Born Sinful? Healing the Hidden Wounds of Original Sin

Imagine taking your very first breath in this world, and before you’ve even cried, smiled, or taken your first steps, you’re already labeled as broken, sinful, and unworthy. For many, this isn’t just a theological concept—it’s a reality they’ve carried deep within their souls, shaping how they see themselves, their relationships, and even their purpose in life. The idea that humans are “born sinful,” rooted in the doctrine of original sin, has been the foundation of many religious teachings for centuries. But what happens when that foundation leaves cracks in your sense of self?

Recently, Pope Francis stirred up a theological hornet’s nest when he told 60 Minutes that “we are all fundamentally good.” He added, “Yes, there are some rogues and sinners, but the heart itself is good.” His words drew sharp rebukes from evangelical leaders, who argued that this challenges Christianity’s core belief in humanity’s sinful nature. Eric Metaxas, for example, retorted, “If this is true, we don’t need a Savior to die on the Cross.” Conservative Christian author Allie Beth Stuckey doubled down, citing Bible verses like Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick.”

This debate over whether we’re inherently sinful or fundamentally good is more than just theological theory. For those who grew up hearing they were born broken, these messages often burrow into the deepest layers of identity. And for many, they hurt.

Take Sarah, for instance, a client I worked with who grew up in a conservative evangelical household. She was taught from a young age that she was inherently sinful—a message reinforced every Sunday at church and every Wednesday at youth group. “You are like a filthy rag,” her pastor would proclaim from the pulpit, quoting Isaiah 64:6. For Sarah, these teachings weren’t about encouraging humility or gratitude for grace. They became a life sentence of shame. By her twenties, she struggled with an overwhelming sense of unworthiness in relationships, often apologizing for existing or believing she was “too much” for anyone to handle. “I’ve always felt like I was damaged goods,” she confessed.

Her story isn’t unique. A recent study published in Mental Health, Religion & Culture revealed that individuals who reported religious struggles—such as fears of unworthiness or punishment—were at a significantly higher risk of depression and anxiety. Over 60% of respondents who left authoritarian religious environments reported experiencing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, and a heightened fear of making mistakes.

The connection between religious teachings and mental health is undeniable. According to research from The American Journal of Psychiatry, feelings of shame—often rooted in religious teachings about inherent sinfulness—are linked to increased risk of depression, low self-esteem, and even suicidal ideation. This is particularly true for individuals from high-control religious groups, where rigid moral codes and the constant threat of punishment create an environment of chronic stress and self-doubt.

Growing up with the message of original sin doesn’t just affect how people see themselves—it shapes how they navigate the world. For many, shame becomes their default identity. This isn’t the kind of guilt that says, “I’ve done something bad.” It’s the deeper, more insidious voice that whispers, “I am bad.” Shame researcher Dr. Brené Brown warns that shame “corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” For those who internalize the belief that they are born sinful, the shame can feel permanent, leaving them stuck in cycles of self-criticism and unworthiness.

The fear that accompanies this doctrine is no less powerful. A study by Dr. Marlene Winell, who coined the term "Religious Trauma Syndrome," found that individuals raised with fear-based teachings, such as original sin, often report ongoing anxiety even after leaving their faith communities. This fear doesn’t always fade when someone steps away from their faith—it often lingers like a shadow, showing up as anxiety, hypervigilance, or perfectionism. One client described it to me as “feeling like there’s always someone watching, waiting to catch me messing up.”

Relationships often suffer under the weight of these beliefs. A survey conducted by the Reclamation Collective found that 45% of individuals who left high-control religious environments reported ongoing struggles with intimacy and trust. When you’ve been taught that you’re fundamentally broken, it’s hard to let people in. Some people compensate by becoming people-pleasers, bending over backward to earn love and approval. Others isolate themselves, convinced that they’re unworthy of connection.

The good news is that healing from the wounds of original sin is possible. It starts with challenging the old story and crafting a new one—one where you are not defined by shame, fear, or unworthiness, but by your inherent worth.

One of the most powerful ways to do this is through reframing the narrative. Using principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I help clients identify the messages they’ve internalized and replace them with affirmations rooted in self-compassion. Sarah, for example, started rewriting her script. Instead of “I am sinful and undeserving,” she began journaling daily affirmations like, “I am worthy of love and belonging.” It wasn’t easy at first—old beliefs don’t vanish overnight—but over time, the new story began to take root.

For those haunted by fear of divine judgment, gradual exposure can be transformative. I’ve worked with clients who were terrified of reading “forbidden” books or imagining a God who might love them unconditionally. By confronting these fears in small, manageable steps, they slowly reclaimed their sense of freedom.

Healing also means discovering who you are beyond the doctrine. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients move from fear-based living to values-based living. Instead of asking, “What does God want from me?” they begin asking, “What kind of life feels meaningful to me?” Sarah, for instance, realized that creativity was one of her core values. She started painting again, something she had abandoned because it felt “self-indulgent.”

Finally, self-compassion is key to untangling the shame of original sin. Research shows that practicing mindfulness and self-compassion can significantly reduce feelings of shame and improve mental health. I often guide clients through mindfulness practices where they learn to observe their feelings without judgment. When the old shame creeps in, they practice pausing and saying, “This is hard, but I am still worthy.”

Pope Francis may have sparked a theological firestorm by declaring that humanity is “fundamentally good,” but his words hold a profound truth for those seeking healing. What if we allowed ourselves to believe that? What if, instead of viewing ourselves as broken, we saw ourselves as imperfect but whole, capable of both light and shadow, and deserving of love simply because we exist?

Healing from the wounds of original sin doesn’t mean rejecting faith altogether—it means reclaiming your humanity. It’s about seeing yourself as whole, as worthy, and as inherently good. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about being saved from sin—it’s about being freed from shame.

As Sarah tearfully said after months of therapy, “For the first time in my life, I feel like I can breathe. I’m not broken. I never was.”

And neither are you.

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