The 7 new mortal sins

[That_one_guy]

While several of them are indeed grave, and potentially mortal, they are not the “new 7 deadly sins”; they are rooted in the classical 7 deadly sins.

That’s right. As a fellow Catholic I am sure you are aware that the Church has pretty much stood for the same things for over 2000 yrs.The media has merely put a sound bite to What The Holy Father has “updated”(if you will).

Even pollution is a sin.

Here is something John Paul II said…

Pope John Paul II, during his audience on the 17th January 2001, reminded us of the task we all have in warding off ecological disaster, noting that the human being, from being a minister of the Creator, has become an autonomous despot of creation. He made a strong appeal for ecological conversion,and also stated that “Another welcome sign is the growing attention being paid to the quality of life and to ecology, especially in more developed societies, where people’s expectations are no longer concentrated so much on problems of survival as on the search for an overall improvement of living conditions" (Evangelium vitae, n. 27”. According to the Pope, it “is not only a “physical” ecology that is concerned to safeguard the habitat of the various living beings, but also a “human” ecology which makes the existence of creatures more dignified, by protecting the fundamental good of life in all its manifestations and by preparing for future generations an environment more in conformity with the Creator’s plan”.

I realize I’m preaching to the choir here.But,other folks read this stuff,too.

 

[JazzyC6]

I don’t understand, why are these sins said to be new mortal sins when they are listed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church

 

[cathybramble]

I don’t understand, why are these sins said to be new mortal sins when they are listed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church

i think holy father is just saying that these old sins are done in new ways now with the coming of industrialization and “globalization.” because the world is a smaller place now that we can travel and transport, we have new obligations not to oppress the poor in other nations - most of us as consumers are not even aware we are doing it until it is pointed out to us. we also have a much larger capacity for damaging the environment. technology has allowed us to tinker with the structure of life itself. re-visiting deadly sins in modern context seems to make sense to me

 

[That_one_guy]

I don’t understand, why are these sins said to be new mortal sins when they are listed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church

It’s a remake. Hollywood redoes old movies, bringing them up to date. Why shouldn’t the Church?

 

[mackbrislawn]

Polluting - not new - sloth, gluttony
Genetic engineering - not new - pride, sloth, envy
Being obscenely rich - not sinful - unless it’s gluttony
Drug dealing - not new - gluttony
Abortion - not new - wrath, lust, gluttony, sloth
Pedophilia - not new - lust, wrath
Causing social injustice - not new - wrath, gluttony

The danger of the list of “new” sins is that people may get the idea the Church makes up its sins and its doctrine as it goes along, influenced by social trends, simply reactionary, rather than having the Faith that was “once for all delivered to the saints.”

As pointed out above, the sins are not new. I guess it’s a awareness of how the old sins can be recognized in new ways.

One, like pollution, we have to be careful not to misunderstand it. Because pollution, itself, is not a sin. We are always polluting–whenever we take a breath and let it out, we are exhaling carbon dioxide. Each time we go to the bathroom, we are also polluting. Even the Church pollutes. Each time Mass is said, the candles are polluting, giving off smoke and carbon dioxide. The interior of the Sistine Chapel through centuries of candle smoke became polluted. When the ceiling frescoes were cleaned, they looked a lot different. (Actually, cleaning them itself caused pollution. How did they dispose of the residual dirt and cleaning solutions?)

In other words, we cannot not pollute. The laws of thermodynamics testify to this. Scripture testifyies, as well. Genesis 3:17-19: "…“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat of the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food…”

We, and all living things, pollute because of the curse of the ground. It is unavoidable. The thorns and thistles are symbolic of the undesirable, unwanted, and unpredictable aspects of gaining our living. They are symbolic of pollution.

Of course, by painful toil and the sweat of our brow we can weed out the thorns and thistles.

Also, it is interesting to note the indirect guarantee that we will gain our living: “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food.”

 

[Dannyd1]

The Church is well known for its stand drugs,abortion,pedophilia, and social injustice.What about pollution?Is the church going to go green?

First of all, the Global warming thing has really got to just stop. There are over 700 reputable scientist that have stated time and again that global warming is not only bad science it is a con game and needs to be exposed for what it is. I really don’t think that the Catholic Church is in agreement with the “sky is falling, the sky is falling” mentality of the Global Warming crowd, if it is then we are back to square one…flat earth.

 

[cathybramble]

The danger of the list of “new” sins is that people may get the idea the Church makes up its sins and its doctrine as it goes along, influenced by social trends, simply reactionary, rather than having the Faith that was “once for all delivered to the saints.”

As pointed out above, the sins are not new. I guess it’s a awareness of how the old sins can be recognized in new ways.

One, like pollution, we have to be careful not to misunderstand it. Because pollution, itself, is not a sin. We are always polluting–whenever we take a breath and let it out, we are exhaling carbon dioxide. Each time we go to the bathroom, we are also polluting. Even the Church pollutes. Each time Mass is said, the candles are polluting, giving off smoke and carbon dioxide. The interior of the Sistine Chapel through centuries of candle smoke became polluted. When the ceiling frescoes were cleaned, they looked a lot different. (Actually, cleaning them itself caused pollution. How did they dispose of the residual dirt and cleaning solutions?)

**In other words, we cannot not pollute. ** The laws of thermodynamics testify to this. Scripture testifyies, as well. Genesis 3:17-19: "…“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat of the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food…”

We, and all living things, pollute because of the curse of the ground. It is unavoidable. The thorns and thistles are symbolic of the undesirable, unwanted, and unpredictable aspects of gaining our living. They are symbolic of pollution.

Of course, by painful toil and the sweat of our brow we can weed out the thorns and thistles.

Also, it is interesting to note the indirect guarantee that we will gain our living: “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food.”

wow. with this rationale, you could do just about anything and, rather than take responsibility… just blame original sin for it

 

[That_one_guy]

First of all, the Global warming thing has really got to just stop. .

Apparently PopeBenedict agrees with you…

1.6.2009 9:06 AM
Pope Benedict XVI: Beware “Poisons and Pollution”
In his Epiphany Day homily, the Pope called for action on global warming and pollution.



Pope Benedict XVI used his Epiphany Day homily to encourage the world’s Catholics to tackle global warming in order to prevent “poisons and pollution” from harming present and future generations, according to the Associated Press account.

It isn’t the first time the Pope has spoken out about environmental protection. In September 2007, he sermonized to a huge gathering at a Vatican made greener by his directive that it takes courageous action to “safeguard creation.”

And in July 2008 he said the greedy pursuit of material goods amounts to worship of a false idol, and it’s leading to the destruction of the very Earth that sustains us.

“Perhaps reluctantly, we come to acknowledge that there are scars which mark the surface of our earth — erosion, deforestation, the squandering of the world’s mineral and ocean resources in order to fuel an insatiable consumption,” he said at the time, describing the bird’s-eye view of the Earth he experienced during the long flight from Italy to Australia.

Congregations of all faiths, from all over America, are taking steps to make their churches, synagogues, temples and mosques more environmentally friendly. They are taking teachings from their holy books to be better stewards of the environment, rallying around a theme of “caring for creation” as a form of worship.

more at

thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/pope-epiphany-day-homily-47010602?src=rss

9.2.2007 12:00 AM
Pope Benedict XVI’s Sunday Message: Save The Planet
The Holy See Urges Catholics To “Safeguard Creation” And Reverse “Degradation”

Pope Benedict XVI Sunday urged his flock – and the world’s leaders – to take courageous action to “safeguard creation” and reverse “degradation” of the environment.

It’s not the first green statement by the Pope – having already initiated the greening of the Vatican – but it the terms he used were an unmistakable call was a worldwide effort to preserve the earth’s resources in the face of global warming and other effects.

"A decisive 'yes' is needed in decisions to safeguard creation as well as a strong commitment to reverse tendencies that risk leading to irreversible situations of degradation. ... New generations will be entrusted with the future of the planet, which bears clear signs of a type of development that has not always protected nature's delicate equilibriums. ... Courageous choices that can re-create a strong alliance between man and earth must be made before it is too late."

He even dressed in green vestments, as he spoke to a crowd of mostly young people, on “Save Creation Day,” which is marked by the Catholic Church in Italy, according to this Reuters story. There’s a growing green movement among the faithful.

Congregations of all faiths, from all over America, are taking steps to make their churches, synagogues, temples and mosques more environmentally friendly. They are taking teachings from their holy books to be better stewards of the environment, rallying around a theme of “caring for creation” as a form of worship.

more at

thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/6122

 

[Fiyero3305]

I’m still not clear on the distinction. These are mortal sins, right? Not to be an addition to the seven deadly sins?

 

[mackbrislawn]

wow. with this rationale, you could do just about anything and, rather than take responsibility… just blame original sin for it

“The Devil made me do it.” Or, some call it concuspiscence. It does all stem from original sin, doesn’t it? And we so often do want to shift the responsibility to some other entity, instead of ourselves.

In the instance of pollution, it is easy to blame some evil, abstract “them” who do the polluting. “Not me, Lord!” The deadly sin of pride.

But yes, you. When you turn on the light, or your computer, you are polluting. When you pass gas, you are polluting, you are emitting a potent green house gas. Am I then sinning when I eat beans? I guess so, if polluting is a sin.

I suppose it is easy to miss the point, which seems to be the case from the quote. The point is to think about the situation, about what is really happening, instead of thinking simplistically. The point is not to evade responsibility, but to take responsibility. “Thorns and thistles it will produce for you.” Consequently, thorns and thistles (pollution) are produced as an inevitable consequence of everything we do.

Thorns and thistles, however, can be weeded out with sufficient sweat of our brow, if we are not prevented by the deadly sins of sloth, greed, gluttony, and pride.

Sloth may make us too lazy to remove the weeds. Greed may entice us not to pay the expense of minimizing the weeds. Gluttony may urge us to plant too much, causing even more thorns and thistles, more pollution. Pride may make us deny our personal responsibility for it.

Pollution cannot be avoided, but it can be minimized. Not all pollution is necessary, and it is the unnessary pollution stemming from the deadly sins that is sinful.

God has given us brains to avoid the unnecessary pollution.

Is it sinful not to use our brains?

 

[That_one_guy]

I’m still not clear on the distinction. These are mortal sins, right? Not to be an addition to the seven deadly sins?

I think they are an update. The thread title is a secular spin.

 

[elts1956]

polluting, genetic engineering, being obscenely rich, drug dealing, abortion, pedophilia and causing social injustice.

Of the above, only abortion is an Intrinsic evil that must be recognized in the moral area as being an Objective Truth.

All others of the above are of prudential moral judgement in which we as Catholics can disagree as to the remedy.

Please be sure to check out what is meant by Objective truth, Prudential judgement and Instrinsic evils. It would save time in making judgements.

 

[That_one_guy]

polluting, genetic engineering, being obscenely rich, drug dealing, abortion, pedophilia and causing social injustice.

Of the above, only abortion is an Intrinsic evil that must be recognized in the moral area as being an Objective Truth.

All others of the above are of prudential moral judgement in which we as Catholics can disagree as to the remedy.

Please be sure to check out what is meant by Objective truth, Prudential judgement and Instrinsic evils. It would save time in making judgements.

S0 if someone molested your child(pedophelia) that wouldn’t bother you?
Is it not intrinsically evil? If you saw some pervert looking at your kid, you would say nothing?

 

[bobzills]

Pope Benedict has declared 7 new deadly sins.The new deadly sins include polluting, genetic engineering, being obscenely rich, drug dealing, abortion, pedophilia and causing social injustice…

That is interesting. I know that just about all automobiles pollute the air to a greater or lesser extent. Does that then mean that anyone who owns a car will go to hell because he has polluted the atmosphere for future generations? And it is also a mortal sin to genetically engineer a tomato that is tastier and stays fresh longer?

 

[That_one_guy]

bobzills:
Good morning, Bob!

That is interesting.

Yes. It is interesting.

I know that just about all automobiles pollute the air to a greater or lesser extent. Does that then mean that anyone who owns a car will go to hell because he has polluted the atmosphere for future generations?

Boy, that would stink. I find my car to be extremely convenient.

Pope Benedict seems to be approaching this from an entirely different angle than the secular environmental movement. This is important to Catholics, particularly American Catholics, who appear to be on the brink of apostacy.

First of all, let me say that the title of this thread is from a secular standpoint which always puts a satanic spin on everything. Particularly when it comes to an address from the Church.If they can make the Church look bad, they will. It is their agenda.

nowpublic.com/environment/pope-benedict-says-pollution-could-destroy-worlds-future

Pope Benedict says Pollution could destroy world’s future

On this Epihany Day, Pope Benedict XVI warned that the world’s pollution could destroy the future of our planet, and that people need to take the issue of world climate change more seriously.

Benedict is encouraging what he calls people's efforts to liberate human life and the world from "poisons and pollution." He says even though such efforts against "hostile forces" might not seem successful, Christian hope gives courage and guidance.

In his homily the pope also urged people to be hopeful during the global economic crisis. Benedict denounced the bloodshed in conflicts in many regions of the world, but named no countries.

And it is also a mortal sin to genetically engineer a tomato that is tastier and stays fresh longer?

In the Popes original homily, I believe he was referring to human genetics. However, There are experiments being done in which animal genes are being introduced into tomatoes (since, you chose this fruit as an example.)

geneticengineering.net/atomatofishorafishtomato.htm

A flounder, for example survives in the cold. Scientists could now take genes from a fish and insert them into a tomato. Why? They wanted to create a tomato that would be more frost resistant.

In the 1980’s Biotechnology companies began field-testing GMO (genetically modified organism) crops for large-scale agricultural use. By 1996, GMO grains were mixed with non-GMO grains and sent to food processing plants all over America. Corn, soy and their by-products (from corn syrup to soy’s “protein-enriched” additive) are used in hundreds of products. But GMOs are not only found in grains. Various genetically altered products are found in over 60 percent of all processed foods on the U.S. market, and the market continues to expand with each new genetic alteration. Chances are, you have been eating GMOs for years.

But how would you know? GMO products are not labeled.

The entire article is extremely fascinating. If this is a subject which truly interests you, I would suggest reading it.

I ask you. Do you really want to eat fruits and vegetables that have been crossed with animal genes? This is a far cry from the genetic research of Gregor Mendel; a Catholic monk, I believe.

By the way. Thank you for your queries. I find them to inspire me to do more research. After all,…I could be wrong.

But I doubt it.

in all humility

Bill

 

[Corki]

S0 if someone molested your child(pedophelia) that wouldn’t bother you?
Is it not intrinsically evil? If you saw some pervert looking at your kid, you would say nothing?

Pedophelia, like homosexuality, is an inclination. By itself, it could easily be a sign of a mental illness. It is upon action that it becomes a sin. Molestation and lustfully looking at children are both sinful acts. Mental illness is not.

 

[elts1956]

polluting, genetic engineering, being obscenely rich, drug dealing, abortion, pedophilia and causing social injustice.

Of the above, only abortion is an Intrinsic evil that must be recognized in the moral area as being an Objective Truth.

All others of the above are of prudential moral judgement in which we as Catholics can disagree as to the remedy.

Please be sure to check out what is meant by Objective truth, Prudential judgement and Instrinsic evils. It would save time in making judgements.

S0 if someone molested your child(pedophelia) that wouldn’t bother you?
Is it not intrinsically evil? If you saw some pervert looking at your kid, you would say nothing?

Okay, my apologies. I am still on the election circuit and focusing on abortion.

I found a good website which explains Intrinsic Evil very, very well. I would suggest everyone read it as it will clear up a lot of confusion about Intrinsic Evil which is always wrong and matters of Purdential judgement which can be viewed and resolved in many ways.

catholicparents.org/IntrinsicEvil.html

The author stated he heard the following from a priest giving a lecture.

"He defined an intrinsic evil as an act that is always bad, always sinful, always always always. Never good, never appropriate, never useful, never, never, never. It is an act that is ALWAYS SINFUL in every time, every epoch, every era, every age, every place, every situation, every every every. There is NO GREY AREA! No doubt, no question that these acts (acts that are intrinsically evil) are always and everywhere and for everybody and for every situation, SINFUL and NEVER ACCEPTABLE. "

polluting, genetic engineering, being obscenely rich, drug dealing, abortion, pedophilia and causing social injustice.

I think consensus as to the Intrinsic Evil of all of the above would have several different answers.

Pollution - Never good or appropriate or useful ? Intrinsic Evil? There may be a time when it would be useful. Can’t think of an instance but could rarely happen.

Genetic engineering - cloning, embryonic stem cell research - always Intrinsically Evil

Being obscenely rich - What is obscenely rich? - Prudential judgement.

Abortion - Intrinsic Evil. Never, never acceptable.

Pedophilia - Instrinsic Evil. Never, never acceptable.

Social Injustice - Debatable depending upon the action ocurring. War - Prudential judgement.
Poverty - Prudential judgement.
Environment - Prudentail judgement.
Abortion - Intrinsically evil.

 

[That_one_guy]

Pedophelia, like homosexuality, is an inclination. By itself, it could easily be a sign of a mental illness. It is upon action that it becomes a sin. Molestation and lustfully looking at children are both sinful acts. Mental illness is not.

Hi, Corki!

Granted, it is definitely an aberration. However,

Matthew chapter 5

28 But I say this to you, if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Could this not also apply to the pedophile?

 

[Corki]

Hi, Corki!

Granted, it is definitely an aberration. However,

Matthew chapter 5

Could this not also apply to the pedophile?

Of course. That’s why I wrote:

Pedophelia, like homosexuality, is an inclination. By itself, it could easily be a sign of a mental illness. It is upon action that it becomes a sin. Molestation and lustfully looking at children are both sinful acts. Mental illness is not.

 

[That_one_guy]

Being obscenely rich - What is obscenely rich? - Prudential judgement.
Social Injustice - Debatable depending upon the action ocurring. War - Prudential judgement.
Poverty - Prudential judgement.
Environment - Prudentail judgement.

Hi,elts!

As I’ve said in previous posts, The title is a secular spin on what the church has been saying for years.

MY take on what is meant by obscenely rich is ‘avarice’. In a culture mainly purchasing on credit, it would appear that we never have enough money. So, this drives us to get more, so we don’t remain ‘a slave to the lender’. Polemically speaking, this is one of the enemies ways of enabling avarice. For, now we see wealth as independence and freedom, instead of a responsibility,(‘to whom much is given much is expected.’) As a Catholic, I am inclined, personally, to see everything I possess as a gift from the Lord. I may have earned it. But, my life is a gift, and He gave me a brain and hands and skills. Without these, I can obtain nothing.

Hence, everything is a gift. But,then again, I am also a minimalist.

As for poverty, Jesus said we would always have the poor. I think that The Pope is referring to a lack of charity and concern.

War.
I find it difficult to turn the other cheek. Unless, I know that I will kill the offender because he doesn’t stand a chance, I will hit back. Self defense is never discouraged in the Bible. Acting impulsively out of malice towards someone who is definitely weaker is, in itself, wrong. This is where one must calm down, count to ten and ask God for prudent judgment. Besides, A nation should defend itself. To attack just for the sake of conquering…a sin in my book.

As for the environment, I like Benedict’s take on it. We are responsible for the earth. If we know we are hurting it and our selves, then we commit a mortal sin. Isn’t the definition of a mortal sin to do something even though you know it is wrong?

That is MY take on it.

But, I could be wrong.