Is self-loathing a normal human trait, and if so, does religion feed into this tendency?

Question

How is this an attack? It's a perfectly valid question.

Answer 1

it would seem that people with low self esteem and problems involving self-loathing turn to cults, like xianity, to help their self estem and feel better about themselves.

sad, isn't it?

Answer 2

I don't think it is a natural trait. I think guilt and self-hate are things learned through society in general.

It doesn't necessarily come from religion, although I'm sure some aspects of religion may play a part in it. For example, if someone does something that their religion deems is wrong, that person may feel guilty and may hate themselves for doing the deed.

However, even other aspects of society, such as the law may make someone feel the same way.

I think that when we are born, we have a natural tendency to love ourselves. It is only when we learn that our actions are not always good (for society or for a particular religion) that we start to learn about "good" and "bad." Our adult figures may tell us that we are bad people. Some children believe it and develop self-loathing, while others don't end up that way.

Answer 3

I don't know about anyone else, but I suffered from a lot of self-loathing BEFORE I knew Jesus. Some religions who are desperate for members turn down that road...feeling that it is better to shame people into joining than to not have them come at all, but in the long run those people are typically the ones who drop out and end up having resentment towards that particular religion afterwards. My church has never done that to anyone, on the contrary we try and focus on how much God loves us and on his unlimited forgiveness. The Bible says, "Though your sins were like scarlet, through the blood of Jesus you have been made white as snow." The word repent...means to come up to the most high...that's why they call the top apartment the Penthouse...when you repent you apologize and come back up to the most high position as though that sin never occurred. Why hold onto baggage? Jesus paid for all that. We don't have to carry the feeling of self-loathing or any other negative feeling,

Answer 4

No.
One of the tools of many religion is the "guilt trip". It could increase the self-loathing some people experience.
Self-loathing is one of the symptom of depression. People having this feeling should see a psychiatrist. he can treat the depression and the schizoid delusional mental disorder at the same time so it's worth it. After treatment they can lead a normal life without depression and religion.

Answer 5

Hbr 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Loathing is a strong dislike or disgust; intense aversion.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, [hatred], variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 [Envyings], murders, drunkenness, revellings, and [such like]: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Answer 6

Its a Calvinistic tendency.. like the Puritans...they thought people pretty much decadent and it was near impossible to go to Heaven. The cults of today are offshot from those types very enclosed way of life like cults want to share but you have to be in with them if you want to be friends, cut you off from relatives or for some even walk in to their chuches.
its not the way its supposed to be...

Answer 7

I think the tendency to loathe oneself rises proportionately to the amount of religious training you have received. I think feral humans don't waste much time in self-loathing.

Answer 8

Yahe-ay relogion feeds consumes shovels it in to be makin the big bucks!!You can only be agood person if ya go ta chwurch ya know!!PPPPPPPPPPlease!!How many publicaly religious officials out ther been hung up in all sorts of nastyness!!!

Answer 9

Religion (for the most part) makes you have higher-self esteem

Answer 10

No it's not normal but a doctrine like original sin pro actively encourages feelings of worthlessness and guilt where none should exist.