Mortal Sin

[Rightlydivide]

I found this passage in the catechism

. If it is not redeemed by repentance and God’s forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the eternal death of hell, for our freedom has the power to make choices for ever, with no turning back

If a couple is using contraception, do they have to confess every time they use it? If not, assuming they know it is wrong, that means hell? I assume the same applies to self gratification issues as well.
Why are the confessional hours so limited then? One hour a week seems insufficient. That is the amount of time I usually see posted. I would imagine the place should be packed. Do priest speak about the seriousness of this during their homilies often? It seems they should.

 

[JL2011]

If a couple is using contraception, do they have to confess every time they use it?

Confession is where we go after we repented committing a sin. It’s not just a place to throw our trash. If a couple keeps using contraception constantly, even after Confession, that means they didn’t repent, and that’s NECESSARY for a good Confession. You can’t go and confess something you may want to do again, since that’s lying to God.

If not, assuming they know it is wrong, that means hell? I assume the same applies to self gratification issues as well.

Yes. If they deliberately do it knowing the Church teaches it to be wrong, yes, it’s hell.

Why are the confessional hours so limited then? One hour a week seems insufficient. That is the amount of time I usually see posted. I would imagine the place should be packed. Do priest speak about the seriousness of this during their homilies often? It seems they should.

You could ask your priest to hear confessions more hours a week. And yes, for a better education of us Catholics, they should talk about it more often.

 

[regression]

Do priest speak about the seriousness of this during their homilies often? It seems they should.

Quite a few times the priest at my parish will how he is humbled and it is a privilege for him to hear someone’s confession. And, someone can always call to make an appointment for confession if they can’t make the posted time. I have asked for him to hear my confession right after a daily mass, for example.

 

[Rightlydivide]

Okay so I read 40% of Catholics answered a poll saying they “never” go to confession. I have seen all kinds of stats today. I mean the stats are alarming. I have seen where 60 percent don’t go very often. So if Catholics are right, the majority of them are in bad shape. This is very disorienting. Why do Catholics even care about the vast majority of things on this forum when it appears this issue should take precedence over everything like canon debates, etc etc.
Thanks for not being defensive so far.

 

[regression]

Okay so I read 40% of Catholics answered a poll saying they “never” go to confession. I have seen all kinds of stats today. I mean the stats are alarming. I have seen where 60 percent don’t go very often. So if Catholics are right, the majority of them are in bad shape. This is very disorienting. Why do Catholics even care about the vast majority of things on this forum when it appears this issue should take precedence over everything like canon debates, etc etc.
Thanks for not being defensive so far.

It is alarming, whatever the stats are. Unfortunately if someone says they are Catholic, that doesn’t mean they follow what the Church teaches. That could be because they willing reject it or they were not properly taught the faith. It is sad, but I think I have learned more in the last 3 years when I have really began to read / study what the Church teaches than all my years in Catholic school. Well, maybe that isn’t sad, but it certainly seems like I had lots of wasted opportunity growing up to learn more about and deepen my faith.

Like a lot of things, I don’t think there is a simple black and white answer to “fix” this problem. You never know how our individual actions can influence people. I credit a former coworker of mine in reinvigorating my faith. He was always willing to answer my questions about the Church. Him being a former monk and very well read (he reads the Bible in Greek), really helped.

Simple encounters like that can make someone like me (who hadn’t gone to confession in 20 plus years) get on a path where I know try and go at least once a month, more if needed.

So while people can debate all sorts of topics on these forums, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are not somehow helping / teaching other Catholics about their faith. Even if the posters here don’t know it!

I’m not sure if any of the above is what you were looking for, it is just me rambling…

 

[hizstory]

Okay so I read 40% of Catholics answered a poll saying they “never” go to confession. I have seen all kinds of stats today. I mean the stats are alarming. I have seen where 60 percent don’t go very often. So if Catholics are right, the majority of them are in bad shape. This is very disorienting. Why do Catholics even care about the vast majority of things on this forum when it appears this issue should take precedence over everything like canon debates, etc etc.
Thanks for not being defensive so far.

Being someone that joined the Catholic Church after being raised in a Baptist/Fundamentalist tradition, I have no problem stating that the current state of affairs among self-proclaimed catholics is very sad. This is a personal opinion and some of my fellow catholics may disagree. The fact that this may be the case should not cause anyone to doubt the teaching of the Church, however. As a parent, I can tell my children a dozen times not to do something (or to do something) and even use various methods of discipline when they disobey, but the fact remains that they have free will. The same goes for Mother Church and Her children…

 

[Rightlydivide]

No that is a reasonable answer. I guess the bottom line for me is Fundamentalists really believe in hell. We talk about it all the time but you know we got that from Jesus. I am wondering if the vast majority of Catholics really REALLY believe in it. But you are right, it does not effect whether you guys are right about what you believe. But the majority of people not really believing in what could be the most important thing a Catholic does is disconcerting. I mean, why argue or even care about the perpetual virginity or anything if you do something that pretty much means hell. It seems to me that if a person is without mortal sin they could branch out some discussion wise. Maybe the vast majority of Catholics on this forum are not in a state of mortal sin…is that what you call it when you know that you have committed one but have yet to confess?

 

[Rightlydivide]

Being someone that joined the Catholic Church after being raised in a Baptist/Fundamentalist tradition, I have no problem stating that the current state of affairs among self-proclaimed catholics is very sad. This is a personal opinion and some of my fellow catholics may disagree. The fact that this may be the case should not cause anyone to doubt the teaching of the Church, however. As a parent, I can tell my children a dozen times not to do something (or to do something) and even use various methods of discipline when they disobey, but the fact remains that they have free will. The same goes for Mother Church and Her children…

Sure…I do get that. I really do. It means they do not really believe it? Listen, if I REALLY believe what the Catholic Church taught, I dont see how anyone could even think about it. Just to be accurate, we agree on everything that you guys say is a mortal sin. I dont not support any of that.

 

[hizstory]

No that is a reasonable answer. I guess the bottom line for me is Fundamentalists really believe in hell. We talk about it all the time but you know we got that from Jesus. I am wondering if the vast majority of Catholics really REALLY believe in it. But you are right, it does not effect whether you guys are right about what you believe. But the majority of people not really believing in what could be the most important thing a Catholic does is disconcerting. I mean, why argue or even care about the perpetual virginity or anything if you do something that pretty much means hell. It seems to me that if a person is without mortal sin they could branch out some discussion wise. Maybe the vast majority of Catholics on this forum are not in a state of mortal sin…is that what you call it when you know that you have committed one but have yet to confess?

Yes, if you know that you have committed a serious sin and have not went to confession that is what catholics refer to as “a state of mortal sin.”

I am not one that likes to speak for others, especially when I know there are more educated people than I on this forum, but I believe a lot of catholics are on these forums to correct half-truths, misunderstanders, or downright lies that other groups tend to spread about the Catholic Church. Of course, our eternal destination should be number one on our priority list but that doesn’t mean there can’t be #2,3,4, etc.

I personally believe that the Catholic Church is once again in need of internal renewal and that good “fire and brimstone” sermons or homilies are an important part of that. The current trend is to focus on God’s Love and Mercy, but we also must remember that He is a Righteous and Just God as well. There needs to be more balance in the Catholic Church in my humble opinion.

 

[regression]

No that is a reasonable answer. I guess the bottom line for me is Fundamentalists really believe in hell. We talk about it all the time but you know we got that from Jesus. I am wondering if the vast majority of Catholics really REALLY believe in it. But you are right, it does not effect whether you guys are right about what you believe. But the majority of people not really believing in what could be the most important thing a Catholic does is disconcerting. I mean, why argue or even care about the perpetual virginity or anything if you do something that pretty much means hell. It seems to me that if a person is without mortal sin they could branch out some discussion wise. Maybe the vast majority of Catholics on this forum are not in a state of mortal sin…is that what you call it when you know that you have committed one but have yet to confess?

This is just a guess on my part, but I would think a lot, if not a majority, of Catholic posters here take their faith seriously and believe what the Church teaches (everything, not just what is convenient).

But, for example, if someone knows what the Church teaches about contraception and still uses it, knowing that it is a mortal sin, but then comes here and defends the perpetual virginity, then I can’t answer for that person. I guess I would be scratching my head like you and not understand their mindset.

 

[Rightlydivide]

Yes, if you know that you have committed a serious sin and have not went to confession that is what catholics refer to as “a state of mortal sin.”

I am not one that likes to speak for others, especially when I know there are more educated people than I on this forum, but I believe a lot of catholics are on these forums to correct half-truths, misunderstanders, or downright lies that other groups tend to spread about the Catholic Church. Of course, our eternal destination should be number one on our priority list but that doesn’t mean there can’t be #2,3,4, etc.

I personally believe that the Catholic Church is once again in need of internal renewal and that good “fire and brimstone” sermons or homilies are an important part of that. The current trend is to focus on God’s Love and Mercy, but we also must remember that He is a Righteous and Just God as well. There needs to be more balance in the Catholic Church in my humble opinion.

Yes, makes sense.

 

[hizstory]

This is just a guess on my part, but I would think a lot, if not a majority, of Catholic posters here take their faith seriously and believe what the Church teaches (everything, not just what is convenient).

But, for example, if someone knows what the Church teaches about contraception and still uses it, knowing that it is a mortal sin, but then comes here and defends the perpetual virginity, then I can’t answer for that person. I guess I would be scratching my head like you and not understand their mindset.

Also, knowing what is right and having the mentality to overcome temptations are two different things. As long as someone is open about their own personal weaknesses regarding a tendency to sin, I don’t think it should take away from their ability to actually teach truth. People may not be willing to listen to such a person because of perceived hypocrisy, but that is something different.

 

[regression]

Also, knowing what is right and having the mentality to overcome temptations are two different things. As long as someone is open about their own personal weaknesses regarding a tendency to sin, I don’t think it should take away from their ability to actually teach truth. People may not be willing to listen to such a person because of perceived hypocrisy, but that is something different.

Yes, I should have been clearer. In my example, I was trying to say if someone doesn’t try to overcome whatever weakness they have and just cherry picks which teaches of the Church to follow would make me scratch my head.

 

[hn160]

There is no mortal sin because sin is sin except for sinning against the Holy Spirit and that is rejecting Christ. God hates all sin, we are covered with Christ Righteousness by his death on the cross.

 

[regression]

There is no mortal sin because sin is sin except for sinning against the Holy Spirit and that is rejecting Christ. God hates all sin, we are covered with Christ Righteousness by his death on the cross.

What about 1 Jn 5:16-17? There is a distinction between deadly (mortal) and non deadly sins (venial).

 

[Rightlydivide]

Mortal and venial sins are just ways of describing the distinction the Bible makes. I am sure there are other ways of doing it but thats what they do. At least Catholics are still confronting sin…better than most people it seems to me.

 

[pablope]

There is no mortal sin because sin is sin except for sinning against the Holy Spirit and that is rejecting Christ. God hates all sin, we are covered with Christ Righteousness by his death on the cross.

True, sin is sin…but there are sins more serious/deadly than other sins…called mortal sins. Venial sins can be forgiven during the mass during the confetitor. But Catholics are also encouraged/taught to confess venial sins as well during confession.

 

[hn160]

What about 1 Jn 5:16-17? There is a distinction between deadly (mortal) and non deadly sins (venial).

This is from our The Lutheran Study Bible on 1 Jn 15:16-17:
5:16 sin not leading to death. Any unrepented sin can lead to death (cf v 17). But if a believer is open to repentance and to God’s forgiveness, his sin will not lead to death. See note, 1:8. give him life. God will grant forgiveness of sins and life to the brother for whom we pray. Cf Jas 5:20. There is sin that leads to death. The idolatry of the false teachers (see notes, 2:19, 26). Misunderstanding of this passage led to a false teaching that there are seven deadly, or “mortal,” sins (pride, covetousness, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, sloth) in contrast to “venial,” or forgivable, sins. All sin is damnable. See notes, Mk 3:29–30; Rm 6:23. God forgives all who repent. See p 1907. I do not say that one should pray for that. If one refuses to repent and confess Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God, there is no point in asking God to forgive that person who stands condemned by his own stubborn unbelief and refusal of God’s love (Jn 3:18, 36). See note, Jer 7:16; see also p 2181.
5:17 All wrongdoing is sin. Any sin could lead to death if not for the Gospel, which is our victory over sin, death, and the world. The children of God repent of all sin. They hate their sin and the weakness of their flesh. But when believers fall into sin, they know that they have One who prays for them and offers forgiveness to them (2:1–2). Cf v 16.
Engelbrecht, Edward A.: The Lutheran Study Bible. St. Louis, MO : Concordia Publishing House, 2009, S. 2182