Is religion really about our internal feelings of guilt? Do we create judging gods to punish ourselves?

Question

Is it natural to have the feelings that you will not get away with "it" (whatever it may be)

Answer 1

We created the idea of God and sin to make man believe he was not self determining. Our indoctrination into religion doctrine make us feel unworthy. We are actually taught we only mean something because god loves us and this gives us worth. But of course if we don't do what the bible say we are worthless sinners.

In most cases if it wasn't for guilt most crimes would be unsolved. Out of guilt a criminal will cause his own failures that will allow the authorities to catch him.

Guilt is instilled. We created Gods to keep us controlled. It is the same principle why we use the threat of pain to control our children.

Answer 2

It really depends on the type of environment you were raised in. It is that old nature vs. nurture thing.

Religion is not intended to be about guilt. On the contrary guilt is something that is a weapon of the "dark" side if it is settling within oneself for any length of time...

guilt is a negative feeling that only should be felt for a moment, a normal emotion we are all born with that is healthy so that we are able to learn and distinguish between what is "good" and "bad" or "right" and "wrong" in human nature so as not to harm it...after which time we realize we make a mistake, learn from it and then move on...

If one is able to create a God then one is also able to destroy a God. I mean if the God one creates is punishing them why would they want to ALLOW that to continue?

The God that is in my life i did not create. And this God is not a judging God at all. Any guilt i feel i ALLOW and it is only for a brief moment and then i rid it from my life forever. It is important that we learn to control our emotions at some point..this is what growth in human beings is all about...spiritually and emotionally...when that comes...good morals come with that and then there is nothing for us to punish. You see God doesn't punish us...WE punish us. It is Sin..that of man.. that causes hurt and pain...NOT God.

Answer 3

We all have a conscience, strong or weak, and a spiritual need that will fill with spiritual food or with garbage like Entertainment Tonight! Whether spiritual believers or not, most people probably feel more secure thinking that someone will hold them accountable, and this keeps us from making really bad decisions, or makes us feel guilty if we make mistakes. That guilt is good if if makes us change for the better, wouldn't you say?

Answer 4

I am amazed at the number of people who see God as a judging God. The one I know will inform me if I'm acting poorly or if I need to improve my character in a specific area of my life but it's not about judging me, it's about what's best for me. Those actions where God is represented as judging are often things than need to be stopped for the good of man. Think about it. You wouldn't judge a serial killer, a rapist, a child molester or a person who deliberately harms others but you would do what you could to stop them because they needed to be stopped. In the cases in the Bible where God commanded action against someone all those behaviors were evident, and more.

Answer 5

I don't know but God is not about judgment and punishment. He is really about relationship and transformation. Neither of which are you capable of creating on your own without Him.

Hopefully, you don't want to "get away" with something. The goal is to live a respectable life and create a healthy environment for yourself and others.

If "religion" is what you are using to punish yourself with, try Christianity instead. You will find Paul talked much about moving in a totally different realm.

Answer 6

Monotheistic followers of the god of Abraham seem to be stuck in the pre-conventional phase of Kohlberg's stages of moral development "I don't do things because someone in authority said so."

That both allows and excuses guilt.

I've been editing a book on Diabolism in the UK, and one of the recurring themes is the idea that diabolism acts as a release valve on the pressure societies with a strict authority figure create- meaning things like Satan-flavored occultism are CAUSED by things like Christianity.

Not sure I believe it, but I do believe the guilt is society's fault.

Answer 7

Some people may do that but not me. I have regrets in life. Hell, I am 52 years old, naturally I have made mistakes. I do not carry guilt around because it is counter productive to life.

Answer 8

I don't think all religions are guilt based.
Religion was a survival technique. it was pretty good-- it got us to a point. But since about the time of Espinoza, we have the ability to be more honest and still survive.
On the other hand, "blind faith" keeps those people who have room-temperature IQs preeeetttty happy.

Answer 9

Sho nuff, Sho-nuff! It is also a way for people to control thier negative impulses because they don't have enough trust in themselves to do the right thing just because it is right! They have to have some kind of supernatural being to threaten them into it with the threat being punishment. Just like little kids. It's very empowering to be a free-willed adult with self-control, but they'll never see it because they are so narrow minded and brainwashed in superstitious beliefs.

Answer 10

I would hope not, sho-nuff....as long as we're able to forgive ourselves and learn from our 'it' whatever it may be...we shouldn't be creating judging gods to punish, but to lean on for faith and forgiveness. Even if it's a Christian God, Jewish belief, Hindu, higher power, whatever the case....real or not.....faith in something other than ourselves is a crutch...but not a bad one. We should all trust our own faith...share opinions when asked....and try to follow the golden rule. But the Wars continue in the name of God.......