I found this to be a very interesting article -- and it was in the Wall Street Journal, no less:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119033883026834766.html?mod=fpa_editors_picks

What does everyone else think about this?  What has been your experience?

I never really gave any thought to confession until I converted to Catholicism in 2000.  I guess I was lucky in that during my initial conversion process I heard a lot of positive things about it, so I never developed an animosity to the idea.  

Now as a practicing Catholic I do go to confession regularly -- though not usually every month like I would like to.  I am a wimp and prefer the old fashioned confessional box to the face-to-face kind.   Confession is hard and yes, it is stressful (for those few short moments inside the box), but it is totally worth it.  For me it is somewhat like doing exercise:  unpleasant while you are doing it, but it  keeps you healthy.  Now that I think of it, I have been slacking off quite a bit in my exercise lately, too ...

I think it's pretty awesome, as a ritual.  I like the idea of symbolically "throwing away" your sins, though sin is not a concept I personally believe in.  The ritual itself is very positive - forgiving yourself and asking forgiveness for those things which you know you have not done right in your life.  Very liberating!

As a cradle Catholic, I used to fear confession, despite having only positive experiences.  I think having a confessor you're comfortable with is very important.  It's also important to remember that no matter how bad you think it is, the priest has heard worse. ;)

Now, as an adult, I enjoy it, and look forward to going.

I haven't been to confession since high school....mostly because I don't agree wtih having to tell a 3rd party things I did "wrong" and if I can't pray to God and ask for forgiveness why would a 3rd party make me feel better?  I never liked it growing up and perhaps if was approached differently then it wouldn't be something I "feared"

Leslie, it's really quite freeing, now that we're all grown up.  I'd give it another try, you might be pleasantly surprised. :)

In 1John 1:9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just  to forgive us our sins and cleanse from all unrighteousness.  This has to be a daily confession.  Because I know that I sin in word, thoughts or deeds everyday.  And the Lord says our sins separates us from God.  Isaiah 59:1-2.  You don't have to go to another human you can go directly to Jesus and receive forgiveness of sins.  I want to keep a clean slate with the Lord and have peace with God.  And these are blessings given to us that believe, knowing we have an advocate in Jesus. 

this could turn into an argument over religious beliefs and traditions but I do not think that is what the original intent was. For me, as a cradle Catholic, confession is a life line to holiness. yes, I ask Jesus to forgive me when I know I have sinned "in what I have done or what I have failed to do". But as human beings we require more than the understanding that God forgives us...we need the visible sign...the sacrament ...we get to hear the words fromthe one representing Christ "i absolve you from your sins." We are not just spirtual beings. This is not a symbol but a sign of what ACTUALLY happens. hope it helps....Robin, welcome home. Have you checked out catholic exchange or catholic answers?

If I were religious, I think I would love confession.  It seems very therapeutic.  My dad's family is Catholic.....I should ask them how they feel about confession.