The CC's Definition of Mortal Sin + Fear

[Safia]

In order for a sin to be mortal, it must meet three conditions:

Mortal sin is a sin of grave matter
Mortal sin is committed with full knowledge of the sinner
Mortal sin is committed with deliberate consent of the sinner

I’m not sure if my reasoning is right here, but – Catholics and non-Catholics alike – help me out here.

From what I can see, a lot of non-Catholics on the forum here are very aware of what the CC teaches on certain manners – i.e., participation in the Sunday liturgy is required (to not participate is a mortal sin), abortion is a mortal sin, and homosexual acts are mortal sins, etc.

I can understand all of us being happy in the same boat (if we’re Christians, at least), but (and this is all personal musing) I’m not sure that our mutual existence in the same boat is a compelling enough of a reason to ignore that any non-Catholics who just read what I wrote and have some conception of the CC’s guiding authority choose to reject it.

Does anyone ever ask themselves, What if the CC is Truth, and infallible, and is . . . well, right?

We know that non-Catholics can commit mortal sin:

Just because a person’s church does not teach about mortal sin does not mean it does not exist at all. Analogously, just because a non-Catholic Christian church does not believe in purgatory does not mean that its members may not end up there one day. So, yes, it is possible that a non-Catholic can commit a mortal sin.

That said, only the person himself and God can determine an individual’s personal culpability for an objectively grave action. Only God can determine whether that person dies in his friendship. Thus, while we can say that it is possible for non-Catholics to commit mortal sin, we cannot make any presumptions about anyone’s personal culpability or eternal destiny. (source)

Do any of you non-Catholics have any fear at all – that you’re possibly wrong? Have you considered that option seriously? (I’m genuinely curious – I always wonder.) It seems that certain people are so very quickly to say, Oh, pssh, the Catholics got it wrong a long time ago, but as a Catholic, I don’t see one religion that has a set of standards that derives a fear of God (which, thankfully – praise the Lord! – leads into a deep love relationship with Him) the way the CC does, and very few churches teach seriously that the Catholic approach could potentially lead to Hell (which I think most of us would excuse as silly).

We like our debates, but the CC seems to be the only one to teach that there are certain absolutes that must be fulfilled (including Mass every Sunday!), otherwise the person risks Purgatory, if not Hell (that, of course, simplifies the issue – but still). Unless you’re Baptized and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you have, potentially, stacked up a life’s worth of mortal sins. Any fear at all?