Related Posts
Any Chicago realtor recommendations?
Aa gaya letter EY !!🎉🎉
Additional Posts in Consulting
What’s your personal vision for 2050?
Thoughts on Riveron Consulting?
Do you buy Christmas gifts for your friends?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Chief
I was raised Catholic. Stopped going to church in college. And now in my late thirties came to realize the truth: there is no god of any kind.
In my fifties. Atheist. And proud of it
Counter to the people on here...but I recently rediscovered my faith.
I was raised Catholic but lapsed in college / 20s. But, after going through some tough times I can say that coming back to the Church was a huge benefit for me personally.
Rising Star
That’s me in the corner...
Rising Star
Trying to keep up with you
Pro
Catholic here - I stopped feeling guilty about anything when I found out the people who were trying to make me feel guilty were systematically empowering pedophilies on a global scale 🤷♂️
I literally only came here to read the comments! But this right here!!!
Pro
Most people lose their affinity for religion or their faith in early adulthood, and even if they don’t lose it, it becomes de-prioritized as we focus on work, dating, and social life.
For me and a lot of the people my age (early 30s), it was having kids that brought us back to the church. There are so many negative influences in the world and the church can be an overwhelmingly positive one for kids (when the church you go to properly adheres to the value system).
This second foray into religion (for context I am an orthodox Christian) allowed me to interact with the faith on a much more intellectual level than the “monkey see, monkey do” following that is natural while we are young. It made the experience much more personal and meaningful.
Overall I would say don’t feel guilty. You don’t need to go to church to be religious and you certainly don’t need to be religious to be a good person. I would suggest, as a hobby, start to engage with the catholic religion as an intellectual exercise. Learn more about the faith and decide whether or not you will want it to be a part of your life at some point. That way you can stop living in limbo of feeling like you should go without really wanting to go.
Good luck OP!
Pro
And it does have some great teachings! If that works for your life be happy and go for it 👍
Similar experience....took me until 35 to finally be able to think for myself! Recovery is a process...go easy on yourself.
Rising Star
Guess I was lucky. Raised Methodist with a pastor that taught us that understanding other religions of the world would help us understand our own. Visited the local diocese, an Islamic center, and a synagogue as part of our confirmation classes to get that process started.
In case it helps, bear in mind that “your” religion is primarily dictated by the one that’s predominant in your place of birth (or family). In other words, not really a strong reason to hew to a certain belief system.
What you are feeling is not necessarily guilt but your heart being pulled.
As a Christian that was raised and attended Catholic school.
As you know, the Bible does require you to attend a congregation for growth learning, support and to adhere are to the sacraments.
OP it’s your journey but don’t allow people that don’t know the word of God for themselves to mislead you.
Read the word for yourself and find Godly counsel.
Reminder: Hebrews 10:25, KJV:
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
It’s your journey and if you are seeking a Christian companion on your walk. You can reach out to me for scriptural guidance.
Good Luck🍀
Chief
I have catholic guilt. I don’t ever attend church but I feel guilty and compelled to not miss Ash Wednesday.
Chief
Probably. I don’t practice but it’s the only day my mother calls to confirm I’ve attended.
Same. Was raised Pentecostal and Sundays have always been badddd. No longer even associate myself with Christianity.
Chief
Not sure if there is God or not but if at all there were one I would be damn sure they didn't care for organized religion aka churches, mosques, temples etc.
Chief
Raised catholic but never bought into it. I do believe there is a god, I just don’t think he cares all that much.
Sundays are for one thing and one thing only...NFL football!!!
I was born and raised Jewish. I definitely think that your faith as an adult has a lot to do with how your parents raised you and also what schools you attended (public vs. Private religous school)
I was not religious as a teen
But now I am becoming more religious (Hindu)
Pro
I think tea is best served cold, you think tea is best served hot. Two opposite and competing ideas, yet neither is wrong.
Sundays are for 🏈
Religion and relationship are very different. Being raised in an overly religious church with man made traditions made me turn away from having a relationship with God. Fast forward some years, I have a relationship with God but not bogged down with following man made rules that are not found in the Bible.. Definitely should dig into why you feel guilty. Perhaps you miss that relationship.
I spent most of my 20's and early 30's not going to church except randomly or when I was with my parents. In my early 30s, I realized that I needed something more and started attending church again (went to a variety of Catholic and non-denominational churches). I met my husband in mid 30's and we attend together (he had also stopped going as a young adult). I am so glad that I found my way back to my faith and it is a big part of who I am and the center of my marriage. It may not be "catholic" guilt that you are feeling as much as knowing that you are missing something deeper in your life. I know that is what it was for me.
Attended catholic school for 13 years and I think that the focus and mentality of those who teach you about any given faith have a lot of influence. My mom isn't Catholic and I was told she would likely never get to heaven. The intolerance was astounding and so obvious about varied religions, sexualities, life choices, etc. I think many catholic churches today are much more tolerant and "modernized" - had I experienced that as a part of my upbringing, I might feel differently now.
All and all, I feel that humans control their own destiny and only owe reverence and respect to fellow humans. Treating people as they wish to be treated (not as you wish to be treated) is pretty much what I live by.