Let Me Believe What I Want!

from JoeUser Forums
Ok, you all know that I'm Catholic. You all think my religion is weird. But anyways........we have what is called confession. I'm sure other religions have it too. Yesterday my youngest brother had his first confession. It is required at the second grade level so that you may receive first communion. Well it was also open to any parents or siblings that were there. Now, I have went to confession before but not for a long time. It's been at least a year. My mom told me to go up there and confess. I told her I wasn't going to. When she asked why, I told her that I believe that you shouldn't have to go to confession for God to forgive you. You should be able to ask for forgivness where ever you are, when ever. Now, i know that's not what my religion says, but it's what i believe.

Well, last night at my youth group we were all talking and another guy that was there said that he believes you shouldn't have to go to confession either. So I'm like, yay! Another person believes what I do and they're Catholic also! But then one of the adults there said it was wrong not to go to confession. She said God gave us the sacrament of Pennance(sp?) for a reason. She said we will go to hell if we are left with a mortal sin left on us. She told us something about Lutherans(sp?) not believing in confession. I don't know if that's true and i'm not saying it is. That's just what she said. So, she told me I'd be better off being one of them instead of Catholic. But seeing as I've already been confirmed.....well you know. But what do you believe? Now, I'm not trying to start another one of those articles where people fight over what is right and wrong. I just want opinions on wether you think you should have to go to confession or if you can ask for forgiveness anywhere.

~carebear~
religion
1,957 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I believe that if God is omniscent then why do you have to go tell a priest what you did....I just do a direct link up to God every once in a while and say I'm sorry...and also try to repent.....sometimes...

~Zoo
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yes, exactly. That's what I think you should be able to do.

~carebear~
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Most of the holidays in the Jewish religion celebrate some sort of a victory over some sorta enemy. The holiday is traditionally celebrated with alot of food and a family gathering.
We have confession just once a year...its held on a fast day.... but is traditionally followed by lots of food and a family gathering as well.
I like our traditions
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
"I just want opinions on wether you think you should have to go to confession or if you can ask for forgiveness anywhere."

It depends on the purpose of confession.
1. It is necessary for God to be informed.
If that is true, then God is not omniscient, and so why bother telling him?
2. The act of confession is necessary for the person performing it, God already knows.
If this is true, then confession is necessary to the confessee (?) as sort of a form of
therapy.
Personally, I'm an apathetic agnostic----don't know, don't care, but I try to respect the beliefs of others.
Just MHO, of course.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Carebear, I'm sure God doesn't mind whether you go to confession or not. Don't you think God's forgiveness flows at all times?

How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

carebear,


Just a point. Your being a confirmed Catholic does not necessarily mean you must stay a Catholic for life. It may be considered heresy to some, but you should base your religious beliefs on what YOU believe, through life experiences and individual study. Incidentally (again, not everyone would agree with me on this), there are probably some sects of Catholicism that do not focus as much on confession. It would be worth your while to examine these.


Lutheranism is something you may want to look into as well, as you mentioned. Luther was, of course, a Catholic monk, and there is a lot of crossover between beliefs. You may also find similarities in the Episcopalian church or the Methodist church (the latter is my father in law's preference), but, whatever you do, your beliefs should be YOURS, and not necessarily a parroting of someone else's. As an adolescent, you are at a time when you are exploring your own thoughts and values, and you should feel free to do so.


As a side note, though, your journey of self discovery does not need to be done in such a way as to alenate or belittle your family and friends. If you are challenged on what you are exploring, you may find it fruitful to explain to them that you are only examining your beliefs, and the best help they could offer is to point you to some of your own church's teachings on the beliefs, and not criticize or belittle you for your search.


You may find yourself in some very interesting places on your search, but it needs to be YOUR search, that your faith is your own, and not weakened by lack of substance. I wish you the best, and hope and pray that your search will be fruitful.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Manopeace~ I have some Jewish realatives. I'm very curious about how the Jewish do things. Not in a bad way though.

Carebear, I'm sure God doesn't mind whether you go to confession or not. Don't you think God's forgiveness flows at all times?


That's what I'm thinking. I think that God will forgive you whenever you want to be forgaven.

How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?


I'm 15, I'll be 16 in April.

Gideon~ I know I don't have to stay as a Catholic even though I've been confirmed. But if I wanted to become something else, my parents would have a fit. So I think I'll stay Catholic until I get married to a guy that has a different religion than myself, or until they think that they no longer have controll over what I believe in. They seem to think they do have power over what I do believe in. I don't want to upset them right now. I'm very interested in looking into other religions as well. We were told the story of Luther last night too at my youth group. It was because of him there are Lutherans today. I'll have to ask Alex about Lutherans since he is one. I tired explaining to my parents about my beliefs, but I don't think they're ready to listen to what I have to say. They just keep telling me that I need to follow the "Catholic Laws". But I'm still going to look into and examine other religions. Thanks

~carebear~
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well I as a Luthern will say that even though the church I go to I don't know about other Luthern Church's but my church doesn't do confession. What we do is confess in the begin of the service, before we even start. So we confess that we had sined, but we don't do it indivialy(sp). I thought you migh t likt to know.
But I think you should confess but you don't have to say it that church you could confess in your house. Just as long as you say your have done something, but if you haven't or you think you haven't then you shouldn't have to. If that makes any sense. But I think you should still ask forgiveness b.c you might not think you have done something but god may think otherwise.



Stacey
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Andy~yea.

~carebear~
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
while I loath orginized religion {even my own} I do have a strong connection to God thru prayer { in the style of king david} naked,prostrate face on ground , humble. I think one should worship God in the manner of there own chooseing. hOW THEY SEE FIT, not how someone tells them to.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Actually the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I believe in confession, but i don't believe you have to go to a priest for it. The apostle James said it this way;
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16
In other words, you need to come clean about your sins, but it's really hard to find someone you can trust to talk to about them. The average person will broadcast your sins to everyone who'll listen you need someone you can trust to talk about what's going on in your life; someone who will love You & pray for you, not broadcast your sins all over the internet. Did that help any?
Wayne Freeman