=Mary Christ;7543985]I almost agree with you. When attending any House of Worship, one must be very careful not to see any living being or statue as an idol. It is what a person has in their heart that Jesus evaluates, which may be seen in their outward behavior. Idols are not for worship, Jesus is.
Also, Jesus has ears to hear with, eyes to see with, a brain to evaluate with, and a heart to forgive with. Therefore, one only needs to confess with their heart directly to Jesus with repentance to be forgiven, Keep in mind that Jesus did ask His Father’s creation to confess one to another. This act is mainly to assist in putting pressure on the sinner to keep the person from the sin (s)he confessed. Because of the wickedness of the world, people cannot be trusted to hear another’s confession anymore, mainly because of gossip, but a priest, a clergy can be trusted to hear such confessions.
When I am in a House of Worship, although I marvel at the statues present and praise Jesus for such skills that man can do, I also, in my:heart: heart know that these are only of stone and not anything at all.
SORRY friend BUT that is not what either The CC or the Bible teach…
1John.1 Verses 8 to 10: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
**1John.5 Verses 16 to 17 **"If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.
**John.20 Verses 20 to 23 **" When he had said this, he [Jesus] showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he [Jesus]
breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”
Catechism of the CC: 1861 Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself. It results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace.** If it is not redeemed by repentance and God’s forgiveness, **it causes exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the eternal death of hell, for our freedom has the power to make choices for ever, with no turning back. However, although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God.
1497 Individual and integral confession of grave sins followed by absolution remains the only ordinary means of reconciliation with God and with the Church.
May God continue to Bless and Guide you,
Pat
