Levels of sins?

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Aequitas

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Pardon my ignorance, but having grown up Baptist my entire life, I’m not aware of levels of sins. What’s the difference between mortal, and veinal sins? I’m aware that mortal is worse due to the name, but I’m not sure what a veinal sin is, and I’m not sure what a mortal sin is.
 
A Mortal (or Grave) sin is a sin that breaks off your relationship with God. If you were to die in this state, you would go to Hell. For a sin to be mortal it must meet 3 conditions:
  1. be of grave matter (like murder or apostacy)
  2. done with full knowledge that it is a sin
  3. and done with deliberate consent of the will
    A Catholic in a state of mortal sin may not receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion unless and until he goes to Confession. For the Confession to be valid though, one must have true contrition.
Venial sins merely weaken our relationship with God, and also weaken us to combat tempations to mortal sin. A lot of venial sins cannot “add” up to mortal, and Catholic are not required to Confess venial sins, but it is a good idea to do so.

Hope this helped…
 
Mortal sin is more serious than venial, and involves more of a negative mindset than venial. For example, I think it has to be intentionally sinful or something. Soon someone will jump in here with the actual classification symptoms for mortal sin.

The distinction is important because mortal sin is considered a separation from God to the degree that we require a valed act of Reconciliation before we can go to Communion again. There are those Catholics who do not follow this teaching, but they are not in line with Church rules.

For example, missing Mass for no good reason is a mortal sin. By committing mortal sin you separated yourself from the Church and from God. Therefore before you can come to receive the Eucharist you must undergo a valid confession. You may still go to Mass, but may not receive the Eucharist.

Also if you die with an unforgiven mortal sin, you are in danger of hell. That gets very complicated, though, and I’m not an expert. I just threw that out so you have some idea about why it’s important for us to know the difference.

Alan
 
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Spooky7272:
A Mortal (or Grave) sin is a sin that breaks off your relationship with God. If you were to die in this state, you would go to Hell. For a sin to be mortal it must meet 3 conditions:
  1. be of grave matter (like murder or apostacy)
  2. done with full knowledge that it is a sin
  3. and done with deliberate consent of the will
    A Catholic in a state of mortal sin may not receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion unless and until he goes to Confession. For the Confession to be valid though, one must have true contrition.
Venial sins merely weaken our relationship with God, and also weaken us to combat tempations to mortal sin. A lot of venial sins cannot “add” up to mortal, and Catholic are not required to Confess venial sins, but it is a good idea to do so.

Hope this helped…
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A little bit. But are there set mortal sins? Like I know murder is probably always a mortal sin, but what exactly is “apostacy?” Sorry for my ignorance, but the environment I’ve grown up in has been un-friendly to Catholicism to say the least, so I’ve never really learned much about it. 😦 But I’ve decided Catholicism is for me, and I get excited at the prospect of becoming Catholic. 😃
 
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AlanFromWichita:
Mortal sin is more serious than venial, and involves more of a negative mindset than venial. For example, I think it has to be intentionally sinful or something. Soon someone will jump in here with the actual classification symptoms for mortal sin.

The distinction is important because mortal sin is considered a separation from God to the degree that we require a valed act of Reconciliation before we can go to Communion again. There are those Catholics who do not follow this teaching, but they are not in line with Church rules.

For example, missing Mass for no good reason is a mortal sin. By committing mortal sin you separated yourself from the Church and from God. Therefore before you can come to receive the Eucharist you must undergo a valid confession. You may still go to Mass, but may not receive the Eucharist.

Also if you die with an unforgiven mortal sin, you are in danger of hell. That gets very complicated, though, and I’m not an expert. I just threw that out so you have some idea about why it’s important for us to know the difference.

Alan
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Would I be commiting mortal sin by missing Mass? Or what about any non-Catholic? Are they commiting mortal sin?
 
There are certain sins that are mortal sins, but somehow you can have reduced “culpability” for them under certain conditions. Others know this better than I so I might just defer to them to answer from there.

Alan
 
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Aequitas:
A little bit. But are there set mortal sins? Like I know murder is probably always a mortal sin, but what exactly is “apostacy?” Sorry for my ignorance, but the environment I’ve grown up in has been un-friendly to Catholicism to say the least, so I’ve never really learned much about it. 😦 But I’ve decided Catholicism is for me, and I get excited at the prospect of becoming Catholic. 😃
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Apostocy, I spelled it wrong. Sorry, lol It’s spelled Apostasy and it’s a willful rejection of the Christian religion… There’s no real set rules on which particular sins are mortal sins (because what may be a mortal sin for one may only be a venial for another). But these are usually considered mortal sins: sex before marriage, cheating the poor, adultery, abortion or euthanasia, occult practices, blasphemy. Here’s a link that may help:

catholic.org/frz/examen/examen_mortal.htm
Aquitas:
Would I be commiting mortal sin by missing Mass? Or what about any non-Catholic? Are they commiting mortal sin?
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A non-Catholic doesn’t have an obligation to attend Mass, so he is not committing a sin by not going.

I’m glad you decided on the Church! :dancing: If you have any questions you can always PM me too.
 
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AlanFromWichita:
Therefore before you can come to receive the Eucharist you must undergo a valid confession. You may still go to Mass, but may not receive the Eucharist.

Alan
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Is it a sin to receive the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin?
 
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faithfulSteward:
Is it a sin to receive the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin?
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What do you think, Steward? (Pause: think, think.) Yes. It is sacrilege.

Aequitas, as a Baptist, you may be comforted to know that the distinction between mortal and venial sin is in the Bible: I Jn 5:16-17

“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” (KJV)

The words “unto death” are translated from the Greek, pros thanaton.
 
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mercygate:
What do you think, Steward? (Pause: think, think.) Yes. It is sacrilege.
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Dear faithfulSteward,

Please don’t be alarmed. We are kind of close family here and we tend to talk to each other like this all the time – at least on a good day! 😛

Welcome to the forums, and I hope you find them as incredibly fascinating and edifying as I do. :tiphat:

Alan
 
I just came from the boonies science camp and missed Mass a few times - because the nearest Catholic church was 15 miles away, I couldn’t get rides, and the Grand Poo-Bah needed me to work Sundays. I still went to Confession over those, but I think it’s a case of reduced culpability.

Non-reduced culpability would be me waking up with a church 3 blocks down the road and thinking “aahh… what the heck. The theater has a 9 am showing of this new movie I want to see.” In that case I would be very much to blame and would be in a state of mortal sin.

So even for the same sin, there are different levels. You can miss mass because you’re flat on your back with pneumonia, and it’s not as much of a sin as missing mass because you’re in a movie theater stuffing your face on overpriced popcorn.
 
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mercygate:
What do you think, Steward? (Pause: think, think.) Yes. [Receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin] is sacrilege.
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AlanFromWichita:
Dear faithfulSteward,

Please don’t be alarmed. We are kind of close family here and we tend to talk to each other like this all the time – at least on a good day! 😛

Welcome to the forums, and I hope you find them as incredibly fascinating and edifying as I do. :tiphat:

Alan
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Oh, dear. I did not mean to offend! I really meant that faithfulSteward actually already would know the answer if he/she gave it just a little thought – certainly, if Steward were Catholic (and his profile says he/she is), then the answer would come bubbling up to the surface with a few minutes’ thought.

Sorry, Steward, if I sounded testy. I wasn’t being the least bit cranky – just doing the Socratic thing of asking you to explore the question for yourself . . . My apologies.
 
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mercygate:
What do you think, Steward? (Pause: think, think.) Yes. It is sacrilege.
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I have to disagree with that! Sort of.

Isnt a sacrilege a gross irreverence? Even though I go up to receive Jesus with the stain of sin on my soul, I do go up there reverently, heartly sorry for my sins. I receive Jesus with the hope that he gives me the grace to overcome my temptations, the hope that he will give me the grace to get over my embaressment and confess my sins (which is a whole nother weakness I am trying to overcome). So how can going up there as a sinner, with the hope that through communion Jesus will help me, be a sin? It might not be the optimal way to recieve Jesus’ full grace, but not a sin.
 
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faithfulSteward:
I have to disagree with that! Sort of.

Isnt a sacrilege a gross irreverence? Even though I go up to receive Jesus with the stain of sin on my soul, I do go up there reverently, heartly sorry for my sins. I receive Jesus with the hope that he gives me the grace to overcome my temptations, the hope that he will give me the grace to get over my embaressment and confess my sins (which is a whole nother weakness I am trying to overcome). So how can going up there as a sinner, with the hope that through communion Jesus will help me, be a sin? It might not be the optimal way to recieve Jesus’ full grace, but not a sin.
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From *The Catechism of the Catholic Church, *#1457:

“According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” **Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. **Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.”

The Sacrament a person in mortal sin must approach is the Sacrament of Confession. More graces will come through abstaining from Communion than receiving it – particularly if you have a deep desire to receive Communion. It is an old axiom that longing to receive the Eucharist is very powerful penance.

Your rationale for receiving is poignant but, according to the faith and discipline of the Church, the matter is not one of personal discretion. I would advise anyone who has been receiving Communion in a state of mortal sin to confess it forthwith, be done with it, and not do it again.
 
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faithfulSteward:
I have to disagree with that! Sort of.

Isnt a sacrilege a gross irreverence? Even though I go up to receive Jesus with the stain of sin on my soul, I do go up there reverently, heartly sorry for my sins. I receive Jesus with the hope that he gives me the grace to overcome my temptations, the hope that he will give me the grace to get over my embaressment and confess my sins (which is a whole nother weakness I am trying to overcome). So how can going up there as a sinner, with the hope that through communion Jesus will help me, be a sin? It might not be the optimal way to recieve Jesus’ full grace, but not a sin.
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faithful: part of the “fun” of confession is getting past your own embarrassment. Just DO it! Whatever it is, submit it to the mercy of God. That’s what Calvary was for! That’s what confession is for! Be a man (or woman). Don’t let yourself be “embarrassed” to spiritual death. Be free of yourself in the perfect freedom of God.

There are some sins that a priest will expect to hear in confession, and if he doesn’t, he knows the penitent is either unbelievely unaware of his own sins (common), or worse, concealing them (particularly common with sins of the flesh and more common than we wish it were).
 
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mercygate:
From *The Catechism of the Catholic Church, *#1457:

“According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” **Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. **Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.”

The Sacrament a person in mortal sin must approach is the Sacrament of Confession. More graces will come through abstaining from Communion than receiving it – particularly if you have a deep desire to receive Communion. It is an old axiom that longing to receive the Eucharist is very powerful penance.

Your rationale for receiving is poignant but, according to the faith and discipline of the Church, the matter is not one of personal discretion. I would advise anyone who has been receiving Communion in a state of mortal sin to confess it forthwith, be done with it, and not do it again.
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You have just learned another of my many weaknesses, I am not as learned in the teachings of the faith as I should be. If it is in The Catechism we must uphold the teachings. Thank you for enlightening me, I will go to confession(as soon as I can).

But here is a stupid question though, I can honestly say that I did not know that teaching. I had heard it from people, but I never thought it was a sin, with that beign said, and knowing that one condition of sin is knowing that the act is sinful, have I commited a sin? I will confess it when I go, and try to resist the temptation in the future, but hypothetically, if I die today will that count against me? Just a question.
 
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faithfulSteward:
You have just learned another of my many weaknesses, I am not as learned in the teachings of the faith as I should be. If it is in The Catechism we must uphold the teachings. Thank you for enlightening me, I will go to confession(as soon as I can).

But here is a stupid question though, I can honestly say that I did not know that teaching. I had heard it from people, but I never thought it was a sin, with that beign said, and knowing that one condition of sin is knowing that the act is sinful, have I commited a sin? I will confess it when I go, and try to resist the temptation in the future, but hypothetically, if I die today will that count against me? Just a question.
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Beloved, you are in much company if you are unaware of the basic teachings of the Church. God has graced you that you even ASK the question.

Now, once again, I ask you to think this through for yourself: you did not know it was a sin, so, for you, it is not mortal. Now that you know, that loophole is forever plugged. Do go to confession ASAP. If you have trouble with your own embarrassment, just SAY that to the priest: “It’s really hard for me to confess this first item; I am SOOOO embarrassed.” He’ll help you.

Note: put the hard things first. You have NO idea what a relief this will be and what a great step forward in maturity it is. Think about it: Catholics are called to be spiritual MARINES! Doing the hard thing for righteousness sake. Honoring the truth at any cost. Semper fi!

The Lord has put this in your heart. Respond to this grace with generosity, for it was generosity that put him on the cross. Meet him at your own little Calvary.
 
I always go to confession at two of our local entities that “specialize” in this area,. One is a shrine that has daily confession, and another is a Franciscan Chapel run by friars of Atonement. You might want to check in your area if there are any places like this, where they are experienced in making people comfortable in talking about their sins and usually spend more time with them than parish priests. Nothing wrong with them, but I like the spiritual counsel I get at from those who dedicate themselves more fully to this sacrament.
 
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Aequitas:
I’m not aware of levels of sins. What’s the difference between mortal, and veinal sins?
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Here is the scripture quote supporting the different levels of sin.

1John.5
16] If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that.
17] All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.
 
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faithfulSteward:
Is it a sin to receive the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin?
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1Cor.11
27] Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.
28] Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29] For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
30] That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
 
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