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revert_jen
Guest
Actually, I thought I was mostly agreeing with you. Sorry if I offended you.
Plus I thought the point that saying an idea was old fashioned didn’t mean it was wrong was worth making.
Anyway, sorry.
–Jen
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Plus I thought the point that saying an idea was old fashioned didn’t mean it was wrong was worth making.
Anyway, sorry.
–Jen
V
Vasallus
Guest
OK, read it wrong then. No problem.
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Lui
Guest
Thanks for the answers.
The people I spoke to aren’t friends of mine. I am having the discussion in a German forum.
One person claimed that ALL Christians automatically go to Heaven, solely based on believing in God.
I told them that in Catholicism it’s not enough to believe in God.
I was convinced if you commit a mortal sin, you have to confess that sin first.
They argue that this isn’t true. It’s enough to regret a sin w/o going to confession.
Maybe I have it all wrong though.
The people I spoke to aren’t friends of mine. I am having the discussion in a German forum.
One person claimed that ALL Christians automatically go to Heaven, solely based on believing in God.
I told them that in Catholicism it’s not enough to believe in God.
I was convinced if you commit a mortal sin, you have to confess that sin first.
They argue that this isn’t true. It’s enough to regret a sin w/o going to confession.
Maybe I have it all wrong though.
A
ajecphotos
Guest
Acts 16:30
30 and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.
Saved and with no Communion, no confession? Saved in the eyes of God.
Can it really be as simple as this?
30 and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.
Saved and with no Communion, no confession? Saved in the eyes of God.
Can it really be as simple as this?
S
Stephen_says
Guest
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
John 20:23
If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”
Luke 17:3
Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Luke 17:4
And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
John 20:23
If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”
Luke 17:3
Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Luke 17:4
And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
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Brendan_64
Guest
I doubt very much that I have ever met an adult Catholic who has never committed a mortal sin. It is not all that difficult to commit a mortal sin.
B
beckie_clark
Guest
im going through RCIA and yes that is one thing all catholics must do at least once a year
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Vasallus
Guest
It would be a good idea to read through this thread, because your statement isn’t entirely true.
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backtocatholic
Guest
I was under the impression that we need to confess all mortal sins i.e. sins that meet the 3 requirements for mortal sin. Otherwise any bad thought that is not fully consented to would need to be confessed.
This is a very important point - whether it is grave sins or actually mortal sins that need to be confessed.
This is a very important point - whether it is grave sins or actually mortal sins that need to be confessed.
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backtocatholic
Guest
Sorry.
Re-reading some of the information on the thread it seems that:
The term “grave” and “mortal” are used interchangeably.
I assume that means that “grave” sins in this case are the sins that meet the three conditions for mortal sin, and not just grave matter - without the other two conditions.
Re-reading some of the information on the thread it seems that:
The term “grave” and “mortal” are used interchangeably.
I assume that means that “grave” sins in this case are the sins that meet the three conditions for mortal sin, and not just grave matter - without the other two conditions.
R
revert_jen
Guest
My understanding is that a bad thought that is not consented to is not any kind of sin, but a temptation overcome.
To the thread in general: I think it would be an extremely bad idea not to go to confession at least once a year, whether it is required or not. It might be better for people to concentrate on that, rather than the absolute minimum requirements. If one never goes to Confession, one may find it more difficult to tell when what they are doing is grave matter.
–Jen
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backtocatholic
Guest
I agree that we should all go to confession regularly.
However, in my case I go to confession too regularly and have great difficulty trying to decide what needs to be confessed - I have been told NOT to bring long lists into confession.
For people who have problems with scruples - and there are many of us on this forum I think we need to have an understanding of what strictly needs to be confessed.
My understanding is that only mortal sins (i.e. where the three conditions are actually met) need to be confessed.
I think that based on previous posts the terms mortal and grave seem to be interchangeable and that both terms mean that all three conditions for mortal sin need to be present.
However, in my case I go to confession too regularly and have great difficulty trying to decide what needs to be confessed - I have been told NOT to bring long lists into confession.
For people who have problems with scruples - and there are many of us on this forum I think we need to have an understanding of what strictly needs to be confessed.
My understanding is that only mortal sins (i.e. where the three conditions are actually met) need to be confessed.
I think that based on previous posts the terms mortal and grave seem to be interchangeable and that both terms mean that all three conditions for mortal sin need to be present.
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Brendan_64
Guest
There are only venial sins and mortal sins, there is not a separate category of grave sin. A sin is either venial or mortal. If it is grave matter, but the other two conditions haven’t been met then it is a venial sin.
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backtocatholic
Guest
That’s what I thought.
I think term “grave sin” is misleading as it can be confused with “grave matter”.
Thanks for clarifying this.
I think term “grave sin” is misleading as it can be confused with “grave matter”.
Thanks for clarifying this.
T
thistle
Guest
This is not correct.
We are required to receive Communion once a year during the Easter period which would require Confession only if in a state of mortal sin.
However, if not in a state of mortal sin a Catholic is not required to go to Confession.
J
Johann_du_Toit
Guest
That is true. But I cannot think of any Catholic (myself included) who doesn’t commit at least one mortal sin once a year.
T
thistle
Guest
It doesn’t matter if we think anyone has or has not committed a mortal sin within a 12 month period, the requirement to to receive Communion once a year and Confession is only needed if you are in a state of mortal sin. If not there is no need to confess.
I
Irish_Cabbie
Guest
Do all Catholics have to confess? Good question.
When I read that question, I couldn’t help but think of a story that my dentist loves to tell. A patient once asked him if flossing was really necessary. The dentist told his patient, “No, flossing is not necessary. Flossing is optional. You only have to floss around those teeth that you want to keep in your mouth.”
All joking aside, yes, all Catholics – at least those over 7 years of age, that is – need to confess their sins. Even if you have no mortal sins to confess, you should regularly avail yourself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in order to confess your venial sins.
When I read that question, I couldn’t help but think of a story that my dentist loves to tell. A patient once asked him if flossing was really necessary. The dentist told his patient, “No, flossing is not necessary. Flossing is optional. You only have to floss around those teeth that you want to keep in your mouth.”
All joking aside, yes, all Catholics – at least those over 7 years of age, that is – need to confess their sins. Even if you have no mortal sins to confess, you should regularly avail yourself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in order to confess your venial sins.
M
Mike_Dye
Guest
That is just what I was thinking. After being a Catholic for 66 years and visiting countless parishes I have yet to see confession lines so long that the priest had to turn them away. In fact it is rare to see a line at all in most places.
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