At what point does anger become a mortal sin?

[Renegade8408]

I understand the 3 qualifications for mortal sin but what about uncontrolled anger. If it is not premeditated is it still mortal sin? For example if someone is being harassed to the point they lose control and just “see red” are they guilty of a mortal sin. Say someone basically blacks out in a fit of rage and will attack someone or something but not recall the whole event later. Are their violent reactions mortal sin if they are not entirely in control of themselves.

 

[Robert_Sock]

What you ask are tough questions to answer, but I personally would confess them as serious sin just to be on the safe side. We know that Christ became angry, and a lot of people use this fact to justify their own anger, but there is a big difference in that Christ was in perfect control of His anger and knew that He must have become angry is His situation, something that we do not know. As a psychologist, I can tell you the harboring anger within you, live and thrives within you, and will sooner or later come back to haunt you by being turned inward, against yourself. Intentionally harboring anger within yourself is a serious sin in my own estimation, and needs to be confessed. If you are experiencing uncontrollable anger, I would strongly seek professional and Catholic spiritual help.

 

[Renegade8408]

What you ask are tough questions to answer, but I personally would confess them as serious sin just to be on the safe side. We know that Christ became angry, and a lot of people use this fact to justify their own anger, but there is a big difference in that Christ was in perfect control of His anger and knew that He must have become angry is His situation, something that we do not know. As a psychologist, I can tell you the harboring anger within you, live and thrives within you, and will sooner or later come back to haunt you by being turned inward, against yourself. Intentionally harboring anger within yourself is a serious sin in my own estimation, and needs to be confessed. If you are experiencing uncontrollable anger, I would strongly seek professional and Catholic spiritual help.

I know it’s one of those grey areas. It’s a serious anger (rage) issue and I’m working on it but it’s incredibly hard because when it blows i cant stop it. I know its wrong, perhaps i should treat it as a mortal sin unless my priest says otherwise. I’ll reach out to him about it.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I understand the 3 qualifications for mortal sin but what about uncontrolled anger. If it is not premeditated is it still mortal sin? For example if someone is being harassed to the point they lose control and just “see red” are they guilty of a mortal sin. Say someone basically blacks out in a fit of rage and will attack someone or something but not recall the whole event later. Are their violent reactions mortal sin if they are not entirely in control of themselves.

If one “blacks out” or loses control of thier free will, not only should spiritual remedies be sought but mental ones as well.

 

[GEddie]

If someone has lost control of their actions and hurt someone, there may well be mortal sin there.

If nothing was done but the rage was allowed to stew in the mind, there probably is venial sin, because nothing good can come of it, but we are not fully in control of our psyche.

It has been said that “righteous anger” is proportional to the hurt incurred. On that interpretation, if a normal knock in your life leads to an all-consuming rage, it probably is not “righteous” anger, and should be confessed.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Renegade8408]

If one “blacks out” or loses control of thier free will, not only should spiritual remedies be sought but mental ones as well.

Other than ptsd from trauma and advising anger management classes there is no medical/mental reasons. They cannot diagnos anything based on dsm criteria. Spiritual solutions are being looked into as well but being a recent return to the church it’s a slow process.

 

[Renegade8408]

If someone has lost control of their actions and hurt someone, there may well be mortal sin there.

If nothing was done but the rage was allowed to stew in the mind, there probably is venial sin, because nothing good can come of it, but we are not fully in control of our psyche.

It has been said that “righteous anger” is proportional to the hurt incurred. On that interpretation, if a normal knock in your life leads to an all-consuming rage, it probably is not “righteous” anger, and should be confessed.

ICXC NIKA

Yes some one was injured. Not severe but enough to need medical attention.

 

[Blue_Horizon]

I understand the 3 qualifications for mortal sin but what about uncontrolled anger. If it is not premeditated is it still mortal sin? For example if someone is being harassed to the point they lose control and just “see red” are they guilty of a mortal sin. Say someone basically blacks out in a fit of rage and will attack someone or something but not recall the whole event later. Are their violent reactions mortal sin if they are not entirely in control of themselves.

You mean like that racist ex soldier who beat up that black woman out walking her dog at night? If that was you then you this is clearly very “grave matter” (likely what you meant by “mortal sin”) and you need to own it whether you remember or not.

Canon 916 says we must confess all grave sin that we are conscious of. That doesn’t mean you have to remember actually doing it.

Loss of control of itself does not absolve of these responsibilities.
If you know your condition then you have an obligation to walk away when being needled. Failure to do so, for you, may well constitute a mortal sin of negligence. Just like getting drunk and raping the wife or daughter.

 

[Renegade8408]

You mean like that racist ex soldier who beat up that black woman out walking her dog at night? If that was you then you this is clearly very “grave matter” (likely what you meant by “mortal sin”) and you need to own it whether you remember or not.

Canon 916 says we must confess all grave sin that we are conscious of. That doesn’t mean you have to remember actually doing it.

Loss of control of itself does not absolve of these responsibilities.
If you know your condition then you have an obligation to walk away when being needled. Failure to do so, for you, may well constitute a mortal sin of negligence. Just like getting drunk and raping the wife or daughter.

OK more detail. I’m a former occult practicer. I lost control with the friend of a friend. He was trying to force occult actions and I couldn’t walk away. I lost control and beat the tar out of him breaking his nose and dislocation his shoulder. I don’t remember what happened other than being pulled off of him and was told I kept yelling at myself to stop. I have an appointment with my priest later this week but it’s stressing me out.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

OK more detail. I’m a former occult practicer. I lost control with the friend of a friend. He was trying to force occult actions and I couldn’t walk away. I lost control and beat the tar out of him breaking his nose and dislocation his shoulder. I don’t remember what happened other than being pulled off of him and was told I kept yelling at myself to stop. I have an appointment with my priest later this week but it’s stressing me out.

That clarifies things a bit. And simplifies them. Strangers on The internet is not a great way to form ones conscience in matters of mortal sin. That responsibility falls on you. But here is what you should do.

1. Confess this. ASAP.
2. Financially you may need to reorganize because you need to make restitution for any medical expenses the victim has.
3. You should do research on attorneys. You may need one.
4. You need to drop the I didn’t know what I was doing card. It’s most likely justification, BUT if true you need immediate medical and psychological care. We are not allowed to give medical or legal advice on here. But we can tell you to seek out professionals. Blackout violence where one injured others, is always cause for physical medical attention and psychological attention if you are s danger to yourself or others.
   So either drop the justification or seek immediate medical care.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

That clarifies things a bit. And simplifies them. Strangers on The internet is not a great way to form ones conscience in matters of mortal sin. That responsibility falls on you. But here is what you should do.

1. Confess this. ASAP.
2. Financially you may need to reorganize because you need to make restitution for any medical expenses the victim has.
3. You should do research on attorneys. You may need one.
4. You need to drop the I didn’t know what I was doing card. It’s most likely justification, BUT if true you need immediate medical and psychological care. We are not allowed to give medical or legal advice on here. But we can tell you to seek out professionals. Blackout violence where one injured others, is always cause for physical medical attention and psychological attention if you are s danger to yourself or others.
   So either drop the justification or seek immediate medical care.

+1