The Church does not “pronounce” on every possible sin…or every possible mortal sin (though one can see things are well covered in various ways…in say the CCC) …Could someone potentially commit a sin that is an action that the Church has not made any real pronouncements on? Possibly a mortal sin; though I suppose if there was never a prouncement on one couldn’t have full knowledge, right? Some examples of this would be such things that some Catholics declare sinful such as secular music, sports, eating for pleasure, and so forth sinful.
How can one tell right from wrong with so many Catholics all claiming so many different things and saying that transgressors of their standard is the path to Hell? With eternity on the line, it makes one want to follow the strictest path possible.The Church does not “pronounce” on every possible sin…or every possible mortal sin (though one can see things are well covered in various ways…in say the CCC) …
But just because some Catholics think some particular action is sinful…does not per se make it sinful. They can very much error in their judgment. Thus it is important to form ones conscience with the Teachings of the Church and good Catholic sources (of course as we know there is a whole variety out there on the internet etc…so one must take good care)
You find trusted sources such as the official apologist on this site and others who have proven their knowledge such as Patrick Madrid. You can also post questions on the EWTN website.How can one tell right from wrong with so many Catholics all claiming so many different things and saying that transgressors of their standard is the path to Hell? With eternity on the line, it makes one want to follow the strictest path possible.
If someone tells you that something is “sinful” and the Church has not pronounced on it then it is really up to you to listen to the person’s arguments, and decide in your own conscience whether you agree, or not. Fellow Catholics are “the Church” too, and part of the formation of our conscience. They may be able to give guidance on particulars which the Church must remain quiet on (eg. particular movies).Could someone potentially commit a sin that is an action that the Church has not made any real pronouncements on? Possibly a mortal sin; though I suppose if there was never a prouncement on one couldn’t have full knowledge, right? Some examples of this would be such things that some Catholics declare sinful such as secular music, sports, eating for pleasure, and so forth sinful.
As in all your threads, none of these are sinful.Could someone potentially commit a sin that is an action that the Church has not made any real pronouncements on? Possibly a mortal sin; though I suppose if there was never a prouncement on one couldn’t have full knowledge, right? Some examples of this would be such things that some Catholics declare sinful such as secular music, sports, eating for pleasure, and so forth sinful.
You inform yourself with good sources …Catechism, Compendium of the CCC, sound orthodox moral theology from good sources, articles on Catholic Answers proper *not forum necessarily…have good “living sources” such as a good confessor or spiritual director (one looks for a Priest etc who is faithful to the Church…wants to think with the Church, one looks to good publishers like Ignatius Press, sources from Orthodox theologians or Universities such as Steubenville etc (one often learns “other good sources” from previously known good sources …via recommendations etc.How can one tell right from wrong with so many Catholics all claiming so many different things and saying that transgressors of their standard is the path to Hell? With eternity on the line, it makes one want to follow the strictest path possible.
(well it is good to note that there can be sinful music…sports…disordered eating…but yes one of course would not say all secular music, sports or eating is sinful…)none of these are sinful.
You inform yourself with good sources …Catechism, Compendium of the CCC, sound orthodox moral theology from good sources, articles on Catholic Answers proper *not forum necessarily…have good “living sources” such as a good confessor or spiritual director, one looks to good publishers like Ignatius Press, sources from Orthodox theologians or Universities such as Steubenville etc (one often learns “other good sources” from previously known good sources …via recommendations etc.)How can one tell right from wrong with so many Catholics all claiming so many different things and saying that transgressors of their standard is the path to Hell? With eternity on the line, it makes one want to follow the strictest path possible.
Tell me if there is anything false in this statement:
such *can *be the case…(of course they need deliberate consent etc…) But this is only a “can”…
- If one performs an action that they are unsure of its sinfullness, they have committed sin, and if they were unsure as to whether it was mortal, they have committed mortal sin
Also I should not again as I noted earlier in this thread…those with scruples need to see their confessor…for they can scruple here and confuse things big time…they need to follow his advice and the principles given them…which can include ignoring certain things…and acting freely against their fears…
Invalidation
- No one can be certain of something’s sinfulness unless the Church has spoken on it.
– Therefore, by performing an action that is left to opinion, we are sinning, or even mortally sinning.
Invalidation
(To reiterrate, I don’t know if this is true or not; validation [or invalidation] please!)