In some religions, is repentance a crutch to allowing yourself to move on?

Question

Generally speaking...

You did something you felt was bad, you feel guilty, you pray and ask for forgiveness, you feel better inside.

I don't think God makes you feel this way, it is your own mind.

You then deal with the consequences with a balanced mind.

It wasn't something external to the prayer, but the prayer itself. It somehow enables your mind to deal with things in a healthy manner.

At a very basic level and dogma aside - when you pray to a god to forgive you, are you really just forgiving yourself?

Are you just giving yourself permission to move on?

Answer 1

That's what it is basically. But really it let's people do more than they should. If you only have to say sorry you can do all the evils of the world and still come out clean

Answer 2

No.

Repentance is an act between a person and God.  The process of self-forgiveness takes much longer, because it is borne by self-pride which must be removed.

Answer 3

Yeah, pretty much.

Answer 4

Its just a method of control leved by the religious institutions.  Self control and common sense eliminates most the problem, but no church preaches common sense and self control.  Gee, I wonder why?

Answer 5

I guess you could say basically the same thing about Gestalt therapy, or any other cathartic experience.

Answer 6

I think that prayer works quite well for a lot of people.  If you are praying about something, you are thinking about it.  Careful, focused thinking can bring understanding. When you understand a situation you can make better decisions about how to act.  And, that does make one feel better.

I agree with your idea that "it is in your own mind."  It's not supernatural.

Yes, I think praying for forgiveness is trying to find ways to forgive yourself.  When you can forgive yourself, you can move on.

Answer 7

Repentance is stopping sinning.

Repentance is the solution to the problem, it is not a crutch.