Guilt has perhaps the worst reputation of all human sentiments. I has been described as the 'useless emotion'. There are times when it has a negative impact on our lives, and might be considered to be pathological or contributing to a mental health problem. 

Yet, according to Dr Lawrence Howells, Clinical Psychologist, "Guilt is an energising emotion that drives us to act -the most effective way to reduce guilt is to undo our behaviour, make amends, atone or apologise." Like all emotions, guilt is predominantly helpful. Religious guilt is the feeling of regret or self-blame when you believe you've gone against your faith's teachings. At its best, guilt can help guide you back to your values. But when it’s constant, harsh, and rigid, it stops being helpful and become painful. There isn’t a person alive who hasn’t heard some version of, “If I do something bad, God will punish me." 

"Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa". This formula is an ingral part of the Catholic liturgy. Christianity, any many other religious  teachings Religious teachings rooted in the fall of Adam and Eve tell us we're all born in sin for turning away from God. Hence we're taught strict moral rules, particularly around sex —before marriage, around masturbation, and even regarding certain sensual thoughts. The question is not whether such rules are right or wrong, it's whether they correspond to your values. If they do, you might as well follow the rules. If not, contrived sexual abstinence can be harmful, not holy. They cause more fear than faith. This is an example of what guilt is all about.