Raised in a Catholic school from age five to sixteen, I once believed in the power of confession—kneeling in a booth, spilling sins, walking out with a “clean slate.” But over time, I realized many used it as a free pass to behave badly, gossip shamelessly, or worse. In this heartfelt reflection, a chef, debut novelist, and chronic illness warrior shares how religion, family expectations, and a gossiping “good Catholic” co-worker pushed him away from organized faith—and toward a simpler belief: just be a good human.
Why I Stopped Believing in Confession (And Why Being a Decent Human Shouldn’t Need a Reset Button)
Tate Basildon 