Should one confess his sins to God or Priest?

Loren T. · Aug 19, 2018

No man can forgive your sins, save the One who died for them. Confessing your sins to another person is good as far as being therapeutic, but they are not the ones who you need to forgive you, unless you, of course, have sinned against them. Even then, their forgiveness is not what your soul needs as much as God's forgiveness.

dzheremi · Aug 19, 2018

Godistruth1 said:
We don't believe in word religion. We judge by deen which means way of life.

What? Do you actually know Arabic, or are you like many Muslims who imbue it with magical and mystical spiritual properties to where it doesn't act like a regular language anymore?

This is silly. Deen most definitely means religion or faith (and a few other things, depending on context), while "way of life" is Tariq el Hayat.

Think about it: if you are talking about famous Lebanese singer Nasri Shamseddine (just for example), are you going to translate his last name as "Sun of Way of Life" or "Sun of Faith"? If it's the latter, you're going to sound like a complete weirdo, because that's not what it means!

Here, from the Hans Wehr dictionary, so that you don't have to trust my words alone:

دين dīn pl. اديان adyān religion, creed, faith, belief │يوم الدين yaum ad-d. the Day of Judgment

ديني dīnī religious; spiritual │لاديني ir-religious; O العلم الديني science of religion

دين dayyin religious, pious, godly, devout

ديانة diyāna pl. -āt religion; communion, confession, denomination, sect │صاحب الديانة founder of a religion

ديان dayyān pious, godly, devout, religious

سهل الفهم ، صحيح؟

mmksparbud · Aug 19, 2018

Only God can forgive sins--we need to confess to the one we offended, if possible, but there is only one mediator between God and man--Christ Jesus who is now our High Priest, we need no other. Even David said he had sinned against God with his murder and adultery. No one confessed to the priest in ancient Israel. They brought their sacrifices to them. The sins were placed on the sacrifices by the priest. Since Jesus is now our High Priest, He places them on Himself, no one does it for Him. We are to forgive offenses to us when made aware of the offense and to pray for one another and that we actually do forgive and are not just mouthing the words. Though it can be a process.

Barney2.0 · Aug 20, 2018

Godistruth1 said:
There was no obligation on him to confess. Can you prove that its a rule to do so?

Theres no obligation to confess yet there is no obligation not to either.

Barney2.0 · Aug 20, 2018

Godistruth1 said:
You see we look at Quran as criterion for right and wrong. What matches is preserved in bible, what goes against is changed !!!

Yes, that’s called hypocrisy and it’s called picking and choosing what you like and don’t like.

betterorworse · Aug 20, 2018

Godistruth1 said:
Your views please and please mention why priest or God?

God.

Godistruth1 · Aug 20, 2018

dzheremi said:
What? Do you actually know Arabic, or are you like many Muslims who imbue it with magical and mystical spiritual properties to where it doesn't act like a regular language anymore?

This is silly. Deen most definitely means religion or faith (and a few other things, depending on context), while "way of life" is Tariq el Hayat.

Think about it: if you are talking about famous Lebanese singer Nasri Shamseddine (just for example), are you going to translate his last name as "Sun of Way of Life" or "Sun of Faith"? If it's the latter, you're going to sound like a complete weirdo, because that's not what it means!

Here, from the Hans Wehr dictionary, so that you don't have to trust my words alone:

دين dīn pl. اديان adyān religion, creed, faith, belief │يوم الدين yaum ad-d. the Day of Judgment

ديني dīnī religious; spiritual │لاديني ir-religious; O العلم الديني science of religion

دين dayyin religious, pious, godly, devout

ديانة diyāna pl. -āt religion; communion, confession, denomination, sect │صاحب الديانة founder of a religion

ديان dayyān pious, godly, devout, religious

سهل الفهم ، صحيح؟

https://www.alquranclasses.com/difference-between-deen-and-religion/

Godistruth1 · Aug 20, 2018

Al Masihi said:
Yes, that’s called hypocrisy and it’s called picking and choosing what you like and don’t like.

What about u when u deny teachings of OT?

betterorworse · Aug 20, 2018

Also to be considered, Matthew 5:23-24

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Barney2.0 · Aug 20, 2018

Godistruth1 said:
What about u when u deny teachings of OT?

We don’t deny them as additions to the texts as you do, we believe all of the Old Testament is God inspired. We just don’t believe in its laws anymore as they are fulfilled through Christ. Even say if a Christian practices the dietary laws of the Old Testament he’s not following it’s laws, he does it out of his own free will as there’s no obligation for him to follow that law anymore. Its not like we’re following one law, yet denying another as you do.

Barney2.0 · Aug 20, 2018

Godistruth1 said:
https://www.alquranclasses.com/difference-between-deen-and-religion/

Deen used in Islamic retrospect means only Islam, in Arabic though Deen literally means religion and can mean any religion including Christianity, Judaism, Paganism, Zoroastrianism, etc.

GodsGrace101 · Aug 20, 2018

Godistruth1 said:
God is telling us how to purify ourselves. Its worship for us. Even smiling at people is worship of God because we get good deeds.

Even bible reaches how to wash

“Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped…”
(2 Samuel 12:20)

“So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.”
(Exodus 30:21)

“And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet…”
(Exodus 40:31)

I agree about the smiling at people.
Although I don't see much of it coming from muslims where I live. They're rather withdrawn.

As to the washing...yes, cleanliness comes before Godliness.
But we don't need to be given DETAIL as to how to do it.

This is the problem I find with Islam.
Too much detail...
Too much depending on man...
Too much adhering to Muhammad's laws...
Not enough listening to God...
Not enough worshipping Him is spirit and too much worshipping Him in legality.

The Law kills,
But the spirit is life.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6
4Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. 5Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,6who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

When you bow down toward Mecca 5 times a day to worship God, this is legality because you MUST do this.

When you pray to God because you freely want to, this is spirit.

I hope you don't tell me you freely want to bow down and worship God 5X a day exactly at the right time or when the sound or the horn is heard...

dzheremi · Aug 20, 2018

Godistruth1 said:
https://www.alquranclasses.com/difference-between-deen-and-religion/

You either believe the dictionary, or you believe silly propaganda.

Since Islamic propaganda does not decide how the Arabic language works, I'd suggest that you trust the dictionary. But you do as you wish.

AnnaDeborah · Aug 20, 2018

It would be good if we could discuss this without being rude about other people's beliefs. Referring to someone else's views, however much you disagree with them, as 'silly' is not respectful.

grasping the after wind · Aug 20, 2018

Al Masihi said:
Contrary to Protestant and Muslim belief, the priest doesn’t actually forgive the sins of the person who confesses, the priest is merely an honorable witness before God. Although we can confess to God on our own, it’s far better to confess in the presence of a witness. We don’t confess to the priest we confess to God in the presence of a priest. It’s like asking for a surgery, but not going to seek help from a surgeon for the surgery.

Why would one want a witness at all? Certainly one doesn't need a witness. I'm sure you do not think God would forget or deny that the penitent asked forgiveness and was granted it and therefore the penitent needed someone there to keep God honest or to remind him. Your analogy doesn't seem to me to make any sense. God forgives and surgeons do surgery. Going straight to God is exactly like getting the surgeon to do the surgery. Where does the role of a priest come into it in your analogy? Is the priest like the nurse that you call for an appointment for surgery?

dzheremi · Aug 20, 2018

AnnaDeborah said:
It would be good if we could discuss this without being rude about other people's beliefs. Referring to someone else's views, however much you disagree with them, as 'silly' is not respectful.

Oh, go cry me a river. Seriously?

"Silly" is the more respectful way I could put it, thank you very much. I did not say even anything about Islam in particular, just the ridiculous argument on the particular page the poster linked to in defense of his demonstrably false opinion (which is in fact contradicted by the very translations used on the page of the various Qur'anic verses, which translate "Deen" as "Religion").

The Muslim poster is denigrating our belief all throughout this thread, so where is the reciprocity? Not only that, but there is no reason to attempt to police the tone of the conversation on behalf of the Muslim who very well can speak for himself, as they are not even the one who is complaining about what I wrote.

I don't need a den mother telling me what I can and cannot post. It would be good if you could go get preemptively offended on another's behalf somewhere else.

Albion · Aug 20, 2018

Godistruth1 said:
Priests themselves in many cases are humans and so sinners. Why confess to them? Do u believe people can be more pious & closer to God than priests in many cases?

Also if Got can cure then why go to surgeons?

The only real reason for confessing to a priest is to have the reassurance, from the priest, of your sins having been absolved. He acts as God's agent. Although it is God who forgives, and he will forgive all sins sincerely confessed, many people feel ill at ease unless they have something tangible or visible to confirm that they have been forgiven.

Godistruth1 · Aug 20, 2018

GodsGrace101 said:
I agree about the smiling at people.
Although I don't see much of it coming from muslims where I live. They're rather withdrawn.

As to the washing...yes, cleanliness comes before Godliness.
But we don't need to be given DETAIL as to how to do it.

This is the problem I find with Islam.
Too much detail...
Too much depending on man...
Too much adhering to Muhammad's laws...
Not enough listening to God...
Not enough worshipping Him is spirit and too much worshipping Him in legality.

The Law kills,
But the spirit is life.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6
4Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. 5Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,6who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

When you bow down toward Mecca 5 times a day to worship God, this is legality because you MUST do this.

When you pray to God because you freely want to, this is spirit.

I hope you don't tell me you freely want to bow down and worship God 5X a day exactly at the right time or when the sound or the horn is heard...

This life is a test for hereafter not following our own imagination or will. We need to do will of God not our will which is what Bible also preaches. Its not too much dependant but its obeying God in everything we do. Bible says faith without works is dead. So we do good deeds to please God. If we preach good and don't do it its useless.

Godistruth1 · Aug 20, 2018

dzheremi said:
Oh, go cry me a river. Seriously?

"Silly" is the more respectful way I could put it, thank you very much. I did not say even anything about Islam in particular, just the ridiculous argument on the particular page the poster linked to in defense of his demonstrably false opinion (which is in fact contradicted by the very translations used on the page of the various Qur'anic verses, which translate "Deen" as "Religion").

The Muslim poster is denigrating our belief all throughout this thread, so where is the reciprocity? Not only that, but there is no reason to attempt to police the tone of the conversation on behalf of the Muslim who very well can speak for himself, as they are not even the one who is complaining about what I wrote.

I don't need a den mother telling me what I can and cannot post. It would be good if you could go get preemptively offended on another's behalf somewhere else.

If I reply in same manner as few Christians here I'm surely going to get banned!

Godistruth1 · Aug 20, 2018

dzheremi said:
You either believe the dictionary, or you believe silly propaganda.

Since Islamic propaganda does not decide how the Arabic language works, I'd suggest that you trust the dictionary. But you do as you wish.

Can you trust mathematics which says 1+1+1=3 not 1. Translation of language is subjective so i don't have problem in agreeing deen means religion. Can you agree 1+1+1=3 which is universally acceptable?

Should one confess his sins to God or Priest?

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