Sins
31 Dec '10 18:02Accustom a people to believe that priests, or any other class of men, can forgive sins, and you will have sins in abundance. Thomas Paine
31 Dec '10 19:382 editsOriginally posted by 667joeSeems that it would also apply to accustoming people to the belief that all they need do is profess belief in Christ and/or be baptized and/or confess their sins to God, etc. to have their sins forgiven even if they continue to sin.
Accustom a people to believe that priests, or any other class of men, can forgive sins, and you will have sins in abundance. Thomas Paine
31 Dec '10 22:32Originally posted by Conrau Ki think the idea is that if you can simply be absolved then there is no restraint or deterrent to stop sinning, thus sin will increase in the knowledge that you shall simply be absolved. Could be wrong though.
I don't get it, why should regular confession and absolution increase immorality?
31 Dec '10 22:461 editOriginally posted by robbie carrobieI don't think any Catholic seriously thinks that way. Nobody enjoys confession; it is a humiliating experience to kneel down in a confessional and list all your sins to a priest. If anything, the practice of confession only increases a sense of shame and guilt. I recall Richard Dawkins actually saying that encouraging confession among children was abuse because it caused debilitating scruples. I think in part he is right. It is not healthy to spend every waking moment thinking 'Do I need to confess that?' In my experience, though, confession is on the decline. Very few Catholics make use of it and most of them are aging women who simply like to gossip in the confessional or else embarrassed teenagers admitting to the sin of self-abuse.
i think the idea is that if you can simply be absolved then there is no restraint or deterrent to stop sinning, thus sin will increase in the knowledge that you shall simply be absolved. Could be wrong though.
31 Dec '10 22:55Originally posted by Conrau Kis there any meaningful dialogue between priest and the person seeking absolution? it seems to me that if such was the case then why should it become a demeaning experience? should it not be like a burden being lifted from the shoulders? we are also taught that any counsel, even strict or sever counsel must always, and i cannot overstress this point, must always dignify the recipient in order that they are not overburdened with guilt.
I don't think any Catholic seriously thinks that way. Nobody enjoys confession; it is a humiliating experience to kneel down in a confessional and list all your sins to a priest. If anything, the practice of confession only increases a sense of shame and guilt. I recall Richard Dawkins actually saying that encouraging confession among children was abuse bec ...[text shortened]... gossip in the confessional or else embarrassed teenagers admitting to the sin of self-abuse.
31 Dec '10 22:59Originally posted by Conrau KHow is it humiliating when they can't even see you?
I don't think any Catholic seriously thinks that way. Nobody enjoys confession; it is a humiliating experience to kneel down in a confessional and list all your sins to a priest. If anything, the practice of confession only increases a sense of shame and guilt. I recall Richard Dawkins actually saying that encouraging confession among children was abuse bec ...[text shortened]... gossip in the confessional or else embarrassed teenagers admitting to the sin of self-abuse.
31 Dec '10 23:03Originally posted by robbie carrobieGenerally, yes. The priest may impart some general advice before absolution. The issue here is not the priest's conduct. Any penitent will be embarrassed to tell a priest that they had, say, an affair or masturbated. Do you see my point? No matter what his demeanor, that confession inevitably will be embarrassing.
is there any meaningful dialogue between priest and the person seeking absolution? it seems to me that if such was the case then why should it become a demeaning experience? should it not be like a burden being lifted from the shoulders? we are also taught that any counsel, even strict or sever counsel must always, and i cannot overstress this point, must always dignify the recipient in order that they are not overburdened with guilt.
31 Dec '10 23:59Originally posted by Conrau Ksure yes, that's understandable.
Generally, yes. The priest may impart some general advice before absolution. The issue here is not the priest's conduct. Any penitent will be embarrassed to tell a priest that they had, say, an affair or masturbated. Do you see my point? No matter what his demeanor, that confession inevitably will be embarrassing.
01 Jan '11 15:10Originally posted by Conrau KYes spiritual advice from an older one in the congregation is very helpful with the many problems we face in this world today. And it's not always an easy thing to do when we are in front of them because of a matter of serious sin and a prayer done by them in our behalf is a very appreciated thing.
Generally, yes. The priest may impart some general advice before absolution. The issue here is not the priest's conduct. Any penitent will be embarrassed to tell a priest that they had, say, an affair or masturbated. Do you see my point? No matter what his demeanor, that confession inevitably will be embarrassing.
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