Comments on: Confession and Why It Works for Atheists

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:11:31 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I guess what I’m saying is, how does one define “wronging a person”? You said “seems to me” but what is this based on? Is this just your personal opinion or is stealing, being cruel, and lying wrong for me as well? If it is wrong, can you explain why? I’m genuinely curious as to how one reaches those conclusions?

I can’t really deny the obvious that confessing things does seem to have many benefits, I guess I’m just more concerned about the “why” question. Most people would agree with you and say that the things you mentioned are in fact “wrong” but I’m not sure if many people could say why.

By: Roof Woofer

Roof Woofer — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:16:50 +0000

@Steve, I don’t understand what you mean. There’s criticism that if you believe “everything’s relative”, you’d eventually get to the point of saying there’s no such thing as justice or injustice, opression, irresponsibility or anything. Until now, I’d never heard anyone actually state that that’s what they think.

Seems to me that telling lies about someone, agreeing to do something and then not doing it, taking something that belongs to them, being cruel, etc. are all ways of wronging a person.

@Jeff, in my opinion, forgiveness is to repair a relationship, not to just make them like you. If something damages a relationship, forgiving yourself may make you feel better, but it’s not a step toward fixing anything.
.-= Roof Woofer’s last blog ..RoofWoofer: RT @Cozelle Apparently I’m this horrible/broken person for viewing a major event in my life as "tragic," and responding as such.// So sorry =-.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:27:21 +0000

How can you really even wrong a person? Isn’t it all just relative? I don’t see the point in confessing if I can’t really wrong someone in the first place.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:23:07 +0000

A lot of people think they need forgiveness from someone else. Really, it's about finding the space to forgive yourself, since you can't actually control what anyone else does or thinks of you. .-= Jeff's last blog ..Yes, dear, we make it up as we go. =-.

By: Godless Girl

Godless Girl — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:02:59 +0000

What good is confessing something to nobody and nothing? It neither rights a situation, solves conflict, or opens up your life to the friendship and closeness of others. Perhaps you missed the part about this being an atheistic concept without religion, priests, or gods?

By: DrMatt

DrMatt — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:25:37 +0000

I find it fascinating that you focus on the confessing! I can do that on my own …..

The key to confession is the forgiveness. A priest can forgive sins. He can give you homework to do, penance, which leads to the forgiveness of sins.

I don’t grant the holy man to have such power. Others aparently do.

Admit mistakes and move on, yes. Confess sins to a holy man, accept and perform penance in hopes of forgiveness falsely given, no.

By: Godless Girl

Godless Girl — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:07:45 +0000

It seems like you’re doing your best to create a close-knit community of friends around you. When I first moved to this state I felt so alone because none of my friends and supports were here anymore. It helped me realize how to do things on my own, but I’m an even better person with other people around.

By: Jaki

Jaki — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:25:29 +0000

Lovely piece!!! I’m so glad your writer’s block is gone!
I’m especially in agreement with you when it comes to the fact that we are all that we’ve got. The people that surround you should be your support system and like you said – we only get one shot at life. I try to make sure that the people I am around care about me just as much as I do them. I don’t have the time to waste on people that really don’t have my best interests in mind. I do this because I want to remain happy and not stressed and worried.

Thank you for writing this =)