I'm interested in Christianity, one thing in particular. Confession.?

Question

I don't quite understand it. I think ifs just the Catholics that do that. What I want to know is how do you feel afterwards? Honestly, I was brought up in a different faith, I'm jewish, I just really want to know in honest terms what it's like, thank you for your time.

Answer 1

Roman Catholics aren't the only ones who have confession, but most denominations that have it don't require it for forgiveness.

Simply put, confession does three things.

1. It breaks down the denial cycle. It's impossible to say, "I have done..." and still think that anybody but you is responsible for you actions.

2. It allows the priest (minister, pastor, etc) to know what is going on in his parish, and what issues he should be addressing in his sermons.

3. It provides the first step in the making of amends. When you have a complete list of those you have harmed, it makes it easier to figure out who you have to ask forgiveness of and reconcile to.

This in no way suggests that you do not have to ask God for forgiveness too. As the twelve steps say, "Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs."

Good luck to you in your spiritual journey. God be with you.

Answer 2

I'm not catholic, I'm pentecostal/apostolic which is monotheistic.

The Christian Bible says to confess our sins one to another. Simply, I think being honest about our flaws and helping eachother being accountable is the entire purpose of confession. Man tends to hide their sin and confession exposes the sin. We are to encourage eachother to live the best we can according to God's Word and we have to be honest to really be able to do so.

That doesn't mean we must go around telling irresponsible, or immature people everything bad we do. No. For the most part we are to put this carnality under subjection to the Word/Spirit of God. But for those times when we are struggling to do so, the support of another Christian really helps.

Catholics have had this because they make their leadership so much higher than everyone else, as if he himself has power to forgive but only God does.

A good Bible to help the Jew understand Christianity or a Christian to realize it's Jewish roots, is The Complete Jewish Bible by David Stern, his commentaries are helpful too.

How does it feel to confess? Well, if done in the right way, with sincerity, it feels freeing. It feels like you aren't hiding it, and that you can now go forward and take care of it.

Answer 3

I'm a christian but I definitely dont go to a confessional to tell someone I sinned. I am not Catholic though so that may be the catch. Confession is something I do with God not with a middle man. If I feel I have sinned I set apart quiet time with God and I believe that's how it should be. Afterwards I feel refreshed and relieved.

Answer 4

I'm not Catholic, so I don't really know what confession is in detail. If it's anything like an alter-call, it's big spiritually, but in terms of pressure, it's not that hard. All you have to do is believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior who died on the cross to save you from sin and allow you to know God personally. Of course this is a Trinity thing and you have to say it outloud once you're physically able. Confession is private as it's between you and God and you only need as many witnesses as you want.

What was it like for me? It was pretty emotional. I don't know what it is, but it seems that just before you do it, it's like God's Spirit and your spirit connect. You start to feel like this is the day you've been waiting for your whole life. There's joy, great thankfulness for the Lord's compassion, seeing yourself for whgo you really are.... but of course that was me. Seeing yourself as you really are is usually common for everyone though. Emotions aren't evoked or frauded, but drawn from you.

so that's what it was like being saved. hope that helps!

Answer 5

Well, part of the Christian system of belief does involve confessing one's sins. It seems that each denomonation handles this differently.

I know the Catholic church has booths where you go and confess vocally to a priest who then gives direction on what needs to be done to obtain forgiveness.

My own denomonation is a little more private. We see confession as a part of repentance- a changing of one's will to be in line with God's. Only in gross errors does one need involvement from leadership (adultery, child abuse, other illegal activity, etc). Generally, the confession needs only to be between the individual, God and the offended party.

I am unaware of how other Christian denomonations handle this particular doctrine.

Answer 6

Christianity doesn't perform a ritualistic form of confession as the catholic church does in a confessional to the church leader.

We confess our sins to God and openly to others:

Confessing our sins is a way of acknowledging we have done wrong against God. In confessing our sins we make known to others what God already knows. It truly feels good to tell God what you have done wrong against him or others in this world. That you can stand there and ask forgiveness and know he will forgive you. I pray nightly and confess to him. I usually have tears running down my face because I know all that I have done wrong and that I don't deserve to be forgiven by those I have hurt in this world much less be forgiven by GOD. I do know that even though the people in this world may not forgive me, God will. We are told to confess openly to each other.
Sadly, I have done alot of confessing my sins and thoughts to others lately.

“Confession is good for the soul—but bad for the reputation.”
Confession is a way of humbly admitting our sins and shortcomings to another person as a means of spiritual healing. It strips us of casting an image that is better than we really are. Confessing our sins to one another lets others “see through us”—in confession we become “transparent.”

This is why confession is the most powerful antidote to the nastiest sin of all—pride

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 NIV

Answer 7

I haven't gone to confession per se, but I've repented and confessed my sins to God before and He forgives me.

When your truly sorry for something that harmed yourself, someone else, or your connection to God, that is when repentance happens and you begin to change. (You also go to the person you have wronged and ask forgiveness).

When your forgiven, you feel the weight of the world being lifted off your shoulders and are enveloped in a very understanding and loving embrace-like feeling all around you. You are also filled with God's peace, joy and contentment.

Answer 8

Confession of sins isn't something needing to be done to a priest. I confess my sins at home and at church, but I always confess them to God. Afterwards you feel relieved. Like a heavyweight has been lifted from you.

Answer 9

I'm Catholic. after confessing, I feel that I have been forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. after being forgiven, I try not to commit the same sins again, and it helps to me be a good person, because eventually, I lessen the sins I am about to commit, and pray that eventually I won't be committing sins anymore. or something like that.

Answer 10

It is like meeting Jesus face to face, and knowing with absolute certainty you are truly forgiven because you have heard the words spoken to you, "I absolve you of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Go and sin no more". You leave feeling completely cleansed, renewed, refreshed, purified, and determined to amend your life.

Christians have confessed in this way since Apostolic times, ever since Christ breathed upon the Apostles, signifying a special empowerment by the Holy Spirit, and then told them "whose sins YOU forgive, they are forgiven them". With such a powerful gift provided to me by my Lord and Savior, why would I risk simply asking God to forgive me in my own room, and hoping He did?