Guilt, shame, and religious and spiritual pain.

Hospice care is dedicated to alleviating the pain of dying people. In addition to physical, social, and psychological pain, religious or spiritual pain can add to the struggles of many patients. Religious pain is rooted in guilt leading toward punishment and experienced as fear. It is resourced through the positive teachings of the patient's religious legacy. Spiritual pain is rooted in shame leading a patient to abandon hope in God's love. It is resourced through bringing unconditional love to the patient's sense of self-hatred and inner criticism.