Author Topic: What if lots of people break a law? (Read 453 times)

mmhmm72222 · « **on:** April 24, 2013, 09:24:31 PM »

I have a serious yet complex ethical concern with regards to a particular part of "Catholic Law". However, the concern is one that can be generalized to other faiths and even Criminal Law. What do you do if a law governing a population is being broken by a large percentage of the population? Let me jump right in. Statistical studies claim that many people masturbate, few Catholics go to confession, and many Catholics go to mass. However, the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" suggests that masturbation is generally a mortal sin and that one should not receive the Eucharist (Christ the bread of life) if they have not yet confessed all of their mortal sins. In other words, if you masturbate, then you have to go to confession before you may receive the Eucharist at mass. When I go to mass, it appears as if just about everyone receives the Eucharist. Either Catholics masturbate a lot less than the general population or Catholics at large are breaking the rules. It appears to me that at least 25% of this population is breaking the rule. To me, it's a very serious concern to have a law which is broken regularly by a large percent of the population that it governs. Also, I believe that the rule is not only justifiable, but perhaps it should not be removed or ignored. Now to my questions: What do you do if a law governing a population is being broken by a large percentage of the population? Do you reform the law? Do you confront the population? Do you pretend like it's not happening? Do some people deserve to be exempt?

__________________
Mike

lauraelizabeth · « **Reply #1 on:** April 24, 2013, 09:50:49 PM »

Earlier Cheryl posted a link to Catholic pamphlets......I printed a couple out and the first one was called 'fashionable sin'. A few pages in there is a part called common sin. You should read, it's really very good. I hope it helps. Here is the link for you :

http://www.catholicpamphlets.net/pamphlets/FASHIONABLE%20SIN.pdf

If the other people are continuing to hammer the nails into Christ's hands....then we should do everything in our power to relieve Him of that pain and sorrow. Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother suffer so much......we can't imagine.
Please pray for me and I'll pray for you.
And may the Holy Family keep you.

Mithrandylan · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2013, 10:06:30 PM »

Mike, you can pitch the Catechism of the ~~Catholic~~ Conciliar Church for starters. Masturbation is generally a mortal sin? No, it's always a mortal sin. But even besides that, it's poison.

In answer to your question, moral laws are not to be "reformed." In the case of masturbation, (and many other sins) the offense violates the natural order which does not change, and is written in every man's heart. Morality is not determined by the common conscience.

Stubborn · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2013, 01:56:17 AM »

Quote from: mmhmm72222

Now to my questions: What do you do if a law governing a population is being broken by a large percentage of the population? Do you reform the law? Do you confront the population? Do you pretend like it's not happening? Do some people deserve to be exempt?

You or I can do whatever we choose about the situation, but God punishes the population that transgresses His law - there is no strength in numbers against God.

Reference Sodom and Gomorrah and also Noah.