An old friend of mine from High School who is an italian Christian one told me that the Catholic religion was based on guilt and fear. The more I thought about what he said and what the preachers say in their sermons, I realized he was on to something. It does seem like the preachers in church were always trying to lay a big guilt trip on his audience and scare us into running into the churches arms? So is Catholic religion based on guilt and fear?
2007-08-03 16:41:48 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes.
2007-08-03 16:46:25 · answer #1 · answered by Joe 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Christianity has been turned by men into something Jesus never intended. Sermons are written by men, and as such are dependent on the skill, soul, intelligence and poetic or philosophical sophistication of the sermonizer. The best of Catholicism is the social justice-liberation theology movement. Read about it. Organized religion is organized by people, and again as such its expression is determined by the people running it at the time. I've been to awful masses and incredibly uplifting enlightening ones. My great-uncle was a priest, and I always felt I was hearing Jesus himself when he spoke, his sermons were so thoughtful and beautiful. His parishoners called him "the holy priest." So, I'd say sometimes there are things we should feel guilty about, and sometimes it's a bad sermon. Some people want a life without moral imperatives, so they resort to "religion is all about guilt and fear." My Catholic upbringing taught me 1) God is love, 2) love your neighbor as you love yourself, 3) you are your brother's keeper, and 4) turn the other cheek, forgive not 7 times but seventy times 7. Protestants are more about the guilt and fear anyway! Look at the YouTube link below for the Simpson's bit about the difference between Catholic heaven and Protestant heaven - VERY funny.
P.S. Catholicism is the original Christian religion. All forms of Protestantism are the denominations. They were all created as offshoots of Catholicism for one reason or another (wanted to get divorced, didn't want to obey the Pope, etc.).
2007-08-03 17:03:16 · answer #2 · answered by motherseer 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To me saying I know I'm not perfect means that as a human you acknowledge that you have flaws and will most likely make some mistakes. However, I don't know that I've ever felt unworthy. I honestly remember being told by priests and such that every person is special to and loved by God. I think Episcopalians tend to stress God's love and the good things, not peoples' unworthiness and the bad things. I don't know that I would be there if I were told I was a terrible person.
2016-04-01 17:22:49 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read the New Testament of the Bible. It describes in detail the founding of the Catholic Church and the teaching it received from its founder, Jesus Christ. Does it sound to you like guilt and fear are the principle components of His teaching??
2007-08-03 17:03:48 · answer #4 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think so. We are free to leave the Church anytime. We are not forced to believe or agree with everything the Catholic Church teaches.
In fact, we are encouraged to articulate our views on almost anything. For example Catholics are divided on the issue of birth control and many are questioning the wisdom of celibacy for the religious life.
2007-08-03 17:02:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only if it's done right.
I'm kidding!!! There are as many views of Catholicism as there are Catholics. I was lucky, I guess. The priests and nuns who taught me were (almost) all very kind and compassionate. No one ever told me I was going to hell for anything. Ditto my parents. But of course, I've met people raised in a much harsher environment, who were raised in fear and dread and have abandoned the Church. (Who can blame them?)
Ultimately, the people who teach us are just people and many of them are flawed. Even if their intentions are good, their methods and the things they teach us are not always kind or even accurate. It's always best to investigate the philosophy and dogma of a religion (or most things, I guess) on your own and be as educated as you can.
2007-08-03 16:54:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is based on love.
But for the the ruthless, cruel, warmongers, uncivilized,tortureres and primitive only fear of God can get a grip on them so that they fear to do destrutive deeds. so no matter what religion they follow only fear of God and Guilt of doing evil is preached.
2007-08-03 17:07:40 · answer #7 · answered by M.L.M 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christianity is based on guilt and fear, every sect of it. Not all religions are, I wouldn't say that.
2007-08-03 16:48:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
Oh yeah. I once summed up Catholicism in 5 words "you will burn in Hell." This, mind you, was when I was still trying to remain faithful to Catholicisim. When I left the faith, it was like a giant weight lifted off my shoulders/soul. I feel much better now that I don't expect hellfire and brimstone to be my only outcome.
2007-08-03 16:45:33 · answer #9 · answered by mikalina 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
lol. The whole of Christianity is based on guilt and fear, honey.
2007-08-03 16:44:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
ALL religions are based on guilt and fear!
Remember that!
2007-08-03 16:44:35 · answer #11 · answered by Ardent Atheist 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋