A real quandry!

[Luvya]

Obviously I am an atheist. Nevertheless I am contemplating to go to a Catholic Church, go into a confessinal booth, tell the priest honestly that I am a heathen and tell him that I feel totally sinless (since I do not believe in the concept of sin at all) - and ask him to enlighten me. Would that be inappropriate? Would I put that poor priest into an uncomfortable position? Just because I am an atheist, I would hate to make that priest uncomfortable. What say you?

 

[bethanysamuel]

If you want to be enlightened as you say, book an appointment with a priest and have a proper conversation. I’m not sure the Confessional is the right place to talk to him about your atheism, although if you want to make a Confession when you meet him, that’s an option. I think a priest would be happy to help you. BTW, sin definitely does exist, i’m afraid.

 

[PerfectTiming]

That would be highly inappropriate and extremely rude. The times for confession are for that: confession. To hijack a sacrament like that . . . the thought sends shivers down my spine. The confessional is a place for humility and forgiveness, not for such matters. If you really want to discuss it with a priest, make an appointment or attend an RCIA since that is what it is there for really (no obligation to become Catholic if you do).

 

[lauraabarlow]

Oh no! Don’t do that! The poor priest is often times short on time and trying to hear everyone’s confession before mass-hey-if you are going to engage in a debate with the poor dude, the kindest thing you can do is make an appointment, not debate in the confessional. As one person wrote, confession is for that-confession! That would be very unkind thing for you to do, if you go through with it. Please don’t-now if you are contrite and really want to confess, that is another story

 

[puzzleannie]

Obviously I am an atheist. Nevertheless I am contemplating to go to a Catholic Church, go into a confessinal booth, tell the priest honestly that I am a heathen and tell him that I feel totally sinless (since I do not believe in the concept of sin at all) - and ask him to enlighten me. Would that be inappropriate? Would I put that poor priest into an uncomfortable position? Just because I am an atheist, I would hate to make that priest uncomfortable. What say you?

what I say is irrelevant. What the priest will probably say is that sacraments are reserved for Catholics, but he would welcome you to become one. But obviously if you have no sin to confess, he cannot absolve you. He will ask your permission to give you a blessing, and won’t do it without your permission. You will not embarrass him, he has heard everything. you might embarrass yourself, but at least it will be confidential.

He will probably remind you that whether or not you believe in God, in goodness, or in sin, is simply not relevant to the truth of whether or not objectively they exist, and that regardless of your “feelings” God knows and loves you, even if you refuse to know and love him. If he has time, he might further ask if you do not believe in the concept of sin for yourself, how you “feel” about those who do evil to you and to each other. What word do you use for that if you “feel” the word “sin” does not apply.

If he had more time (and Catholics who do believe through personal experience in the reality of sin are not still patiently waiting in line for their chance to experience God’s mercy) and if he were a saintly priest, he might ask you to consider your true motivation in entering a church, and a confessional, and engaging a priest in conversation about the whole topic of sin. If you had the courage to answer that question, in a conversation with yourself, you might find your enlightenment in your answer.

 

[Anthony_V]

Obviously I am an atheist. Nevertheless I am contemplating to go to a Catholic Church, go into a confessinal booth, tell the priest honestly that I am a heathen and tell him that I feel totally sinless (since I do not believe in the concept of sin at all) - and ask him to enlighten me. Would that be inappropriate? Would I put that poor priest into an uncomfortable position? Just because I am an atheist, I would hate to make that priest uncomfortable. What say you?

Emotion reflects opinion. And since you already have an established opinion, you’re conscience is dead in that regards. Enlightenment, as you call it, is a reflection of your grounded intellect into the water than is your emotion. Stagnant water does not form waterfalls, because it does not have the terrain to do so. Believe it or not, priests have dealt with things many of us could never imagine. Atheism is nothing new (since the Huns, anyway) and priests have heard it all. As someone already stated, you might end up being the embarrassed one.

 

[1ke]

Nevertheless I am contemplating to go to a Catholic Church, go into a confessinal booth, tell the priest honestly that I am a heathen and tell him that I feel totally sinless (since I do not believe in the concept of sin at all) - and ask him to enlighten me.

“Englighten” you?

Catholicism and Buddhism are two different things.

Would that be inappropriate?

Yes.

Would I put that poor priest into an uncomfortable position?

The confessional is the place for Catholics to confess sins. Confession times are limited. Confession is not a place for in-depth discussion. If you are there for another purpose, the priest will likely ask you to leave and make an appointment during office hours.

If you want to discuss the Catholic faith, you should make an appointment with a priest.

Just because I am an atheist, I would hate to make that priest uncomfortable. What say you?

If you are sincerely searching for faith, I suggest you contact a parish regarding RCIA and make an appointment with a local parish priest.

If you are looking for a high-level theological debate, I suggest a university course or appointment with a Jesuit or other trained theologian.

If you are looking to stir up trouble, without any real desire to learn about the Catholic faith, I suggest you move on.

 

[HurricaneAnne]

I don’t think that this really qualifies as a quandary because the question of whether such behavior would be appropriate isn’t a very complex or difficult one. To engage a priest in such a conversation as the one you desire, in the way you describe, would be very rude to any individuals who had the misfortune of being behind you in the line for confession. Do you really expect someone with whom you completely disagree on moral or theological matters to be able to “enlighten” you in the space of a few minutes? Assuming that the priest didn’t ask you to respect the limited time allotted for confession and speak to him at a different time, the amount of time he would have to devote to responding to your confrontation to your satisfaction may prevent others who desire the sacrament from being able to engage in an activity that is spiritually valuable to them. If you really want this question answered, then schedule a time to meet with a priest outside of his other duties.

I don’t think that you’d make the priest uncomfortable in any way if you asked your questions in the proper milieu. I doubt that you’d be the first person from whom he heard such questions.

 

[OscarsMama]

I suggest that you definitly speak to a priest. But the confessional is not the place to do it. There are many people waiting in line behind you and what you say you want to discuss will take more than 5-10 minutes. That is not fair to those people waiting. But, I definitly think that you should make an appointment with a priest.

And, remember, some things (sin, Heaven, Hell, etc) are true whether you believe in them or not.

What do you mean about “enlightened?” You already seem to know what you believe. Or are you looking for a chance to change those beliefs? If so, I encourage you to stay on CAF and speak to a priest.

Good luck to you.

 

[slywakka250]

Obviously I am an atheist. Nevertheless I am contemplating to go to a Catholic Church, go into a confessinal booth, tell the priest honestly that I am a heathen and tell him that I feel totally sinless (since I do not believe in the concept of sin at all) - and ask him to enlighten me. Would that be inappropriate? Would I put that poor priest into an uncomfortable position? Just because I am an atheist, I would hate to make that priest uncomfortable. What say you?

You should be able to find a priest outside of the confessional with whom to have this discussion. Why do you feel the need have this conversation in a confessional?? In my experience, confessionals can have long lines, and people usually take about an average about 3-5 minutes in the confessional, at least at my parish.

I agree with you about feeling totally sinless. I find myself unable to accept the idea that we all have personal moral responsibility. So, if my chance you do become enlightened, I’d be very interested in what convinced. you.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Obviously I am an atheist. Nevertheless I am contemplating to go to a Catholic Church, go into a confessinal booth, tell the priest honestly that I am a heathen and tell him that I feel totally sinless (since I do not believe in the concept of sin at all) - and ask him to enlighten me. Would that be inappropriate? Would I put that poor priest into an uncomfortable position? Just because I am an atheist, I would hate to make that priest uncomfortable. What say you?

That would be highly inappropriate and rude of you to do that. Even Catholics who realize that they need lengthy time in the confessional are advised to make an individual appointment with the priest for confession. Doing so is just basic consideraton for their fellow Catholics due to the limited amount of time generally set aside for confessions. Don’t waste the time and opportunity of the folks waiting in line behind you to receive the sacrament just so you can share your disbelief in the concept of sin with a priest in the confessional. Since you seem to know what you believe (or don’t believe), why would you waste your time, the priest’s time and the time of the people waiting to go to confession?

I doubt talking to you would make the priest uncomfortable just because you are an atheist. A priest has probably talked to many atheists over time, so no shock value there.

 

[teachccd]

Obviously I am an atheist. Nevertheless I am contemplating to go to a Catholic Church, go into a confessinal booth, tell the priest honestly that I am a heathen and tell him that I feel totally sinless (since I do not believe in the concept of sin at all) - and ask him to enlighten me. Would that be inappropriate? Would I put that poor priest into an uncomfortable position? Just because I am an atheist, I would hate to make that priest uncomfortable. What say you?

Obviously you are **not **an atheist since you have this need to have an encounter with a priest for whatever reason. My belief in God does not allow for me to be “enlightened” by an atheist as to why I should not believe in God. You present an oxymoron when you say that you have no concept of sin whatsoever and then call yourself a heathen. You cannot be a self proclaimed heathen if you have no concept of the essential parts of what a heathen is.

Obviously you are confused. That I can agree with and, yes, you should talk with a priest to uncover your desires to announce your rebellion against the existence of God and your flaunting of your inability to discern sin. But this should not be done in a confessional. It should also not be done in a confrontational manner. If you go to a priest it should be to discover the teachings of the Catholic Church and not to just be argumentative.

Yes, you are in a real quandry and I spelled it out for you… teachccd

 

[dharmasister]

Obviously I am an atheist. Nevertheless I am contemplating to go to a Catholic Church, go into a confessinal booth, tell the priest honestly that I am a heathen and tell him that I feel totally sinless (since I do not believe in the concept of sin at all) - and ask him to enlighten me. Would that be inappropriate? Would I put that poor priest into an uncomfortable position? Just because I am an atheist, I would hate to make that priest uncomfortable. What say you?

Why are you here?

 

[dharmasister]

and if he were a saintly priest, he might ask you to consider your true motivation in entering a church, and a confessional, and engaging a priest in conversation about the whole topic of sin. If you had the courage to answer that question, in a conversation with yourself, you might find your enlightenment in your answer.

Very well put.

 

[SwizzleStick]

and if he were a saintly priest, he might ask you to consider your true motivation in entering a church, and a confessional, and engaging a priest in conversation about the whole topic of sin. If you had the courage to answer that question, in a conversation with yourself, you might find your enlightenment in your answer.
dharmasister;7925050:

Very well put.

Agreed.

 

[SwizzleStick]

… yes, you should talk with a priest to uncover your desires to announce your rebellion against the existence of God and your flaunting of your inability to discern sin. But this should not be done in a confessional. It should also not be done in a confrontational manner. If you go to a priest it should be to discover the teachings of the Catholic Church and not to just be argumentative. …

This is spot on.

 

[GratefulFred]

First, I compliment you for wanting to present your thoughts and feelings to a Priest. That is a mark of an honest person.

Second, I agree that Confession is not the place to start the debate you seek. Confession is a Sacrament and has its own special procedure. Most individual Confessions take less than 5 minutes. Catholics needing more time usually schedule a private time to meet.

Third, You can either call the parish office or greet the Priest after Mass (you might wish to attend a Mass just out of curiosity) and ask for an appointment. He would problably ask you to call for an appointment.

Fourth, being an honest person, I presume you are also intellectually honest and are trying to pursue Wisdom which is defined, in part, as following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.; good judgment.

I would expect you to explain WHY you think as you do and then allow the Priest to have his say, and before passing a quick rejection judgment, take time to reflect to see if his views have merit.

Taking in new knowledge, especially on the most important subject of “God or not,” will take time. You may want to continue the dialogue in follow on meetings or readings.

I think it was Thomas Payne, one of our Founding Fathers, who wrote in support of breaking form England,

“A thing wrong, long thought right, is nonetheless wrong and should be corrected.”

Intellectually honest persons seek the Truth, and not just affirmation of their long held beliefs. They consider the merits of opposing views, and after much reflection, gravitate toward the Truth, be that their original position or a new position.

 

[Dale_M]

Just because I am an atheist, I would hate to make that priest uncomfortable. What say you?

Its not a matter of making the priest uncomfortable, but of allowing the proper time for discussion. The confessional is the wrong spot to have this discussion. You would be taking time and opportunity from others who have a need to actually make a confession.

Call the rectory, and make an appointment to talk with the priest. Its easy.

 

[Luvya]

**Thanks all for your replies. I received my answer. **

 

[GraceDK]

Obviously I am an atheist. Nevertheless I am contemplating to go to a Catholic Church, go into a confessinal booth, tell the priest honestly that I am a heathen and tell him that I feel totally sinless (since I do not believe in the concept of sin at all) - and ask him to enlighten me. Would that be inappropriate? Would I put that poor priest into an uncomfortable position? Just because I am an atheist, I would hate to make that priest uncomfortable. What say you?

Don’t go to the confessional. You can make an appointment with a priest and make your intention known if you are sincerely searching for the truth. If not, don’t waste his time.

You say you feel sinless.
Let me ask you,
Did you ever say a lie?
Did you ever steal anything?
Did you ever slander someone behind their backs?
Did you ever hurt someone’s feelings?
Did you ever fornicate? (sex without willingness to take responsibility for a child)
Did you ever have an abortion or cooperated in someone else’s through encouragement?
Did you ever dishonour or hurt your parents?
Were you ever arrogant, prideful, rude?

If you ever did any one of these things you are in need of salvation because you are a sinner.
Please come to Jesus, don’t wait for your pride and life to break you before you admit that you are just a weak creature like anyone else who could use a Hand, and a guidebook on why you were created so that you can live according to your purpose and find true happiness in this world and the next…
Jesus is waiting for you… The least you can ask Him is to show you if he really is who he says he is, and ask him to show you the way if he really is God. You’d be surprised what happens after that.
You think you know everything… but there is a whole dimension to life which you don’t know as yet. I know because I have experienced it.

God bless your search when you step onto the path of seaching…