To what extent does Full Knowledge apply in terms of the commitment of Mortal Sins?

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calvinh

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Catholicism teaches that in order for a sin to be considered a “Mortal Sin”, the sin must be inherently immoral or evil, the sin must be committed knowingly (Which is this thread’s main concern), and it must be a freely made decision (Not coerced/forced, etc.).

If someone is questioning the validity of their religion and freely commits an inherently immoral or evil act, could it still be said that they “knew” that what they were doing was a sin (Given that they weren’t sure of the validity of their religon)? What does the Catholic Church say about this situation?
 
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calvinh said:
If someone is questioning the validity of their religion and sins in that state, could it still be said that they “knew” that what they were doing was a sin, and would still be held accountable for the mortal sin as a result? What does the Catholic Church say about this situation?
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Full knowledge is just one component, the others being grave matter and full consent.

So, if the sin is not grave, even with full knowledge and full consent, it would not be mortal; if the sin was grave, and there was not full knowledge, but there was full consent, it would not be mortal; if the sin was grave, there was not full knowledge, but it was not done with full consent, it would not be mortal.

Mortal sin must be an act of grave matter, with full knowledge, and with full consent.
 
Another thing is even if it is venial sin and the person thinks it mortal, and does it anyways, it is a mortal sin.
 
I re read your new post and it seems like the person committed a mortal sin. He is questioning the validity of his religion but still knows the act is grave, and does it anyways?
 
If they are not sure if their religion is valid, they can’t believe with any sort of certainty that the act is grave, which begs the question: Is the act still considered to be a mortal sin?
 
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They have to have full knowledge the act is grave for the sin to be mortal. If he is confused it’s not certain he has full knowledge.
 
LittleFlower378 said:
They have to have full knowledge the act is grave for the sin to be mortal. If he is confused it’s not certain he has full knowledge.
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Would it not be better, then, to live your whole life questioning your religion?
 
If one is purposely living in confusion so one can sin, then culpibility rises.Thats a sin in itself.
 
There is something called Vincible Ignorance:
“Lack of knowledge for which a person is morally responsible. It is culpable ignorance because it could be cleared up if the person used sufficient diligence. One is said to be simply (but culpably) ignorant if one fails to make enough effort to learn what should be known; guilt then depends on one’s lack of effort to clear up the ignorance. That person is crassly ignorant when the lack of knowledge is not directly willed but rather due to neglect or laziness; as a result the guilt is somewhat lessened, but in grave matters a person would still be gravely responsible. A person has affected ignorance when one deliberately fosters it in order not to be inhibited in what one wants to do; such ignorance is gravely wrong when it concerns serious matters. (Etym. Latin vincibilis, easily overcome; ignorantia, want of knowledge or information.)”
 
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