Protestants how to you get by without confession

[SteveVH]

However, I’ve heard some Catholics prefer to confess mortal sins in other parishes and not their own because they want more anonymity. If the priest is bound by confidentiality, why would they feel the need to go somewhere else? Just curious.

Because even though he can never reveal it to anyone, “he still knows” and you get to see him every Sunday if not more often. This is really a bogus excuse, however. Anyone who thinks their sins are so unique does not understand human nature very well.

I have spoken to more than a few priests about this. While one may think the priest will be aghast at their sins, actually the opposite is true. Every priest to whom I have spoken about this rejoices, especially when one finally confesses a serious sin or has been away from the sacrament for a number of years. We have to remember that the priest is a sinner as well and realizes the human weaknesses of embarrassment and pride. He probably cringes sometimes when he has to confess as well. The priest is not there to condemn, but rather to carry out Christ’s mission of mercy and forgiveness, regardless of what any individual has done. And, this is no doubt a mercy of God, most priests couldn’t tell you what you confessed even yesterday. Most sins are common among all people.

 

[House_Harkonnen]

However, I’ve heard some Catholics prefer to confess mortal sins in other parishes and not their own because they want more anonymity. If the priest is bound by confidentiality, why would they feel the need to go somewhere else? Just curious.

Back when I was Catholic I would rotate between 3 or 4 different parishes for confession, and rarely the parish I went to on normal Sundays.

 

[Tomyris]

I watched a penance service once, where they brought in about 5 priests and everyone had about 45 seconds (no kidding!) with each priest. Long lines, too.

I have also seen a priest take a long afternoon waiting for someone to come for confession, and no one showing up.

When I really mess up, I have a long talk with someone I trust. I confess sins, and we discuss reconciliation. This is something men should do with men and women with women - confessing some sins to a man simply would not be right.

 

[ragsbinwashed]

When I was an evangelical I always felt angry and distraught with what to do with my sins. I was raised catholic but don’t think it had a major influence regarding confession since I went only once as a 7 year old and didn’t go again until I was 33 returning to the church. I needed to go to counciling a lot when u was away from the church also.

So my question ?
Tonight I committed a sin; not mortal but looked back at the last week and noticed a had a string of venial sins that was out of character and am looking forward to confession tomorrow. If I was a Protestant I would feel completely unfulfilled and lost just talking to God without a priests help how do you feel at peace without the guidance of a trained theologian ?

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This is good enough for me.

rags

 

[EvangelCatholic]

I watched a penance service once, where they brought in about 5 priests and everyone had about 45 seconds (no kidding!) with each priest. Long lines, too.

I have also seen a priest take a long afternoon waiting for someone to come for confession, and no one showing up.

When I really mess up, I have a long talk with someone I trust. I confess sins, and we discuss reconciliation. This is something men should do with men and women with women - confessing some sins to a man simply would not be right.

That’s OK because we hold ourselves accountable to God is the most important part. And why absolution at Mass is very powerful. The pastor comes into the nave while the processional ministers line up in the back of the church. Silence, we kneel and follow the liturgy of public confession; the pastor blesses us with the sign of the holy cross. Introit is chanted as we stand.

My dad remembers going to church on Saturday nights for Corporate Confession if you planned to take holy Communion on Sunday. A longer penitential service that involved everyone lining up to individually blessed on the forehead by the pastor. I remember some parishes when I was young having the confessional service after the sermon/ prayers. Some people would leave the church if they were not planning to take holy Communion. I’m glad that custom is fading away.

 

[Tommy999]

Because even though he can never reveal it to anyone, “he still knows” and you get to see him every Sunday if not more often. This is really a bogus excuse, however. Anyone who thinks their sins are so unique does not understand human nature very well.

I have spoken to more than a few priests about this. While one may think the priest will be aghast at their sins, actually the opposite is true. Every priest to whom I have spoken about this rejoices, especially when one finally confesses a serious sin or has been away from the sacrament for a number of years. We have to remember that the priest is a sinner as well and realizes the human weaknesses of embarrassment and pride. He probably cringes sometimes when he has to confess as well. The priest is not there to condemn, but rather to carry out Christ’s mission of mercy and forgiveness, regardless of what any individual has done. And, this is no doubt a mercy of God, most priests couldn’t tell you what you confessed even yesterday. Most sins are common among all people.

Thanks for the insights, SteveH. I think that is how Satan likes to operate – by trying to isolate Christians and shaming them into thinking that nobody else has ever sinned as badly as them so they had better keep it to themselves. It’s good to know that most sins are common among all people and that priests are not aghast when they hear them.

Just curious… in the rare event when the person who is confessing confesses to a serious crime such as a bank robbery or a murder, which I assume is extremely rare… is the priest still sworn to confidentiality?

 

[Tomyris]

Thanks for the insights, SteveH. I think that is how Satan likes to operate – by trying to isolate Christians and shaming them into thinking that nobody else has ever sinned as badly as them so they had better keep it to themselves. It’s good to know that most sins are common among all people and that priests are not aghast when they hear them.

Just curious… in the rare event when the person who is confessing confesses to a serious crime such as a bank robbery or a murder, which I assume is extremely rare… is the priest still sworn to confidentiality?

I’ll be brave enough to speak for the Catholics: yes, absolutely.

BUT the penance might include turning himself into the police. On an Orthodox forum a priest told me that he had accompanied more than one person to the police station to give them his support.

 

[Tommy999]

I’ll be brave enough to speak for the Catholics: yes, absolutely.

BUT the penance might include turning himself into the police. On an Orthodox forum a priest told me that he had accompanied more than one person to the police station to give them his support.

Thanks, Tomyris. I respect priests who would not break the bond of confidentiality but who would also take the time to support the person in going to the police station.

Follow up question:
Can a priest ever get into legal trouble for not divulging information to the authorites that he learned in a confession that might help solve a serious crime, provided that the perpetrator decided to not turn himself into the authorities after confessing? I realize this kind of issue is probably pretty rare. Just curious.

 

[Tomyris]

Can a priest ever get into legal trouble for not divulging information to the authorites that he learned in a confession that might help solve a serious crime, provided that the perpetrator decided to not turn himself into the authorities after confessing? I realize this kind of issue is probably pretty rare. Just curious.

They are expected to die first. Some have.

This has been a theme on numerous detective shows. He may have to watch an innocent man go to prison rather than break the seal. They take it extremely seriously.

 

[Tommy999]

They are expected to die first. Some have.

This has been a theme on numerous detective shows. He may have to watch an innocent man go to prison rather than break the seal. They take it extremely seriously.

Thanks, Tomyris!

youtube.com/watch?v=krD4hdGvGHM

 

[Tommy999]

Thanks, Tomyris!

In case you are old enough to remember the old Laugh In TV show in the 1970’s.

youtube.com/watch?v=krD4hdGvGHM

 

[guanophore]

When I was an evangelical I always felt angry and distraught with what to do with my sins. I was raised catholic but don’t think it had a major influence regarding confession since I went only once as a 7 year old and didn’t go again until I was 33 returning to the church. I needed to go to counciling a lot when u was away from the church also.

So my question ?
Tonight I committed a sin; not mortal but looked back at the last week and noticed a had a string of venial sins that was out of character and am looking forward to confession tomorrow. If I was a Protestant I would feel completely unfulfilled and lost just talking to God without a priests help how do you feel at peace without the guidance of a trained theologian ?

The vast majority of Protestants who do not believe in sacramental confession do believe in the princple of seeking spiritual guidance from an elder, the principle of discipleship where one submits to a more mature person in the faith, and getting spiritual direction from Scripture. One is not “alone” with one’s sins.

I think most modern evangelical Christians also fabricate another meaning to the authority Jesus gave in Scripture for the binding and loosing of sins. I have been told it refers to “preaching the Gospel”, or that it is not something that lasted after the death of the Aposltes.

 

[benhur]

First, I don’t “get by” without confession. I confess my sins to God daily, and I humbly ask his forgiveness in the knowledge that I have a high priest, Jesus, whose blood purifies me from all sins in that, if I confess my sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and purify me from all unrighteousness. Because Jesus is my high priest, I can come boldly before the throne of grace to receive help, mercy, and grace in my time of need.

As for not having a trained theologian to talk to, well, I suppose some might think that a real inconvenience, but it is a luxury that few Christians have ever had.

Why Itwin, you underscore correctly that He is indeed ALIVE, and dwells amongst us and in us. And you can talk to Him and vice versa. Amen. Alleluia!

 

[benhur]

f I was a Protestant I would feel completely unfulfilled and lost just talking to God

 

[SteveVH]

Thanks for the insights, SteveH. I think that is how Satan likes to operate – by trying to isolate Christians and shaming them into thinking that nobody else has ever sinned as badly as them so they had better keep it to themselves. It’s good to know that most sins are common among all people and that priests are not aghast when they hear them.

Just curious… in the rare event when the person who is confessing confesses to a serious crime such as a bank robbery or a murder, which I assume is extremely rare… is the priest still sworn to confidentiality?

A priest can never break the seal of confession under any circumstances.

In the case of a serious crime he would instruct the person to turn himself in and face the music, but he could never reveal to anyone, under any circumstances, their confession.

 

[Adamski]

Adamski;12238270:

Wow. Just talking to God, one on one is not enough. I need a lawyer. Just like OT, an intermediator is needed…Wait, I thought Christ was my “lawyer”, my mediator ? I thought one on one was sufficient, as in most cases in the gospels, like the women at the well, or the women caught in adultry, or the blind, and leprous, and lame…“just talking to God, just ?” Is it that trivial you need further endorsement ?

I found when I was a Protestant I would justify every poor choice when I didn’t have the guidance of confession. When I would confess without a priest I would here a background voice say things like “everyone does that it isn’t a real sin”, “you only have to go to church to get fed”, “porn will improve your marriage it isn’t sinful”. So now talking to a church authority I can clearly know what is a voice from God or an evil one

 

[SteveVH]

I found when I was a Protestant I would justify every poor choice when I didn’t have the guidance of confession. When I would confess without a priest I would here a background voice say things like “everyone does that it isn’t a real sin”, “you only have to go to church to get fed”, “porn will improve your marriage it isn’t sinful”. So now talking to a church authority I can clearly know what is a voice from God or an evil one

Something that is often overlooked by those not familiar with the sacrament of Reconciliation is the fact that a good confession begins with an in-depth examination of conscience. The Church has many aids, today, to help us do this. How many people really ever take the time to seriously meditate upon their life in order to recall any way they may have offended God before confessing their sins “directly to him”? If it happens at all it is a rare thing.

I agree with you completely. I was a Catholic by religion and a pagan by practice when I was in college. I could never deny God, but I did whatever I wanted and jumped into “sex, drugs and rock & roll” with both feet. I rationalized most things away, as you have mentioned, and avoided taking a long hard look at my interior life; I knew what was there but didn’t want to claim ownership. God would understand, right? This mode of living never brought me peace. Instead I became wracked with anxiety. When I returned to the Church, faced my sin and confessed it I will never forget that moment; the peace, being truly reconciled with God and resting in his arms. I’ve never looked back.

 

[Tommy999]

Something that is often overlooked by those not familiar with the sacrament of Reconciliation is the fact that a good confession begins with an in-depth examination of conscience. The Church has many aids, today, to help us do this. How many people really ever take the time to seriously meditate upon their life in order to recall any way they may have offended God before confessing their sins “directly to him”? If it happens at all it is a rare thing.

I agree with you completely. I was a Catholic by religion and a pagan by practice when I was in college. I could never deny God, but I did whatever I wanted and jumped into “sex, drugs and rock & roll” with both feet. I rationalized most things away, as you have mentioned, and avoided taking a long hard look at my interior life; I knew what was there but didn’t want to claim ownership. God would understand, right? This mode of living never brought me peace. Instead I became wracked with anxiety. When I returned to the Church, faced my sin and confessed it I will never forget that moment; the peace, being truly reconciled with God and resting in his arms. I’ve never looked back.

All good info. Just curious, SteveVH. Can you describe what some of these aids to confession are and you do have any links to them? I am always open to confessing my sins more effectively to God.

I can only speak for myself, but I meditate on my life before I confess my sins to God and do an in-depth examination of conscience to the best of my ability, but occasionally I may overlook a sin when I confess to God in prayer only to remember it later. Then I do a quick P.S. prayer. If I were Catholic, I’d have to go back to the parish priest, right?

I see definite benefits in “the confessing of sins to one another” and I see a lot of value and truth in the Catholic Sacrament of Confession. However, I sometimes wonder how Catholics escape the trap of Scrupulosity, from which many Catholics suffer, or so I’ve heard.

Since the Catholic belief is that some sins are mortal and can cause a person to fall from God’s grace and cause serious problems to their standing with God if a Catholic commits one and then dies before he/she is able to go to Confession/Reconciliation, I could see why some Catholic Christians would risk being in a constant state of worry and therefore seek frequent appointments to see a priest for confession during the week.

Those who tend to have OCD issues would be particularly vulnerable to this, I would think, but maybe I’m wrong on that.

I don’t know of many protestants with scupulosity issues, although the other side of the coin is that some protestants tend to rationalize away certain sins, like you and Adamski described, which is also dangerous to one’s spiritual well being.

 

[Tommy999]

benhur;12246182:

I found when I was a Protestant I would justify every poor choice when I didn’t have the guidance of confession. When I would confess without a priest I would here a background voice say things like “everyone does that it isn’t a real sin”, “you only have to go to church to get fed”, “porn will improve your marriage it isn’t sinful”. So now talking to a church authority I can clearly know what is a voice from God or an evil one

I am protestant but I don’t have the issue about justifying my sins that you describe and never really have. I often feel convicted right away when I sin because the Holy Spirit won’t allow me to live comfortably or believe that such sins as you described above (or others) are legitimate. As a result, I usually feel horrible in my spirit right away when I sin (or shortly thereafer) and I don’t feel right with God until I ask for His forgiveness and receive it.

My issue is a different one. The missing piece for me is the spiritual counseling and advice and penance aspect from a priest/pastor that sometimes accompanies the Sacrament of Confession in Catholicism, or so I’ve heard.

The part I see missing from my church is the help and counseling to not repeat a particular sin so that it won’t develop into a spiritual stronghold. Some protestant churches have men’s acountability groups that serve this function, but not all churches have them.

However, I’ve never had issues with justifying sin because the Holy Spirit won’t allow me to feel comfortable in my sins.

 

[CatholicSheila]

I’ll be brave enough to speak for the Catholics: yes, absolutely.

BUT the penance might include turning himself into the police. On an Orthodox forum a priest told me that he had accompanied more than one person to the police station to give them his support.

I can not speak for the Orthodox, but this is very wrong from a Catholic perspective. A Catholic priest can not require someone to turn them selves in as a penance, nor can they deny absolution until a person agrees to turn themselves in. It can only be encouraged.

For those interested, here is a reply from Fr. Charles Grondin in the “ask a apologist” forum:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=834297