The first step in our salvation is to admit that we have sinned. In many religions, admitting sin reveals our fallacy as human beings, and also is a way to apologize to a higher being. It can also be a cathartic remedy to release our guilt. But will the admission of our sins bring upon our salvation, as many of the religious leaders want us to believe?

In the Heaven’s Truth Church (Tenrikyo), it is said that God does not want our apologies for our past indiscretions. It is our positive acts and thoughts that God wants when confronted by obstacles or sufferings. But many of us will fall prey to evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) when faced with adversity and temptation. We continue to apologize and seek forgiveness for our sins from a forgiving God.

It is this mind of joyous acceptance, no matter what obstacles or suffering that is placed in front of us, that God desires. This is truly a difficult path to salvation. Who among us can accept hatred or anger directed toward us without retribution? Who can accept suffering with joyous acceptance? In the Heaven’s Truth Church, we accept these sufferings or obstacles as a result of our past indiscretions or sins; but we can also build from these obstacles, by reacting positively. This positive response by the principle of “Causality will bring upon joy in the future. Causality reminds us that we have sinned, but it also gives us an opportunity to purify our minds of evil.