A Question about Mortal Sin.

[stina2bina]

I just have a quick question about mortal sin, as it is probably the Church’s teaching I have the most trouble understanding and accepting…

I understand that there are 3 requirements for a mortal sin to take place.
The sin must be a serious sin, it must be commited with full knowledge that it is a moral sin, and it must be commited deliberately/with consent.

My question is: In order for a mortal sin to be commited, the person must understand mortal sin, and I would think the only people who would really know the seriousness of that sin (i.e. that it is a mortal sin), would be Catholic.

With that logic, aren’t Catholics the only people who can go to hell? Of course I don’t believe this, but isn’t it a flaw in the Church’s logic?

Thank!

~Stina~

 

[DavidFilmer]

I understand that there are 3 requirements for a mortal sin to take place: The sin must be a serious sin, it must be commited with full knowledge that it is a moral sin, and it must be commited deliberately/with consent.

Not quite. #2 is off a bit. It would be more accurate to say “it must be committed withthe full knowledge that it is a serious sin.” We do not need to understand the concept or definition of “mortal sin.”

My question is: In order for a mortal sin to be commited, the person must understand mortal sin, and I would think the only people who would really know the seriousness of that sin (i.e. that it is a mortal sin), would be Catholic.

It is not necessary to know what a mortal sin is.

Everyone has a conscience. We all know the difference between right and wrong. We all know that some wrongs are much more serious than others. All humans have a built-in instinct about small (venial) sins and serious (mortal) sins. So everyone is accountable in some way.

But, you are correct - those who know more are more accountable (to whom much is given, much is expected). Someone, for example, who is truly unaware that extramarital sex is a mortal sin (and has never had a reasonable opportunity to find out) does not commit mortal sin by having extramarital sex. This would be an easy mistake to make (for someone with little exposure to religious teaching) in modern American society (whereas it would be extremely difficult to make this mistake in former times, or still in many societies).

Some might think it is “safer” (and perhaps more “fun”) to learn as little as possible, and thus be held to as little account as possible. But God knows the secrets of the heart - if you deliberately avoid learning virtue then you can be held to account for that - it is a sin of omission (and, depending on the circumstances, could meet the three criteria for mortal sin). And you are still bound by the dictates of your conscience - if you *know *it’s wrong, but nobody has “taught” that to you, you are still accountable.

And, besides, our goal should not be to avoid moral learning so that we can lead a life of depravity and debauchery on earth, yet manage to enter heaven on a technicality. We should be living our (brief) lives here on earth to “store up for ourselves treasures in heaven” where we will spend all of eternity.

 

[LilyM]

I agree with the idea that ‘knowledge’ doesn’t have to mean having the section of the Catechism about mortal sin learned off by heart.

Most Christians of any stripe would appreciate that wilful cold-blooded murder, for example, is a very grave offence against God. They also surely would have an understanding that the salvation of their soul would be jeopardised if such a sin were on their conscience.

After all, Paul has a long list of types of sinners who will not see the Kingdom of God (ie not be saved).

 

[VonDerTann]

I heard once of a wise priest who – speaking metaphorically, of course – said that there were 8 sacraments: The 7 we know of, and the 8th sacrament is ignorance - and, as he said it, the 8th gets more people to Heaven than the other 7, since if someone is truly ignorant of the seriousness of what they do, or even that they are sinning at all, they lack moral culpability. As Stephen said, “Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do,” and he was, of course, 100% right… This dovetails into the concept that, as our eyes are opened to what we do, much more will be expected of us than of the truly ignorant.

 

[presidentjlh]

I heard once of a wise priest who – speaking metaphorically, of course – said that there were 8 sacraments: The 7 we know of, and the 8th sacrament is ignorance - and, as he said it, the 8th gets more people to Heaven than the other 7, since if someone is truly ignorant of the seriousness of what they do, or even that they are sinning at all, they lack moral culpability. As Stephen said, “Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do,” and he was, of course, 100% right… This dovetails into the concept that, as our eyes are opened to what we do, much more will be expected of us than of the truly ignorant.

It’s the idea of invincible ignorance that gives me the hope and feeling that most people go to Purgatory or Heaven.

 

[DavidFilmer]

As Stephen said, “Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do,” and he was, of course, 100% right…

This was actually a quote of Our Lord (Luke 23:34). Stephen did express a similar sentiment, but in different words (“Lord, do not hold this sin against them” - Acts 8:60b).

Of course, having TWO similar citations (one from Our Lord) makes your point even more strongly.

Cheers!

 

[steve_b]

I just have a quick question about mortal sin, as it is probably the Church’s teaching I have the most trouble understanding and accepting…

I understand that there are 3 requirements for a mortal sin to take place.
The sin must be a serious sin, it must be commited with full knowledge that it is a moral sin, and it must be commited deliberately/with consent.

My question is: In order for a mortal sin to be commited, the person must understand mortal sin, and I would think the only people who would really know the seriousness of that sin (i.e. that it is a mortal sin), would be Catholic.

With that logic, aren’t Catholics the only people who can go to hell? Of course I don’t believe this, but isn’t it a flaw in the Church’s logic?

Thank!

~Stina~

Even if someone didn’t use the term “mortal sin” or maybe didn’t agree with the term, it doesn’t matter. This applies to everyone not just Catholics

If they can read, and they read the following in scripture for example and don’t heed the warning, will they go to heaven or hell?

Gal 5:
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.