Can teenagers go to hell?

[opusAquinas]

1037 God predestines no one to go to hell; for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end. In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want "any to perish, but all to come to repentance"

God does not control your will thus sending you to hell. Instead one willfully rejects God’s mercy and they send themselves to hell.

 

[friardchips]

Abigail Lee…

I think for a person to sin mortally, they have to have full knowledge of what they’re doing. At an age up to 18, I would say it is highly unlikely that a teenager would be judged on the premise that he/she knew what they were doing, fully. I would imagine a long time in Purgatory might be on the cards. I do not know if this stands in Church teaching but could do with being looked at, if not.

Otherwise, there would be no levels of seriousness and accountability.

For example, before I was a believer, not just a Catholic, and did not understood what sin was, I was not as fully culpable for my actions as much as when I did bad things in recepit of knowledge that my actions were mortally sinful.

It is not about deserving, it is about gratitude and ingratitude. If I sin mortally knowing what mortal sin is, then I am being eternally ungrateful.

So again, for a teenager to really understand or grasp what mortal sin is, is unlikely. Hence, why so many Christian young people in Ireland have backed a certain vote to go through, because they are not spiritually aware or awake. And so, are at the mercy of the world’s presumption and blindness, and undeveloped Christian consciences.

Take excommication. This only stands in the case of abortion if the person who aborted a child was in full knowledge of what they were doing was mortally sinful, or knew what sin was. And that is an extreme example:

Read the rules! From: ewtn.com/expert/answers/abortio2.htm

'NOTE WELL To actually incur the excommunication one must know that it is an excommunicable offense at the time of the abortion. Canon 1323 provides that the following do not incur a sanction, those who are not yet 16, are unaware of a law, do not advert to it or are in error about its scope, were forced or had an unforeseeable accident, acted out of grave fear, or who lacked the use of reason (except culpably, as by drunkenness).’

So this must also stand then, for what constitutes mortal sin.

By this, although your thread is not about excommunication, using this subject does prove to some extent that there are degrees of seriousness and they are taken into account.

But I would speak to a priest to be sure.

 

[Allegra]

After death ,can teenagers end up in Hell?
I mean is that possible if it is ,i found it cruel as they are in a process of growing up ,and they undergo some really difficult changes in the hormones, brain… they tend to be confused ,they are often moody … so is it fair for them to end up there ,as they are not fully developed but influenced by moody emotions and hormones .

Yes. Anyone who has reached the age of reason can go to hell. Fortunately for teens, moodiness is at the worst a venial sin and not mortal. However, teens are responsible for their own actions.

 

[TheWiseMan]

All peoples of all ages can go to hell, and *none *are more susceptible to going to hell, all because of distinguishable characteristic.

Of course, you do need to bear in mind that anyone who lives a sinful life is more likely to go to hell than one who lives a life of holiness.

 

[opusAquinas]

405 Although it is proper to each individual** original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam’s descendants**.

The Council of Trent establishes that you don’t go to hell for Original Sin. You go to hell for rejecting Jesus Christ which is a mortal sin.

The point I’m making is that we are already starting off on the wrong foot.

That is why I said it is as we all sinned in Adam - we essentially stand condemned unless we accept God’s Mercy.

 

[tonyrey]

The infinite love of the Father for all His children is evident in the words of Jesus:

When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but** with God all things are possible**.”…

He wants us to be positive and live with love and hope not fear. His entire mission was to bring us the Good News not make us obsessed with Hell.

 

[opusAquinas]

The infinite love of the Father for all His children is evident in the words of Jesus:

He wants us to be positive and live with love and hope not fear. His entire mission was to bring us the Good News not make us obsessed with Hell.

But St. Paul tells us to approach our salvation with fear and trembling. I think the proper balance is to focus on loving Jesus.

One should ask oneself: Am I loving Jesus when I do X, Y or Z?

You know I love you - Jesus implies to St. Peter when he asks Simon do you love me?

 

[tonyrey]

Abigail Lee…

I think for a person to sin mortally, they have to have full knowledge of what they’re doing. At an age up to 18, I would say it is highly unlikely that a teenager would be judged on the premise that he/she knew what they were doing, fully. I would imagine a long time in Purgatory might be on the cards. I do not know if this stands in Church teaching but could do with being looked at, if not.

Otherwise, there would be no levels of seriousness and accountability.

For example, before I was a believer, not just a Catholic, and did not understood what sin was, I was not as fully culpable for my actions as much as when I did bad things in recepit of knowledge that my actions were mortally sinful.

It is not about deserving, it is about gratitude and ingratitude. If I sin mortally knowing what mortal sin is, then I am being eternally ungrateful.

So again, for a teenager to really understand or grasp what mortal sin is, is unlikely. Hence, why so many Christian young people in Ireland have backed a certain vote to go through, because they are not spiritually aware or awake. And so, are at the mercy of the world’s presumption and blindness, and undeveloped Christian consciences.

Take excommunication. This only stands in the case of abortion if the person who aborted a child was in full knowledge of what they were doing was mortally sinful, or knew what sin was. And that is an extreme example:

Read the rules! From: ewtn.com/expert/answers/abortio2.htm

'NOTE WELL To actually incur the excommunication one must know that it is an excommunicable offense at the time of the abortion. Canon 1323 provides that the following do not incur a sanction, those who are not yet 16, are unaware of a law, do not advert to it or are in error about its scope, were forced or had an unforeseeable accident, acted out of grave fear, or who lacked the use of reason (except culpably, as by drunkenness).’

So this must also stand then, for what constitutes mortal sin.

By this, although your thread is not about excommunication, using this subject does prove to some extent that there are degrees of seriousness and they are taken into account.

But I would speak to a priest to be sure.

An excellent analysis!

 

[friardchips]

An excellent analysis!

Thank you

 

[opusAquinas]

An excellent analysis!

Before you were a believer - if you had not accepted Christ you would have been condemned.

I know as a child I was being called and I know had I ignored the call I would have been condemned.

 

[truetofaith]

After death ,can teenagers end up in Hell?
I mean is that possible if it is ,i found it cruel as they are in a process of growing up ,and they undergo some really difficult changes in the hormones, brain… they tend to be confused ,they are often moody … so is it fair for them to end up there ,as they are not fully developed but influenced by moody emotions and hormones .

I learned in Catholic school you reached the age of reason at 7 yrs. old.

A teenager knows right from wrong…unless they were brought up by cavemen!

 

[truetofaith]

Teenagers are more than capable of committing mortal sin and going to hell.

However, I think the real question is how many teenagers are actually committing mortal sin? While some teenagers do commit mortal sin, I think most young people who commit mortal sin regularly are college age or older… i.e. no longer under their parent’s roof.

For example, I went to a public university. While I knew of kids who had sex in high school, I knew many guys & girls who were virgins when starting college. But none that I knew were virgins by the time they graduated college.

Almost all masturbated as teens…should have confessed…

Lots of teens are killing, stealing etc. but are raised in a godless home!

 

[tonyrey]

But St. Paul tells us to approach our salvation with fear and trembling. I think the proper balance is to focus on loving Jesus.

One should ask oneself: Am I loving Jesus when I do X, Y or Z?

You know I love you - Jesus implies to St. Peter when he asks Simon do you love me?

:clapping: Jesus condemned the Pharisees because they were hypocrites who regarded others as sinners while they themselves were “full of greed and wickedness” and exploited widows.

 

[truetofaith]

I believe it is very difficult to go to Hell at any age! Otherwise Jesus wouldn’t have chosen to suffer and die for all of us, not only “the chosen few”. When we die we shall understand how much unnecessary suffering we caused and then we shall have the opportunity to repent and make amends - as far as we can - in Purgatory. The power of God’s love for us is so great that only diabolical hatred can withstand it. Most - if not all - of our sins are due to some form of ignorance and selfishness rather than cold-blooded pride and malice.

Only God knows to what extent we are** fully **responsible for our behaviour. Even though we are often guilty there are often mitigating circumstances. This shouldn’t be an excuse for not trying to avoid sin because Jesus warned us about the real danger of Hell. The best way to do that follow His example and do what we can for others - even in small ways like St Thérèse of Lisieux. Helping them helps us forget our selfish desires and have less opportunity to be tempted! She was only twenty-four when she died but she has inspired people all over the world with her “little way”. She wrote:

“Great deeds are forbidden me, The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers, and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love.”*
storyofasoul.com/*

There are over a hundred free Catholic e-books listed on this website.One of my favourite saints is included: the Curé of Ars - who is relevant to this thread because he was pursued by the devil!

You list your religion as Catholic…sorry you’re not even Christian!

You can’t repent AFTER you die. That’s what this life is for. Otherwise, you may as well commit all the sins you want up until the end.

 

[tonyrey]

Almost all masturbated as teens…should have confessed…

Lots of teens are killing, stealing etc. but are raised in a godless home!

Extenuating circumstances. In the UK girls have abortions without even considering whether it is wrong, such is the level of ignorance…

 

[tonyrey]

You list your religion as Catholic…sorry you’re not even Christian!

You can’t repent AFTER you die. That’s what this life is for. Otherwise, you may as well commit all the sins you want up until the end.

Please retract your false accusation. I specified “when you die” - not AFTER. :tsktsk:

 

[tonyrey]

I learned in Catholic school you reached the age of reason at 7 yrs. old.

A teenager knows right from wrong…unless they were brought up by cavemen!

The vast majority of teenagers in the UK do not always know right from wrong. In secular societies this is to be expected…

 

[friardchips]

Before you were a believer - if you had not accepted Christ you would have been condemned.

Pope Francis, as pointed out in another thread, is waving a finger at “rigorists”. Better to concentrate on mercy.

I know as a child I was being called and I know had I ignored the call I would have been condemned.

You were fortunate, not superior.

 

[Allegra]

Please retract your false accusation. I specified “when you die” - not AFTER. :tsktsk:

Technically, you said “When we die…” and later in the same sentence, “and then we shall have the opportunity to repent”. Chronologically speaking, that implies that repentance can come after we die. However, I think the accusation that you aren’t a Christian was a little uncalled for.

 

[truetofaith]

Please retract your false accusation. I specified “when you die” - not AFTER. :tsktsk:

You said WHEN we die we shall repent in Purgatory… so, you mean as we are dying & getting the last rites we repent & then make amends after we die in Purg.?

It didn’t come across like that.