Sooo, what constitutes ignorance?

[Bwtby]

Oaky it’s 2011 and whether you’re religious or not, everybody has a common or a simple acknowledgment of The 10 Commandments… and such, and we all have a conscience that tells us what’s right and wrong, and we all understand what IS good from bad.

Now this idea of ‘sin unintentionally’ or ‘knowing but still committing’ … where would this ‘forgiveness’ of God come into play because one was ‘ignorant’?

Now clearly, all of us on this board, definitely know God’s rules maybe more so than others because 2 to 1, we have a strong faith, given we all are posting on a Catholic forum… now does this mean because we are more aware, God is going to have less mercy on us, than say somebody of lesser faith or someone who doesn’t really ‘think’ about God, someone who doesn’t have a faithful mindstate so to speak… if you follow what I’m trying to say.

For an easy example … Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, and we know half the world, when they get upset, say Jesus Christ, lol, are we Catholics going to be judged harsher than Heathens? We all know its wrong, Heathens, Catholics, Protestants alike… If one decides to dishonor his parents, are the ‘enlightened faithful’ going to be judged harsher than Heathens? None of us are really ‘ignorant’ to wrongdoing, really… come on. I mean shoot, if I never read The Bible my entire life, I’d be judged easier?

Lol. I’m interesting in knowing what constitutes ignorance.

 

[mdrummer5]

everybody has a common or a simple acknowledgment of The 10 Commandments

We all know its wrong, Heathens, Catholics, Protestants alike…

Saying “everyone” and “we all” implies that you’re speaking on behalf of everyone on the planet… to make such a bold claim is ignorant in and of itself because (consider the root of the word) you’re ignoring the fact that there are billions of people in the world and believe it or not some of them had a very different upbringing than yours.

 

[dfp42]

To the man who’s been given more, more will be required.

 

[GratefulFred]

A conscience must be well formed. I think “we all” could work to form a better conscience for ourselves. But we are often too lazy or too pre-occupied to make the effort. If we have one of the great consciences, we then must make effort to maintain it and live by it. Often we may forget the lessons we learned long ago when we felt we were students and willing to be formed. Some of us may not have had the advantage of good formation.

We are obliged, I think, to constantly work on improving our conscience. Frequent, sincere Confession is an important part. Sincere Confession requires a proper examination of conscience. What did I do or not do? Was that wrong or right? Do I make excuses, “O that’s not a sin for me” because I am afraid to admit to myself that I am weak? Could I have done better? Do I intend to do better?

Tomorrow is First Friday and the first month of a new year. Excellent day to go to Confession and Mass and start the 9 First Fridays Devotion.

 

[thistle]

Oaky it’s 2011 and whether you’re religious or not, everybody has a common or a simple acknowledgment of The 10 Commandments… and such, and we all have a conscience that tells us what’s right and wrong, and we all understand what IS good from bad.

Now this idea of ‘sin unintentionally’ or ‘knowing but still committing’ … where would this ‘forgiveness’ of God come into play because one was ‘ignorant’?

Now clearly, all of us on this board, definitely know God’s rules maybe more so than others because 2 to 1, we have a strong faith, given we all are posting on a Catholic forum… now does this mean because we are more aware, God is going to have less mercy on us, than say somebody of lesser faith or someone who doesn’t really ‘think’ about God, someone who doesn’t have a faithful mindstate so to speak… if you follow what I’m trying to say.

For an easy example … Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, and we know half the world, when they get upset, say Jesus Christ, lol, are we Catholics going to be judged harsher than Heathens? We all know its wrong, Heathens, Catholics, Protestants alike… If one decides to dishonor his parents, are the ‘enlightened faithful’ going to be judged harsher than Heathens? None of us are really ‘ignorant’ to wrongdoing, really… come on. I mean shoot, if I never read The Bible my entire life, I’d be judged easier?

Lol. I’m interesting in knowing what constitutes ignorance.

There are two types of ignorance - invincible ignorance and vincible ignorance.

Invincible ignorance means that a person who through no fault of their own knows nothing about Christ, his Gospel and his Church. However, in that ignorance if that person lives a life in accordance with Christ’s teachings they may (not will) be saved.
Obviously invincible ignorance does not apply to Catholics who by definition know something about Christ, his Gospel and his Church. It can also hardly apply to non-Catholic Christians.

Vincible ignorance applies to Catholics who either have misunderstood a Church teaching or were ignorant that the Church has a particular teaching. That may reduce culpibility. However, a Catholic simply cannot remain in ignorance of Church teachings. It is encumbent on them to learn (and try to understand) what the Church teaches. If a Catholic is too lazy to learn or deliberately does not learn in the hope that they cannot commit a mortal sin then that in itself is a grave sin.