simian

I was raised Catholic. Confession/First Communion I think was in the 6 or 7 YO range.

I always found it odd that protestants characterize the catholics as "do whatever you want then go to the priest and get forgiven" when the protestants can "do whatever you want, then raise your eyes to heaven and say 'forgive me Jesus'". At least the Catholics had to face another person.

Simian

Shadowy Man

Wow.. it just surprises me that parents are teaching their kids at such an early age that they are sinners and need to confess. They are focusing on negativity and bad things so early.

And poor Biff had to actually make up some bad things to confess.

I just wonder what impact this has on one's adult philosophy.

Mochaloca

I, too, was raised catholic and remember my first confession when I was in the second grade. It was actually quite a traumatic experience for me. First, back then, we had to go into a small closet-like room that was completely dark when you first closed the door. A light did not come on until you knelt on the kneeler. I was already terrified of the whole process, and the dark only made it that much worse. To this day, I cannot enter a dark room without immediately turning on the light.

On top of this, we had to memorize this long prayer called the "Act of Contrition." Back then it was a prayer using very arcane language; they've modernized it since then. I don't think I even understood it then, but I was able to memorize it.

I also remember making up "sins" that first time. Interestingly enough, I never thought of that as a sin in iteself. Unfortunately, because of my family history, by that age I had already figured out that it was safer to tell adults whatever they wanted to hear.

Looking back, the whole confessional process has had a huge impact on my psyche if not my philosophical views. I think the original church leaders knew exactly what they were doing when they invented this rite. I think it's the same process of becoming addicted to something. First they pile on the guilt by telling you what a worthless person you are, and then they make you feel better by saying, "here, do this ritual and you will be forgiven." For those who are really in mental anguish anguish over some hurt or pain they've caused, I don't think the act of confessing and being perceived as forgiven can be psychologically underestimated. The whole "guilt trip" is what has made my own deconversion so arduous & painful.

Well, sorry if this has probably gone beyond the topic, but it's something that continues to haunt me & I was glad to have a chance to write about it a little.

M.

Biff the unclean

And poor Biff had to actually make up some bad things to confess.
Oh, it gets even worse!!!!
One day in 3rd grade "Sister" tells us boys (wasn't co ed) that if you abuse yourself you would go blind. The scientific proof of that was that the blind man that Jesus cured by putting mud and spit in his eye had become blind to begin with from abusing himself.
Well I didn't know what the term "abusing yourself" even meant. After thinking for a while it occurred to me…..no, it couldn't mean that…..Sister couldn't possibly know about such things…..and after all, it was only a hobby…. never more than a few times a day.

Not a week later I find myself standing in the back of the class holding a scrap of cardboard over one eye. I'm squinting at Sister's eye chart making up letters I can't actually see.
"You, boy," snarls Sister at my depravity, "you need glasses."
There was no one in the class that didn't know what foul sin could strike a boy myopic, and they let me know it in no uncertain terms. And me with no Savior walking around the streets spitting in sinners eyes.

And now, years and years later, I find that I need bifocals….I'm so ashamed.
<img src="graemlins/boohoo.gif" border="0" alt="[Boo Hoo]" />

DigitalDruid

Awwww Biff I am sorry to learn you had to endure so much at an young age. If it makes you feel a little better, I too needed glasses early on.

I imagine in such a hostile atmosphere many kids would pretend they are seeing OK even if there is a problem with their vision!

Biff the unclean

My eyes weren't the part of my anatomy the hassle was over.

Amos

Hi Jim, it is the best sacrament out there for young kids because you just saw how it teaches them to lie, cheat, be bad and not [all] go blind (only those who miss). Best of all, a couple of Hail Mary's (you can cheat on them too) and you are 100% again and go back for more and that is how the sacrament builts courage in Catholics to send them West to push your own limit unto the ends of the world, their own world, that is, and there spin a cocoon from where to emerge like a beatiful butterfly as if painted with their own hands.

Many do, don't forget, and it is just their way to encourage the courageous.

Ever wondered why they used to face churches to the East? Answer: to send them West went they left the church.

[ November 15, 2002: Message edited by: Amos ]</p>