Is a lie a mortal or venial sin?

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PatK63 said:
If you have a moral theologian who has a different view I will listen.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church is my “moral theologian” for this. Plainspoken, written in clear, concise language.
 
I disagree. Anything written can be interpreted in many ways. The ccc is a reference book not a theologian!
 
The Catholic Church holds it better for the sun and moon to drop from heaven, for the earth to fail, and for all the many millions on it to die of starvation in extremest agony, as far as temporal affliction goes, than that one soul, I will not say, should be lost, but should commit one single venial sin, should tell one willful untruth, or should steal one poor farthing without excuse.

St John Henry Newman

Certain Difficulties Felt by Anglicans in Catholic Teaching, Volume 1, Lecture 8
 
TK421 said:
Very few. For the most part it is an idea circulated among zealous laity, often from the same groups who have scruples about kids believing in Santa.
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And at least one thoughtful atheist:
https://samharris.org/books/lying/
In Lying , bestselling author and neuroscientist Sam Harris argues that we can radically simplify our lives and improve society by merely telling the truth in situations where others often lie. He focuses on “white” lies—those lies we tell for the purpose of sparing people discomfort—for these are the lies that most often tempt us. And they tend to be the only lies that good people tell while imagining that they are being good in the process.
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The book aligns closely to the CCC, more so than at least half the posts on lying here at CAF!
 
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Sam Harris sounds like my old pastor with his PhD in theology.
Interesting how both of them arrived at the same conclusion regarding white lies.
 
Protecting people from aggressors is not a white lie.
 
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This specific lie was a venial sin. For lying to be a mortal sin, there must be some aggravating circumstance (e.g. perjury, calumny, fraud, sacrilege, etc.).
 
You could, for example, act offended that you were asked such a question. After all, they are accusing you of treason or a similar crime without just cause.
 
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