If I have a pet in a Condo that has a no pet rule is that mortal or venial sin?

[Elijah_Baley]

There is a voice in the back of your head that tells you what you want to hear. It never quite drowns out a meeker voice that tells you what you don’t want to hear; the meeker voice tells you what you should do.

Which voice is speaking right now? Is it the voice of self-righteousness and indignation and special exceptions for yourself, or is it the voice of honesty and charity?

You can question authority, but keeping the cat in your apartment stealthily is not questioning authority. You are neither questioning nor doing anything to an authority. You are rationalizing away your sin, letting the louder voice drown out the meeker.

 

[graceandglory]

Yes, Christ taught about meekness and service. None of us are perfect, though, and unreasonable demands can be placed upon people by others. We also let emotions get it in our way; we are only human. Really, it all depends upon the situation.

I appreciate your sincerity, but your thoughts aren’t in line with Catholic thought.
Jesus said to us, “Be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect.” If that doesn’t sound “unreasonable,” I don’t know what is.

Yes, we are only human, but you forgot something major. We are made in the image and likeness of God. Being made in the image of God, we have FREE WILL and can choose to NOT let our emotions get in the way. We have freedom of choice to obey or disobey God.

Your comment “it all depends upon the situation” is the backbone of situationalism, which is a totally non-Christian philosophy.

 

[LilyM]

Out of curiosity, what reasons would a believer have to not honor the contract they signed based on the teachings of Jesus in this case?

Very few. Jesus said ‘let your yes be yes and your no be no’, and this applies as much to the agreements and contracts you sign as anything else.

There may be cases where, for example, it would actually be immoral to keep the terms of the contract, in which case one wouldn’t be bound to keep it. But in such a case certianly one should make clear as soon as possible that one cannot keep it and bow out instead of deceiving others, pretending one is adhering to it, when one isn’t and has no intention of doing so.

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

Very few. Jesus said ‘let your yes be yes and your no be no’, and this applies as much to the agreements and contracts you sign as anything else.

There may be cases where, for example, it would actually be immoral to keep the terms of the contract, in which case one wouldn’t be bound to keep it. But in such a case certianly one should make clear as soon as possible that one cannot keep it and bow out instead of deceiving others, pretending one is adhering to it, when one isn’t and has no intention of doing so.

Exactly.

Basically, there are a million reasons why what is going on here is wrong.

I mean, it’s not even like she lived here and they changed the pet rule. She is choosing to move THERE. She AGREED to not having a pet, and she basically lied on that agreement. If having this pet who is a “member of the family” as young thinker put it, then more care should have gone into finding pet-friendly apartments.

 

[Young_Thinker]

I’m not confused…

"(1Cr 13:11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. "

YOUNG Thinker

I’m just saying… you put it out there… I couldn’t help but notice. Do you disagree?

Oh, I see what you are saying.

 

[Young_Thinker]

I appreciate your sincerity, but your thoughts aren’t in line with Catholic thought.
Jesus said to us, “Be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect.” If that doesn’t sound “unreasonable,” I don’t know what is.

Yes, we are only human, but you forgot something major. We are made in the image and likeness of God. Being made in the image of God, we have FREE WILL and can choose to NOT let our emotions get in the way. We have freedom of choice to obey or disobey God.

Your comment “it all depends upon the situation” is the backbone of situationalism, which is a totally non-Christian philosophy.

All right. However, I do not see what is wrong with having a pet in your home even if it displeases your landlord or neighbors. At the same time, there are some people do not want you to be able in your own house or automobile. The trivial laws of nanny-states are just waiting to be defied.

 

[slywakka250]

I think you have the cat there are your own risk. You may get into some sort of trouble with your contract, or they may ask you to remove the cat.

That said, how serious are they about the no pet rule?? maybe ask some other people living around there if they have any pets, and how they think the owner will react to finding out about your cat.

If most of the people you meet around there are pet-friendly, and wont’ go reporting you and your cat, I think it may be worth it, and just see what happens. You can plead your case later and win if you are responsible for caring for your cat.

You are no doubt breaking a rule and will have to accept the consequences, but it may not be as serious an issue as some people here on this forum are suggesting

This is a case I think where it is easier to ask for forgiveness, than to get permission.

 

[graceandglory]

All right. However, I do not see what is wrong with having a pet in your home even if it displeases your landlord or neighbors. At the same time, there are some people do not want you to be able in your own house or automobile. The trivial laws of nanny-states are just waiting to be defied.

Renting someone else’s property, is not a nanny state. It’s their personal property that they are letting you live in. If it was YOUR property, you would have rules. How about a rule that you can’t fix your greasy motor on the carpet in the living room, because it will damage the carpet?

MOST pets make messes. MOST pets damage carpets. Protecting your own property from damage is not indicative of a nanny state.

Now if they told me I couldn’t pray before I ate dinner, or couldn’t have a Christmas tree in my unit, THAT would be indicative of a nanny state, and you better believe I would fight that!

 

[Tighty_Whitey]

Hmmm… I’m new here and why am I surprised that people are ready to heap on the guilt!! LOL!! The sin is venial. Best of luck and may God continue to bless you! Peace, g.

 

[graceandglory]

Hmmm… I’m new here and why am I surprised that people are ready to heap on the guilt!! LOL!! The sin is venial. Best of luck and may God continue to bless you! Peace, g.

Not really, we actually like disussing moral theology.

 

[purplesunshine]

Now if they told me I couldn’t pray before I ate dinner, or couldn’t have a Christmas tree in my unit, THAT would be indicative of a nanny state, and you better believe I would fight that!

Actually, in some older buildings “real” christmas trees are banned…they’re a fire hazard. You can have a “fake” one though.

My last residence I purposly rented from a pet-friendly owner. With the advent of craig’s list there is NO excuse to not find a pet friendly building.

My landlord didn’t mind my fiesty dog and my neighbors had cats. I’m allergic to Maine Coons…and so she made sure that my neighbor didn’t have those types of cats. They had other cats, though. Since I moved out, I’m sure it’s ok. Still, you never know WHY a landlord sets a rule.

I would contact the condo board. Sometimes you can pay an extra fee. Honestly, though, I can’t immagine being so foolish as to break a rule. There are tons of places to live without breaking the rule. If you have to live in a crappier neighborhood then decide if the cat is worth it.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Renting someone else’s property, is not a nanny state. It’s their personal property that they are letting you live in. If it was YOUR property, you would have rules. How about a rule that you can’t fix your greasy motor on the carpet in the living room, because it will damage the carpet?

MOST pets make messes. MOST pets damage carpets. Protecting your own property from damage is not indicative of a nanny state.

Now if they told me I couldn’t pray before I ate dinner, or couldn’t have a Christmas tree in my unit, THAT would be indicative of a nanny state, and you better believe I would fight that!

If you say so. I am glad to see that you have principles regarding practice of your faith.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

Thanks for all your answers so far, but I wasnt asking if you thought I should do it or not, I was asking if the violation in itself warrants me the need to go to confession. BTW-we live in a resort town so there are not many residents, mostly vacationers that all come and go

Heres the thing you can not go to confession and confess a sin that you are still committing and recieve absolution. so unless you get rid of the cat or get premission to have the cat confession of the sin for brecking the rule is of no aveil as you are continuing to breck the rule.

 

[PatriceA]

All right. However, I do not see what is wrong with having a pet in your home even if it displeases your landlord or neighbors. At the same time, there are some people do not want you to be able in your own house or automobile. The trivial laws of nanny-states are just waiting to be defied.

Please explain what you mean by “some people do no want you to be able in your own house or automobile”. I didn’t see anyone refer to any situation about laws concerning pets in your own home, the one that you actually own. Everyone is referring to when you rent or lease a space, and the contract states that you can not own a pet in that apartment/condo.

The situation still boils down to, you know there is a clause in a renter’s contract, and you still violate the terms of the contract, doesn’t matter if you think the term is arbitrary or not. The terms are still legally binding and you signed your name on the contract in all the right places saying you agreed to ALL the terms of the contract but then with full intention, disregard some of the rules for your convenience. How would you feel if someone else violated the terms of the contract by stealing some of your utility hookups so they didn’t have to pay for their own, and they justified it by saying they found that particular rule arbitrary as you are arguing about the pet rule? What if it was an adults only type community and someone had recently been granted custody of their grandchild? There have been cases such as that and they were found in violation of their contracts and had to move.

Most landlords are willing to work with their renters when an isolated situation comes up that puts them in violation of their contract. But landlords do expect their renters to be forthcoming and work with them in reaching some kind of compromise. BUT, its not that landlords just think of ways to make their renter’s lives more difficult than they need to be. Somewhere someone wasn’t concerned about the property they were renting and caused excess damage to the landlord’s property, hence why rules protecting the property are put into the contract.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Please explain what you mean by “some people do no want you to be able in your own house or automobile”.

I apologize; I meant, “Some people do not want you to be able to smoke in your own house or automobile.” I realize that my position may sound a little unreasonable, but I often take an existentialistic view upon various matters. Some situations are beyond your control, and you have to do whatever is necessary. But yes, there are consequences for one’s actions. For instance, if one damages someone else’s property, one should have to pay for its repair.

 

[PatriceA]

I apologize; I meant, “Some people do not want you to be able to smoke in your own house or automobile.” I realize that my position may sound a little unreasonable, but I often take an existentialistic view upon various matters. Some situations are beyond your control, and you have to do whatever is necessary. But yes, there are consequences for one’s actions. For instance, if one damages someone else’s property, one should have to pay for its repair.

Some people skip out on those repair bills. As a landlord, if you constantly have to keep repairing the damage to an apartment due to somebody’s pet, eventually you get a clue and do not allow any pets in your units. And guess who eventually has to pay for those repair bills to the damage done by a pet? The other renters or future renters. Most landlords have to up their fees in some way or manner to cover the costs of people that are irresponsible renters.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Some people skip out on those repair bills. As a landlord, if you constantly have to keep repairing the damage to an apartment due to somebody’s pet, eventually you get a clue and do not allow any pets in your units. And guess who eventually has to pay for those repair bills to the damage done by a pet? The other renters or future renters. Most landlords have to up their fees in some way or manner to cover the costs of people that are irresponsible renters.

All right; I understand what you are saying. But I do not see why the responsible should be punished because of other people. Obviously, it is best to own your own house if it is at all possible. Then, you normally do not have to answer to other people.

 

[PatriceA]

All right; I understand what you are saying. But I do not see why the responsible should be punished because of other people. Obviously, it is best to own your own house if it is at all possible. Then, you normally do not have to answer to other people.

Be warned, just because you own your own house there still may be borough laws and townships laws that you have to abide by. Its part of being part of the community, for the greater good of all that live around you. Its very much a part of being responsible and a mature adult. There are many communities that have a housing authority that have codes that dictate what you can and can not display on your house, such as the size of a flag or wreath on your door. But you agreed to those codes when you agreed to buy the property in those developments/communities.

 

[ElizabethPH]

Be warned, just because you own your own house there still may be borough laws and townships laws that you have to abide by. Its part of being part of the community, for the greater good of all that live around you. Its very much a part of being responsible and a mature adult. There are many communities that have a housing authority that have codes that dictate what you can and can not display on your house, such as the size of a flag or wreath on your door. But you agreed to those codes when you agreed to buy the property in those developments/communities.

If the OP owned the condo she lives in and you have a pet, you still have to abide by lots of rules and regs in condo living. Like not being able to hang clothes out on your terrace, or plant flowers in what green space you may have, some places do not allow BBQ grills, or even towels drying over balcony rails.

 

[PatriceA]

If the OP owned the condo she lives in and you have a pet, you still have to abide by lots of rules and regs in condo living. Like not being able to hang clothes out on your terrace, or plant flowers in what green space you may have, some places do not allow BBQ grills, or even towels drying over balcony rails.

Exactly. It still comes down to someone doesn’t want to follow the rules in a rental agreement or contract because they feel the rules don’t apply to them. Its deception, its lying and lying is a sin.