2/3

I assume that when repressed memories emerge spontaneously outside of psychoanalysis, the process and purpose is essentially the same--they pop out when we are ready to deal with the memories, and move beyond the unfortunate behaviours they may have caused in our lives.

However, Buster is not completely wrong. There have been problems with repressed memories, but those problems are very specific. It is true that some incompetent therapists, through the incredible power of suggestion, have led patients to remember traumatic experiences that did not happen; and, horror of horrors, in some documented instances, these "false repressed memories" are about sex abuse!!!

Re Buster's mysterious deletions: He is not the only one who has attempted to absolve the Church of responsibility for clerical sex abuse by casting blame elsewhere including the victims; but Buster is the first time I have ever heard of a victim adopting such a strong "personal responsibility" stance.