(August 15, 2017 at 7:27 pm)mh.brewer Wrote: Apologies if this has already been addressed.
I don't get the whole thing of confession from the word go. If god is what the catholics say it is and they sin, shouldn't god know it anyway? What the hell do they need to tell a priest for. Can't god direct them in their own penance, act of contrition or absolution? What, only priests can know the mind of god? Sounds like a psychological manipulation tool used by the church. Keep the parishioners dependent and get the money.
And why does the box make it special? If they confess in the box and then repeat themselves outside the box to the priest, what they say is no longer considered confidential? What the hell is the difference?
Is the box required though ??
In Godfather III (or was it II ?) Michael confessed to a cardinal (IIRC) and they just use chairs in a garden at the Vatican. Among other things, Michael confessed to killing his own brother . . . .
A powerful scene, but perhaps some movie making liberties were taken ??
The granting of a pardon is an imputation of guilt, and the acceptance a confession of it.
