guilt for what? You are making no sense to me. I am a Catholic and very proud of myself. Sometimes people feel guilty when they know they are right because they do not know how to be right. They don't want the responsibility that goes along with it. Be strong, don't be a sissy. Profess your faith. You must be strong.

Answer 6

I am a Roman Catholic convert. I understand this feeling which may have you confused with a feeling of unworthiness, not guilt. If you confess your sins and are forgiven them, you should not feel guilt. God forgives and forgets these sins. But, being only human, we have a problem with forgetting the sins committed. This leads to a feeling of unworthiness. Let this go. God loves you.

Answer 7

A proper understanding of Catholic Doctrine would free you from guilt, not pile it on.

Answer 8

i am not catholic but if you are feeling guilty for no reason than that guilt is from Satan and you need to denounce it in the name of Jesus and repent for anything in your life that is not of God.

Answer 9

I am a recovering Catholic.

Answer 10

I'M CATHOLIC ,BUT I DO NOT FEEL GUILTY,