"I was raised a Catholic and when you're raised a Catholic they don't teach you to think for yourself. You're taught not to think too deeply about things"

Abel Ferrara expresses a perspective on his upbringing in the Catholic tradition, critiquing the way religious education can sometimes discourage independent thought. Growing up within Catholicism, he suggests, meant exposure to a structure that prioritized adherence and obedience over questioning and analysis. Religious instruction, in this view, often emphasizes ritual, doctrine, and moral guidelines passed down with the expectation of acceptance rather than examination. The rituals, prayers, and catechism form a cohesive identity, but this cohesiveness sometimes comes at the expense of fostering critical thinking or self-discovery.

Ferrara points to an educational environment where curiosity and skepticism may not be encouraged. The statement implies that exploring doubts or scrutinizing dogma is subtly, or even unsubtly, discouraged. When catechisms or religious texts are presented as absolute, there can be an implicit message that questioning foundational beliefs is perilous, disrespectful, or even sinful. The community aspect of Catholicism, family, school, church, reinforces expectations, subtly guiding individuals toward conformity and away from dissent.

Such an environment can lead to internal conflict, especially for those with inquisitive temperaments. The longing to analyze or dig deeper might clash with the fear of stepping beyond the prescribed bounds. For many, this clash can generate a feeling of intellectual restriction or spiritual frustration. Ferrara’s words capture the sense of being shaped by an ideology that is powerful, comforting, and yet controlling.

However, this experience is not universal. Many Catholics are encouraged to think critically and question, especially in modern contexts where faith and reason are often presented as compatible. Nonetheless, Ferrara’s view resonates with those who felt their spiritual upbringing was more about acceptance than exploration, and it highlights the tension between communal faith and personal intellectual freedom that is felt in many traditional religious systems.