This sort of disagreement is precisely why laundry lists of mortal sins is not very practical or even good moral theology. The wrong circumstances can make any act a serious sin (even prayer/Mass attendance, if you should be doing something else, like care for the sick). If the list is supposed to just list grave matter (apart from circumstances or the condition of the agent) it is still woefully incomplete and shows a bias toward sexual sins. Lists of sins do not replace a well-formed conscience. This list, IMO, doesn’t really help in creating a well-formed conscience.
We have a dogmatic faith, most sin is objectively wrong though subjectively people may be less culpable. Knowing what may or may not be a sin helps one to avoid sin and its occasions. A well formed conscience surely is improved by having such a list for reference and also foe giving guidance to others. Being Catholic means we do not have the same pick and mix options as other man-made belief systems.
If all Christians were to live their lives in a “Franciscan” form of poverty the world would become even more corrupted by pornography and unethical business practices. The power of the almighty dollar shouldn’t be underestimated. We’re all called to live simply though not in absolute poverty. I’m not saying living life according to the piety of St.Francis of Assisi is wrong. I’m saying it’s not required.
We do not disagree. My point is though, with such lists for guidance, we are more likely to be obedient servants to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Also, this list is not for members of forums like this, who know better. It is for the non-members and Catholics in general who are clueless about Sin in genreral and more importantly about Mortal sin.
I must say this is some kind of site. I read it as a “fundamentalist Catholic” site that was not open to other views. I found the list pretty amazing. I don’t think many (according to this list) would ever enter heaven if this list were certainly true. As a protestant, I was disappointed.
Exactly! There’s no source for the list. This reminds me of JACK CHICK!!! I didn’t think this stuff existed in the Catholic realm. I thought it was only in fundamentalism
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It is the current generations lack of sense at sin that is causing the problems. This is not fundamentalism, simply Truth.Exactly! There’s no source for the list. This reminds me of JACK CHICK!!! I didn’t think this stuff existed in the Catholic realm. I thought it was only in fundamentalism
Peace anyway!!
Then I committed a mortal sin reading the list, because that was the biggest waste of time I’ve had in a long time.
Most of what is in this particular list cannot be disputed. For example, the Church definitely teaches that apostasy, abortion, artificial contraception, and divorce are all mortal sins that can lead to eternal damnation if one does not repent of these sins.
Ever hear the old saying “Idle hands and active tounges are tools of the devil”…its talking about laziness and gossip…and yes they are sins against your fellow man, which is ultimately a sin against God.
It is careless, self-serving attitudes like these that created protestantism. This list is only “demoralizing”, as you put it, if you live for your own heart’s desire, instead of living out of love for Jesus, and His will. By that way, living according to your own desires is a pretty heavy sin itself.
TheGarg said:
Our Lord has told us that the door to Heaven is narrow and few take it. We should worry about our own salvation only and leave the rest to the mercy of God. This list helps us to focus on what we should be doing and not doing. It can also help us explain more clearly to others the consequences of sin and common examples. If we develop a true Love of Jesus, this list is not onerous but emancipating.
Now, I didn’t read the specific list, but I guess my question is
Gunner with all due respect this is impossible (to only worry about my salvation). For people with loved ones who are either atheist, agnostic or even (esspecially so) simply not very devout how can one not live a life of great worry for thier salvation? Whenever this issue is brought up people automatically assume it is the salvation of the one bringing it up that is of concern. Ths is more often not the case at all. It is the salvation of a loved one or of many loved ones.
I think we are singing off the same hymn sheet. I mean by worrying only about our own salvation is doing ones best to save others etc by word, prayer, example, sacrifice and deeds. If we have done ALL this then we hand it over to God’s mercy. There is no point worrying about it, we need to have Hope.
I often fear that it is exactly this hope which is leading many down the path to hell.