Levels of Sin

[khmsct99]

It has been awhile since I have posted. I guess I have not had any recent questions to ask. I have one now. I was reading something online and it mentioned that Catholics believe in different levels of sin.

In my church, and even people I talk to in a regular basis, say that all sins are equal. There is no sin worse than another. That has always confused me because it would seem like someone murdering someone else, is way worse than someone lying.

Now, I am not saying lying is good, because it is not, but I am saying that both are bad, but murdering someone for no reason seems worse than a small lie.

My question is, how does this work? I hope I did not seem confusing.

Thanks.
God Bless You.

 

[Alindawyl]

In 1 John 5:17, the evangelist writes that all wrongdoing is sin but that there is sin that is not deadly. The Catholic Church uses the term venial for sin that is not deadly, and mortal for sin that is deadly.

There are three criteria used to determine if a sin is mortal. First, it must be of grave matter. That means it must be serious enough to separate the sinner from God’s grace. But just because it’s a sin of grave matter doesn’t mean that the sinner is actually separated from God’s grace. Two additional criteria qualify the conditions under which that separation actually takes place. The sinner must know that what they are doing is sinful, and the sinner must also do it freely in light of that knowledge. If all three criteria are met, then a mortal sin has been committed and the sinner has just extinguished the life of God within them. But if even one of those three criteria is not met, then the sin is venial. It is still wrong, but it does not separate the sinner from God’s grace.

And that separation is not permanent if the sinner will repent and turn back to God at a later date.

God is both just and merciful.

What you say here about murder seeming to be worse than lying is echoed by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (using theft instead of lying), in paragraph 1858:

Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: “Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother.” The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger.

 

[Tom_Baum]

It has been awhile since I have posted. I guess I have not had any recent questions to ask. I have one now. I was reading something online and it mentioned that Catholics believe in different levels of sin.

In my church, and even people I talk to in a regular basis, say that all sins are equal. There is no sin worse than another. That has always confused me because it would seem like someone murdering someone else, is way worse than someone lying.

Now, I am not saying lying is good, because it is not, but I am saying that both are bad, but murdering someone for no reason seems worse than a small lie.

My question is, how does this work? I hope I did not seem confusing.

Thanks.
God Bless You.

As far as, “Now, I am not saying lying is good, because it is not, but I am saying that both are bad, but murdering someone for no reason seems worse than a small lie.”, a lie can be like a snow ball rolling down a hill, something to think about: how many “small lies” do you think have snowballed into something completely out of control since the dawn of humanity?

Lies have started wars, have put innocent people in jail, drove depressed people to suicide, among other things and have done untold damage thru the ages, it is interesting tho that some seem to think that a “little white lie” is so innocuous.

Wrong is wrong, sometimes it seems as if we attempt to put a hierarchy on sins so that we can look at ourself as not as bad of a sinner as some others.

 

[clem456]

It has been awhile since I have posted. I guess I have not had any recent questions to ask. I have one now. I was reading something online and it mentioned that Catholics believe in different levels of sin.

In my church, and even people I talk to in a regular basis, say that all sins are equal. There is no sin worse than another. That has always confused me because it would seem like someone murdering someone else, is way worse than someone lying.

Now, I am not saying lying is good, because it is not, but I am saying that both are bad, but murdering someone for no reason seems worse than a small lie.

My question is, how does this work? I hope I did not seem confusing.

Thanks.
God Bless You.

vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a8.htm

IV. THE GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN

1854 **Sins are rightly evaluated according to their gravity. **The distinction between mortal and venial sin, already evident in Scripture,129 became part of the tradition of the Church. It is corroborated by human experience.

 

[glendab]

There are mortal sin, venial sins and sins that are reserved. Reserved sin cannot be relieved in the ordinary fashion and carriers with it other things that must be done in order to receive Absolution. There are also excommunications. You’ve got a lot to learn, but in time you’ll understand. A good place to start is the Catholicism for Dummies book by Father Tragelio. Then there is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, also indispensable for beginners.

Welcome and love it you’re here. I’m a convert too and I love being Catholic.

Glenda

 

[TimothyH]

Jesus himself taught about levels of sin.

But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, `You fool!’ shall be liable to the hell of fire. (Matthew 5:22)

Judgment refers to the judges at the gate of the city who heard small claims, civil and minor criminal cases - these could put you in prison. The “council” was the Jewish Sanhedrin which had the authority to sentence one to death. “Hell of fire” is pretty clear - mortal sin, straight to hell.

-Tim-

 

[nrjude]

Jesus answered [him], “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” JN 19:11 “him” being Pilate.The one with greater sin being the high priest.