Could you help me please?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alan79
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Thank you very much! A “chaser” on the UK game show “The chase” is a general knowledge expert. A contestant has to correctly answer a set amount of correct multiple choice questions. The chaser also answers the same questions. If the contestant gets too many questions wrong and the chaser “catches” them, then the contestant is out.
 
I can understand why you would think that. If I was in the same situation answering the same question I’d probably say the same. Rest assured, I think this is just a case of me being a newbie Catholic trying to walk for the first time so to speak. 🙂

“The essence of sin is that you KNOW you are going to do something wrong and you do it anyway. You don’t sin by accident!” - Thank you very much for that little bit of advice!
 
I see. You thought you were being rude to the guy or thinking badly of him, and thought that may be sinful. Is this correct?
 
You know, you can confess even just temptations or proclivities to sin. If it is bothering you on a personal level, perhaps it is best to confess it, even if it is not a sin. Speak to your priest about it to see if maybe you have scruples or if it’s something else. Though since you’re a new Catholic scruples for a little bit may not be too bad (I believe that was the opinion of St Alphonsus)
 
I felt an unpleasant sinking cold feeling instantly after saying it. I really didn’t know how to feel about it, I was unsure. Considering your comment regarding me “blurting it out”, you have put my mind at rest along with many of the other comments from other members that it wasn’t in fact a sin at all.
 
I’ll add a few more thoughts. Read the catechism (it’s online) on sin.

It’s actually pretty hard to commit a mortal sin: a mortal sin separates us from God and leaves us in a condition where we lack sanctifying grace–which is necessary to go to Heaven.

Why is it so hard to commit a mortal sin?
  1. It has to actually BE a mortal sin in the eyes of the Church. If you think petting your dog is a mortal sin, even if you are so, so sincere in your belief, you don’t commit a mortal sin because it’s NOT a sin.
  2. You have to KNOW that it’s a mortal sin. Maybe you missed Mass on Sunday but you didn’t realize it was a mortal sin. You SHOULD have known, but you didn’t. No mortal sin.
  3. And the biggie: “full consent of your will.” That bears some thinking about in very philosophical terms: Exactly how free are we? We have genetic weaknesses built in; we have environmental factors from birth to death; we have psychological factors (habit vs. one time). Probably others. Let me give you a personal example: Drunkennes. Not necessarily a mortal sin, but a sin. I personally drink, but only occasionally. Getting drunk is not my idea of a good time, and I am not tempted to get drunk in the least. I don’t want to. But let’s say that I did get drunk. Now compare that with a recovering alcoholic, who is genetically pre-disposed to like alcohol and who was bought up in a home where everyone drank to excess, and whose friends all drink to excess. This person also gets drunk. Who has committed the greater sin? I have–simply because I had more control over my will.
I don’t want to get too controversial here because it will generate into nit-picking, but take a case where a teenager is captured by a rebel army in Africa and forced to fight for them. Is he guilty? How guilty? How “free” was his will? Sartre believed we always have a choice, and we do. But it’s a lot easier for some people than for others. And God knows that–and only He can judge.
 
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Erikaspirit16 said:
It has to actually BE a mortal sin in the eyes of the Church. If you think petting your dog is a mortal sin, even if you are so, so sincere in your belief, you don’t commit a mortal sin because it’s NOT a sin.
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You may have committed the mortal sin of being willing to commit a mortal sin.
 
Hi Alan! Welcome home! 😊 I think you’re just being hard on yourself in this case. However, your efforts to avoid sin are truly admirable and a great example to follow. I hope you are having a good transition into Catholicism and I will keep you in my prayers! God bless and happy Easter!
 
OP! You’re doing grand. You’re doing better than I have and I’m a cradle Catholic.

Don’t you worry. Keep praying and keep in constant prayer. You never did a thing wrong! We’re allowed to have fun! Keep having fun! Use your free will and choose sensible fun! God gave us this ability to choose between right and wrong - and you needn’t worry about choosing when you know your faith and the tradition and the scriptures.

Don’t worry mate! Pray!
 
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