I Don't Get The Catholic Confession Thing

[kellychaos]

Originally Posted by Zorak790

learn about the religion before you criticize

I wasn't criticizing. I was asking about something that doesn't make sense to me. Please don't take offense.

Originally Posted by Zorak790

Jesus forgave sins i nthe bible as did his apostales after him. Bishops nad priets are the succesors to the apostles thus the powers have been passed down from priest to priest

Were'nt they saints, though? Are all priests deserving of this honor? I don't believe that the term "confession" came into vernacular until the middle ages when the church was taking bribes and tributes disguised as pennance as a way for those who hoped to get into heaven. I know all churches have their faults but this is surely not an area that speaks well for catholicism. What may have started out as a sincere way to get parishoners thoughts known to God seems to have been bastardized during the middle ages. It was one of the sticking points for Martin Luther as well. I'm not trying to convert anyone here as I'm not particularly religious person. I just don't get the ideology behind it. I don't think that priests are in any way more qualified to offer atonement and/or to communicate with God than the average person who's living a catholic (or whatever denomination) life.

Originally Posted by Zorak790

It is nto a fax machine for sins. Catholics fully beleive god can forgive you alone for sins.

Why the middle man? That's my point.

Originally Posted by Zorak790

But peopel like going though an "official" source for guidence and unload their problems to another person..

I can see your point about guidance as priests (or any other religious leader) has spent their lives in religious study. To me, the sticking point is whether the "average joe" can communicate with God WITHOUT the assistance of a priest. I believe it only serves as a way to put the "little people" in their place ... that they're not good enough for direct communication with God. It's kind of condescending really and seems to destroy a sincere relationship with God.