Is not reading the bible a mortal sin?

[d0c markus]

Is not reading the bible a mortal sin, and what about not going to church?

 

[Philip]

Is not reading the bible a mortal sin,

I doubt it. If so, illiteracy is a an even larger problem than I thought.

 

[Cary.Melvin]

Is not reading the bible a mortal sin, and what about not going to church?

I don't think that not reading the Bible could be classifed as a sin at all.

But for a Catholic, Not going to Church every Sunday where the Bible is read aloud and taught is a sin.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Not reading the Bible when you are free to do so, very well may be a sin. It's not taught by the church either way. Of course if you can't read then it wouldn't be a sin. However if you, lets say own a bible and continually read other books and not read scripture it could[/i[ be a sin.

And as far as skipping church... yes it very much is a mortal sin.

 

[panterapat]

A mortal sin must be a grave matter
You must know that it is a mortal sin
And you must freely choose to comit that sin

 

[Matthias]

Nope, none of those you mentioned are mortal sins. It's called freedom of choice.

 

[Miss Shelby]

Nope, none of those you mentioned are mortal sins. It's called freedom of choice.

Intentionally missing Mass, knowing that it is a mortal sin, and choosing to go on and do it anyways is a mortal sin. That's Church teaching, just for clarification.

Michelle

 

[Matthias]

Seriously? It's my belief that you don't have to go into a building all the time, to worship God, but if it's official teaching then I guess I can't argue with it.

 

[Cathologetics]

We are called to love God with all our mind, among other things, which is basically studying theology, doctrine and reading Scripture. But I don't think that reading Scripture daily is something that we are required to do, either by Scripture or the Church. I would liken it more to a work of love. It is something we should do and doing so may have its merits in the next life, but that's about it.

 

[Rising_Suns]

Seriously? It's my belief that you don't have to go into a building all the time, to worship God, but if it's official teaching then I guess I can't argue with it.

Yes, you surely can worship God anywhere you are at, but the whole point in going to mass is centered around receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the eucharist. This is not just worship, but spiritual union with our savior, and a neccessity for every christian.

 

[Photini]

, Not going to Church every Sunday where the Bible is read aloud and taught is a sin.

I know this is an exceptional case but....there are many many Saints who fled to the desert or wilderness and neither read Scripture or attended Church. There are still hermits among us on this earth, who live in total seclusion. So I think it's not the act itself (as in most cases) but the reason behind the act.

 

[Adam_for_Christ]

I have trouble reading Bible, not that I can't read words, but I can't comprehend or understand what it means. So, I just listen to the Mass on Sundays, and the Priest will talk about the scripture.

 

[d0c markus]

I have trouble reading Bible, not that I can't read words, but I can't comprehend or understand what it means. So, I just listen to the Mass on Sundays, and the Priest will talk about the scripture.

get a study bible with a commentary.. It took me forever to realize what the heck was going on, keep with it, and ask questions.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

I have trouble reading Bible, not that I can't read words, but I can't comprehend or understand what it means. So, I just listen to the Mass on Sundays, and the Priest will talk about the scripture.

That is okay too! That is what the priest is there for! However if you want to really start getting into the Bible yourself, get:

he Catholic Study Bible
N A B

 

[Matthias]

Oh, of course receiving the Eucharist is important, but I just don't believe it has to be a weekly thing.

 

[Rising_Suns]

Oh, of course receiving the Eucharist is important, but I just don't believe it has to be a weekly thing.

you're right...should be daily.

 

[BAChristian]

This is an interesting thread...

Particularly interesting for me, because I'll admit it, I have a major problem with reading my Bible every day. And I'll be straight up -- I don't make the time for it. Like many career-minded individuals, my day starts at 7, I go to Mass, I go get coffee, I do an hour commute (that's Bay Area California commute BTW, not Midwest redneck commute...and yes, I can say that because I used to live in the Midwest and pretty much everyone who lives in the Midwest IS a redneck)...just kidding...anyway, I get to work, then I brave the commute again, spend 30 minutes eating, talking to the wife, then head to the gym.

My day ends at 11:30-12:30AM...I don't feel like reading my Bible to be quite honest.

This happens four days a week.

Do I suffer spiritually because of it? You bet.
Is this an area where I must continuously pray that the Lord will remind me of what I need to do? You bet.
Do I try to make it up in Mass every day? You bet.
Does that make it right though? Probably not.

Anyway, just my $0.50 take on things...buy a Coke with it if ya want...

 

[IrishJohan]

Interesting thread. I would say that if one is able to, not reading Scripture in my opinion would be a sin. As St. Jerome commented "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ". Yet there are many ways to learn the Gospel besides just reading. I listen to it being read on tape (CD actually) while driving, which helps. Some may learn more through visual aids, like movies or art. Whatever it is that helps to learn the Scriptures as long as its moral of course, go for it. Yet I would still say that one should at least try to read them.

Pax Christi,

John

 

[BAChristian]

I would say that if one is able to, not reading Scripture in my opinion would be a sin. As St. Jerome commented "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ".

Whatever it is that helps to learn the Scriptures as long as its moral of course, go for it.

I think IJ brings up some interesting points (BTW, have some blessings there IJ...yer lookin' rather low...) ...however, I would like to add that the saints before us, before the 1600's, couldn't read the Scripture. Hence why the Church needed to teach them through oral teachings.

St. Jerome has a good point -- "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."

And he's right. But I don't think that not reading the Bible, in that context, would be considered a sin. Once again, we go back to the 15th century and earlier when the printing press wasn't invented.

IJ, you stated it best -- "Whatever it is that helps to learn the Scriptures..." is the key. If you read a thread here on CF, and you learn something about the faith you are pursuing, rather it be a Protestant faith, or the Catholic faith, that, in my opinion, satisfies your obligation to learn more about Christ.

Also, as St. Jerome has pointed out -- it's the blatant disregard to not engage in any Scripture, rather it be in the Bible, online, or through oral teachings, that draws us into a state of sin.