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Kasz216 on 22 October 2009
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mrstickball said:
Kasz216 said:

Clergy in MOST states have the same kind of confidentiality as spouses and lawyers.

It's one thing about being a priest that would suuuuuck.  Could you imagine like... someone confessing to you that they sexually abuse their kids or something?  How the hell could you not turn him in?  Talk about a test of fate.

That situation by the way, being the one that usually is the deal breaker in most states.  Violence against children or like... I think the government sometimes priests have to report.

I can only speak as an ordained Protestant minister but:

When something is discussed with us, it is not confidential based on your exact example. We were trained that if we were ever in the situation of an egregous violation of the law such as rape, murder, or something of that nature, then we must obey the law. If it is something more minor, we do seek to advise the confessor to admit his crimes to the authorities or make restitution directly, when possible.

Of course, a Protestant minister would:

  • Advise the confessor that the convorsation is not entirely confidential
  • Never force confession - kind of against Christianity, anyways.

Kind of a bad system of power for the Catholic Church, and I'm very glad I'm not a part of their organization, as such confessions could and would be a very powerful tool for blackmail. That Guy is correct in his assesment of what should be done. There is no aspect of the Bible that teaches what is enforced concerning confession. If anything it's the exact opposite - confession is to God, and judgment is to the law.

Yeah, i can see protestants being different.  To be honest i didn't even think of it.  I don't recall protestant ministers ever talking about confessions.  Honestly thought they didn't have them and it was only "with god."