What dear friend, do you find strange about Catholicism?

[Sunlight]

Im roman catholic by baptism and I went to catholic school and I remember going to service during school and we waited in line to talk to a priest. I made some confession and I was told to do hail mary or some other prayer. It never made me feel better to confess to a priest nor did I feel my sin was resolved. At the age I was, it wasn’t anything bad that I did anyway.

Fast forward years later, I did something not good and I talked to god about it and asked for forgiveness and I felt this huge weigh off my shoulders. Deep down I felt like I was really forgiven. There is a Methodist church local to me and I went to a few services and a friend I made there brought up about confessing to a priest compared to confessing directly to god and it made sense what he said. For me, I like to tell people my problems and a priest is a person but to confess for forgiveness I would rather ask god directly for that. I am not saying confessing to a priest is wrong, I am just saying that its something I just don’t feel comfortable doing even though it may be the right thing to do overall.

It might also mean that maybe being considered catholic isn’t for me and maybe I should consider other belief systems under the christian umbrella, like being a Methodist but then again, I don’t feel comfortable considering myself something other than catholic at this time either. I think with every belief system there will be things I agree and not agree with. It’s very confusing and I feel lost at times and I am not getting any younger so it’s not like I will find the right answer anytime soon before my time here on earth is done. This is what scares me.

 

[PJM]

I think you are missing the point. I gave my answer to this question: Re: What dear friend, do you find strange about Catholicism?

My answer is a response to what I find strange about Catholicism. This isn’t a debate and I am not trying to say my reply is the correct one and you all are wrong, it’s just what I feel is strange regardless of what it says in one scripture or another. Whether it’s right or wrong its my view of what I consider strange. I don’t care if my view is right or wrong on that, I still consider confessing to a priest is strange. All I am doing is replying to the author of this threads question lol

As the OP of this thread, I DO thank you.

But if your not interested in at least trying to save your soul, what my friend is your motive for being on CAF? I would like to understand your position

 

[PJM]

NO Punces from Me; just God’s Truth which HAS to be singular per defined issue. Amen

 

[PJM]

Im roman catholic by baptism and I went to catholic school and I remember going to service during school and we waited in line to talk to a priest. I made some confession and I was told to do hail mary or some other prayer. It never made me feel better to confess to a priest nor did I feel my sin was resolved. At the age I was, it wasn’t anything bad that I did anyway.

Fast forward years later, I did something not good and I talked to god about it and asked for forgiveness and I felt this huge weigh off my shoulders. Deep down I felt like I was really forgiven. There is a Methodist church local to me and I went to a few services and a friend I made there brought up about confessing to a priest compared to confessing directly to god and it made sense what he said. For me, I like to tell people my problems and a priest is a person but to confess for forgiveness I would rather ask god directly for that. I am not saying confessing to a priest is wrong, I am just saying that its something I just don’t feel comfortable doing even though it may be the right thing to do overall.

It might also mean that maybe being considered catholic isn’t for me and maybe I should consider other belief systems under the christian umbrella, like being a Methodist but then again, I don’t feel comfortable considering myself something other than catholic at this time either. I think with every belief system there will be things I agree and not agree with. It’s very confusing and I feel lost at times and I am not getting any younger so it’s not like I will find the right answer anytime soon before my time here on earth is done. This is what scares me.

Thank you for sharing that:thumbsup:

However it was NOT God that made you feel good; because you CHOOSE to try to do it your way; and IGNORE His.

Ecclesiasticus 15:18

Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him

Isiah 55: 6-9

[6] Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found: call upon him, while he is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive. [8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord. [9] For as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are my ways exalted above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts.

PRAY about it my friend & read Heb 6: 1-7 which is what the bible teaches about Catholics who abandon thee Faith

 

[Tommy999]

Could you please show scripture, chapter and verse, that says we are to confess our sins to God alone?

I John 1:9 seems to indicate what you are asking for:
9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

Note: The "he’ in that verse is Jesus, not a priest, a friend, or anyone else.

Also, Hebrews 4:16 states:
“16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.

It doesn’t say, “*take the hand of your priest and together, with the priest leading you because you are unable to do it yourself *draw near to the throne of grace…”.

Don’t get me wrong… I personally see nothing wrong with confessing one’s sins to a priest and would find it a healthy thing to do from the standpoint of accountability if I were Catholic.

However, the Lord Jesus Christ can and will forgive one’s sins directly without the need of anyone else, although a priest can help with the process if he is a godly man (I presume the vast majority of priests are honorable and godly men).

 

[PJM]

I John 1:9 seems to indicate what you are asking for:
9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

Note: The "he’ in that verse is Jesus, not a priest, a friend, or anyone else.

Also, Hebrews 4:16 states:
“16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.

It doesn’t say, “*take the hand of your priest and together, with the priest leading you because you are able to do it yourself *draw near to the throne of grace…”.

Don’t get me wrong… I personally see nothing wrong with confessing one’s sins to a priest and would find it a healthy thing to do from the standpoint of accountability if I were Catholic.

However, the Lord Jesus Christ can and will forgive one’s sins directly without the need of anyone else, although a priest can help with the process if he is a godly man (I presume the vast majority of priests are honorable and godly men).

**My dear friend in Christ;

It is IMPOSSIBLE for God to actually Be GOD if He were to be OK with judging YOU on one set of standards and me another. God HAS to be both Faith and Just in order to be GOOD**

 

[adrift]

We know Elijah was taken to heaven on a whirlwind and God took Enoch (to be with him)
Would you not say they are saved?

You did not define what you mean by heaven?
No one was saved until Jesus was crucified, died was buried and resurrected. I don’t believe anyone went to heaven until Jesus Ascended into heaven.

My definition of heaven is being in the presence of God.

Enoch was taken up in whirlwind but He did not go to be with God.
Heaven in the bible is used in many ways
It is what we call the sky.
It denotes the place where the stars are
is the abode of the Angles
It is where God is
Jesus said in John 3 that He was the only one who ascended to heaven. where was Enoch? In a place with the rest of those awaiting Jesus we commonly call limbo or Abraham’s Bosom.
Now a question for you. If Enoch was saved without Jesus’ crucifixion, why did Jesus die?

 

[Sunlight]

As the OP of this thread, I DO thank you.

But if your not interested in at least trying to save your soul, what my friend is your motive for being on CAF? I would like to understand your position

So wait, if someone believes its strange to confess to a priest that means their soul isn’t saved? I would like to understand your position

 

[Sunlight]

I John 1:9 seems to indicate what you are asking for:
9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

Note: The "he’ in that verse is Jesus, not a priest, a friend, or anyone else.

Also, Hebrews 4:16 states:
“16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.

It doesn’t say, “*take the hand of your priest and together, with the priest leading you because you are unable to do it yourself *draw near to the throne of grace…”.

Don’t get me wrong… I personally see nothing wrong with confessing one’s sins to a priest and would find it a healthy thing to do from the standpoint of accountability if I were Catholic.

However, the Lord Jesus Christ can and will forgive one’s sins directly without the need of anyone else, although a priest can help with the process if he is a godly man (I presume the vast majority of priests are honorable and godly men).

Thank you for writing this! This is how I feel.

 

[PJM]

Im roman catholic by baptism and I went to catholic school and I remember going to service during school and we waited in line to talk to a priest. I made some confession and I was told to do hail mary or some other prayer. It never made me feel better to confess to a priest nor did I feel my sin was resolved. At the age I was, it wasn’t anything bad that I did anyway.

Fast forward years later, I did something not good and I talked to god about it and asked for forgiveness and I felt this huge weigh off my shoulders. Deep down I felt like I was really forgiven. There is a Methodist church local to me and I went to a few services and a friend I made there brought up about confessing to a priest compared to confessing directly to god and it made sense what he said. For me, I like to tell people my problems and a priest is a person but to confess for forgiveness I would rather ask god directly for that. I am not saying confessing to a priest is wrong, I am just saying that its something I just don’t feel comfortable doing even though it may be the right thing to do overall.

It might also mean that maybe being considered catholic isn’t for me and maybe I should consider other belief systems under the christian umbrella, like being a Methodist but then again, I don’t feel comfortable considering myself something other than catholic at this time either. I think with every belief system there will be things I agree and not agree with. It’s very confusing and I feel lost at times and I am not getting any younger so it’s not like I will find the right answer anytime soon before my time here on earth is done. This is what scares me.

Catholicism is a way of life my friend; GOD"S WAY for us to live and merit HIS salvation.

Any and ALL Faiths outside of the Catholic Church are in COMPETITION with what Jesus says HE Wants, expects, demands and is willing to accept. ALL other way’s are man innovative-MADE easier sets of faith beliefs and practices; that do not have GOD"S approval. That ought to be a scary position to be clinging too

 

[Sunlight]

Thank you for sharing that:thumbsup:

However it was NOT God that made you feel good; because you CHOOSE to try to do it your way; and IGNORE His.

Wait, you mean his way is to confess to a priest and not him directly? Can you clarify?

 

[adrift]

Like I was saying, confession is between me and god, not between me and a priest. Id rather directly talk to god then the priest down the street.

It is interesting that your reply puts yourself first and then God. I also note that God is not capitalized.

 

[Sunlight]

Catholicism is a way of life my friend; GOD"S WAY for us to live and merit HIS salvation.

Any and ALL Faiths outside of the Catholic Church are in COMPETITION with what Jesus says HE Wants, expects, demands and is willing to accept. ALL other way’s are man innovative-MADE easier sets of faith beliefs and practices; that do not have GOD"S approval. That ought to be a scary position to be clinging too

But what about the jewish people? gotquestions.org/Jews-saved.html

 

[PJM]

So wait, if someone believes its strange to confess to a priest that means their soul isn’t saved? I would like to understand your position

It would depend on acting upon non-Catholic beliefs.
**
Am I saying that all who do NOT do as GOD COMMANDS are hell bound. NO!** That’s God’s decision; but that said; it seems extremely prudent to be OBEDIENT to God rather that head-strong and disobedient to what is verty clearly God’s Plan to aid our salvation.

If you or other are comfortable thinking that you know more, or you know better than your God and the ONLY Church that can teach the FULLNESS of HIS truths [and YES this IS biblical & historical as well]; then dear friend it’s your soul. Eternity IS forever

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"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he 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 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."

 

[Sunlight]

It is interesting that your reply puts yourself first and then God. I also note that God is not capitalized.

Did you take it offensively? It wasn’t supposed to be offensive, it was just incorrect grammar.

 

[Peter_J]

I said “we should confess to god alone”

You’re right, you did say that.

Now consider what Simon Peter and John said: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight for us to listen to you rather than God.” (Acts 4: 19)

 

[Sunlight]

Peter_J:
Well Peter, I said we should I didn’t say we have to, and it doesn’t say anywhere we have to obviously. It’s my opinion, just like we should eat healthy, we don’t have to, we should be kind to others, we should treat those like we want to be treated, it doesn’t always happen. I am just not seeing how confessing to another human being is better than confessing to God. What is the priests role ? like a go between? This is where I am confused. A priest is a human and therefore imperfect and not without sin so I don’t understand why confessing to a priest is preferable.

 

[PJM]

Thank you for writing this! This is how I feel.

GOD is FAR less interested in “how you feel” that in your being subservient AND FULLY Obedient to Him. Your feelings while in competition to God isn’t going to go far in plea-bargaining with God the second you die.

Have you ever considered Why BOTH Yahweh and Jesus choose JUST ONE?

One true God

With ALL that God is capable of: One set of Faith beliefs that He COULD NOT have waited more than 1,000 YEARS to make known AFTER having established HIS Church

& just One Chosen people [that GOD intended this to mean all present day 'Christians is but a DREAM]

Jesus too choose Just One Chosen people [Mt 16:18] “MY CHURCH singular”

Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven

 

[Sunlight]

GOD is FAR less interested in “how you feel” that in your being subservient AND FULLY Obedient to Him. Your feelings while in competition to God isn’t going to go far in plea-bargaining with God the second you die.

Have you ever considered Why BOTH Yahweh and Jesus choose JUST ONE?

One true God

With ALL that God is capable of: One set of Faith beliefs that He COULD NOT have waited more than 1,000 YEARS to make known AFTER having established HIS Church

& just One Chosen people [that GOD intended this to mean all present day 'Christians is but a DREAM]

Jesus too choose Just One Chosen people [Mt 16:18] “MY CHURCH singular”

Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven

See, this is where I am confused, why would God be mad if I directly talk to him about my sins instead of a priest? I don’t feel talking to God directly instead of a priest is competition. A priest is a human and therefore imperfect and not without sin so I don’t understand why confessing to a priest is preferable, this is where I am confused. That’s the whole issue I have with priests, they are not without sin themselves so how can

 

[PJM]

Wait, you mean his way is to confess to a priest and not him directly? Can you clarify?

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"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he 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 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."

Is this sufficient clarification my friend?