Psycho-Babble Faith Thread 655101

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

catholic guilt?

Posted by cindy lou on June 9, 2006, at 23:40:56

Hi,
I have never posted on this board before, only the "original" board about people on meds. I am glad there is a board here on faith.

I have a question that I am hoping to find some help with. I grew up Catholic -- lived in a devout Catholic family, went to Catholic school for 12 years, etc. For many reasons I no longer practice Catholicism, but I am strong in my Christian faith (attend a nondenominational church.)

I have suffered from depression and anxiety for at least 20 years, have tried many different meds and been in and out of counseling. Lately, I have had two pdocs tell me that I suffer from trenendous guilt. One of them had just met me, and he asked if I was Catholic. At first I said no, and then I said, "But I was raised a devout Catholic." The pdoc went on to say "I could smell it!" meaning he had a feeling I had a Catholic upbringing because of all the guilt I suffer from.

My question is this ... why? I am trying to look back on my childhood and figure out why I still suffer from guilt now that I know I am saved by grace. One pdoc even said that people don't ever recover from the guilt they incur by being raised Catholic. I understand that not all Catholics are guilt-ridden, but could someone try to explain to me why my Catholic upbringing may be causing me so much guilt to this day? (Basically, I feel guilty about everything -- every wrong move, wrong word, etc.) I am 42 years old (as of midnight!) and I still have this.

And one more question -- how do I get rid of it? Any recommendations on books or workbooks?

Thanks so much for any help you can give me!

cindy

 

Re: catholic guilt? » cindy lou

Posted by MidnightBlue on June 9, 2006, at 23:52:48

In reply to catholic guilt?, posted by cindy lou on June 9, 2006, at 23:40:56

Cindy,

I understand and I'm not Catholic! Never was. I think my parents did a good job teaching me about guilt.

Try reading "Guilt and Grace" by Paul Tournier a Christian psychiatrist. It is an old book, but a classic.

It really helped me some.

MidnightBlue

 

Re: catholic guilt? » MidnightBlue

Posted by cindy lou on June 10, 2006, at 10:58:22

In reply to Re: catholic guilt? » cindy lou, posted by MidnightBlue on June 9, 2006, at 23:52:48

Thank you midnight blue!
I will try to find that book! It is currently not available at Amazon, but I'll do a search, I'm sure I can come across it somewhere. It sounds like something I could really use!

Take care!

> Cindy,
>
> I understand and I'm not Catholic! Never was. I think my parents did a good job teaching me about guilt.
>
> Try reading "Guilt and Grace" by Paul Tournier a Christian psychiatrist. It is an old book, but a classic.
>
> It really helped me some.
>
> MidnightBlue

 

Re: catholic guilt? » cindy lou

Posted by MidnightBlue on June 10, 2006, at 22:38:44

In reply to Re: catholic guilt? » MidnightBlue, posted by cindy lou on June 10, 2006, at 10:58:22

You might even try the library!

Hugs,
MidnightBlue

 

Re: catholic guilt? » MidnightBlue

Posted by Dena on June 12, 2006, at 1:18:59

In reply to Re: catholic guilt? » cindy lou, posted by MidnightBlue on June 10, 2006, at 22:38:44

After leaving a very legalistic, quasi-catholic church two years ago, God launched me onto a spiritual tutoring journey... all about grace (and some about spiritual abuse).


Some of the books He had me read:

"12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (Like Me)" by John Fischer (all of his books are wonderful!);

"Messy Spirituality" by Michael Yaconelli, and also his "Dangerous Wonder" (love, love, LOVE this author, who is now with God);

Anything by Phillip Yancey (incredibly insightful and gifted writer);

"Abba's Child" by Brennan Manning (very touching and nurturing)

Hope these help and bless!

Shalom, Dena

 

Re: catholic guilt? » Dena

Posted by cindy lou on June 12, 2006, at 9:13:02

In reply to Re: catholic guilt? » MidnightBlue, posted by Dena on June 12, 2006, at 1:18:59

Thank you so much, Dena. I will definitely check these out!
cindy

> After leaving a very legalistic, quasi-catholic church two years ago, God launched me onto a spiritual tutoring journey... all about grace (and some about spiritual abuse).
>
>
> Some of the books He had me read:
>
> "12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (Like Me)" by John Fischer (all of his books are wonderful!);
>
> "Messy Spirituality" by Michael Yaconelli, and also his "Dangerous Wonder" (love, love, LOVE this author, who is now with God);
>
> Anything by Phillip Yancey (incredibly insightful and gifted writer);
>
> "Abba's Child" by Brennan Manning (very touching and nurturing)
>
> Hope these help and bless!
>
> Shalom, Dena
>
>


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Faith | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.