Can catechism cause damnation?

[mek42]

I am currently a lapsed, non-practicing, unconfirmed Catholic who, if a label was needed, might best be described as a probabilistic general theist, uncertain regarding theistic nature. Assuming I remain so, would Catholics believe that my seeking catechism regarding Catholicism is likely to increase my probable lack of grace (due to increasing knowledge regarding the obligation practicing Catholics believe me to be under)?

 

[4love2God]

mek42 wonders about attending a Catechism class : "I am currently a lapsed, non-practicing, unconfirmed Catholic… Assuming I remain so, would … [attending] catechism regarding Catholicism … increase my probable lack of grace (due to increasing knowledge [causing an increase in my responsibility to practice Catholicism] )?"

Since you do not believe in most tenets of Christianity (much less Catholicism), why are you considering attending a Catechism class?
This is perhaps the Most important thing.
Intentions are very important to determining if an action is a Sin.
So, look deeply into your Heart, and listen for the answer.

To address your question Head-on, nobody actually KNOWS for sure if attending a Catechism class is going to (somehow) increase any After-Life punishment.

Do you believe that you will go to Hell, if you do NOT have MORE Catholic Faith than you do now?
If your answer to this Question is “YES” … then you have little-or-Nothing to worry about.
If a person is going to Hell anyway, then how could doing something possibly-Bad, actually increase that problem?
So, in this instance, there is NO down-side to going back to Catechism classes (but this time, Catechism for Confirmation preparation).

However, attending Confirmation class brings up the NEXT issue:
Should you THEN become Confirmed as a Full-fledged Catholic? … Would THAT increase your Hell-risk?
But THAT is the subject of a future Thread … that is, IF you choose to attend Confirmation classes.

 

[1ke]

No, catechism cannot cause damnation. We do that all by ourselves using our free will.

 

[underacloud]

If you sincerely seek the truth, God will answer. He makes us this promise.

It may be the case that a sincere person can seek the truth, but through no fault of their own, fail to recognise it in the Catholic Church. In such a case, their ignorance is not held against them. If they recognise the truth and refuse to accept it, they have no excuse.

So no, catehesis itself is no threat of damnation; only your response to it.

 

[smichhertz]

I am currently a lapsed, non-practicing, unconfirmed Catholic who, if a label was needed, might best be described as a probabilistic general theist, uncertain regarding theistic nature. Assuming I remain so, would Catholics believe that my seeking catechism regarding Catholicism is likely to increase my probable lack of grace (due to increasing knowledge regarding the obligation practicing Catholics believe me to be under)?

Educating yourself (assuming it’s proper education) about the faith is never sinful. I used to attend adult religious education classes and sometimes this one atheist would show up because he was curious to learn more.

Increased knowledge of obligations doesn’t change anything. The difference is vincible vs invincible ignorance. Your ignorance is not invincible so you’re still bound by those obligations regardless.

I would, however, encourage you to seek catechism under the direction of someone who knows what they’re doing. Maybe see if a local church is offering adult religious education? Just tell them you’re a lapsed Catholic that’s looking to understand more about the Church. They’ll happily help you find education materials.

Best of luck!