Confessing to the Bishop

[BlueHair]

It seems very strange to me to confess a sin to the Bishop. In my mind it is similar to praying to Mary to have her ask God to forgive me. Why not go straight to the God that does the forgiving? I've heard the reasoning that a Bishop helps you lift the burden and helps you feel at ease. I've also heard that it proves your humility if you are able to confess. But, doesn't God know my heart? Doesn't he know if I am humble and repentant? Shouldn't I manage my relationship with God rather than trusting in another man? What if the Bishop gives me bad advice? I can't buy the logic that I will be forgiven anyway if I follow the Bishop's bad advice. God wouldn't be just if that were the case. Is confessing to a Bishop more of a disclosure to the organization so they can determine if they want you as a member or to hold a calling? That would make more sense to me than believing the Bishop, Stake President, or High Council could make any determination of whether I am forgiven or not. Are there reasons to confess that I'm not thinking of?

[RockyBalboa]

Originally Posted by BlueHair

It seems very strange to me to confess a sin to the Bishop. In my mind it is similar to praying to Mary to have her ask God to forgive me. Why not go straight to the God that does the forgiving? I've heard the reasoning that a Bishop helps you lift the burden and helps you feel at ease. I've also heard that it proves your humility if you are able to confess. But, doesn't God know my heart? Doesn't he know if I am humble and repentant? Shouldn't I manage my relationship with God rather than trusting in another man? What if the Bishop gives me bad advice? I can't buy the logic that I will be forgiven anyway if I follow the Bishop's bad advice. God wouldn't be just if that were the case. Is confessing to a Bishop more of a disclosure to the organization so they can determine if they want you as a member or to hold a calling? That would make more sense to me than believing the Bishop, Stake President, or High Council could make any determination of whether I am forgiven or not. Are there reasons to confess that I'm not thinking of?

I had no idea that Non Sequitur was able to possess other posters keyboards. Good job NS.

[BlueHair]

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

I had no idea that Non Sequitur was able to possess other posters keyboards. Good job NS.

I'll take that as a compliment.:-D

[non sequitur]

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

I had no idea that Non Sequitur was able to possess other posters keyboards. Good job NS.

I'm all powerful. I didn't possess BlueHair's keyboard, I simply took control of his thoughts. If you're not careful Rocky, I might use my powers to make you campaign for Hillary.

[UtahDan]

Originally Posted by BlueHair

It seems very strange to me to confess a sin to the Bishop. In my mind it is similar to praying to Mary to have her ask God to forgive me. Why not go straight to the God that does the forgiving? I've heard the reasoning that a Bishop helps you lift the burden and helps you feel at ease. I've also heard that it proves your humility if you are able to confess. But, doesn't God know my heart? Doesn't he know if I am humble and repentant? Shouldn't I manage my relationship with God rather than trusting in another man? What if the Bishop gives me bad advice? I can't buy the logic that I will be forgiven anyway if I follow the Bishop's bad advice. God wouldn't be just if that were the case. Is confessing to a Bishop more of a disclosure to the organization so they can determine if they want you as a member or to hold a calling? That would make more sense to me than believing the Bishop, Stake President, or High Council could make any determination of whether I am forgiven or not. Are there reasons to confess that I'm not thinking of?

Not to go "SGC" on you, but there is a good existing thread which covers this pretty exhaustively. Someone less lazy that I should find it and link it for you.

[jay santos]

Originally Posted by UtahDan

Not to go "SGC" on you, but there is a good existing thread which covers this pretty exhaustively. Someone less lazy that I should find it and link it for you.

There are really only about 8 or 10 ideas that are constanly regurgitated in the religion section. So if it's been at least a week, let's bring it up again.

I may not go all the way to BlueHair's thinking on this, but I'm more towards his direction than the average Mormon. Based on the experiences of my closest friends and family, I'd say the collective experience with bishops (and church courts) is negative in general. I understand the position of the church and I'll go along with it, but I don't really like it.

And most of all, I'm very concerned about my children and the potential effect a bishop would have on them, talking behind closed doors where I as a parent don't have the ability to smooth over what I perceive to be false doctrine or hurtful or damaging teachings.

[ute4ever]

The many types of sins and trangressions out there could probably be ranked on a scale of severity. If a person engages in some fairly severe sins, I think there is a good chance that they do not *currently* have a close relationship with God, and would need hands-on guidance beyond what he deciphers for himself in prayer.

If a person has slipped in spiritual matters, and prays for forgiveness, and the next day enjoys a Super Big Gulp of Dr. Pepper and experiences a caffeine rush, who is to say he won't associate that momentary "high" as spiritual enlightenment and forgiveness? (Anyone ever witness a Pentecostal service?)

Perhaps the bishop rule is because people who fall that far off base will need a big brother to point them in the direction back home.

[jay santos]

Originally Posted by ute4ever

The many types of sins and trangressions out there could probably be ranked on a scale of severity. If a person engages in some fairly severe sins, I think there is a good chance that they do not *currently* have a close relationship with God, and would need hands-on guidance beyond what he deciphers for himself in prayer.

If a person has slipped in spiritual matters, and prays for forgiveness, and the next day enjoys a Super Big Gulp of Dr. Pepper and experiences a caffeine rush, who is to say he won't associate that momentary "high" as spiritual enlightenment and forgiveness? (Anyone ever witness a Pentecostal service?)

Perhaps the bishop rule is because people who fall that far off base will need a big brother to point them in the direction back home.

Yeah, that's kinda what I mean about bishops. The prevailing Mormon thought is that bishops are there to tell sinners their spritual enlightment is not real and they are not forgiven by God.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by jay santos

Yeah, that's kinda what I mean about bishops. The prevailing Mormon thought is that bishops are there to tell sinners their spritual enlightment is not real and they are not forgiven by God.

And what, pray tell, is the basis for your knowledge of this "prevailing" mormon thought? Give me a break. Your word choice is sloppy and your cynicism does a disservice to the process you're describing and I think you know it. You don;t want to talk to the bishop? Fine. But spare us the sweeping pronouncements and patronizing attitude.

[Surfah]

Originally Posted by jay santos

Yeah, that's kinda what I mean about bishops. The prevailing Mormon thought is that bishops are there to tell sinners their spritual enlightment is not real and they are not forgiven by God.

I couldn't disagree more.