The Two Degrees of Sin
God revealed that there are two types of sin: "If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that is not a deadly sin, he has only to pray, and God will give life to this brother...There is a sin that leads to death...Every kind of wickedness is sin, but not all sin leads to death." (1 John 5:16-17).
Sins can be classified into two sections: venial sin and mortal sin. There are major differences between these two, and what effects they have on people and their relationships.
Sins can be classified into two sections: venial sin and mortal sin. There are major differences between these two, and what effects they have on people and their relationships.
Mortal Sin
The Church teaches about mortal sin: "it destroys charity in the heart of a man by a grave violation of God's law; it turns man away from God who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior god to him.' (Catechism 155).
Mortal sin completely turns a person away from God, destroys the gift of charity and the gifts received at confirmation and baptism (wisdom, understanding, knowledge, right judgement, courage, reverence and wonder and awe) and marriage.
Hell/eternal punishment is to die with mortal sin on your conscience (it has not been forgiven in reconciliation). You will remain separated from God forever. This is why it is important to attend reconciliation regularly.
The conditions for mortal sin are: it must be of grave matter (specified by the 10 Commandments) and you must have committed it in full knowledge (knowing that the word or action was against grave matter, or God's law).
Holy Communion cannot be received while in mortal sin. This is because you are pretending to be close to Jesus, when really your actions have ruined your friendship with him.
Examples of mortal sin are murder and stealing something extremely expensive.
Mortal sin completely turns a person away from God, destroys the gift of charity and the gifts received at confirmation and baptism (wisdom, understanding, knowledge, right judgement, courage, reverence and wonder and awe) and marriage.
Hell/eternal punishment is to die with mortal sin on your conscience (it has not been forgiven in reconciliation). You will remain separated from God forever. This is why it is important to attend reconciliation regularly.
The conditions for mortal sin are: it must be of grave matter (specified by the 10 Commandments) and you must have committed it in full knowledge (knowing that the word or action was against grave matter, or God's law).
Holy Communion cannot be received while in mortal sin. This is because you are pretending to be close to Jesus, when really your actions have ruined your friendship with him.
Examples of mortal sin are murder and stealing something extremely expensive.
Venial Sin
Venial sin is less serious than mortal sin. It does not turn a person away from God; it only weakens their relationship, as well as the gift of charity. Venial sin, if continued to be committed, can weaken charity to such an extent that they eventually commit mortal sin, too.
God forgives venial sins if the person is sincerely sorry - he will restore charity ans strength.
A person can show sorrow for their sins by taking Holy Communion, going to reconciliation, prayer (especially to Mary) and examining conscience.
God forgives venial sins if the person is sincerely sorry - he will restore charity ans strength.
A person can show sorrow for their sins by taking Holy Communion, going to reconciliation, prayer (especially to Mary) and examining conscience.
Purification after Death
When people die, they first go to purgatory to purify themselves before entering heaven.