For those of us that are of the religious ilk, I wonder what your opinion on "penance" is. I know for the most part the word (and actions around it) is used by the Catholics on a pretty regular basis, but what are other beliefs around this?
As a practicing Catholic, it's one of the things I have mixed feelings about. I think it's probably good for some, to make them pay for their sins. For me, I think I beat myself up enough.
Penance is an attempt to right some wrong doing. Obviously, it doesn't undo what was done but it is an attempt to turn onto the right path. As for forgiveness, God forgives if you confess your sins and turn from them. In fact, God remembers them No More. However, people for the most part seem very unforgiving.
Jesus died for our sins, the only thing asked in return is to follow His teachings.
But there are verses in the Bible that tell us to prepare our hearts by making things right with others.
While it isn't penance in the "paying a price for my sin" but more of "I know I was wrong and I am sorry".
Did I say that right?
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I don't know when or where I came across that little gem, but it's helped get me through some really dark times.
Everything we do should be done to glorify God.
Everything.
-- Edited by lilyofcourse on Monday 29th of August 2016 04:28:28 PM
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
We go to Jesus to confess our sins, Jesus also told us to sin no more since if we truly were repentant we wouldn't keep repeating the sin. I think righting the wrong and wanting to do good deeds is a good thing.
In my opinion, doing penance helps you feel better.
You said some prayers.
You gave some thought, about what you did wrong.
You asked for forgiveness, spent some time thinking about how you can do better in the future, and said some prayers.
Not a bad thing, IMHO.
No, it's not a bad thing - but you are doing it for yourself, not God.
I think God appreciates the effort.
To take the time, to repent for your sins.
To try your best, to do better, in the future.
And say some prayers, to say that you're sorry, for your sins.
I'm good with it.
Well, yeah, you need to repent - but I don't think repenting and penance are the same things.
Well, maybe not.
Maybe the Catholic version of repenting, and doing penance, is a little different than the Protestant version.
I honestly don't know what the Protestants do.
(Okay, I have an idea....Wayne was born and raised Episcopalian....aka...Catholic Lite....His words...not mine.)
I just don't see, where saying some prayers to ask forgiveness for your sins, could be seen as a bad thing.
We think about it.......say some prayers....and try to do better, in the future.
I don't think this is a bad thing.
See - that repentance. Protestants don't have penance. Penance is actually doing something to atone, or "make up" for your sin. Like when the priest tells you to say 10 Hail Mary's for your sin of lying. That's not repentance, that's penance. Repentance is about a feeling of sincere regret, not doing something out of guilt.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
In my opinion, doing penance helps you feel better.
You said some prayers.
You gave some thought, about what you did wrong.
You asked for forgiveness, spent some time thinking about how you can do better in the future, and said some prayers.
Not a bad thing, IMHO.
No, it's not a bad thing - but you are doing it for yourself, not God.
I think God appreciates the effort.
To take the time, to repent for your sins.
To try your best, to do better, in the future.
And say some prayers, to say that you're sorry, for your sins.
I'm good with it.
Well, yeah, you need to repent - but I don't think repenting and penance are the same things.
Well, maybe not.
Maybe the Catholic version of repenting, and doing penance, is a little different than the Protestant version.
I honestly don't know what the Protestants do.
(Okay, I have an idea....Wayne was born and raised Episcopalian....aka...Catholic Lite....His words...not mine.)
I just don't see, where saying some prayers to ask forgiveness for your sins, could be seen as a bad thing.
We think about it.......say some prayers....and try to do better, in the future.
I don't think this is a bad thing.
See - that repentance. Protestants don't have penance. Penance is actually doing something to atone, or "make up" for your sin. Like when the priest tells you to say 10 Hail Mary's for your sin of lying. That's not repentance, that's penance. Repentance is about a feeling of sincere regret, not doing something out of guilt.
Or obligation
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Out of all the lies I have told, "just kidding" is my favorite !
Yeah, see now I dont think penance has a place in our Christian world. You sin, you recognize it, you ask for forgiveness, and you go and sin no more. Penance is where you now go and do a good thing to make up for it...
This type of thinking leads a person to believe that the only way to be forgiven for screwing up is if they do the good deed. And I just dont believe that.
Why wouldn't it have a place? I mean if you destroyed something that someone owns for example, like maybe destroyed their mailbox or something. Ok. God can forgive you. But, wouldn't it still be the Christian thing to do to replace the destroyed property?
What means more to you - when someone you love apologizes and means it or when they say "I'm sorry" out of obligation ?
Obligation and duty are very important things in life. Sometimes you do what you know is right whether or not you actually FEEL like doing what is right. You sometimes do your duty or fulfill your obligation.
