,the believer must give money no to help the church,but to feel better after he or she confesses his or her sins to a priest,and then the priest tells you ,"your sins have been pardoned,go in peace my child" doesnt this sound awfully like the middle ages to you ??
2006-06-21 06:51:34 · 11 answers · asked by puentes2513 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First off, Catholic ceremonies are by no means the only ones where we are reminded that we are imperfect sinners. I think that cuts across all religous lines -- recognizing our imperfection and sinfulness is something that many religions emphasize!
Second, the Catholic ceremonies do not make us sinful and unworthy. (That's how your question was worded.) We are sinful and unworthy pretty much from the time we are born.
Why does "your sins are forgiven, go in peace" sound so awful to you? I think those words sound beautiful! I usually cry whenever the priest says those words to me after I confess my sins. That's how beautifully powerful they are!
Finally -- the Church NEVER charges money for forgiveness of sins in the sacrament of confession. Never, ever, ever. Put that thought OUT of your head immediately, as in NOW. The Church NEVER does that.
Catholics are obligated to help financially support their parishes. How we do that, and in what amount of money we do that, is up to us. But no priest can charge money for the administration of any sacrament, including confession. That is strictly against Church law.
2006-06-21 06:59:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
A lot of the Catholic Churches ask for only a 5% tithe instead of the 10% asked by most Protestants. I am not bashing Protestants. The sacraments are joyful. Think about Baptism a person has their sins washed away. In first communion a person gets to receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus. At Confirmation the p[person says yes I want full membership in the Church. In Confession a persons sins are forgiven. In Holy Matrimony a couple are joined together. In Last Rites the person is anointed to either heal or to prepare for a Happy Death. In Holy Orders a man is either ordained to the Priesthood or The Decorate.
2006-06-21 14:05:00 · answer #2 · answered by shakeragroad_2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This clearly written from someone who is trying to defame catholicism or who has some misinformation about it. I would encourage you to learn about it from reliable sources and not to wantonly trash it in ignorance. The sacrements are about life and deepening your faith in Christ.
Baptism = being made part of the church.
Eucharist and mass = hearing Gods word, sharing his flesh, spiritual guidance.
confession = the opportunity to have the past sins erased and to be in a state of grace.
confirmation = being able to be an adult in the church and uphold the faith.
holy orders = being accepted into the preisthood.
matrimony = holy union with another
last rights = preparting a person for the hereafter
To believe that these sacrements are sinful is uncalled for.
Also - you don't have to pay money to receive confession - it is free. And it is not a preist that forgives sins. It is the holy spirit that uses the priest as an intermediary that forgives the sins. It is the way it is because that is how christ set it up when he told priests that they could leave binded or let loose the sins after he breathed on them.
What Church does not depend on the charity of its members? Donations are asked for - but they are not required.
The catholic church is composed of many caring and devout persons.
2006-06-22 15:35:18 · answer #3 · answered by Think.for.your.self 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a former Catholic I'll start by trying to answer with this " this is what leads most Catholics away from the church." Tything is biblical (15% of earnings) to the church, but in my opinion is the moral blackmail that is used to keep people within the church, in the same manner an abusive husband tells his wife how much he loves her, while kicking the crap out of her. Annulments can only technically occurr if you pay money. Talk about a sham, a ponzi scheme or just plain fraud.
Tearing someone down in the name of the Lord is exactly the opposite of what I believe the Lord is about, in fact also why I dont participate in any organized religion.
Considering priests were simply moved to other parishes, after raping kids - to rape more kids - the Catholic church has zero worth in my life and I truly believe in Gods eyes. MOrality is the carrot, money is their goal. According to Catholics - those who shuttered priests (in authority) and didnt legally report rape crimes to police are better Catholics than me not putting a $20 bin in the coffer.
Oh - and expect Catholics to defend the religion they must defend. Not exactly honest - and after reading a few of their answers - they are good, lying sheep.
2006-06-21 14:01:25 · answer #4 · answered by goododie4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're a little confused my friend. Please have an understanding of the Catholic faith before you judge.
First, we don't call them ceremonies, they are sacraments. The Church does not aim to make people feel sinful or unworthy. The Church does not say "Give money and feel better and go to Heaven!" The priest does not forgive your sin, God does. Catholics go to confession to seek spiritual guidance from the priest to learn how to turn away from sin and return to God. James 5:16 says "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." So we do as the bible says and confess our sins as well as personally ask God to forgive you and be truly sorry for your transgressions.
2006-06-21 14:00:05 · answer #5 · answered by Candice H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you keep making anti-Catholic statements in the guise of questions? Are you ever interested in real answers? Are you intelligent enough to recognize the positive things about the Catholic Church? Do some research.
2006-06-21 13:55:38 · answer #6 · answered by keri gee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic church does not tithe, they do ask, they do recommend a donation, but it is not mandatory or a condition of being a member of the church.
I believe it is trolls who are sinful and unworthy...
2006-06-21 14:09:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like we need to whip out another can of Martin Luther all over the Catholic church. Oh well, the Christian church is headed in that direction.
2006-06-21 13:55:54 · answer #8 · answered by mrsdokter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How else do you expect us to keep people coming back to the church and giving us money.
2006-06-21 13:56:25 · answer #9 · answered by catalyst 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ummmm, no? catholic churches do do that.......but when compared to baptist and presbyterian, they're saints, protestant churches are more prone to say you're going to hell, now give me money, and catholic churches do it, but not as much
2006-06-21 13:56:42 · answer #10 · answered by Pops 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋