Yes, they have to do the pentance the priest prescribes, but that's it, right?
Not trying to cause controvsersy, or bash anyone.
This question came about from this question. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070426131555AA8owp6&r=w&pa=FZptHWf.BGRX3OFMhjNTUYFGWs5gIIZgSK_8leK4B2312fsklw--&paid=answered#NbUvWja9UTewSLbNoE1Z
Just trying to clear up some things. Thanks.
2007-04-26 09:42:04 · 15 answers · asked by Tonya in TX - Duck 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, I don't think you should do anymore than your faith allows. That's not the point of my question. I'm not trying to start something. I have no anamosity for Catholics, or how they live their religion.
If you clicked on the link you would see that this question was spawned by a heart felt sincere question.
Perhaps I could have worded mine better.
I was under the impression that for Catholics repentance didn't play as important a role as going to confession. Sister S didn't know that confession was a uniquely Catholic thing (meaning the way Catholics confess - by going to a priest). I figured my impression was wrong too, but wanted to make sure.
2007-04-26 09:56:43 · update #1
Actually, no. We are told to go out and sin no more, but being human, we will. We are supposed to try and stay away from the sin we just confessed.
ie. If your sins include cussing, you try to not cuss anymore. If your sins include road rage, you try to stay calm.
We don't just assume we can do anything because of Confession. It's not a one-type thing and all your sins are always forgiven. It's just for what you confessed to.
2007-04-26 09:59:23 · answer #1 · answered by sister steph 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
>>I was under the impression that for Catholics repentance didn't play as important a role as going to confession.<<
Repentance is crucial. Without repentance, one's sins are not forgiven.
>>Sister S didn't know that confession was a uniquely Catholic thing (meaning the way Catholics confess - by going to a priest).<<
It is not. The Orthodox also confess by going to a priest.
http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/pr_confession.aspx
2007-04-26 18:21:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. Can't wait to read more responses!
Edit: I think it's worth noting that in all religions there is some sort of "confession." How this takes place differs. I believe the point of asking for forgiveness or "confession" is that you are owning up to a sin and therefore are promising not to recommit that sin. I believe God looks upon our actions and judges us accordingly. If you keep committing the same sins, you probably aren't truly repentful.
2007-04-26 16:46:01 · answer #3 · answered by socmum16 ♪ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much, be truly sorry examine your conscience, go to confession, do your penance. There are several bible verses i might pull up later to show where the practice came from, also there is the theory that if you can admit your faults to another man you are truly sorry. What would you like us to do, whip ourselves into submission and fast for 60 days to be forgiven.
Or why do we simply not ask God for fogivness is what your asking? Because it is true that our sins are forgiven by simply asking God, but we do not obtain the grace given by the sacraments, and by sinning we also damage the church and by going to confession we repair that relationship.
2007-04-26 16:49:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To finish the act of reconcilliation we finish by saying the "Act of Contrition":
"My God, I am sorry for my sins, with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good. I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend with your help to sin no more, ot do penance and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Amen."
The Sacrement of Reconcilliation gives graces to fortify the sinner from sinning. The sinner still needs to cling to God with all their might to receive such graces ... and some sins may take a life time to cleanse from your behavior ... but, admiting you have a problem to God and yourself is always the first step to recovery. The Blessed Mother Theresa took the Sacrement of Reconcilliation daily ... so does the Pope ... other lay-people who are sprinting to be as holy as they can also do this. From these examples, it seems that this sacrement when taken in large quantities does help people very much.
Check out the web site for more on the Sacrement.
2007-04-27 13:44:54 · answer #5 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You forgot about the most importance part of confession. REPENTANCE. This means not repeating the sin. Penance has no effect without repentance.
2007-04-26 16:48:51 · answer #6 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The other thing that Catholics, like the Pentecosts have to do is not sin again. Make amends for what you have done, and go for and sin no more. It means being sincere.
2007-04-26 16:48:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
"Oh my God, I am heartily sorry, for having offended thee. I detest all my sins, because of thy just punishment. But most of all, because my God, I have offended thee who are all good and deserving of all my love. I resolve with thine help and grace to:
CONFESS my sins,
DO PENANCE,
and AVOID THE TEMPTATION to sin again."
In short, fess up, pay the price, and then do one's best to avoid doing it again.
In even shorter: True repentance.
2007-04-26 16:49:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No it is not it, we have to continue doing the right thing and not repeat that sin.
2007-04-26 16:48:36 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. They have to mean it and try not to sin again.
Cheers :-)
2007-04-26 16:45:15 · answer #10 · answered by chekeir 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋