Author Topic: Are all sins against Natural Law Mortal sins? (Read 893 times)

Gregory I · « **on:** September 21, 2015, 10:51:11 AM »

I have a loaded question dovetailing into the whole salvation outside the Church issue (There is none btw)...

Is every sin against the natural law a mortal sin? And which doctors teach that?

TKGS · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2015, 11:07:43 AM »

It is my understanding the theft violates the natural law. All people know, in their heart, that stealing another's possessions is wrong, at least to some degree. All people know that they would not be happy to have their own possessions stolen from them. It is something all people innately know.

Since every catechism I have ever seen notes that not all theft is, by its nature, a mortal sin and can be simply a venial sin, then every sin against the natural law is not necessarily a mortal sin.

I believe this syllogism is correct:

1. Theft violates the natural law.
2. Theft is not always a mortal sin.
Therefore, not every violation of the natural law is a mortal sin (since we have found at least one exception).

I await correction from the logic experts (though I hope y'all praise my sound reasoning).

Dolores · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2015, 11:25:55 AM »

I think the answer must be "no."

It is my understanding that no sin, no matter how grave, is ever "automatically" a mortal sin. That is because a mortal sin not only depends on the act involving grave matter, but it also depends on it being done with full knowledge and complete consent.

So, for example, murder is clearly a violation of the natural law, and is a grave sin. However, there may be circuмstances when it is not committed with complete consent, and would therefore not be a mortal sin.

It may be accurate to say that all violations of the natural law are potentially mortal sins, but I leave that to other to determine.

Gregory I · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2015, 11:46:07 AM »

Is it de fide that all who are subject to original sin, without justification and supernatural faith and charity, will inevitably sin mortally?

Matto · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2015, 12:03:08 PM »

I don't think it is de fide because so many Catholics don't believe it and believe instead that there are many upright pagans who do not commit mortal sin and are in the state of grace and will be saved without the sacraments.

Gregory I · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2015, 12:44:58 PM »

Quote from: Matto

I don't think it is de fide because so many Catholics don't believe it and believe instead that there are many upright pagans who do not commit mortal sin and are in the state of grace and will be saved without the sacraments.

Hahahhaha, lol.

Yep, that's the bane of our age unfortunately. But we know it isn't true because all the fathers and saints unanimously held the overwhelming majority of men are damned, unfortunately.

'How many among these uncivilized peoples do not yet know God, and are sunk in the darkest idolatry, superstition and ignorance! . . . Poor souls! These are they in whom Christ saw, in all the horror of His imminent Passion, the uselessness of His agony for so many souls!'
St. Francesca Saverio Cabrini

http://saintsquotes.net/Selection%20-%20Fewness.html