Catholic guilt 3864828 219498084 2008-06-15T14:47:14Z 68.35.217.115 /* Stereotypes and the science of Catholic guilt */ {{expert-portal|Catholicism}} {{Unreferenced|date=May 2008}} '''Catholic guilt''' is the feeling of [[remorse]], self-doubt, or personal responsibility that results when a [[Catholic]] or [[Lapsed Catholic]] engages in [[sinful]] acts. Habitual obsessive guilt over trivial or imagined sins is the error of [[scrupulosity]] [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13640a.htm]. It must be noted that the term '''Catholic Guilt''' is controversial: for some Catholics, lapsed Catholics and even non-Catholics, the term is used to express a sense of "liberation" from what they see as a misguided, outdated, or misinterpreted moralism; for others, it connotes a dismissive or belittling attitude toward traditional Catholic moral teachings, or an attempt to "psychologize" or "secularize" what they see as authentic spirituality. The term is often seen, therefore, as either a disparagement of traditional Catholicism or as a statement of psychological maturity. == Catholic guilt in context == {{Inappropriate tone|date=May 2008}} {{Original research|date=April 2008}} Catholic guilt may be particularly acute where there is an especially stark juxtaposition of widespread cultural acceptance and Catholic condemnation of a particular sin. The following is a list of such 'hot topic' issues. * ''[[Abortion]]:'' The shame and guilt surrounding this perceived [[sin]] is sometimes blamed on Catholic morality. (The implication being that such feelings are irrational and are in fact Catholic guilt).[http://cockamamieideasinc.blogspot.com/2005/10/i-too-want-to-be-excommunicated.html]. Many however argue that 'abortion guilt' is not distinctly Catholic but universal and under reported. [http://www.afterabortion.info/Resources/FGflyer.htm] * ''[[Adoption]]:'' Opposition to homosexual adoptions puts Catholics and Protestants in conflict with modern ideals of inclusiveness. Catholic Charities of the Boston Archdiocese closed rather than run afoul of tolerance laws. [http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060314-010603-3657r.htm] * ''[[Birth control]]:'' Catholic hospitals and health care professionals are forbidden to dispense contraception and abortofacients. This inconvenience is sometimes derided as an attempt to inflict Catholic Guilt on others and to see these things criminalized.[http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/09/romney_says_no_hospitals_are_exempt_from_pill_law/] * ''GLBT:'' [[Gays]], [[Lesbians]], [[Bisexuals]] and [[Transgender]]ed people who are raised Catholic or Protestant can view Catholic Guilt as an obstacle.[http://home.mira.net/~janie/essays/tg-self-esteem20128.html] * ''[[Masturbation]]'' * ''[[Original sin]]'' * ''[[Pornography]]'' * ''[[Premarital sex]]'' == See also == * [[Lapsed Catholic]] * [[Scrupulosity]] * [[Religion and sexuality]] ==References== <!-- How to add a footnote: NOTE: Footnotes in this article use names, not numbers. Please see [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] for details. 1) Assign your footnote a unique name, for example TheSun_Dec9. 2) Add the macro {{ref|TheSun_Dec9}} to the body of the article, where you want the new footnote. 3) Take note of the name of the footnote that immediately precedes yours in the article body. 4) Add #{{Note|TheSun_Dec9}} to the list, immediately below the footnote you noted in step 3. No need to re-number anything! 5) Multiple footnotes to the same reference: see [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] for a how-to. NOTE: It is important to add footnotes in the right order in the list! --> *[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13640a.htm 'Scruple']. ''Catholic Encyclopedia (1917)''. Retrieved August 22, 2006. *[http://cockamamieideasinc.blogspot.com/2005/10/i-too-want-to-be-excommunicated.html 'I too want to be excommunicated']. ''I too want to be excommunicated'' Retrieved August 22, 2006 *[http://www.afterabortion.info/Resources/FGflyer.htm 'Forbidden Grief']. ''Forbidden Grief by Theresa Burke, Ph.D., with David C. Reardon, Ph.D.'' Retrieved August 22, 2006. == Other Reading == *{{cite journal | last =Sheldon | first =Kennon M. | coauthors =University of Missouri-Columbia | title =RESEARCH: Catholic Guilt? Comparing Catholics' and Protestants' Religious Motivations | journal = International Journal for the Psychology of Religion | volume = Vol. 16 | issue = No. 3 | pages = 209–223 | publisher = Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. | date = 2006 | doi = 10.1207/s15327582ijpr1603_5 }} *{{cite news | last =Hayes | first =Mike | title =Convent from Hell: The Magdalene Sisters and Catholic Guilt (Movie Review) | publisher =[http://www.bustedhalo.com/ BustedHalo.com] | date =2003-03-05 | url =http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/2003_35pop_culture.htm | accessdate =2006-11-01 }} *{{cite news | last =Mallon | first =John | title =The Primacy of Jesus, the Primacy of Love | publisher =Inside the Vatican | date =2006-04 | url =http://www.insidethevatican.com/articles/status-ecclesiae/status-ecclesiae-apr-2006.htm | accessdate =2006-11-01 }} [[Category:Stereotypes]] [[Category:Catholic spirituality]] [[Category:Sociology]]