I often feel guilt/regret about things that arent even bad. Someone once told me that people with a catholic upbringing often report this. I am not religious anymore, but i wonder if this is true.
2007-12-06 12:45:14 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
sorry what i should have said is feeling excessively guilty for little things, like maybe forgot to say hello to someone, and then feel overly guilty about it for some time. (just an example)
2007-12-06 12:54:38 · update #1
No.
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. The term "Catholic Guilt" is a stereotype.
For more information, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_guilt
With love in Christ.
2007-12-07 17:35:14 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nah, it depends on the person. Some would say that it's because the Church uses fear to control the masses, but no. If someone is easily guilt stricken then any form of religion that has an emphasis on an individual's actions and its repercussions can have such feelings.
2007-12-06 12:56:26 · answer #2 · answered by d3slyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can you elaborate on "no good reason"?
I feel guilty whenever there's a very good reason, like being indifferent most of the time.
to your additional details: I don't think your guilt has something to do with being Catholic. it's possible that you think too much. not all people notice if you were able to say hello to them or not, it's all okay. :)
2007-12-06 12:50:16 · answer #3 · answered by Perceptive 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YAH! when i was catholic i did... i felt really bad whenever the priest would talk about the commandments and all the strict rules and then just random times even if i wasn't thinking of religion i would feel guilty. now i'm not catholic and i'm so much happier. wow, i've never noticed that. thanks for the question! lol
and fyi, i'm not trying to say catholicism is bad or anything, i'm just saying it wasn't right for me, so please don't anybody get offended or start arguing here...
:)
2007-12-06 12:55:03 · answer #4 · answered by Vanessa :) 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a catholic upbringing but I don't ever fell guilt.
2007-12-06 12:50:52 · answer #5 · answered by Grinedel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know any Catholics like that. IF one is truly living out their Catholic faith, then there would be no reason to behave this way.
2007-12-06 13:13:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have never felt such a feeling, nor have I heard much about it.if you wish to email me i am avaiable. dont knwo if ill be a help but im a catholicc junior majoring in psychology
2007-12-06 12:51:42 · answer #7 · answered by Adam of the wired 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did, when I was Catholic! That's pretty much why I'm not Catholic anymore.
2007-12-06 12:48:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it is a sign of holiness, regardless of religion, and at least one psychiatrist agrees with me.
2007-12-07 16:36:06 · answer #9 · answered by the good guy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋