does religion require guilt to be effective?

Answer 1

It does require conscience formation which involves the internalization of right/wrong perception and the internalization of accountability.

Answer 2

that is very insulting to a religious person because they believe because they want to believe, not because they are forced to believe or are guilted into believing. Many people feel they need to be religious based off of a feeling of guilt, but that has nothing to do with a true search for God. So the answer to your question is no, it does not require guilt.

For those of you who disagree with me, consider this: Why would early American settlers leave a guilt-driven religious if not to practice their own freedom of religion? Religion constantly demands freedom because the laws of truth are set in stone, however there are many different ways of following them. When one man thinks he has found the way, the other men choose a different way, if only to be unique! So that is how religion becomes institutionalized and "guilt-driven," and for this same reason religion demands freedom to practice how that person deems fit.

Answer 3

yes absolutely without a doubt. why would you go to church and follow god if you didnt think you did anything wrong to jeopardize that. if you thought you were getting into heaven or wherever without being a good person why would you be a good person? if you did not feel guilty because god told you that you should you would never sew baby clothes for homeless babies or feed homeless people or give the crazy looking guy on the side of the road a jump. religion is 50% guilt and 50% fear, masked to make others believe its kindness and want to join up.

Answer 4

No. A lot of people seem to think that Christianity is a religion of fear and guilt. Maybe some Christians see it that way, but this one doesn't.

So the answer: not all religions, but some.

Answer 5

No, a major reason I left Christianity was that I was tired of the constant feeling of guilt. I find I have none of that as a Pagan and feel free, more so than I ever have in my life.

Answer 6

yes definitely a conscience is essential to make religion work. if you dont accept the code of the religion then you have no religion. To make someone accept an unpalatable set of rules then you must make them accept the consequences of breaking the rules. they will only accept this is they believe in the religion. so then they must decide if they are accepting out of fear or because they are worried for their future. some will be worried for their future but most will feel guilty if they break the laws, becuase thats what the religion demands

Answer 7

Yes. Religion can infect people like a virus. And one of the deeper emotions is guilt.

That's why people are so paranoid today about their religions, they let it in willingly and let it probe their hearts and minds.

If I could suggest a thing to anyone, it would be that God gave us minds for a reason. We would honour our creator best if we simply stopped giving in to senseless fear (ie: religion) and tried to use our brains to think about peace and unity, brotherly love and solving poverty among many other things.

But religion doesn't allow this - religion (if you observe closely) can be entirely self-serving, building itself up to immense proportions.

Religion has nothing to do about God. God existed first. Religion is the man-made expression whereby people try to develop and propagate their ideas.

Answer 8

If it doesn't then religion is in big trouble. Without guilt they have no worshipers. Why are humans so masochistic? Why do they always feel a need to punish themselves? Crazy.

Answer 9

I don't know about effective, it requires guilt to be manipulative.

Answer 10

It depends on the religion. Christianity does not require guilt to be effective. All it requires is belief in Jesus Christ.

Answer 11

There should be an element of guilt over sin, but that ought not be the driving force of your faith. Love for God and your fellow man should.