Why the Church Distinguishes Between Mortal and Venial Sin, Part I

NC Register ^ | May 8, 2015 | MARK SHEA

[Greetings_Puny_Humans]

I believe in what the Church teaches

Evidently, however, you lack the ability to defend it in any substantial way, aside from asserting the authority of your masters. This is no different than the Mormon of JW method of "proving" their cults correct, and is a sad state to be in.

[Grateful2God]

This isn't about me. The original post was about sin.

What you think of me is immaterial. I have nothing to prove, as I'm not here to proselytize. I do find it annoying when people think they know all about what Catholics believe, when even former Catholics can be clueless.

Frankly, DIY Bible interpretation, pompous condemnation of other people, based on it, and the compulsion to deem oneself saved above others is to me a major chorus of sounding brass and tinkling cymbals: devoid of charity, puffed-up, and befitting more the Sanhedrin than the One it condemned.

There is a thin line between charity for another's soul, and pride over its potential demise; between genuine love of the Scriptures, and the "study" that picks at the letter, while missing the heart, of what is written therein. Those who take it upon themselves to condemn others to hell are making a decision that is God's alone to make.

If one were having surgery, they would be beyond foolish to be cut open by an amateur who took one anatomy class and calls himself a doctor. A sensible person would prefer instead one with education, years of clinical schooling, decades of experience, credentialing, and a genuine calling to his vocation.

I prefer to have the Scripture and the way I lead my life received through the 3 basics of Catholicism: Scripture, Magisterium, and Sacred Tradition. For me, that's the real deal, not reliance on myself alone. For others, it is different, but their degree of faith, clarity of conscience, kindness toward others and love of God, well, that's a matter between themselves and Him. I am neither. I simply pray for all my brothers and sisters in humanity, without discrimination, and let God decide the rest.

And so, my friend, I shall bid you adieu, and perhaps look some time to see what shall be the 5th religion dissed and doomed in your next post. /sarc.

Sincerely, may you find peace on your road to God - and be blessed by Him with charity for those you encounter along your journey!

[Greetings_Puny_Humans]

devoid of charity, puffed-up, and befitting more the Sanhedrin than the One it condemned.

You've literally argued that you are correct because Catholicism says you are correct. And the best proof that you offer that you base your teachings on "scripture" is actually the sentence that says you base your teachings on scripture, which you've been unable to substantiate.

[Greetings_Puny_Humans]

"study" that picks at the letter, while missing the heart, of what is written therein.

What's funny about this too, by the way, that when you say "picks at the letter," you literally mean reading the scripture. The scripture itself uses such phraseology to condemn works-righteousness, which is the doctrine you promote.