[illinidiva]

Ummm.. Then why do you have to confess your sins to a priest?? Yes, I know that it is not supposed to be punishment but it sure seems like punishment. When I was in Catholic grade school, it was treated as such. Bad little children were threatened with having to go to extra Confessions.

And Greek Orthodox and some Lutherans incorporates a small group outside the Catholic Church. The example that I’ll use is a victim of the Shoah. It is impossible for me to imagine God not granting salvation to a twelve year old who died in the gas chambers because he or she didn’t receive Catholic absolution.

[Cronos]

That’s a different topic - you said “weird desire for public shame.” — the sacrament of confession is not “public shame”

[Cronos]

And Greek Orthodox and some Lutherans incorporates a small group outside the Catholic Church

it's not only Greek orthodox but all other Orthodox, 300 million of them, plus the Oriental Orthodox and the Assyrian. Chip in the Lutheran and they are not "a small group"

[Cronos]

It is impossible for me to imagine God not granting salvation to a twelve year old who died in the gas chambers

And Church belief is that we believe in a merciful God who would save such a child. We just don't know in scripture, so will not comment, but we believe God to be merciful and loving, especially to innocent children