No offence intended. I just need to know what the real reason is for one to have to confess to a priest his or her sins when he or she could easily just sit in front of the alter and speak to God directly. God, being an omnipotent and almighty being would have anyway already know what sins we commit and by only through prayers that we could seek his forgiveness. So, why the need to have a middleman to pray on our behalf? Most importantly, why do we need to divulge our secrets (sins) to another human being when God already knows what has happened?
2007-02-04 15:53:29 · 10 answers · asked by snoringcouchprincess 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Know what? I could not have said it better myself. You do not need to confess sins to any human being. When Christ was crucified, the veil of the Holy of Holies was rent (torn) from top to bottom, so that you could at any time at all, and at any place at all, speak directly to your Father in Heaven. No priest required.
2007-02-04 15:58:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Confession" is something that was instituted in the Catholic church. The scripture says to confess your sins to one another that you may be healed in the book of James. However, you can confess your sins to anyone who you feel confident in and not particularly a priest. Also, you can confess your sins directly between you and God. This is the who point of salvation so we can have a one on one relationship with God the Father and in that relationship we can admit our faults to God according to 1 John 1:9.
2007-02-05 00:00:40 · answer #2 · answered by super saiyan 3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christ Jesus Instituted the Sacrament of Confession in the Gospel according to St. John, chapter 20, verses 22-23.
Actually, when you think about it, Confessing one's sins regularly to a priest is really good for the person. Society encourages the seeking of professional help from counsellors, psychiatrists, etc.
Therefore, think just how beneficial regular Confession itself must be.
2007-02-05 00:13:34 · answer #3 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of Christians feel better if they talk about a sin or sins they have commited. To hear from another, you are forgiven.
When you humble yourself before man, how much greater is your humbling before the Father?
We are to pray for one another, and if there is one amongst us who struggles with a certain sin, we are able to lift them up in prayer and ask God to help this person to overcome. This is not trying to change God's ways in this person, but we are asking God to show this person how to overcome.
We don't need to confess our sins to man, we have a direct line to our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ.
Nothing is hidden that shall not be revealed. We are told this in scripture. Why try to keep a secret about yourself, your past, etc. It will all be revealed.
2007-02-05 00:07:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
John 20: 21-23
21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
This scripture shows that Christ gave the power of forgiveness to the apostles. This was the institution of the sacrament of confession. Why? Christ gave us a special grace so that we could stay clean of sin and enter heaven.
2007-02-05 00:20:03 · answer #5 · answered by Danny H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only Catholics do that.The majority of Christians confess directly to God.
2007-02-04 23:59:37 · answer #6 · answered by Serena 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're speaking only of Catholics. We do not confess to anyone other than God thru Jesus Christ.
2007-02-05 00:02:21 · answer #7 · answered by Heaven's Messenger 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The priest is officiating for God.
2007-02-04 23:57:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you meet God face to face, you can ask Him why He set it up that way.
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/confession.html
2007-02-05 00:02:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only the Catholics do that! I have no idea why they do it!
2007-02-05 01:49:27 · answer #10 · answered by -♦One-♦-Love♦- 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋