Ignorance or sin

[Ncors]

There have been many more instances of times I have learned that certain things are sins, and grave ones at that, that I wish I hadn’t. I see so many boys my age, talking about engaging in things that God says would damn a person to hell in one instance. I try and say something like, “Oh you know that’s a mortal sin.” And most of the time they are understanding and not at all mean. But this has bothered me. Being a teen certain things are labeled “just a part of your body changing and growing up” Is it better to let people live in ignorance of their sins or tell them what they are doing is wrong? I go to a public school so the latter option isn’t always looked upon kindly. I want to have a “normal upbringing” by society’s standards, but I also want to please God. My parents say that all that matters is what’s in your heart, and that you don’t necessarily have to follow every rule. I don’t know if I believe that… I’ve been getting off topic. What’s better, damning a man to hell by his knowledge, or letting him continue to venially sin?

 

[PaladinSword]

I am older but I am still learning it is better to lead by example than proselytism. If they are not of faith it probably won’t seem relevant to them. Being young and concerned about this already shows you are in the minority these days. You will suffer but God will bless you.

Your parents are kind of right too but don’t use it as a license to go crazy.

 

[Arkansan]

Confessors are taught a principle called “good faith”, which may help your conundrum.

As a general rule, if a person is committing a material sin while in invincible ignorance of its malice, it is better to correct them, since sin is still bad for a person even if they are not culpable.

However, if there is serious doubt regarding whether or not the person would heed the correction, then it should be omitted, since it would be better to leave the person in material sin than to cause them to sin formally.

So if the person is also a devout Catholic (or even of another religion that shares our position on the moral issue in question), and they would very likely stop what they’re doing if they knew that it was a sin, then you should inform them. However, if they’re unlikely to heed you, then you shouldn’t.