Catholics if a four year old commits a mortal sin (and has a clear understanding what a mortal sin is)?

Question

are they going to hell?

The human mind, I'm asking Catholics for a reason.

Answer 1

Few four year olds have a clear understanding of mortal sin, and few are capable of committing a mortal sin. The Church notes that there is an "age of reason" and it's well beyond the age of 4!

But even if it was possible, a mortal sin CAN be forgiven when properly repented of. Christ died for ALL our sins, remember.

Answer 2

It is nonsense to say ask, "What if a four year old has the mentality of a forty year old?"

A four year old has not reached the age of reason and cannot sin, much less commit mortal sin.

Catholics believe:

Mortal sin is a grave infraction of the law of God that destroys the divine life in the soul of the sinner (sanctifying grace), constituting a turn away from God. For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be present: grave matter, full knowledge of the evil of the act, and full consent of the will.

Venial sin is a sin which does not destroy the divine life in the soul, as does mortal sin, though it diminishes and wounds it. Venial sin is the failure to observe necessary moderation, in lesser matters of the moral law, or in grave matters acting without full knowledge or complete consent.

But continual venial sin can slowly but surely totally separate you from God, placing you into the state of mortal sin.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1854 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect1chpt1art8.htm#1854

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

Nope, and here's why. A four year old may understand the concept of mortal sin and even knowingly commit one (as unlikely as both of those things are.) But he's still only four years old and doesn't have a full adult understanding of what he's doing. He still thinks and reasons as a child, no matter how advanced he may seem otherwise.

God doesn't hold anything against a child (or anyone else) who lacks adult reasoning and logic skills. The four year old has a diminished capacity to understand consequences. As a result, he would not be guilty of a mortal sin, which requires full adult capacity to reason.

Answer 4

approximately teenagers, the Bible's account show that of the Israelites walking with Moses merely those twenty years and older have been stored culpable for the sins of the human beings. yet another account show that suited incorrect doing would settle for divine punishment. even if, this has by no skill been examined for those of an age of breast feeding. to that bring about a classic Christian putting, the youngster does no longer be waiting to commit an unforgivable sin. once you're saying mortal -- I merchandise to that phraseology from an ordinary certainty! we are all mortal, and the certainty that even babies, youthful toddlers, youthful person, and the all human beings else get unwell and die on party demonstrate that Adamitic sin is at paintings in our bodies and enable absolutely everyone to die from their being sinners. to that end all sin is mortal sin, (Rom 6:7,23) and easily some grow to be unforgivable. i think you used the word to show that the sin might reason very untimely demise -- such is very no longer likely and as I are conscious of it somewhat is reserved for particular cases of unforgivable sin. some examples are extreme priest Eli's sons, King Herod eaten by making use of worms, the couple in Acts that lied to the holy spirit, king Saul, those that rebelled against God and Moses (Korah +) and have been made an occasion of. (others ?)

Answer 5

Well, there's only a few mortal sins a 4 year old could commit and none of them are good. I would take this up with a priest to discuss his afterlife and then a therapist to work through the present issues.

Answer 6

Only after one has reached the age of reason is one capable of commiting mortal sin; the age of nine at the earliest.

Answer 7

in truth a four year old commiting a mortal sin does not result in that person going directly to hell. If the child as for forgivness and is absolved(which they would be) then that child does not go to hell...and even if no absolution is given the child would most likely go to purgatory.

Answer 8

No 4 years old is too young to understand clearly. In psychology it is taught that children should know the difference between right and wrong by age 8.

And in Catholism you can be forgiven (avoiding hell) if you repent and confess, nobody is ever damned forever - unless you choose to.

Answer 9

NO!!! They are only 4, give the kid a break. I really don't consider 4 year olds sinning. If the chid does not stop, try a counsler. The child is not going to hell! Has a long life ahead of him/her.

Answer 10

If God knows that the child has an understanding about salvation and the need for repentence, yes, they are going to hell, unless they ask Jesus into their heart. Only God can judge a child this young though. My children were 4 and 3 when they prayed the sinner's prayer and I could tell by pictures that they became born-again, their little faces glowed with the presence of Jesus.