Confessions And Confessionals

[Jahulaye]

What is the mentality behind this? I’m not well versed regarding this but it’s my knowledge that you go to one and he prays to god for your forgiveness? Why does god need a middleman? Surely god should listen to all of his subjects?

The only way I see this as a good idea is that it gives the guilty a way of getting something off their chests do is therapeutic but what happens if there is no confessional nearby or at all?

On a side note is it really between just you and him? Even if you confessed to a murder, rape, paedophilia which involved the priests family? Are they under an oath not to tell another living soul? What is the punishment if they do and if they don’t statistically are they more likely to suffer depression and are suicide rates higher for them dragging around all the baggage?

Maybe they just laugh and tell jokes about confessions they’ve heard at their yearly priests party?

[Jennykenny]

Yes, it’s all rubbish.

[andy-hughes]

The mentality - as I understand it, is that the priest is the conduit between Man and God. He has God's permission to absolve the confessor of his or her sins by giving them absolution.

The confessional is sacred, and the priest is not permitted to divulge anything he hears there. I would imagine the penalty for breaking that condition would be excommunication - expulsion from the church.

Because I think that priest lead in-natural lives anyway, I am unsure how they cope with the things they hear - maybe the simply pray and feel better.

As an atheist, I am probably not best to answer this - but I really hope you don't get one of the zealots coming on and preaching at you.

More here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confession_(religion)

[jennyjoan]

My mother came home one day and said to my father - I went to confession today and I told the priest you didn't give me enough money, you liked to gamble and you liked a drink. My dad said that wasn't your confession that was mine LOL

[Mamyalynne]

Research the Seal of the Confessional.

[nailit]

Like anything else in life I suppose jahulaye. Ive had to have a session today with a therapist, told her that there are things which I'm NOT prepared to talk about but somehow I'm growing to trust her and maybe sometime in the future I will. Same with priests I guess. Sometimes its good to get things off ur chest but be discerning about who you get it off to. I got some things off my chest with a ''secular'' therapist some years ago and ended up in prison on remand. Religious/Secular theres always nob ends.
(not like me to defend the religious but theres been some who I trust more than the secular)

[DTCwordfan]

[nailit]

Bit bizarre that I an answer removed that talked about learning who you can trust...therapist or priest (And nothing derogatory about either) but there you go.

[jourdain2]

Not an RC, so find it difficult to understand. Personally, if I have a problem I talk to God myself to think about a way forwards. For a serious problem I go to church and talk to God after sitting quietly in a place where others have prayed for nearly a thousand years. But RC's are a bit different.

Yes, priests are under an oath not to reveal anything they learn in the Confessional, no matter what. Court-cases have hung on this.

[Mamyalynne]

I thought your reply was fine Nailit,at least it didn't poke fun.

[Jackdaw33]

Auricular confession is also practised in the C of E. When Archbishop Ramsey was asked whether people should go he replied, "All may, some should, none must".

[kvalidir]

Yes why was Nailits reply removed? This place is getting more nuts by the day :(

[keyplus90]

God knows what is in one's heart and therefore does not need a middleman for confession. You feel bad about what you have done and promise to your own self that you would try not doing it again. And thats all it needs. Anyway this is Islamic version.

[douglas9401]

Sometimes it's good to share a problem, I prefer to do it without all the baggage though, and to a friend or relative rather than a professional ear with a vested interest in keeping you in the club.

[Patsy33]

I remember reading some time ago (can't remember where) it was a kind of Big Brother state of its day, to keep an eye on people!

[naomi24]

keyplus, but Islam overlooks - and in some instances encourages - that which Christianity frowns upon. Not really a level playing field in the confessional stakes.

[Theland]

The mentality is profit and control. That is what the R.C. Church is all about. About as far from true biblical Christianity as the earth is from the planet Zod, a devilish cult and an antichrist Pope.

[Theland]

Stupid blinded deceived atheists. Save yourself whilst there is time.

[naomi24]

Go to bed, Theland. You're waffling.

[Theland]

Patronising and arrogant . Very sad.

[naomi24]

It's not working, Theland.

Night night.