Asking the clergy about feelings of guilt

Guilty conscience, guilt by association, guilting someone into doing something. It seems guilt is pervasive. But does it serve a purpose? Sure, it's handy when you need to convince friends to help you move. But does it really do anything for your spiritual health? Our clergy add a little clarity to that dose of guilt.

The Rev. Richard Allen, Sayville United Methodist Church, Sayville:

Our feelings of guilt lead us to repentance. It can begin as something personal and turn into an apology to the person or group that we have wronged. It will eventually lead us closer to God. But the trick to guilt is knowing when to give it up. Once forgiven by others or by God, the weight is to be lifted, so we are not overwhelmed to the point of paralysis.

Even if we have been forgiven, others still hold things against us. But God doesn't work that way. If you're sorry, you're sorry. That's the point, to cleanse your soul. Once God forgives you, the slate is wiped clean.

Msgr. Jeffrey J. Madley, pastor, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Roman Catholic Church, Southampton:

Feeling guilty isn't a total loss. It has a conscience function.

There's a purpose up to a point . . . as long as it doesn't debilitate you.

I think of guilt as being like your own personal gyroscope that points you in the right direction and keeps you making the right decisions. But when you won't let go of the mistake or action, that's different. You don't feel forgiven after asking for forgiveness from God or the person you wronged. You can't seem to forgive yourself. Then, you need to talk to someone. The pastor of the church is someone who is trained to help you get past these feelings. Of course, you also could talk to a friend.

Pastor William Shishko, Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Franklin Square:

Guilt helps us realize we have broken the law of God. Because we are made in God's image, the works of His law are written into our hearts. It is programmed into us to feel bad about such things as lying, stealing, etc.

But, you shouldn't stay in that guilt-ridden state. The only way the problem of guilt can be dealt with is through Christ. People try to atone on their own, but that doesn't help.

There is a satisfaction for guilt in the work of Jesus Christ. A person is made right with God by faith alone and Christ alone. When you're guilty, you're guilty. If you go through a stop sign and the officer stops you, your past performance of having been a good driver doesn't negate what you did just then.

Rabbi Susie Heneson Moskowitz, Temple Beth Torah, Melville:

To paraphrase Jewish philosopher Martin Buber (1878-1965), guilt is positive if it is motivating. It is not positive if it paralyzes you. So I guess my answer would be, no, guilt doesn't have a spiritual purpose. But, saying that, guilt does exist in religion. For example, when I'm trying to get someone to chair a committee. . . .

In truth, I try not to use guilt because it is not the way to motivate people. It doesn't get the best spiritual response. As a rabbi, I never try to make people feel guilty. I try to get them to see the positive things and how their actions can improve the community.

Liberal Judaism doesn't try to rely on guilt to motivate people. Yes, in Scripture there is reward and punishment, and they can be scary. But in today's religion, guilt is less effective. I just don't think it is spiritually uplifting.

It turns people off from where they ultimately want to go. It doesn't mean people don't feel guilty, I'm just not trying to make them feel guilty.