>>>>What Tamar, have you committed sins this past year?< G >
>>>
>>>Undoubtedly. But one of the things I really like about Judaism is that we repent in the plural. We say a group confessional (5 times on Yom Kippur) that list all the sins for which we, as a group, are asking forgiveness. There are two versions, both in the plural. One of them has a format like this:
>>>
>>>For the sin we committed before you by ...
>>>
>>>and there are 44 items, 2 for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
>>>
>>>The idea is that we want to make sure to include everything, not just those things we remember. But also, since the holiday is about our individual relationships with an omniscient God, it's not necessary for each person to come up with an individual list. At least, that's my reading of it.
>>>
>>Tamar,
>>
>>We Episcopalians have a "General Confession" that's a part of our regular worship. However, there is also a sacrament (done in private).
>
>Those of us who might find themselves inside a definition that would be labelled the "Historic Christian Position" have 'Forgiveness'.
>
>And Joy.
>
>And Peace.
>
>< big skunk-eating-bananas smile >
>
>With the full understanding that we deserve absolutely not one whit of it and that anyone else may freely receive this gift as well.
>
>After we 'repent' (defined as a 180 degree turn in attitude) and 'confess'.
>
>Best,
>
>DD

And that even if we don't deserve it, it is still absolute.< s >