And back again for Round 3:
PhiloteaZ
Instead of waiting to be “the ideal Christian,” which none of us will be until God finishes purifying us, why not start by being “Christian”? Be a follower of Christ, even though an imperfect one. Know that you will fall sometimes, but that He will pick you up as often as you repent. That is why He carried the Cross for you, so you don’t have to do it alone. You need to cooperate with His grace, not wait until you have figured out how to do it perfectly by yourself (that will never happen).
I think I’m more afraid of giving false confession and hosing myself by adding to what is wrong. In other words, I don’t want this to be like one of those fake apologies that a person does as a child when caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Exterior actions need to match the Interior actions.
It’s more “I want an absolute guarantee that I’m not going to screw this up again”. Working to that end, having obtained that goal, I can then go to the Confessional and tell the priest my sins knowing that I’ve already completely repented of wrong-doing before God.
Now, you’re absolutely correct in that I can’t do what’s right if I don’t approach and attempt to mimic St. Michael (He Who Walks Like God). To approach a problem without God is like throwing darts in a dark room with a blindfold on.
PJM
Then add in the secular theology of “relativism”:; taught in schools at all levels of education as FACT; “It is ONLY wrong IF you think that it is wrong”, and you have one of the final nails in the coffin.
The other nail lies in Mass Media, free will sex, if it feels good do it, and the like. This lead to free choice Abortions by the MILLIONS, effectively changing the culture and conscience of America. The Church has largely lost Her influence for Moral absolutes and Moral right and wrongs.
Yes, I grew up with the secular theology via the public education system. My counter philosophy was rooted in political conservatism and American Traditionalism. It was one thing to sin, but quite another to actively fight against the dominant culture and Christianity band preach that sin is okay (bringing to mind those who prophecy falsely as mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel).
WOW! you know about Purgatory You must have really paid attention in CCD class!
Eh, more like The Purgatorio by Dante Alighieri is sitting to my right, though I’ve yet to read it. I have finished The Inferno though. I’ve also got it mapped out as to which circle I’m currently headed to. :tsktsk:
As for as the clarification of the tradition of having to have Confession adminstered solely by a priest, it seems kind of like a formality. I think I might have a better idea, at least as in the origin of this specific sacrament. I’ll be happy to read any further documents on this.
jmcrae
It seems as if the greatest fear of this generation is the fear of being a hypocrite. Trust me, there are worse things than being a hypocrite.
A great man once wrote, “i would far prefer to live next door to a hypocrite who, though he outwardly lives a law-abiding life, fantasizes at night about robbing banks and killing people, than next door to a thieving murderer who feels the need to be ‘true to himself.’”
Over time, the hypocrite will stop fantasizing, and will come to enjoy living as a law-abiding citizen, but the thieving murderer, how ever “honest” he may be, can only ever come to a bad end.
A better analogy is a man who frowns upon homosexuality and then has oral or anal sex with his wife.
HelenRose
My daughter, trying to overcome extreme shyness, was given this advice. “Fake it 'til you make it.” She did and wasn’t being a hypocrite. She lived her life as if she wasn’t afraid and shy and soon the fear went away.
I don’t know if that would classify as hypocrisy since the internal action gradually influenced the external to become in sync.
I feel more like I’m in a tug of war where I break down and say,“ah, the rule is BS”, act out on it (though no longer all the time, but still…), and then pick up and try again, upon which a few days later, BAM. And then repeat.
Fran65
I can tell you that my difference with respect to contraception was due to lack of knowledge and understanding of the theology behind it. Now that I understand it better the teaching against contraception is making more sense to me. Bear in mind that I have worked in the area of sexual health and gynaecology and was raised and educated as a feminist. The educational system I was raised in was liberal, the priest who instructed me was liberal, and it is only through God’s grace manifested in my desire to learn about my faith that I am starting to understand my earlier mistakes!
Ah, I’ve forgotten about my stance on contraceptives. I don’t really have a strong pro-position, simply because I have not arrived in a situation where I would need to make a choice. I feel that certain forms of contraceptives are dubious and downright wrong.
As I believe life starts the moment the egg is fertilized, using anything like the morning after pill or anything after the sexual act has been completed is incorrect. Other forms I’ve moved to a more conservative position on. If NFP actually does work, then I don’t really see the problem with eliminating contraceptives all together. I DO see how contraceptives have encouraged fornication though.
So what if yrs from now God tells another Pope he now wants women priests. There will be women priests at that point. Who really knows.
I plan to steal that line from you, one of these times. 
