Sin

Question 1

What is Original Sin?

Answer 1

Refers to the disharmony into which all humans are born. This includes the evil we see around us, the anger we have within us towards others and ourselves, and the good resolutions that we often break.

Question 2

What is Personal Sin?

Answer 2

Refers to any deliberate action, word, thought or desire, which turns us away from God. These can be looked at in three degrees of sin: venial, serious and mortal sin.

Question 3

What is Mortal Sin?

Answer 3

These are sins which cut you off from any relationship with God or others. There are three conditions for a sin to be Mortal:
1. The action or attitude must be serious (Grave Matter)
2. The person must know that what he or she is doing is sinful (Full Knowledge)
3. The person must freely consent to the evil (Freedom and Consent)

Question 4

What is Venial Sin?

Answer 4

These are deliberate acts of selfishness that destroy some of the peace and harmony in a friendship. If one or more of the conditions for mortal sin is absent, then it is considered a Venial Sin.