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RedDuke50
Guest
What are some examples of when speeding is a mortal sin and when it is only venial? I just discovered recently that this was a sin and so I wanted to learn more about it.
Thank you
Thank you
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NetStar
Guest
I didn’t knwo Speeding was a Sin. I knew it was breaking the Speed Limit Law and a person could recieve a nice citizines reward…(ticket) and would have to pay the fine, maybe even get points…but a Sin? That’s a news flash to me.
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Elizabeth502
Guest
Engaging in risky behavior which endangers the life of self and/or others is what is serious about speeding, particularly if it’s excessive, in somewhat heavy traffic or hazardous conditions, etc. The danger aspect is a sin against the Fifth Commandment. The disregard of authority is a sin against the Fourth Commandment.
Slight speeding which might be imprudent and occasional but does not rise to the level of danger or recklessness is something I wouldn’t feel the need to confess, but something more blatant I would confess.
Slight speeding which might be imprudent and occasional but does not rise to the level of danger or recklessness is something I wouldn’t feel the need to confess, but something more blatant I would confess.
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NewsTheMan
Guest
The most important reason not to speed is because it might endanger peoples lives, which is sinful.
The other, good, reason not to speed is because it breaks the law. Yes, even going 1km/h over the speed limit would be sinful. You’re either breaking the law or you’re not. If you are, you sin. If not, you don’t sin. If that were not true, then it wouldn’t be sinful to only buy a little bit of marijuana from a drug dealer, or to cheat your taxes only a little bit. Obey the law of the land, it’s there for a reason and you have no good excuse to go over the speed limit 99% of the time. When I drive - occasionally - I leave early, I drive slowly and I get on with it lawfully.
The other, good, reason not to speed is because it breaks the law. Yes, even going 1km/h over the speed limit would be sinful. You’re either breaking the law or you’re not. If you are, you sin. If not, you don’t sin. If that were not true, then it wouldn’t be sinful to only buy a little bit of marijuana from a drug dealer, or to cheat your taxes only a little bit. Obey the law of the land, it’s there for a reason and you have no good excuse to go over the speed limit 99% of the time. When I drive - occasionally - I leave early, I drive slowly and I get on with it lawfully.
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Elizabeth502
Guest
My point was that one situation can be venial, the other (recklessness) is mortal. It wasn’t to excuse breaking the law “just a little bit.” It was to emphasize proportionality when recognizing one’s sins. (A lie, for example, can be venial or mortal, depending on the gravity, the circumstances, and the effects; similar with stealing. That’s according to every legitimate Catholic examination of conscience.)
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Elizabeth502
Guest
My point was that one situation can be venial, the other (recklessness) is mortal. It wasn’t to excuse breaking the law “just a little bit.” It was to emphasize proportionality when recognizing one’s sins. (A lie, for example, can be venial or mortal, depending on the gravity, the circumstances, and the effects; similar with stealing. That’s according to virtually any authentic Catholic examination of conscience that corresponds to the tenets of Catholic moral theology.)
Not every sin is mortal, nor is every sin venial, nor does every sin have equal weight.
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NewsTheMan
Guest
I wasn’t addressing you, just the OP.
But in any case, I’m not sure why you addressed me. I didn’t speak of gravity of sin, just sin. Breaking the law is sinful (unless, of course, the law is unjust etc). Whether it’s venial or not is for the confessor. I don’t care if a sin is venial or not when considering action. Venial sins are still sins and should be avoided. Thus, even going 1km/h over the speed limit is still sinful. Perhaps not gravely so, but still sinful.
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TheHolyTrinity
Guest
Speed Kills …
Slow Down …
It’s that simple!
Slow Down …
It’s that simple!
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Catholic90
Guest
When you over the limit in a residential neighborhood, or when you fly past others on a highway who are all going with the flow of traffic, or when you drive too fast for road conditions (icy, snow covered) are examples of bad speeding.
Going over the posted limit to stay with the flow of traffic on a highway is not, IMO. For example, if the posted limit in 60 mph, but everyone in all lanes is going 65, it is not a sin to go 65. IMO.
I feel it is also sinful to travel too slow in some instances. For example, if the limit of 60 mph on a 4 lane highway and someone decides people are going too fast, so they move to the left hand lane and drop their speed to 50 or 55, trying to “force” everyone else to slow down. That is bad. The first snow of the season is also interesting. It is like people forget how to drive in snow in a few months. It’s snow, people!
You drove in it for months. Please do not go 10 mph! It is only a few inches! Also, it irks me to no end when driving on a 2 lane road with limited passing opportunities that there is invariably the driver going about 10 to 15 mph under the limit who is so oblivious to traffic piling up behind him.
This happens almost every time when I go visit my parents. I must drive a 2 lane curvy road for about 10 miles in one stretch to their place. The speed limit is 45 mph. Yet almost EVERY TIME I get stuck behind someone going about 30, just puttering along. Grrrrr.
Traffic backs up, and soon there is a long train of cars, all frustrated at going 30 on a 45 road. Clueless people are the bane of my existence.
Going over the posted limit to stay with the flow of traffic on a highway is not, IMO. For example, if the posted limit in 60 mph, but everyone in all lanes is going 65, it is not a sin to go 65. IMO.
I feel it is also sinful to travel too slow in some instances. For example, if the limit of 60 mph on a 4 lane highway and someone decides people are going too fast, so they move to the left hand lane and drop their speed to 50 or 55, trying to “force” everyone else to slow down. That is bad. The first snow of the season is also interesting. It is like people forget how to drive in snow in a few months. It’s snow, people!
You drove in it for months. Please do not go 10 mph! It is only a few inches! Also, it irks me to no end when driving on a 2 lane road with limited passing opportunities that there is invariably the driver going about 10 to 15 mph under the limit who is so oblivious to traffic piling up behind him.This happens almost every time when I go visit my parents. I must drive a 2 lane curvy road for about 10 miles in one stretch to their place. The speed limit is 45 mph. Yet almost EVERY TIME I get stuck behind someone going about 30, just puttering along. Grrrrr.
Traffic backs up, and soon there is a long train of cars, all frustrated at going 30 on a 45 road. Clueless people are the bane of my existence.
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Bookcat
Guest
Yes it can be a sin.
However I think it is reasonable to judge that in regards to the lawgiver (the lawful authority) that he/she knows that customarily persons go say around 5 or so over the posted limit…so they intentionally post the limit lower than they actually intend people to go…hence the intention of the lawgiver (which is part of the moral aspect of the law) is that one stay around that limit say within a small reasonable amount…say 5 or maybe 10 (?) miles per hour…(depending on various things…such as speed limit or road or weather etc) …and one usually finds that police do not enforce the limit as posted…but give that customary room…
of course one needs to make a good judgment of conscience…and avoid danger etc. But I think that this is some reasonable thoughts on the matter…
This is not to encourage going faster than need be…
(though say school zones and really low speed limits should be that speed or under…think “kids”…that keep strictly!..and more serious fines can mean they are mean it more strictly (and this goes for other speeds…like in at least one state they place notices that fines will double etc…indicating they really really want you to be not really go over much) …and neighborhoods with 25…keep to that…kids play)
But yes it can be a grave matter:
Catechism
2290 - The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.
However I think it is reasonable to judge that in regards to the lawgiver (the lawful authority) that he/she knows that customarily persons go say around 5 or so over the posted limit…so they intentionally post the limit lower than they actually intend people to go…hence the intention of the lawgiver (which is part of the moral aspect of the law) is that one stay around that limit say within a small reasonable amount…say 5 or maybe 10 (?) miles per hour…(depending on various things…such as speed limit or road or weather etc) …and one usually finds that police do not enforce the limit as posted…but give that customary room…
of course one needs to make a good judgment of conscience…and avoid danger etc. But I think that this is some reasonable thoughts on the matter…
This is not to encourage going faster than need be…
(though say school zones and really low speed limits should be that speed or under…think “kids”…that keep strictly!..and more serious fines can mean they are mean it more strictly (and this goes for other speeds…like in at least one state they place notices that fines will double etc…indicating they really really want you to be not really go over much) …and neighborhoods with 25…keep to that…kids play)
But yes it can be a grave matter:
Catechism
2290 - The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.
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Bookcat
Guest
This too came out a few years back:
vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/migrants/pom2007_104-suppl/rc_pc_migrants_pom104-suppl_orientamenti-en.html
I should note too …remember …what Europeans consider a strict observance is not the
same thing as what Americans do…we have different approaches to law…etc
One needs to consider very much the road conditions…weather…etc…
but I think still that the intention of the law giver comes into play as I noted
and Jimmy Akin’s notes here jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/2006/08/poker_legamoron.html regarding “legemoron” where the lawgiver is expecting
variance from the limit…and the limit is there to enforce especially if ones is driving dangerously …too fast etc…and it keeps people hopefully around a safe speed…
We need to take good care…keeping say good distance (thats right…please do not tail gate!..especially me!) etc…
vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/migrants/pom2007_104-suppl/rc_pc_migrants_pom104-suppl_orientamenti-en.html
I should note too …remember …what Europeans consider a strict observance is not the
same thing as what Americans do…we have different approaches to law…etc
One needs to consider very much the road conditions…weather…etc…
but I think still that the intention of the law giver comes into play as I noted
and Jimmy Akin’s notes here jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/2006/08/poker_legamoron.html regarding “legemoron” where the lawgiver is expecting
variance from the limit…and the limit is there to enforce especially if ones is driving dangerously …too fast etc…and it keeps people hopefully around a safe speed…
We need to take good care…keeping say good distance (thats right…please do not tail gate!..especially me!) etc…
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I_Thirst
Guest
If everyone does it, then it’s okay!
Thou shalt not … unless everyone else is doing something a little different. Gotta go with the flow, ya know?
Catholicism just got a lot easier.
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AHapka
Guest
I broached the subject in confession and was told that it is only a sin if it endangers someone.
As a former deputy sheriff, I agree with all of you who said that some deviation from the limit is expected. When I worked I94 in Racine County, WI we allowed up to 79 mph (65 mph limit) and started citing at 80 mph.
Also to mention is that in training we were told not to meander at 65 mph in the middle lane because then no one is going to pass you and you are going to cause a major traffic jam behind you which is in fact MORE dangerous. So if I had to go somewhere where I wasn’t in a rush, I’d do like 55-60 in the far right lane and then people would feel free to pass, which actually (though it seems contradictory) allowed the traffic to flow better. Cause once they got a bit ahead of you, they’d speed up to normal speeds.
As a former deputy sheriff, I agree with all of you who said that some deviation from the limit is expected. When I worked I94 in Racine County, WI we allowed up to 79 mph (65 mph limit) and started citing at 80 mph.
Also to mention is that in training we were told not to meander at 65 mph in the middle lane because then no one is going to pass you and you are going to cause a major traffic jam behind you which is in fact MORE dangerous. So if I had to go somewhere where I wasn’t in a rush, I’d do like 55-60 in the far right lane and then people would feel free to pass, which actually (though it seems contradictory) allowed the traffic to flow better. Cause once they got a bit ahead of you, they’d speed up to normal speeds.
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Catholic90
Guest
See post 12. My BIL is a police officer, and we’ve had many a discussion on driving. He has the same philosophy as the poster in 12. Last I checked, driving safety has nothing to do with “thou shalt not…”; it has to do with civil law.If everyone does it, then it’s okay!
Thou shalt not … unless everyone else is doing something a little different. Gotta go with the flow, ya know?
Catholicism just got a lot easier.
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Catholic90
Guest
I will be driving I94 from Minneapolis to Chicago and back next month…what a tedious drive! I try to keep my cruise control set at about 72, otherwise the monotony causes my foot to either gradually ease up and I find myself going 55, or, my foot gradually eases down and I find myself going 80! Neither is ideal, so the cruise control gets a good use there! Nothing like 16 hours of driving in a 36 hour period…not looking forward to it.
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Bookcat
Guest
It does have to do with the “thou shalt not…” in a couple ways. (and civil laws fall under the 4th commandment…but in various ways)
But more can be said…see #9 and #10
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Catholic90
Guest
Yep. You said
This is what I was referring to. It probably was not very clear, since I am just waking up (only 10 am here!)
My BIL states he will give people a leeway over the posted limit of 5-9 mile per hour, depending on circumstances before he pulls someone over. Legally, of course, he can pull someone over going 1 mph over the limit, but even he says that is a mean move (not quite how he describes it! His words are more colorful!).
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I_Thirst
Guest
I’ll just cite your BIL if I get pulled over.
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Elizabeth502
Guest
Thanks for the clarification, regardless. (And I was just clarifying as well: that violating the law violates the Fourth Commandment; recklessness with a deadly object violates the Fifth Commandment. )
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Catholic90
Guest
Hopefully, IF you get pulled over, you will get pulled over by a nice officer! Just be polite.I’ll just cite your BIL if I get pulled over.
When I drive the freeways and highways, I follow his advice, and I have never gotten pulled over. The only time I have gotten pulled over was driving on a local boulevard where construction was going to be starting. The speed limit was 45, but for construction, they were lowering it to 35. They had changed the signs, but not yet started construction. So there I was driving along at 45 when I got pulled over. He asked if I knew the speed limit, and I said 45. He said it had been, but it was now 35, so please slow down, drive carefully, and have a nice day.
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