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It is a matter of practicality and thoroughness. If you have to confess to another person then you actually have to mention each sin and thus consider each. You have to know what it is that needs forgiveness. If you insist that it is solely between one and God then the tendency is to just say "Forgive me for my sins" and be done with it. You have not thought most or all of them and thus really do not repent. It is the quickie way to heaven. And many Protestants believe, too, that once you "come forward" in the church all is forgiven you, past and future, so there is no necessity to think about or confess your sins ever again. Confessing to a priest makes it real to far more people than an amorphous "Jesus, forgive me whatever."