Quote:
Originally Posted by Teuthida
Oh! The whole confession thing! It rubs me the wrong way that you could do horrible things, tell a priest, say a couple prayers a bunch of times, and be forgiven like nothing ever happened.
Feels like without that clause you'd be less likely to do bad things if you had to live with your bad choices.
Not really a question I guess. Just what are your thoughts on that?
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Take a look at my responses to Combine's questions on forgiveness. I think those should answer your questions.
Forgiveness is a central theme of Christianity. All Christian denominations teach that God forgives. He must, otherwise no human (aside from Mary and Jesus) would make it to heaven because we all sin. Catholics are unique in that we teach the act of confession with a priest, but it is still the same teaching that God will forgive.
As I mentioned in my response to Combine though, God does not forget. Being forgiven is not the same as the act having never happened. The stain of sin still exists, but God forgives the act.
P.S. I'll get to the rest of your questions later this week.