(January 8, 2018 at 2:57 am)vulcanlogician Wrote: What's up with this?It is a power play, no more and no less.
It's the first step in the ABCs of becoming a Christian (Admit, Believe, Confess) but I always saw it as a rather unhealthy way to reflect upon one's misdeeds. Personally, I think something like "I made a mistake" or "That was terrible of me to do" is a much more beneficial as it is directed toward the action itself. It doesn't make the assumption: I did a bad thing, therefore I'm a bad person.
What does it really even mean?
Admit that I'm capable of moral transgressions? Sure, I'll admit that. But that doesn't mean I am anything, does it?
Does it mean admit that I've commited moral transgressions in the past? I'll admit that too. And while you're at it, I'll probably fail in my moral responsibilities in the future too. I admit it.
Theists: Have I admitted in this post that I'm a sinner? Or is there more to it than that? If so, what's the difference?
Atheists: What do you make of all this "admit you're a sinner" stuff? What do you think motivates it? Is it a good, bad, or ugly way to reflect on moral transgressions?
Once one "admits one is a sinner" suddenly the prospect of insta-forgiveness is proffered if only you accept jebus/spaghetti monster/lego as your deity.
It is a cosmological bribe with no basis in fact. The ultimate guilt trip.
