Why do Catholics have to go to Priest to confess and recieve a punishment like saying "Hail Mary" a bunch of-

Question

times?Can't God forgive people on his own?Or is that a custom that was created to insure devotion to the church?Kind of like saying, "Only through me(the priest) shall you recieve forgiveness and I shall give you a punishment that shall wash away your sin".?

"atonement" an act of punsiment meant to wash away the sin through saying something repeatedly and confessing(To clergy).

Answer 1

they don't know any better


[best answer]

Answer 2

to make the story short... Catholics don't have to ... they go to a priest if they want to. No body make Catholics, do anything. the priest doesn't give any punishment. I guess you don't believe in religion or at least Catholics. Just think what could have happend if were not for the Catholics. I may remind you that most of occidental laws are based on roman law and make some research and compare roman law with roman church. I am sure you will ask for fogiveness when you needed it. don't worry you will not have any problem if you are truly sorry. Even though you don't need a priest you may seek counsel or guiadance from them. Being a priest doesn't make you a perferct person. So if you have a problem because one made you wrong or something like that... you know what i mean... well i hope this help you.

Answer 3

Very logical question! From my studying, I think you'll find many of the comments already made are correct Biblically:
1. Only Christ can forgive sins
2. There is no need for a priest to take your confession to God (Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession.
4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. )

The only way you are required to confess to a priest is if you believe that the Catholic church is above the Bible, because the Bible does not require it; only the church.

Answer 4

I believe that forgiveness is only given through Christ. No one, not a priest or minister, can get you forgiveness. I believe there are certain sins that can't be resolved without spiritual leaders getting involved, but most are between us and God.

I believe if you pray, have remorse, know you have done something wrong and are truly ready to turn from that sin, then God will forgive you.

The attonement was set up for us so that we could be forgiven of our sins, no matter how severe. It is through His atoning sacrifice that forgiveness is even possible.

Answer 5

It's not the priest who gives you forgiveness.
You go into the little box, and tell the priest what you did. The priest turns around and says "okay, God will forgive you, but you have to pray to him x number of times."
God already knows your sins. All the priest really does is tell you how many "hail Mary"s will make up for what you did.


(PS - I'm an athiest)

Answer 6

Because Christ told the disciples that whatever sin they forgive on earth is forgiven in heaven. You still tell God you're sorry while you're in confession, vocally too. The priest represents also the man side of the confession. You have sinned against God and man.
What do protestants do when they back-slide after being saved?
I converted as a Baptist to Catholicism ten years ago. That was one of the reasons, plus seeing all the Catholic early church ruins. Did you know that Matthew started the Ottoman Catholic Church?

Answer 7

The custom which was made to establish the churches as the best authority in the society.
Besides there is no need to ask forgiveness using a 'human connection', if there is any need then the person who has been hurt by our bad action should be the one.

Answer 8

I'm guessing that as with most churches, the Catholic church wants some way to encourage loyalty. This is just one way they do this.

Personally, confessing my sins is part of the repenance process. Unless it's something HUGE, I only need to confess to God, and the person I hurt (If I steal something, I need to go back to the person I stole from, etc.)

Again, I am not Catholic, so this is all speculation.

Answer 9

The Catholic Church believes that "Only God forgives sin."

When a penitent person asks God for forgiveness, his (or her) sins are immediately forgiven.

Catholics also believe that when someone sins they not only hurt their relationship with God, they also injure the entire church, the body of Christ. The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation not only reconciles the sinner to God but with the entire church, including you and me.

Penance is an internal conversion of heart toward God and away from sin, which implies the intention to change one's life because of hope in divine mercy. External acts of penance include fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.

With love in Christ.

Answer 10

It's just their rules. It's how they do things. They think that a priest, when in confessional, IS Jesus (or is in communion with Jesus), so he has the power to forgive you of your sins for Jesus (or AS Jesus). Then they give you a "penance" (like 10 Hail Mary's) so that you can "atone" for your sins and show your repentance.

Answer 11

As best as i can figure out. It was an early form of psychiatrist. People would do things that they felt bad about and would use the priest to help themselves feel better. As time went by it developed into a control issue.