socalscout Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Why isn't hell and the penalties of sin taught anymore like it used to be? The necessity to avoid sin is always mentioned, but HELL has become the h-word. My mom literally scared the hell out of her kids when we were little children so we had a real fear of falling into sin. Since there is no longer any emphasis on what happens when people die unrepentant, how is it expected that the masses will want to 'formally' seek forgiveness. God is ever merciful and forgiving, but preaching seems to be lacking the fact that forgiveness must be sought in order for it to take place. It seems that a lot of people are going to have a rude awakening after they die. I guy in my RCIA class was so scorned by his Jesuit school teachers and their hardnosed teachings on Hell that he left the Church for a very long time. He is back now but will stand defiant against anyone who takes that approach. I like the method of teaching that emphasizes reconciling us to God through the Sacrament rather then trying to stay out of Hell. To each his own, whatever gets you in their is the best way. Take Care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socalscout Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 My wife brought up this very subject weeks ago. We are usually 2 of 3 people who regulary attend Reconciliation. She asked if we were the only horrible evil habitual sinners in the Parish because the place is empty. My Parish's confessional is the library so yo are face to face with Fr. Hal or Fr. Michael. It is really cool and I go about once a week to once every two weeks. Maybe our fellow parishners are not comfortable with face to face confessing. I do however go to other parishes, as well, that have the traditional confessionals. I remember when the Sacrament was offered twice a week but now it is only on Saturdays, at least here in San Diego. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marielapin Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 At our parish we have 2 hours of confession every Saturday afternoon, with one hour of confession on first fridays and by appointment. My husband and I go about once every 1.5-2 months or every time we commit mortal sin, which ever comes first. Saturday afternoon the chapel is filled, but mostlly with older people, the same older people that are there every other time we go. We are usually the youngest people there. I think most of the parish likes to attend the "Penance services" which are held during Lent and Advent and offers individual Confession - they bring in lots of local priests - there are usually about 8 available to hear confessions. I still would rather wait in line behind the sweet old ladies on Saturday than go to one of these services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cappie Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 In my opinion, for what it's worth, I believe confession especially of venial sins is about accepting responsability for actions committed freely and willingly. To admit to someone else(the priest) that you have lies cheated or stolen, that you have not prayed or loved God or neighbour as Jesus taught us, is a difficult task especially when in the confessional, you have no excuse. Then you claim the forgiveness of Jesus at the foot of the cross, a liberating experience! I hear confessions every Saturday and there is never a spare minute, but many people still find it difficult. I recommend Scott Hahn's book: "Lord, Have Mercy." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 I go to confession once a month. It makes me feel so much better when I go regularly, even if I haven't committed any mortal sins. My priest is very patient and allows me to tell him all the venial sins I have committed. I don't understand why people don't go more often. It is such a wonderful feeling! Is this the only reason you go, just to have a good feeling??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 I like the method of teaching that emphasizes reconciling us to God through the Sacrament rather then trying to stay out of Hell. Good response! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.SIGGA Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 I like the method of teaching that emphasizes reconciling us to God through the Sacrament rather then trying to stay out of Hell. I think both of these approaches together would be helpful to avoid having handfuls of people who have no knowledge of hell and purgatory. It would also give people an opportunity to repent that figure they are probably going to hell anyway because their sins are so numerous and/or so great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 After the Eucharist, Confession is the Sacrament in which I most look forward to participating. I've not been at my parish long enough to know how often people confess, but I love the process of God revealing sin to me, then bringing me to a point of repentance and back into fellowship with himself. It's really beautiful. I want to do it often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 30, 2004 Author Share Posted January 30, 2004 Is this the only reason you go, just to have a good feeling??? I doubt that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 30, 2004 Author Share Posted January 30, 2004 I'm feel really nervous and tense and guilty every single time that I go, and sometimes I want to turn and leave, which I have done before, but I always came back and I continue to go because 'being clean' is so refreshing. The lack of preaching and teaching on the subject has made a lot of people develope a dangerous protestant point of view, to the point where people don't even go the required once a year. There are guys and girls I know that haven't been since Confirmation in 8th grade. That's nothing -- I've known people who haven't been to confession since their first confession! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
God Conquers Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 I don't think people realize what is and is not a sin these days. They are too blinded by our world to know (or more likely care) whether or not they have sinned. I go to confession all the time, at least once a month, or once every 2 weeks, because I know I'm sinful and that I need that grace, and I see amny of the same people in line for confession. I think there needs to be much greater empohasis on sin, and recognizing when you are in a state of sin, and then on the remedy, God's mercy in the confessional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlondewithaBrain Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 My mom literally scared the hell out of her kids when we were little children so we had a real fear of falling into sin. I understand what you mean..and I think fear does work sometimes..but I think a lot of Catholics are sick of the whole fear and "hellfire" preaching, even though it would probably work..simply, Catholics don't want to hear it and be subjected to facing some of the worst fears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.SIGGA Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Ok maybe I didn't clarify enough lol. I wasn't raised as a freak child who walked around with a plastic bottle of Lourdes water blessing myself while watching television or anything like that. We were taught as kids that Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory were very real and why it was important to avoid mortal sin. My parents would kneel and pray with us before bed, take us to confession on Saturdays, etc. It wasn't like MommyDearest or anything like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
God Conquers Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 I wasn't raised as a freak child who walked around with a plastic bottle of Lourdes water blessing myself while watching television or anything like that. You just shattered my impression of you! Whatever shall I do!? Just kiddin'. I think most Catholics (good ones anyways) were raised like this. I was. By this I mean the second part of your post... not the crazy holy water kid part.... although.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PedroX Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 :drunk: (M. Sigga dousing himself with Lourdes water!) One of the reasons for decline is simply lack of availability. When the sacrement is made available, people come. Its simple, really. How many people get gung ho about calling Fr. and saying "I need to make confession, how about Thursday at 6"? No. When you can just drive to the church and get in line people are much more inclined to do it. peace... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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