Can children commit mortal sins?

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Like, for example, if an 11 or 12 year old looked at pornography, or masturbates frequently? Or, what if they lie a lot. (Lying isnt a mortal sin anyway… is it?) or get smart with their parents. Would they be doomed to an eternity in hell unless they repent?

The reason I am asking this is because I am 13 years old and have broken all of those sins at one time in my life. I just looked at Pornography a few months ago, but I am still masturbating about 3 times a week . I also tend to often stretch the truth, though nothing serious (like when telling a friend how big a fish was that I caught, I might say “A foot!” when it was really only 6 inches long). I pray for forgivness every night and I directly recite all the ten commandments I have broken and pray for forgiveness. I pray the rosary once a week. I am very concrened that I will go to Hell if I dont go to confession (which me and my family are bad about going to).

Can children commit a mortal sin?
 
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Chazemataz:
Like, for example, if an 11 or 12 year old looked at pornography, or masturbates frequently? Or, what if they lie a lot. (Lying isnt a mortal sin anyway… is it?) or get smart with their parents. Would they be doomed to an eternity in hell unless they repent?

The reason I am asking this is because I am 13 years old and have broken all of those sins at one time in my life. I just looked at Pornography a few months ago, but I am still masturbating about 3 times a week . I also tend to often stretch the truth, though nothing serious (like when telling a friend how big a fish was that I caught, I might say “A foot!” when it was really only 6 inches long). I pray for forgivness every night and I directly recite all the ten commandments I have broken and pray for forgiveness. I pray the rosary once a week. I am very concrened that I will go to Hell if I dont go to confession (which me and my family are bad about going to).

Can children commit a mortal sin?
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Smart off? More like dumb off, because anyone that does stuff like that ain’t smart at all. But all joking aside, the answer is, sure, children CAN do mortal sins, so I hope you efforts help you out. Which reminds of the time someone once said to me that all children were born dumb. UGH.
 
Yes a child can commit a mortal sin. But he must have full knowledge that what he is doing is wrong, he must give full consent, and it must be a grave matter. If any of these are missing then it is not a mortal sin.

If you feel like you have sinned, then just go to confession. God will forgive you.
 
In Fatima, the children continued to pray and offer whatever sacrifices they could as the angel had requested. On May 13th - eight days after the Pope directly asked for heaven’s intervention - the little shephards were moving their flocks to the meadows of the Cova da Iria when they were startled by a very bright flash. Thinking it was lightning, they ran for the nearest cover they could find near a large oak tree. A second bright flash once again frightened them and they ran from the tree toward the east seeking better shelter. They were startled to see a bright globe of light hovering over a small evergreen that stood directly in their path. At the center of the light stood a Lady dressed in brilliant white, holding her hands against her breast in a prayerful repose; in her right hand she held a Rosary.
Code: 
  The Lady spoke to them in a soft, melodious voice, 

 ** "Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you!"**

 Lucia asked the Lady where she came from, to which she replied,

 ** "I am from heaven."**

   Hearing this, Lucia asked the Lady what she wanted of her. The Lady replied,**"I come to ask you to come here for six months in succession, on the thirteenth day at this same hour. Then I will tell you who I am, and what I want. And afterwards I will return here a seventh time."**Lucia then asked if she would go to heaven, and the Lady responded,

 **  "Yes, you will."**
She then asked if Jacinta and Francisco would go to heaven also. The Lady responded,
Code: 
 **  "Also. But Francisco will have to say many Rosaries!"
**

***My friend. Francisco was only 8 years old and obviously had some sins on his soul. (Not saying they were the same as yours but there was some sins there). ******

You must amend you ways and pray. Decide for Jesus tonight and try and avoid occassions of temptation.

God Bless.
 
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Chazemataz:
Like, for example, if an 11 or 12 year old looked at pornography, or masturbates frequently? Or, what if they lie a lot. (Lying isnt a mortal sin anyway… is it?) or get smart with their parents. Would they be doomed to an eternity in hell unless they repent?

The reason I am asking this is because I am 13 years old and have broken all of those sins at one time in my life. I just looked at Pornography a few months ago, but I am still masturbating about 3 times a week . I also tend to often stretch the truth, though nothing serious (like when telling a friend how big a fish was that I caught, I might say “A foot!” when it was really only 6 inches long). I pray for forgivness every night and I directly recite all the ten commandments I have broken and pray for forgiveness. I pray the rosary once a week. I am very concrened that I will go to Hell if I dont go to confession (which me and my family are bad about going to).

Can children commit a mortal sin?
Click to expand...
I’m going to pass on the post above and I hope you do to.

How about I explain it this way and see if it helps you.

Guilt, shame and/or restlessness about anything in which we have engaged, and sometimes one or more of these things in the absence of a visible issue, indicate it is time to seek the Sacrament of Penance. This is a sign that the Lord is knocking at your door saying, “Hello - anybody in there? - Ummm, we need to talk.”

I made the mistake of thinking that something wasn’t a sin, but neglected to research or ask a priest when my gut told me it was wrong. So I continued about my way figuring as long as I don’t know, I won’t be committing a mortal sin. If you know a sin is grave, and you willingly consent to engaging in it, then it is wrong and must be confessed. I went so far as to tell the priest that I neglected to look it up and why, revealing an attitude that needed fixing. He certainly didn’t hit me over the head, but just telling him I did that made me realize that I had an obligation to learn when I’m not sure.

It is very good that you have not looked at porn in months. Work hard at not falling into that trap because what follows, as you can see is self-abuse (masturbation), which is a grave sin. The bad part about porn is that once you see a set of images, they are forever branded into your head and continue to fuel the urge engage yourself. This can go on for weeks, or as you see, months later. So, the porn must not happen again.

The next thing is to grasp the fact that self-abuse IS a grave sin, listed clearly in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and make a decision right now today if you are going to sincerely obey this. This means that deep within, you accept the teaching and are willing to work hard at complying. This doesn’t mean it won’t be hard, but tips will follow.

Understand that self-abuse is one of the most common sins that priests likely here on matters of impurity. Last statistics I saw were at least 90% of males and 62% females engaged in the practice. This does not make it “ok”. Rather, it means we need to be careful not to fall to that “wind of doctrine” called, the “Everyone else is doing it” Doctrine.

Also, this type of sin can easily fall into one of two categories I’ll call “habit” and “addiction”. Everyone has their own definition of these, but I"ll give you mine.

Occasional: Few times a year like your porn
Habit: Few times monthly
Addiction: Few times weekly or daily

As you can see, if you are going at it 3 times a week, you are at the addiction level. Now, without excusing away the behavior, the addiction status does somewhat mitigate your culpability because addictions are hard to break. I’m sure you’ve tried many times after confession to stop and find yourself falling back real easy. This is not uncommon.

I’m going to end here and continue in the next post with suggestions if you really want to stop.
 
First piece of advice I can give you, no matter what happens, if you commit, don’t give up no matter how many times you fall. Hopelessness and despair are seeds of the devil and the devil hopes it sprouts into the rejection of God’s love and mercy (meaning he turns you away from wanting to go to confession feeling it is useless). If you should feel this at any time, run, don’t walk, to confession.

Here are three simple rules on church teachings and in this order:

    • Know the teaching, law or doctrine
    • Obey the teaching, law or doctrine
    • Understand the teaching, law or doctrine
    I’m assuming you know self-abuse is wrong. I’m assuming you want to make a conscious choice to stop, but are having difficulty. Make sure you really want to stop. Why is self-abuse wrong?

    How about these answers…
    • You are treating your body as an object (stems from Pope John Paul’s words about how men should treat women and women, men - not as objects that you “take” something from). It is possible to treat yourself as an object.
    • You are taking pleasure in a gift the good Lord gave to married couples for the primary purpose of procreation and the secondary purpose of expressing love for each other in the context of marriage. It is like stealing something that doesn’t yet belong to you.
    • You are being unfaithful to the Lord in that, in a way, you belong to Him, until you do find a spouse to give of yourself (never taking, but always giving).
    Those are just a few possible answers.

    Here are some further considerations. I’m linking you to a post where I made suggestions for people dealing with sinful addictions. Ponder it and consider following a similar path. I had my own type of addiction and the simplicity of the plan allowed me to step down off the ladder of temptation much faster than I had previously. There are strong deterrents in the plan and let me tell you that I sweat bullets for two days when I realized what I was going to have to do. You know what? I survived and it has been highly effective in helping me to stop.
 
OOPS! My apologies to Fergal. I was typing at the same time and was referring to the very first poster who was not very helpful to the situation.

Please do follow Fergal’s advice!!!

Here is what I wanted you to pass up:
Smart off? More like dumb off, because anyone that does stuff like that ain’t smart at all. But all joking aside, the answer is, sure, children CAN do mortal sins, so I hope you efforts help you out. Which reminds of the time someone once said to me that all children were born dumb. UGH.
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Sorry again, Fergal - and anyone else who misunderstood. I learned the hardway that others may beat me in even tho I hit the reply button.

I’m soooo embarassed :o
 
Wow. I think it’s great that you are even concerned regarding the state of your soul. I agree with Lux. When you have feelings of uncertainty or fear that perhaps you have sinned and may putting your salvation at risk, it’s God trying to tell you to make amends through the Sacrament of Confession.

God Bless you and I will pray for you—I mean it.
 
I think the best advice I can give has already been given, but let me just say this:
I’m 14, and I know exactly where you’re coming from. For the longest time, I was “addicted” to masturbation, but when I learned it was a mortal sin, I gradually stopped doing it, but it took a while. Now, however, I think I’ve come to a full halt (for a time, anyway), and a large part of why I’ve managed to stop is that I’ve realized that almost any indulgence of sexual desires (pornography, masturbation, deliberate entertaining of lustful thoughts) constitutes a mortal sin. Of course, when you commit a mortal sin, you need to get to confession pronto.
But a problem is is that folks our age can’t drive, so we are put into the awkward position of admitting to our parents that we’re in mortal sin and need a ride to confession. Along with a desire to keep my soul (more or less) clean, wanting to keep out of that awkward situation also helps me fend off temptation (don’t get me wrong, though, my parents were very understanding about the whole thing, but it was still a pain.;))
 
the Hatter:
I think the best advice I can give has already been given, but let me just say this:
I’m 14, and I know exactly where you’re coming from. For the longest time, I was “addicted” to masturbation, but when I learned it was a mortal sin, I gradually stopped doing it, but it took a while. Now, however, I think I’ve come to a full halt (for a time, anyway), and a large part of why I’ve managed to stop is that I’ve realized that almost any indulgence of sexual desires (pornography, masturbation, deliberate entertaining of lustful thoughts) constitutes a mortal sin. Of course, when you commit a mortal sin, you need to get to confession pronto.
But a problem is is that folks our age can’t drive, so we are put into the awkward position of admitting to our parents that we’re in mortal sin and need a ride to confession. Along with a desire to keep my soul (more or less) clean, wanting to keep out of that awkward situation also helps me fend off temptation (don’t get me wrong, though, my parents were very understanding about the whole thing, but it was still a pain.;))
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:clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

Hatter, I know I’m speaking for a good many people here on this site in congratulating you on your courage, strength and perserverence. Sweet victory!!

Chaz…I also wanted to comment on something. Which is the stronger man? He who gives in easily to temptation or he who fights it off?

Some may think of self-abuse as manly, when the most manly thing you can do is self-mastery. That means the ability to tame any desires and urges you may have with great self-control. Think of a soldier in the bush behind enemy lines and a bug lands on his face - a bug capable of stinging. If he slaps it, he will be seen, so he must sit there and endure the bug and possibly the sting. Weakness is to slap; strength is to hold still. If it helps you, think of yourself as a soldier or a warrior, standing firm against the enemy within. Be strong! What you learn in taming this urge will extend in many other areas of your life. It is the learning of self-discipline.
 
Okay my mom doesnt take me to conffession often (Ive only gone about 5 different times in my life) but she said that she will take me when we have time, and that she needs to confess also anyways.
What do I say to the priest? I know everybody is saying “I masturbated x number of times” but I did it so frequently and I have often quit for weeks at a time I honestly cannot remember how many times I did do it. I am not nervous or afraid to do so, but I do not know how to say it. saying “I masturbate frequently” makes me sound like some sort of redneck. What should I say?
 
It’s easy… you say,
“I’ve engaged in self-abuse, or (however you want to call it), too many times to recall. I can tell you that I sometimes engage in it a few times a week, then not at all for several weeks/months at at time. You might go so far as to tell him that you are open to suggestions as to how to stop.”

But, I can tell you this much, with any addiction, whether it is in a periodic cycle such as you describe or constant, requires complete and utter honesty. If you were looking at porn, you need to tell him. I’m willing to bet that when you were doing this several times a week, you had recently looked at porn. The images stay there for a while and they do damage.

You are not alone and know that going in. He probably heard the same thing so many times already. But, be contrite and show committment to change. Should you fall, go back and don’t give up. It is not likely to change overnight without some extraordinary work.

Say a Rosary and ask the Blessed Mother for her help in remaining pure.
 
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Fergal:
In Fatima, the children continued to pray and offer whatever sacrifices they could as the angel had requested. On May 13th - eight days after the Pope directly asked for heaven’s intervention - the little shephards were moving their flocks to the meadows of the Cova da Iria when they were startled by a very bright flash. Thinking it was lightning, they ran for the nearest cover they could find near a large oak tree. A second bright flash once again frightened them and they ran from the tree toward the east seeking better shelter. They were startled to see a bright globe of light hovering over a small evergreen that stood directly in their path. At the center of the light stood a Lady dressed in brilliant white, holding her hands against her breast in a prayerful repose; in her right hand she held a Rosary.

The Lady spoke to them in a soft, melodious voice,

"Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you!"

Lucia asked the Lady where she came from, to which she replied,

"I am from heaven."

Hearing this, Lucia asked the Lady what she wanted of her. The Lady replied,**“I come to ask you to come here for six months in succession, on the thirteenth day at this same hour. Then I will tell you who I am, and what I want. And afterwards I will return here a seventh time.”**Lucia then asked if she would go to heaven, and the Lady responded,

"Yes, you will."

She then asked if Jacinta and Francisco would go to heaven also. The Lady responded,

"Also. But Francisco will have to say many Rosaries!"

***My friend. Francisco was only 8 years old and obviously had some sins on his soul. (Not saying they were the same as yours but there was some sins there). *********

You must amend you ways and pray. Decide for Jesus tonight and try and avoid occassions of temptation.

God Bless.
Click to expand...
Did the BVM also say that one of the children’s friends who was about 10 years old would be in purgatory until the end of the world? I often wonder what that liitle girl did to end up there for so long?
 
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