Does someone go to hell for "minor" mortal sins?

[minion]

I’ve been reading some of the threads concerning hell on CAF, and I’ve found some of the answers to be very disturbing. If the answers I’ve seen are truly the Catholic Church’s position on who goes to hell, I’m not sure I can continue the Catholic faith.

I’m not sure how to phrase this question in a way where I’d be satisfied with the answer, and without getting the Catechism shoved in my face, or quibbles about “someone sends themselves to hell, not God,” so I’ve listed several scenarios. Assume the sinner is a Catholic fully knowledgeable of their faith, and dies shortly afterwards instantly, like from an atomic bomb or something.

Please state whether you are part of the laity, if you actively work in the Catholic Church as an RCIA teacher or a priest, or you’re theologian, etc. Also, please state whether you feel your answer is opinion or fact.

1. A teenager steals a Twix candybar, and dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity?
2. A man surfing the internet just minding his own business, suddenly is spammed with an porn pop-up ad in his face. In a moment of weakness he clicks the ad, and dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity?
3. A widower mourning the death of his wife, is suggested by a friend to use a ouija board to contact her. Wracked with sadness, he consents, and dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity?
4. A couple planning to get married in one month are living in the same apartment. They’re not having sex or anything. They die. Do they go to hell to burn for all eternity?
5. A man misses mass on Sunday because he scheduled a golf game. He dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity?
6. Contraception. A woman is afraid to get pregnant, so beseeches her husband to use a condom. He reluctantly consents. They have sex, and die. Does they go to hell to burn for all eternity?
7. A woman lies to her boyfriend about liking his artwork because she doesn’t want to hurt his feelings. She dies. Does she go to hell to burn for all eternity?
8. A woman downloads one mp3 of a very obscure foreign song from the internet because she couldn’t find the CD at any local stores, or from any digital stores like iTunes. She dies. Does she go to hell to burn for all eternity?

I know and can understand the Church’s position on things like contraception, and I can agree they aren’t a “good” thing. However, spending all eternity in hell is a gross unbalance in proportion to the sin, and I don’t think I can accept the teachings if any of the above answers are an “official” yes from the Catholic Church.

 

[Genesis315]

There’s not enough information to judge each scenario definitively, but I just want to point out a couple things. There’s no such thing as a “minor” mortal sin, as by definition a mortal sin must be grave (this is an objective standard). Likewise, the person must be committing it deliberately (not under duress, accidentially, etc).

Also, you make it seem like a game of gotcha where God is just waiting to smote someone down before they can repent or that life is just random chance. He knows whether we are or will be contrite for our sins and will confess them and can and will give us the opportunity to do so. He also knows who is obstinate and will spurn that opportunity. If someone dies in sin, such a person was either not in mortal sin or, if they were, they were obstinate in it and would not have confessed it with contrition and without presumption.

The question is not so much why would God damn someone for one mortal sin–he will forgive an unlimited amount of mortal sins. The question is why would someone be so hateful or indifferent to God that they would refuse to repent of and confess even one mortal sin. It’s mortal sin plus irrepentance that brings damnation.

 

[RoseMary131]

I’ve been reading some of the threads concerning hell on CAF, and I’ve found some of the answers to be very disturbing. If the answers I’ve seen are truly the Catholic Church’s position on who goes to hell, I’m not sure I can continue the Catholic faith.

However, spending all eternity in hell is a gross unbalance in proportion to the sin, and I don’t think I can accept the teachings if any of the above answers are an “official” yes from the Catholic Church.

Only God knows the heart of each person. God is all Just and all Mercy. We (people) can not know if someone will suffer the eternal fires of Hell. The Church only teaches those whom She declares as Saints as to their Eternal Reward being in Heaven. The Church never teaches that anyone specifically is in Hell.

We Trust in the Mercy of God that each of us spends Eternity through His just judgment . Some of us will go to Hell and others Heaven.

You can present lists all day of sins, no one can tell you if that person will be in Hell or Heaven. (Only through the process of Canonization, does the Church declare anyone in Heaven.)

 

[Gordon_Sims]

You’ve given a lot of silly examples, many of which wouldn’t be considered mortal sins and a few of which aren’t even sins. Do you honestly believe that downloading a song which is essentially in the public domain would draw the ire of the RIAA, let alone God?

 

[datritle]

there are no “minor” mortal sins. minor sins are called venial sins. it seems that all of the situations you listed would be occasions of venial sin…at best. God isn’t waiting in the wings trying to catch people up so he can damn them… you might want to talk to a priest…it seems you might not clearly understand sin, and grace, and salvation. on another note…if you don’t like a teaching of the Church, you would quit? we don’t make the rules, bro…

 

[Razanir]

Laity

1. A teenager steals a Twix candybar, and dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity?

I honestly don’t know

1. A man surfing the internet just minding his own business, suddenly is spammed with an porn pop-up ad in his face. In a moment of weakness he clicks the ad, and dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity?

No. He didn’t intend to see the porn

1. A widower mourning the death of his wife, is suggested by a friend to use a ouija board to contact her. Wracked with sadness, he consents, and dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity?

I wouldn’t think so, because he wasn’t mentally stable, but don’t quote me on this one

1. A couple planning to get married in one month are living in the same apartment. They’re not having sex or anything. They die. Do they go to hell to burn for all eternity?

I wouldn’t think so, but you should check with someone more experienced than I.

1. A man misses mass on Sunday because he scheduled a golf game. He dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity?

That depends. Did he go to a Saturday night Vigil Mass? Also, was this scheduled long in advance or something that came up and ran longer than expected?

1. Contraception. A woman is afraid to get pregnant, so beseeches her husband to use a condom. He reluctantly consents. They have sex, and die. Does they go to hell to burn for all eternity?

Again, I don’t know

1. A woman lies to her boyfriend about liking his artwork because she doesn’t want to hurt his feelings. She dies. Does she go to hell to burn for all eternity?

I don;t believe so. That’s about as tame as telling kids Santa’s real. I’ve seen enough debates about Santa to know that consensus is lies like that aren’t sinful.

1. A woman downloads one mp3 of a very obscure foreign song from the internet because she couldn’t find the CD at any local stores, or from any digital stores like iTunes. She dies. Does she go to hell to burn for all eternity?

I wouldn’t think so because she couldn’t find it in a store, but you might want the answer of someone who knows more.

EDIT: And what everyone else said. Mortal sin = Grave matter + knowledge + consent. Not all three are present in a lot of these examples. Also, God is NOT looking for any possible chance to condemn us to Hell for all eternity. He IS Love. God is always willing to forgive if we repent

 

[Joe_5859]

I would highly recommend talking these issues out with your priest if they are weighing on you. No one should let us rag-tag bunch of armchair theologians on CAF scare them away from the One True Church.

I can understand the impulse to come up with hypothetical situations, but in this case, I don’t think they are helpful in addressing your underlying question.

There is no such thing as a “minor” mortal sin. For a sin to be mortal, it must involve grave matter. By that definition, it is not minor.

Mortal sin also requires full knowledge and complete consent. How those play into any hypothetical scenario is something we cannot really know. We would just be speculating.

God is a God of mercy. How He would choose to judge those unfortunate atomic bomb victims is something I’m glad I don’t have to know. He alone would know if a person’s grief was so clouding their judgment that they were not really freely consenting to the act.

When looking at it from my outside perspective, I always prefer to err on the side of mercy. We hold out hope for the salvation of all.

 

[wanabesaint]

whats a minor sin for some, would be a grave sin for others.

say your were wealthy and extremely blessed, filled with a great mulittude of blessing and a life of wonder and awe. You could give much to help others, yet you merely mocked people for their failures as you were taught.

verse somebody poor and downtroden mocked the rich for their corrupt ways as they were taught.

when much is given to us, much is asked of us, and minor becomes mortal faster, than those that are given little and have nothing to give…

people have to be forgiven for this reason, they are merely encountering the ignorant and devoid of wisdom to know to not speak of evil and act as evil.
its not so important to be concerned of your sins, but to make sure you forgive those of ignorance around you, and not to act the same.

 

[Gorgias]

whats a minor sin for some, would be a grave sin for others.

Strictly speaking, this isn’t correct. Grave matter is grave matter – it’s an objective thing. However, what you seem to be talking about is culpability: what may be a mortal sin for one person may be venial sin for another, depending on a number of factors.

 

[fbl9]

I’ve been reading some of the threads concerning hell on CAF, and I’ve found some of the answers to be very disturbing. If the answers I’ve seen are truly the Catholic Church’s position on who goes to hell, I’m not sure I can continue the Catholic faith.

I’m not sure how to phrase this question in a way where I’d be satisfied with the answer, and without getting the Catechism shoved in my face, or quibbles about “someone sends themselves to hell, not God,” so I’ve listed several scenarios. Assume the sinner is a Catholic fully knowledgeable of their faith, and dies shortly afterwards instantly, like from an atomic bomb or something.

Please state whether you are part of the laity, if you actively work in the Catholic Church as an RCIA teacher or a priest, or you’re theologian, etc. Also, please state whether you feel your answer is opinion or fact.

.

Why can’t you be Catholic if the sins of others send them to hell?
That is why one repents after sin,if they know they have sinned.
What is sin? How do you define what sin is. Is it a breaking of God’s law or is it a choice of self over God?

 

[JRKH]

I’ve been reading some of the threads concerning hell on CAF, and I’ve found some of the answers to be very disturbing. If the answers I’ve seen are truly the Catholic Church’s position on who goes to hell, I’m not sure I can continue the Catholic faith.

This is not an uncommon problem. However I would point out that understanding this is part of the growth process where one moves from a slavish and servile “obedience out of fear” position to a position that is based more on familial understanding of God’s Love for us and how these matters of sin and hell and heaven are understood.

Now to begin…as others have said…there really isn’t such a thing as “minor” mortal sins. It’s like being minorly dead.

I’m not sure how to phrase this question in a way where I’d be satisfied with the answer, and without getting the Catechism shoved in my face,

Why are you concerned about having the catechism referenced?

or quibbles about “someone sends themselves to hell, not God,”

Understanding this aspect of the matter would go a very long way to helping you - sorry to see that you are at present closed to the idea of examining the sinner’s culpability in these matters…Especially since it is the sinner who does the deed.

Please state whether you are part of the laity, if you actively work in the Catholic Church as an RCIA teacher or a priest, or you’re theologian, etc. Also, please state whether you feel your answer is opinion or fact.

I’m a “Catholic in the pew”…not a teacher but I can already tell you that ALL of the answers you are going to get are opinions since judgement is up to God and not us.

so I’ve listed several scenarios. Assume the sinner is a Catholic fully knowledgeable of their faith, and dies shortly afterwards instantly, like from an atomic bomb or something…(Snipped)
Each of your scenarios have things missing that would need clarification. The only one that I saw that seemed fairly clear cut was the Sunday golfer. Based solely on what you give there - yes it is entirely possible that he would be condemned. Not for the discrete act of playing golf instead of going to Mass but rather for the deliberate and knowing choice to “spit in God’s eye” so to speak…To reject God’s sovereignty in his life preferring something that is not God - over that which is God.

I know and can understand the Church’s position on things like contraception, and I can agree they aren’t a “good” thing. However, spending all eternity in hell is a gross unbalance in proportion to the sin, and I don’t think I can accept the teachings if any of the above answers are an “official” yes from the Catholic Church.

Here is the problem. The root of all the commandments is Love - (Mt 22:36-40) So violations of the commandments are not just breaking rules…they are violations of Love - and we are told in 1 John 4:7-8 that God IS love…
The fundamental “root cause” of a sin being mortal is that it involves a rejection of God and of His sovereignty in your life through a rejection of Love. Sometimes people don’t even realize they are doing this…but truly - if you read, and consider carefully, the definition of Mortal sin in the Catechism…you will find that “rejection of God” is what they are describing. Not imperfection - not bad habits - Not an “oops” but rather an outright rejection by knowingly and deliberately doing something that you know full well is against the Law of Love - which is the foundation of all other laws and the essence of God.

Pray on this and see if what I say here makes sense.

Peace
James

 

[TomD123]

I’ve been reading some of the threads concerning hell on CAF, and I’ve found some of the answers to be very disturbing. If the answers I’ve seen are truly the Catholic Church’s position on who goes to hell, I’m not sure I can continue the Catholic faith. **Sometimes CAF can be disturbing if you are new to the Faith because people have varying opinions and personalities so you have to be sure to talk to a Priest. The Faith is too beautiful to be worth leaving over some commenters (including me) who might be mistaken **

**During this we must remember the basics of Church teaching. To commit mortal sin one must have
a) full knowledge (of the sinful and gravely sinful character of the act) at the time he chooses to sin
b) deliberate consent of the will to commit the sin
c) the act must be grave

For one to go to hell he must die in unrepentant mortal sin. Thats that…now lets look assuming in each situation the people commiting what you describe have at least a and b…in other words they are fully aware of what they are doing (this we call a “rational human act” sometimes**

1. A teenager steals a Twix candybar, and dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity?

**Absolutely not.Stealing twix is not grave matter. It would take many many twix to be worth enough to be grave. Thats fact not opinion **

1. A man surfing the internet just minding his own business, suddenly is spammed with an porn pop-up ad in his face. In a moment of weakness he clicks the ad, and dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity? **Moment of weakness he doubtfully has a or b (from above) because it was so sudden and so unplanned…although deliberately looking at porn is seriously wrong. **
2. A widower mourning the death of his wife, is suggested by a friend to use a ouija board to contact her. Wracked with sadness, he consents, and dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity? **Doubtful. Ouji boards are gravely wrong and he should not use them but once again requirements a and b are doubtful because of emotinal distress interfereing with the rational human act part. **
3. A couple planning to get married in one month are living in the same apartment. They’re not having sex or anything. They die. Do they go to hell to burn for all eternity?
   **No this is not grave matter to live together and not have sex…unless one knew they would be weak or one was doing it without a clear mindset not to have sex. If they are not gonna have sex, living together itself isnt wrong. For one month usually chaste and prayerful couples can control themselves **
4. A man misses mass on Sunday because he scheduled a golf game. He dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity? **He should not do this. God comes first. Its unlikely though this is someone’s only mortal sin. More likely either in this situation he was not fully responsible or he had the attitude that God was really secondary. I doubt he was a whole hearted Christian when one day he just decided to blow off God. **
5. Contraception. A woman is afraid to get pregnant, so beseeches her husband to use a condom. He reluctantly consents. They have sex, and die. Does they go to hell to burn for all eternity? **This is more touchy. Remember we can’t judge souls only God can. The matter here is grave however. **
6. A woman lies to her boyfriend about liking his artwork because she doesn’t want to hurt his feelings. She dies. Does she go to hell to burn for all eternity? No not at all. I doubt this is even sinful because these kind of lies are just ways of being polite, everyone understands that this is what you are doing so its not a real “lie” besides even if it were, no grave matter is present. Thats a fact
7. A woman downloads one mp3 of a very obscure foreign song from the internet because she couldn’t find the CD at any local stores, or from any digital stores like iTunes. She dies. Does she go to hell to burn for all eternity?
   **I would say this is totally fine. Its an opinion though…but a highly probable one. I do that sometimes with songs that I can’t find. I see no reason why its wrong. As for it being grave matter its certainly not. Thats a fact. **

I know and can understand the Church’s position on things like contraception, and I can agree they aren’t a “good” thing. However, spending all eternity in hell is a gross unbalance in proportion to the sin, and I don’t think I can accept the teachings if any of the above answers are an “official” yes from the Catholic Church. **I have to say that this is a longer topic on why an eternity in hell but we must realize that anyone who commits mortal sin and does not repent (a b and c from above) truly does not love God and would be in an eternal agony if they were admitted to heaven. So Hell can be seen as the merciful way that God punishes sinners. **

I skimmed through the responses because I am rushed but I wanna give an answer as best I can!
My answers are in bold in your quote.
and I am a member of the laity who has a great interest in theology and philosophy
Tom

P.s. trust in God’s mercy. Have you ever heard of St. Faustina’s Divine Mercy devotion?? It is very important in my life and I suggest it strongly

 

[Gorgias]

actively work in the Catholic Church as an RCIA teacher or a priest (NB: Yes)
you’re theologian (NB: I’ve studied theology at the graduate level, but I wouldn’t consider myself a ‘theologian’)
fact.

As others have mentioned, the answer to each of your questions is “maybe”.

Mortal sin has a number of components (cf the Catechism, beginning at #1852, as well as John Paul II’s Reconciliation and Penance, #17):

• Matter. (There is grave matter and venial matter. Grave matter transgresses the Ten Commandments.)
• Full knowledge
• Deliberate consent

So, if you have something which is not grave matter, then it cannot be a mortal sin. If you have something that is grave matter, but you do not have full knowledge or deliberate consent, then it cannot be a mortal sin (but only a venial sin). Circumstances matter, too. (However, as John Paul II alludes to in R&P, there are some sins that, by their very nature grave and mortal, in any circumstance.)

So, in the cases you present, you mention the matter only, but give no indication of ‘full knowledge’ or ‘deliberate consent’. That’s why no answer can be given to your questions. (That’s also why, in these cases in which you’re trying to determine whether there’s inherent unfairness in the Church’s doctrine – because you might be tempted to perceive ‘minor’ transgressions as leading to eternal damnation – there really isn’t any unfairness to be found.)

 

[JimG]

Most of the things you list are not mortal sins at all. In particular No.'s 1, 2, 4, 7 & 8. For the others, culpability depends on the mental state of the person and his intent.
Even worse, it is this sort of thing that leads to increasing degrees of scrupulosity. Scrupulosity is not a requirement for Catholics.

I’m a member of the laity, not a moral theologian. A moral theologian could give a detailed discussion of every one of these situations. But I wouldn’t recommend it for ordinary Catholics. It’s rather like hypochondria.

 

[ellzeena]

I’ll be brutally honest with you despite the fact that there are people who will most likely jump down my throat because of it. I have a lifetime with God, I’ve been aware of Him since very early childhood (and I can actually remember being potty trained LOL). I think the concept of “Hell” is grossly misunderstood by ALL churches. In fact, I think we, as Humans, are doing our best to understand Him, to love Him, and some of us to serve Him (I am a Eucharistic Minister and a cantor) but, truthfully? We are the mouse on the space station. We know we can find sustenance, we don’t know we’re on a space station, we couldn’t design a space station, the very concept of space is beyond us. What we think we “know” and what actually “is” can be very two, distinctly separate things. We know what Jesus taught us and we know who He is. He is mercy and love and righteous judgment but, above all, LOVE. That is what He taught. I’ve had a lifelong belief about many things (intuitive) and I think that we DO “judge” ourselves, that when we are in the presence of the Almighty we KNOW at that moment if we “deserve” to be there. Stumbling into sin doesn’t count: it isn’t premeditated, and as one other poster said, much of what you posted would be questionable as to their “sin” nature. You’re allowing yourself to be intellectually tormented by Satan (and yes, It does exist; and yes, It uses any way It can to separate us from God). Just cut it out, would ya? Turn to Jesus and ask HIM. And then rebuke Satan and LISTEN. Trust me, you will get an answer.

 

[Bookcat]

There are no “minor mortal sins” just as there are no “minor ways to commit murder”

 

[Bookcat]

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

 

[Bookcat]

There are no “minor mortal sins” just as there are no “minor ways to commit murder”

 

[garn9173]

1. A man misses mass on Sunday because he scheduled a golf game. He dies. Does he go to hell to burn for all eternity?

First off, welcome to the Church.

What if he attended Saturday evening? You do know that Mass Saturday evening fulfills your obligation that for whatever reason you cann’t attend Sunday, right?

In fact, in many rurual areas, some Parish’s only have one Mass and that’s Saturday evening.

 

[Bookcat]

There are no “minor mortal sins” just as there are no “minor ways to commit murder”