Can impurity be washed away, forgotten?
If a person who does a lot of wrong, evil things, and then changes himself to the Right Path, can he ever be the same worth as someone who has always been on the Right Path? I'm asking for a Catholic perspective in particular, but other points of view are also welcome. By Right Path I mean not doing anything sinful, doing what's moral, etc.
If anything, the formerly impure person is to be considered with more respect, as they had to contend with possibly greater temptation. That is of course assuming that all humans have the same natural resistance to temptation. Otherwise one can take the view that the former sinner is still pulling themselves out of a deeper and more serious situation, therefore bettering their relationship with God in a way in which a consistently religious person would never be able to.
>>1240902
At least from a Jewish perspective, one can sin, repent, and do good and be yet greater than someone who has never sinned. That isn't necessarily the case though; but for instance, Moses is canonically the greatest prophet and greatest Jew, but he sinned on several occasions. People who dodged all sins, such as Yishai, don't measure up the same way, even though they were always "on the right path".
>>1240902
yes your soul can be cleansed and purified trough the energies of God.
Also even your body can undergo an miracle - but most likely you're going to spend a life time - fighting your body urges which neuroplasticity installed.
Based on people that came to Christianity late in life but with desire of total purification it took 10 + years for that, in absolute seclusion from outside influence.
But it doesn't matter, only your soul matters - your body is going to be purified by decompossion anyway, you have to live from now on and make the center of your life your soul - see with the soul, feel with the soul, experience life with the soul - you're going to spend eternity with the soul.
Of course until the second coming when you will wear a new spiritualized body - eternal one with no possibility of biological damage or death, pain and so on.
Sure some will get a downgraded eternal body for eternal damnation but it's up to that people if they want to escape that.
Jesus does not care what you done or what you were before your new life, but it doesn't matter that demons will stop attacking you, or your body will not keep asking for the old life habits - there is lots of fight.
Also only prayer can get you out of this.
>>1240902
Yes. Such impurity is washed away by the sacraments, namely baptism and confession and penance in this life, and by the purgatorial fires in the afterlife. If the sin is done before baptism, then the stain of sin and the guilt of sin is washed away. If it is done post baptism, confession absolves the guilt of sin, and penance works to absolve the stain of sin. If one does not finish his penance during his earthly life, then the sinner will be purified by the fire in purgatory, cleansing him of the stain of sin and allowing him to enter heaven
>>1241237
I agree, but don't forget that holy communion can also absolve one of lesser (venial) sins. With that you don't necessarily have to deal with that unfortunate loophole to hell with confession+penance.
>>1240902
Well, as a Catholic there are two things you gotta do:
1) GO to confession. Make a list of everything "My Name is Earl" style to help you remember, and confess to a priest. Then do your punishment prayers.
2) You try to be a good person by doing what you think is right.
This may sound very simple, but it is what the Pope said, be a good person, confess thy sins and try to be better next time.
At least, that is what I learned in Catholic school. (Technically catechism until first communion, but whatever) Point is, you can't be perfect, but you do a little better every time.
Picture unrelated. I just like Phineas Pet
>>1241192
Ever played Skyrim?
What is better - To be born good,
or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?
>>1241306
Don't mean to nip pick but for what kind of shit should I go to the confessionary? Everytime I say a badword now, I have to walk all the way to the nearest Catholic church? Also, 2) seems a little bit off. If I think that killing is right, and I kill someone, does that make me a good person?
>>1241324
Say absolutely everything, from your first day in life - to today.
You spent much time in imagination land.
That you masturbated.
That you've been degenerate, that you watched gay porn - every single detail, it's also psychologically helping you.
Let go of all your life, do not hide anything - because you're hiding it in front of God.
Also Catholic church is considered heretic by the only One and apostolic Church - the orthodox one.
>>1241310
imo the latter for the following: virtue gained against one's nature is automatically of a higher value then that which is given to you right off the bat. In other words, the values of different types of virtue can be measured by the effort exerted to obtain it and the likelihood of actually achieving the said vitue.
>>1241324
Ok, A) WTF is your life filled with?
B) you can go to confession with literally anything on your "I fucked up list"
C) Every time you say a bad word, as long as you don't take the lord's name is vain (see commandments) you're good. I mean 'cmon if every time you said a bad word you had to go to confessional, Ireland and America would have indulgences make a comeback.
D) I know it seems a bit off. It's a grey area of catholicism when it comes to compact of earth and heaven. "What you hold as truth on earth, so shall it be held in heaven."
If you want an excellent diatribe on all the confusing dogmatic shit, watch, and really I can't believe I've ever said this, watch "Dogma"
I give you Peter Pett now. I'm all outta Petts.
>>1241336
Appreciate the help, friend.
At this point this is more of a blogpost than actual discussion, but I'd like to say I think I'm too timid/shy/socially awkward, etc to be able to say all the stuff I've done in my whole life to a priest.
But thanks, a lot.
>>1241351
>but I'd like to say I think I'm too timid/shy/socially awkward, etc to be able to say all the stuff I've done in my whole life to a priest.
I was the same.
Thing is insist, pray to God .. and you'll see God will change you - Church literally made me an extrovert, I thought I was 100% introvert and born that way.
Also if you're going to keep anything inside without confessing it - it's better to not confess at all.
Also find a patient priest, a dedicated man - it's your duty as a laymen to find one, there are lots of rotten apple.
Also try to approach orthodox church.
