In This Biography

Religion and Confession.

Atonement is crucial because it is a way to bring justice to the person who was wronged.

Confession, also known as penance or reconciliation according to the Judeo-Christian tradition, is the acknowledgment of sinfulness either in either a private or public setting and is regarded as essential to receive divine forgiveness.

In Christianity.

In Catholic doctrine, the Sacrament is penance. It is the process of the Church that lets people of all ages confess the sins they have committed following baptism, and then have them forgiven by God by the intervention of the priest. The Catholic Ritual, required at least once per year in case of serious sin is normally performed within the confines of a confessional booth, or reconciliation chamber. The sacrament is referred to by various names, such as reconciliation, penance, and confession. Although Church publications generally describe the Sacrament under the terms “Penance”, “Reconciliation” or “Penance and Reconciliation”, some laypeople still refer to it as “Confession” in reference to the Sacrament.

The Catholic Church’s goal of this sacrament is to offer healing to souls as well as to restore God’s grace. God that was lost through the sins of our past.

An ideal act of repentance in which the penitent expresses regret for offending God but not out of fear of punishment for eternity, even if they do not confess, it eliminates the eternal penalty associated with mortal sin. However, Catholics must confess their mistakes as soon as they are able to.

SEE ALSO: Who is a Nun?

Usually, the penitent begins the sacramental confession with the words, “Bless me, Father, since I’ve committed a sin. It’s been [a certain time between last time that I confessed. “The penitent then has to confess their belief to be mortal and grave sins, both in kind and amount, to be reconciled to God in the church.

In the majority of cases, Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Christians pick a person they are their spiritual mentor. The most common choice is the parish priest however, it could be a starlet (Elder a monk that is famous for their growth in the realm of spirituality). This individual is commonly called a “spiritual father”. When a person is chosen, he or seeks out their spiritual guide to get guidance on their spiritual growth as well as confessing their sins and seeking for advice. Orthodox Christians tend to confess only to this person and the closeness that is created through this relationship ensures that the spiritual guide is most knowledgeable to handle the situation and, as a result, no one is able to override what a spiritual guide reveals to his students.

Confession is not held in the confessional, but typically within the main area of the church.

In Eastern churches, the clergy usually confess within the church sanctuary. Bishops, priests, or deacon may make their confession in the Holy Table (Altar) where the Gospel Book and blessing cross are typically kept. The bishop makes a confession in the same way as laymen, with the exception that when a priest listens to the confession of a bishop clergy kneel.

In Islam.

It is the act of asking forgiveness from God to cover up sins that are called Istighfar.

In Judaism.

In Judaism confession is a key element of obtaining forgiveness of sins against God as well as another person. Confessing to God is performed in a communal manner in the plural. In the Yom Kippur services, Jews confess that “We have sinned.” In cases involving offenses against a person’s fellow human making a an individual confessing to the person who is being hurt is required for obtaining an apology from the perpetrator which is usually a prerequisite for the forgiveness of God. If the victim does not apologize, the perpetrator must confess in public before a greater audience. Confession (Viduy) can also be performed at the time of death when it’s possible.

In Buddhism

Buddhism has been since its beginnings primarily a religion of monasticism and renunciation. Within the monastic structure (called Vinaya) Vinaya) that is the sangha, regular confession of wrongdoing to fellow monks is required. According to the suttas from the Pali Canon Bhikkhus sometimes even confessed their mistakes before their master, the Buddha himself. [54] The portion of the Pali Canon called the Vinaya obliges monks to confess their personal sins in advance of the bi-weekly gathering to recite the Patimokkha.

In Hinduism.

It is believed that in Hinduism confession is an integral part of Prayascitta which is a dharma-related phrase and is a term used to describe the voluntary acceptance of one’s mistakes and wrongdoings such as confession, repentance, methods of expiation, and penance to reduce or undo the consequences of karmic actions. This includes atonement for both intentional as well as unintentional sins. The old Hindu scriptures on repentance atonement and expiation are extensive and include the earliest references within the Vedic literature. Illustrative ways to repent of intentional and unintentional wrongdoings. These include acknowledging the wrongdoings of oneself, sacrifices such as fasting, pilgrimage, bathing in holy waters ascetic living as well as the Yajna (fire sacrifice and the Homa) and praying and yoga, offering gifts to the less fortunate and in need, and many more.

Confession prayer.

In my anger, I’ve committed a sin; yet you still search my heart for affection. I beg you to forgive me, Lord and guide me to adhere to your instructions and live a life pleasing to you so that your glory may shine again on me. Amen.