18th June 2010
“Catholicism in particular is a religion that is very adept at instilling fear and shame into its followers.”
Samantha Lyster
“Catholicism in particular is a religion that is very adept at instilling fear and shame into its followers.”
Samantha Lyster
June 18th, 2010 at 1:50
Yes it is. They call it “Catholic Guilt”. But it is curable.
June 18th, 2010 at 2:37
**nods**
June 18th, 2010 at 7:14
That’s an understatement.
June 18th, 2010 at 9:04
“They call it ‘Catholic Guilt’. But it is curable.”
In my personal experience this isn’t always the case.
A Catholic may think they’ve left the church, may espouse liberal values and aspire to a liberal lifestyle, but when they try to live that way the guilt is crippling.
This, I’ve painfully discovered as the partner of an ‘ex’ Catholic.
June 18th, 2010 at 9:11
I’m sure this is true. However one of the things I hate about all religions is the way they try to deny us our own humanity. As if what we are is not enough, or worse, base and despicable. They try and cultivate a sense of shame and inadequacy and offer themselves as the panacea. It’s not unlike the way big pharma atempts to medicalise things that are really just a part of the normal spectrum of the human condition, then sell us pills to “cure” them.
June 18th, 2010 at 9:59
“As if what we are is not enough”…well said A MC. It’s so easy for religions to tap into this. People who turn to god are always ‘wanting’ something. Happiness, money, health, sense of belonging etc.
There is always something missing in their lives that they think god will provide.
June 18th, 2010 at 11:09
Although the quote is true, it doesn’t hold a candle to the fear instilled by Islamic peer presure.
June 18th, 2010 at 14:29
It’s not just Catholicism that does this. All Christian denominations do it.
June 18th, 2010 at 14:36
“Although the quote is true, it doesn’t hold a candle to the fear instilled by Islamic peer presure.”
It’s all part of the same continuum. And it’s not long since similar violence was inflicted on dissenters in Christian Europe.
June 18th, 2010 at 14:37
Fear and shame is how religion, and its aristocracy, controls its followers.
June 18th, 2010 at 16:40
Do muslims not see what is happening to christian organizations in respect to the coming out, if it where; of the church’s crimes and it’s guard’s now overwhelming and continuing breakdown of it’s once absolute control over society and; the ability to suppress the crimes it has done? I wander if they to worry about what will happen when they also loose control of the peoples thought processes; are also challenged like the christians have and are currently and their crimes too are exposed; as more shake off the mind-fuck and drift away.
June 18th, 2010 at 22:46
If the premise that a personal God exists is correct, then there will be rules. There are of course scientifuc rules (laws) that everyone acknowledges, and if there is a personal God, there will be moral rules embedded in the universe as well. If you accept the premise of a personal God, then there SHOULD be fear and shame if one isn’t following those rules.
And before anyone starts attacking me, let me ask you this: Are you trying to use fear and shame to get me to tow the atheist/agnostic line?
And to respond to PEB, EVERYONE is looking is looking, even atheists/agnostics, otherwise this website wouldn’t exist.
June 18th, 2010 at 22:46
If the premise that a personal God exists is correct, then there will be rules. There are of course scientifuc rules (laws) that everyone acknowledges, and if there is a personal God, there will be moral rules embedded in the universe as well. If you accept the premise of a personal God, then there SHOULD be fear and shame if one isn’t following those rules.
And before anyone starts attacking me, let me ask you this: Are you trying to use fear and shame to get me to tow the atheist/agnostic line?
And to respond to PEB, EVERYONE is looking is looking, even atheists/agnostics, otherwise this website wouldn’t exist.
June 18th, 2010 at 22:47
Sorry. The last sentence should read “…EVERYONE is looking for something, even atheists…”
My apologies for not proofing before submitting.
June 18th, 2010 at 23:22
Well Rob, I for one am certainly not looking. I am simply attempting to show believers the complete lack of common sense that, “faith” entails. As I have said many times; faith is a piss poor replacement for facts and evidence.
June 18th, 2010 at 23:25
Ouch. Touch a nerve Rob? Personally I’m not looking for anything. If I was I would look for a more reliable solution than god.
June 19th, 2010 at 0:00
To elaborate:
“And to respond to PEB, EVERYONE is looking is looking, even atheists/agnostics, otherwise this website wouldn’t exist.”
In this quote, I am not necessarily suggesting you are looking for a higher power, etc. I am saying by virtue of the fact you are on the web at this site, you are looking for companionship of like-minded people. ALL humans look for happiness/companionship…the basics of life. I would think that is undeniable.
Not sure why you think I have a touched nerve, PEB. I was simply explaining that guilt and shame would be a corollary of the premise there is a personal God.
As far as the next line, I was just taking the offensive a little, since it has been my experience that when I use logic and reason, atheists tend to get a little personal in their attacks. Things like “you’re stupid for having faith,” et. al – yknow – shame and fear.
And holysmokes, the evidence is all around you there is a personal God. Takes much more faith to believe otherwise.
But that is only my humble, conservative, God-fearing opinion. God bless you all and thank you for letting me express my opinion. I’ll be praying for you folks that the God of the universe opens your eyes and minds to the reason and love of Him who sent his Son Jesus to die for our sins, so that if you believe on Jesus, you will not suffer eternally in Hell, but join Him and those who believe in Him in paradise for ever.
I’m out.
June 19th, 2010 at 0:41
For the love of Pete, Rob, is this some sort of “hit and run” evangelism? By “I’m out”, I presume that you will no longer participate? I guess that would be expected, since you have given your sermon/admonition/salvation speech – whatever it is.
But I beg you, kind sir, please do come back long enough to present the “evidence” of which you speak, which is “all around you”. I for one will be perfectly willing to listen to any evidence you might have.
Bonus!!! There’s a million dollars waiting for you if you actually do have evidence of a supreme being. Details on request.
BAT
June 19th, 2010 at 15:19
Don’t worry if Rob’s not back BAT. I’am back.
Bravo Rob Bravo. A good job. clap…clap…clap….
June 19th, 2010 at 20:28
Old sollie, you know science has medicines for the clap.