Aerometis said:
This is one of the problems I have with the Catholic Church. Jesus did not say "Here is a list of Grave sins, here is a list of minor sins, here is a list of mortal sins." This is all malarchy created by a bunch of old men under the falsehood of "infallibility" to brainwash people into following their Church. Jesus was clear when he said there is only one sin that cannot be forgiven and that is a sin against the Holy Sprit. Even that is so vague no one knows really what that is.
Well, it was because I thought like what you presented above that I allowed myself to be drawn into the OCCULT to find a different way to worship God. . . I was going to be a white witch.
This is were rebellion ultimately leads . . to the service of satan (whether overt or hidden).
I can assure you, I have learned that the Church's teachings on this are NOT malarchy in any way . . . it is our rebellious nature that makes it seem so . . .
I am starting to agree with my protestant friends who say that if people actually read what the Catholic Church really says they would run from it.
That is very sad to hear. .running from the fullnes of faith is not the answer to your concerns. UNDERSTANDING it is. . .
Is birth control a sin? probably. Is swearing a sin? yes. Is taking the Lords name in vein a sin? Definitely. Is murder a sin? Yes. Will these send people to Hell? Only if you don't accept Jesus as your personal savior and ask God to forgive your sins.
I don't see anywhere in the scriptures that tell us to accept Jesus as one's "Personal savior" ..
Are we not to run from sin?
What does James say in chapter 2 about faith and works? Faith without works is dead . . like a dead body, a corpse. Can a dead faith save you? No.
Salvation is conditional . . it is conditional all throughout the New Testament. It is conditional on what we DO in regards to our faith . . .believing is not enough.
Do you not agree that there are various degrees of sin?
Do you think taking $5 from a millionare is going to be on the same level as taking $5 from a poor old lady living below the poverty level who doesn't have enough money to buy enough food to last for the month?
Should we strive not to do things like touch, have pre-marital sex, swear, take the Lord's name in vein, and other sins? Yes.
Should we not run away from sin?
I just have a problem with the whole infallibility issue. Things that are in the bible and moral teachings are infallible but teachings from the Pope are not.
Why? Was Peter not infallible? No? Yet you accept his writings in the bible as infallible do you not?
Do you realize that infalliblity when it comes to the Pope has nothing to do with new teachings, just protecting the teachings of the Church? If things that are in the bible and moral teachings are infallilble, then that which the Pope proclaims as infallible teachings in protection of what is in the bible and moral teachings is also infalilble . . . I don't understand your issue.
Do you think that the Catholic Church teaches that papal infalliblity has to do with everything the Pope teaches? There have been less than a handful of infallible proclamations made by Popes , , did you know that? And did you know that when one Pope was about to make an infallible proclamation that was very full of error, on the eve of his planned act, this otherwise healthy, strong man was suddenly struck down with illness and died not long afterwards, never being allowed to use the charism of infalliblity wrongly?
It is a charism to protect the teaching of the Church, the use of which is protected by the Holy Spirit.
People say, well the Pope is guided by the Holy Spirit so that makes him infallible." Well, my friends, we are all guided by the Holy Spirit. (most of us anyway) I know I am guided by the Holy Spirit, but I still make mistakes. I am still wrong. I am wrong a lot. A lot of Pope's have been wrong. No one is Infallible. The only one that is Infallible is is Jesus.
Please take time to learn and understand what the doctrine of Papal infalliblity is really all about intead of listening to what your protestant friends are telling you, as they are woefully misinformed. I had to settle this question before I could convert from Protestantism to Catholicism . .. believe me . . they have it all wrong.
Some of the people in here have really made me question my own faith. The only reason I would not become a Protestant is because I believe in the Holy Eucharist and the Real Presence of Christ in the bread and wine.
GOOD FOR YOU! Protestants do not have the Real Presence. To give that up, to give up Jesus like that, because you don't understand some of the teachings of the Church would be very sad indeed.
I also believe in the moral issues the Church stands for. I just done believe it's the Church's job of telling people they are going to Hell.
The Church tells no one they are going to hell. They warn people away from hell, and tell them what could send them to hell. But the Church does not read another's heart, and so places NO ONE in particular in hell. That is an issue between the person and God alone.
The Church has told people they are going to Hell for a lot of different things and then they have all of a sudden changed their minds over the years.
That is not true . . . You are misinformed and/or do not understand.
I am not the type that just accepts something just because someone says it. I question things. I question authority.
When one is not sure of the basis of authority, then it becomes questionable.
I will ask you this though. The bible says the CHURCH is the Pillar and Foundation of the truth . . . If the Church is the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth, how can it teach error? I had to come to a point of confidence in what the Church is, what Christ promised, what it all meant. . . . I came to the point of recognizing that since the Gates of Hell will never prevail against the Church, and the Church is the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth, then the Church cannot err, and I can trust the teaching of the Church.
It is a trust issue . . . Trusting that Jesus meant what He said . . That He will keep His promises, that the scriptures are right when they call the Church the Pillar and Foundation of Truth. I can rest securely in that.
I try to do it in a good way but I like to have answers as to why things are done. Even though I have been born and raised a Catholic and went through the CCD program, I still have a lot to learn about my Church.
Yes, and catechesis was not that great last century when you would have gone through it .. lots of Catholics are in the same position of not understanding their faith well which makes them easy targets for their protestant friends who want to "Save" them from the "errors" of Catholicism . .. believe me . . they are woefully misinformed.
I also just don't accept someone's post here on a message board. Some issues I am going to have to go to my priest who I can trust to talk to and be candid with and hopefully get my questions answered.
That is as it should be . . you should go to your priest. . . hopefully, we have given you somethings to consider that you have not considered before, and can talk to your priest about them.
But I tell you one thing, I know for a fact my mother is not going to Hell for having her tubes tied and if you say she is then you better watch out because according to the bible you are the one that is going to be judged by God and you are the one who risks eternal damnation for telling other people they are going to Hell. We are all going to have to face judgement for our sins. I would worry about cleaning up your own house before you tell me I have to clean up mine.
None of us can say who is going to hell and who is not . . and no one is.
I am sorry if my language is strong, and I don't mean to be disrespectful to anyone but I just don't think anyone has any right to tell anyone they are going to Hell.
I agree .. but I thnk you misunderstood what was being said.
The only way any of us is going to Hell is if we reject Jesus Christ or if we commit a sin against the Holy Spirit. I don't think any of us has done that.
Darryl
This is what a mortal sin is . . one that rejects Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of those who once served as fellow laborers who had later turned their back on Christ and became enemies of the gospel . . .
Mortal sin is sin which breaks our communion with God .. Like murdering someone in cold blood with the free exercise of one's will, and no circumstances that would mitigate what was done in any way . . . someone dying in such a state of sin would not obtain salvation. However, just because it appears to us that someone did this, it does not necessarily mean it was a mortal sin, for we do not see what is in the heart . . only God does. The Church, recognizing it cannot know (apart from divine revelation), takes the cautious road and deals with any grave sin as potentially mortal, for our own sakes, for the safety of our souls . .. Not becaues they are trying to say someone is going to hell . . . Do you see the difference?
You have a lot of questions. . . Please, take time to ask them here . . there are a lot of knowledgeable people here . . take our answers to your priest and get his feedback on them.
Pray . . Pray for guidance and understanding.
Hold fast to the Eucharist . . . Go to Adoration as often as you can during this testing of yor faith, for that is what you are experiencing. God will see you through this.
Peace in Him!
the fact of the matter is, that contraception has been taught to be immoral for the last 2,000 years, and there are less "good" reasons to change this teaching today than ever in history (medical technology, food production, etc..).
