It also says that we are to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other (James 5:16). There's a cleansing power in verbal confession to another person if it's honest and deep (not so much the "small s" sins of human foibles.) Why not do it in the private confines of a confessional booth?

I'm not Catholic, but I respect the dignity of the ceremony, ritual, and mysterious beauty in the worship experience, including the sacraments.

Yes, it does say those things. But accountability to other people and the need to confess your sins to other people rather than directly to God are two different things.
Why not do it in the private confines of a conversation directly with God? I think that that verse in its context is speaking of the need to be accountable and to pray, as the next part of the verse says that "the effective fervent PRAYER of a righteous man can accomplish much". I think Paul is encouraging James to remember that asking for prayer from other Christians about areas in which you are struggling is okay, and in fact a good thing. At least, I'm pretty sure that that's what the contextual meaning implies.

You are right that Christ has made it possible for us to go directly to God for forgiveness. But I still think that confessing our sins to each other has an important place in the life of the church. If we have sinned against an individual, we must ask him or her to forgive us (not just God.) If our sin has affected the church, we must confess it publicly. If we need loving support as we struggle with a sin, we should confess that sin to those who are able to provide that support. If, after confessing a private sin to God, we still don't feel His forgiveness, we may wish to confess that sin to a fellow believer and hear him or her assure us of God's pardon---and this is where I think the Catholic practice has merit.

Confession (to a priest) may not be necessary as a way to receive God's forgiveness, but it sure helps us to forgive ourselves and to rectify things with others.

quote:

Originally posted by Ann:
Was America founded on Christian principles?

The U. S. Government was founded on the pure and sacred Christian principle of what is commonly known as separation of church and state, or what some of the founders referred to as no government power over religion, and what others described as the exemption of religion from the cognizance of civil government.

quote:

Originally posted by Greg Weldon:
The foundation of the country was indeed laid on the bed rock of the Christian faith.

"...the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion...

--The Treaty of Tripoli (the Treaty of Peace and Friendship) (1796)