Confession of sins

From Bahai9

Contents 1 Not permitted to confess sins to another soul--repent to God, the One Who absolves sins of the repentant 2 Confession of sins to another human being is prohibited 3 We may acknowledge being wrong in something or having a fault of character and ask for forgiveness from another 4 Individuals may, in the course of consultations, admit transgressions before Bahá'í institutions 5 One may seek advice from a close friend or professional counsellor (in the course of coming to terms with some personal sin?)

Not permitted to confess sins to another soul--repent to God, the One Who absolves sins of the repentant

"To none is it permitted to seek absolution from another soul; let repentance be between yourselves and God. He, verily, is the Pardoner, the Bounteous, the Gracious, the One Who absolveth the repentant."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 34)

Confession of sins to another human being is prohibited

"Bahá'u'lláh prohibits confession to, and seeking absolution of one's sins from, a human being. Instead one should beg forgiveness from God. In the Tablet of [Bishárát], He states that "such confession before people results in one's humiliation and abasement", and He affirms that God "wisheth not the humiliation of His servants".

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note no. 58)

We may acknowledge being wrong in something or having a fault of character and ask for forgiveness from another

"Shoghi Effendi sets the prohibition into context. His secretary has written on his behalf that we       

"...are forbidden to confess to any person, as do the Catholics to their priests, our sins and shortcomings, or to do so in public, as some religious sects do. However, if we spontaneously desire to acknowledge we have been wrong in something, or that we have some fault of character, and ask another person's forgiveness or pardon, we are quite free to do so."

(ibid.)

Individuals may, in the course of consultations, admit transgressions before Bahá'í institutions

"The Universal House of Justice has also clarified that Bahá'u'lláh's prohibition concerning the confession of sins does not prevent an individual from admitting transgressions in the course of consultations held under the aegis of Bahá'í institutions."

(ibid.)

One may seek advice from a close friend or professional counsellor (in the course of coming to terms with some personal sin?)

"Likewise, it does not preclude the possibility of seeking advice from a close friend or of a professional counsellor regarding such matters."

(ibid.)