Boss 302
Pursuit Driver
ShoeDiva said:Boss 302 said:ShoeDiva said:Boss 302 said:I found this online:
The text even makes clear how Confession is to be conducted. Christ's representative, the priest, must decide whether to forgive or retain. Therefore, the penitent must confess each and every serious sin, that is anything which separates him from Christ. If the priest judges he is truly sorry, He must absolve since Christ's Passion merited forgiveness for every repentant sinner. Only if the person shows no willingness to give up sin does the priest retain, that is withhold absolution, as we "do not give what is holy to dogs" (Mt 7:6).
This doesn't make sense to me because Christ died on the cross to forgive us for our sins. Jesus made that decision because it was God's will. Why should it be up to a priest to decide whether a person is truly sorry or not and then decide based on that to absolve or retain the sin? That doesn't make sense to me at all. Jesus said the way to God is through him; not someone else.
Well it is a little more in depth than that. Didn't Jesus also give authority to man to forgive? (Matthew I believe) And to the Apostles. You have penance, confession and reconciliation involved. There is a website called Catholic Answers that you could read if you are interested. (and I will not be bothered if you are not ) ) It answers most questions that people have in way to make it easier to understand.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins. When he filled the apostles with the Holy Spirit and told them if they forgive people for their sins they are forgiven and if they didn't forgive them for their sins, the sins are retained; he was telling them to forgive them as He forgave them. Jesus forgave us for all our sins and the apostles were obligated as all Christians are to forgive people for the sins they commit. Many of us have said before in discussions about homosexuals, "Love the sinner, but not the sin." How can show love if you cannot forgive them?
If I commit a sin against you and then ask you for forgiveness and you grant it; the sin should be forgotten. If you do not forgive me, then you retain that sin; you're hanging on to it. I can go directly to God in prayer and ask him to forgive me for the sin I committed against you and he will forgive me because his word says so. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9. "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land" 2 Chronicles 7:14.
People don't need an intermediary to receive forgiveness as God will forgive those who confess their sins to him.
Fine, don't become catholic.
No problem there.