Boy its good to be an atheist. None of that "Catholic guilt" to drag around with all those silly nonsense "sins".

PART ONE OF A TWO PART RESPONSE:

Confession calls for a belief in the concept of sin. That word "sin" has a good many meanings according to particular faith traditions, moral and ethical beliefs, a good many of us would agree that it hasn't got a universal definition, but rather, a general direction it takes in use. Here's a definition I found:

A transgression of a religious or moral law, especially when deliberate.
Theology.
Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God.
A condition of estrangement from God resulting from such disobedience.
Something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong.
intr.v., sinned, sin·ning, sins.
To violate a religious or moral law.
To commit an offense or violation.
[Middle English sinne, from Old English synn.]

This seems to imply that we can know the will of God. That is a rather large implication. It assumes that we can know what God is, and then assumes that God has a will, somewhat like a human being, that we can understand and access. Many would not agree, and I among them stand with my doubts.

Continued

This is just typical religious nonsense. Mormon Karl Rove and supposed Jesus-loving Dick Cheney and G.W. Bush will not only never confess that they have sinned against their fellow man the last eight years, but they are more than good with the predations they wrought. And religious figures such as Jerry Falwell, may he writhe in hell, the Rec. Moon and Billy Graham. have given them cover to boot.

Moreover, the above piece is, when it comes down to it, "if you gotta confess your sins, do it in Church and not to someone who isn't versed in the fairy tales that comprise religious dogma and who doesn't wear the official Halloween costume."

The other thing is that the Church has a hard time confessing its own sins and it has led to disaster for its followers, whether it was tacit collaboration with the Nazis during WWII or not turning in priests it knew were molesting children to the police.

You know the old line about physician heal thyself? Yeah, get your own house in order before you come spouting off to us.

Like you stated, the cyber-community isn't exactly a safe-haven to put your most personal thoughts and confessions. However, I would like to commend you for coming on here and explaining the importance of releasing our burdens.

I think the main problem is that most people sin so often and so deeply, that they can't imagine a state of being where confessing releases a small burden so we can be closer to God. I can't move forward with a lie on my heart (unless it's part of an important story I'm telling, then I just forgive myself),...basically confessing keeps my relationships with others pure.

Praise God (and not just because an ordained priest would be an exclusively cool addition to my personal webpage...well, it's a blog, but it has potential!) I'm not just trying to get you to check out my profile. (Okay, I am...feelin' better already!) Any chance you're Catholic?

Hmmm. Cyber confessional, being "saved" in the collective, morality across the net via Boolian commands. Sounds like another way for the Church to dig its sharp claws into the youth of our country and the world. Keyboard priests as peeping-Toms. Advice from old, sex-less celibates and virgins about modern day issues. Imagine the stories and the advice.

Use reason and scientific enlightenment to understand the threat of the Church. By doing so, it's not being a cynic, it's not anger, and it's not bitterness . . . it's intelligence. Not believing the Medieval fairy tales, fables, and myths is smart.

The apogee of hypocracy of the Church. A sin is an act that violates a moral code, usually a devine set of moral directivesor codes of conduct. Now, the Church offers a way to absolve one's "sins." Why doesn't start with it self?

Wasn't the Church responsible for abuse of young children, denying it, and then hiding it? The Church did not fess up until they were investigated, prosecuted, and sued. Imagine what they can do with a Mac?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_sex_abuse_cases

Beware of the fangs of the "Shadowy Monster's" of the Religious right and the Catholic Church. Next thing you know people will confess via text message. Mobile confessions on your cell phone.