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Bud Zack
I believe you have to start at the separation of the Catholic Church (Universal Congregation) and the Roman Catholic Church. The RCC became official in Italy in 313 AD. At that point they started employing Bishops. These men needed to create a reason to have jobs. That is why, in spite of being in possession of the Bible (turned into Latin by Jerome in 378 AD) they also started the Magisterium (the RCC rule book.). This rule book started replacing a direct relationship between man and God with a RCC mediator, thus creating the need for the forbidden mediation. 1Tim 2:5 So the RCC, the largest institution in the world, became that way by getting between God and His children. "Confession" is just one of the "Sacraments" that the RCC uses to validate their false authority.
Danny Johnson
Absolve: means to make (someone) free from guilt, responsibility or to give forgiveness to (someone who has sinned) or for (a sin)... No man can forgive sin or make us righteous before God, because man is sinful...If you accepted Jesus Christ as Savior...Only He can forgive you and I from our sins...1 John 1:9 states...If we confess our sins, He (meaning Jesus) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness...and Hebrews 4:16 states...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....meaning if we are in right standings with the Lord we can pray and draw near to Him with confidence, because we have Jesus Christ as our High Priest not man. Always keep in mind...Every sin that we commit is against God, he alone has authority to forgive every sin...Psalm 103:12 states...As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. In closing...God does not want a people of similarities...He wants a people that is reconciled to Himself in one body that will serve and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth...this was accomplished at the Cross...through our faith in Jesus Christ...
JD Abshire
Question: "Why do Catholics pray and confess to a priest instead of praying to Jesus?" It is a theological issue. They believe they are Israel. They believe their priests are the priests of the Old Testament and the church has replaced Israel. I do not! I believe ALL truly born again believers are priests. "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:5-6)
Chris Harwell
I am Catholic and agree that there is a lot of misunderstanding concerning the tenants of my faith. First allow me to say that we are all God's children. Jesus came to abolish religion as an obstacle to a true relationship with God the Father. Therefore, ANY religion or system of beliefs created by man falls far short of the glory of God, and nothing can replace a genuine, loving, close relationship with God who exists as the Holy Trinity. I was raised Catholic and, in my thirties was baptized Southern Baptist and have attended many non-denominational churches. I did return to the Catholic Church when I was 42 and have found a wonderfully beautiful and intricate and mysterious and challenging faith. There are many paths to which my faith brings me closer in my relationship with my Father. Confession is one of those avenues. We, as Catholics, do not pray to our priests. We pray with them and use their knowledge and direction, if needed, in order to accomplish our main goal...living according to Jesus direction through the gospel. Confession is a scriptural process by which we discuss our faults, sins, shortcomings with the preist and the priest, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is able to absolve us from those sins...BUT ONLY IF THERE IS A TRUE REPENTANT HEART. God alone knows our heart and He provides the cleansing for our soul so that we can live in a state of His grace. Now, in my humble opinion we as the body of Christ must cease this division if we are to impact this world for His name. Yes there were many men who used the power their position gave them to feed their need for power and greed in the Catholic Church as well as many other denominations, governments, etc. We still see that today in some of our "pastors" who drive Bentlys and own expensive jets. The gospel according to prosperity is alive and well. Again, anything man touches reeks of the fall from grace brought about by the original sin. We all fall short so to suggest that Catholics see ourselves as Israel or to draw comparisons between the corruption in the past or to speak of recent struggles only shows an inherent ignorance that is understandably present because of the differences we see. If we could concentrate on the similarities, we would be a stronger testament to Christ's calling to be His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs us.
Vattachal-Vadakketil Thomas John alias V T John
God alone has power to forgive sins. (Lk.5.21) Referring to Himself our Lord Jesus said "Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins (Lk.5.24). This authority, our Lord, delegated to his apostles saying "If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven"(Jn 20:23) With the death of those apostles there would have been a vacuum; this vacuum is filled by the priests and they are having authority to forgive sins. In this context it is submitted, the Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians practice the sacrament of confession. In these days, all communities have counseling experts to give advice to individuals to face problems in their lives. We should give at least the position of counseling experts to these priests who give advice gratis.
Ali Haverstock
If in fact, a person feels the need to confess to a priest, I think the Lord knows our hearts well enough to love us unconditionally. I have a newly Catholic relative. He has changed dramatically for the better after going to confession! He spent hours bawling, and confessing his sins. I feel that the Catholic Church being open 24 hours a day has probably saved numerous lives. I am not a Catholic, but do support confession. Don't we all need a person to confess to, who loves us unconditionally? I confess to the Lord every day. I think as human beings, we all need affirmation from a person, as well, to listen, and love us without judgement.
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