Catholics and Guilt?

Question

Why do people think we focus on guilt so much? Why does it anger people that Catholics set high standards for living? Born and raised Catholic, I dont understand this. I just watched vespers from St. Peters and heard the pope speak (this is what got me thinking about this...) he said something I really liked, "each child born is a sign of God's faith in man."
What do you all think about that quote in relation to the question?

Answer 1

The term "Catholic Guilt" is a stereotype.

As a religion Catholicism tends to emphasize personal responsibility and a strong sense of right and wrong. Guilt is supposed to happen when someone knowingly does wrong (sins). This is your conscience telling you to go back to God.

There would be something wrong with you if you sinned and did not feel guilty. Sociopaths feel no guilt.

However feeling guilty after God has forgiven you is not healthy or Catholic.

The guilt a Catholic feels is really no different that that of a Protestant, an Atheist, a pagan or other believer.

For more information, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_guilt

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I don't think that the quotation has anything to do with guilt.

In generations past, Catholic school children had guilt beaten into them by the nuns. Things may have changed.

As Elaine Boosler says -- the only difference between Catholics and Jews is that Jews are born with guilt, and Catholics have to go to school to learn it.

Answer 3

It is not true that Catholicism sets high standards but just the opposite, and in every quantifiable category of Biblical evidence of repentance they come in far behind their evangelical counterparts, even in our present state. http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec4
http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/liberaltable2.html

A "form of Godliness" may officially say good things, but lacking the Holy Spirit they deny the power thereof (2Tim. 3:5).

Nor is what the Pope said correct, but again he is reproved Biblically, which shows God has no confidence in man, who He declares is "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1) and need to be born again, as in man's sinful nature dwells no good thing (Rm. 7:18), and overall whose "heart is desperately wicked" (Jer. 17:9) .

But which spiritual birth does not happen as a result of infant sprinkling on proxy faith, not does one gain eternal life with help from his good deeds, as Trent teaches, or by faith in the church, as most Catholics hope in, but by real repentance directly toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus and His sinless shed blood.
http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/papalpresumption.html

To God be the glory.

Answer 4

"each child born is a sign of God's faith in man"


as far as i am aware god has only ever been personally blamed for one extra-marital pregnancy.

still, if anyone knows what the old fox has been up to - ol' papa razzi would be the boy.

Answer 5

I think it comes from the Catholic perspective on suffering and penance. Understanding that we are offensive to God, because of our sin and our sin is something we cannot completely rid ourselves of.

The protestants typically believe more in a sugar daddy type God, who loves us and understands our shortcomings and therefore overlooks our sin. They typically see Catholics as wallowing in guilt. But in actuality we are just trying to be realistic in our understanding of God and salvation.

If God just kind of overlooks our sins and forgives us...then why would he send his son to suffer and die? Obviously, our sin is so great, but his love and mercy are greater.

The quote from Pope Benedict makes me smile. That is so true...because each new life tells us that God is allowing us to continue. He still loves us and desires us to love him. Unlike in the time of Noah, he still finds value in us.