Catholics referring to my last question about a four year old committing a mortal sin?

Question

this is the question I asked: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgXGsLp0suUdsL7k6uSlfVnd7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20071208165754AAQhoAp

Anyways, the other day I asked about, how many saints had taken a vow of perpetual virginity at ages as young as four-six. Many Catholics answered that a child at the age of four can comprehend what ones virginity is and make a vow to keep it forever, yet somehow the child can't comprehend what sin is?
Why is that?

(I'm just trying to compare the two situations to each other, as I believe a child cannot understand the concept of sin or virginity at that age, yet some Catholics believe they can.)

Answer 1

        No one in their right mind should ever expect a four-year old to understand any adult concepts -- no matter the subject. Period.

God bless.

Answer 2

Nope, and right this is why. A 4 12 months previous would understand the considered mortal sin or perhaps knowingly commit one (as no longer likely as the two a form of issues are.) yet he continues to be merely 4 years previous and would not have an entire person expertise of what he's doing. He nonetheless thinks and motives as a toddler, no rely how stronger he would look in any different case. God would not carry something against a toddler (or absolutely everyone else) who lacks person reasoning and good judgment skills. The 4 12 months previous has a dwindled potential to appreciate effects. hence, he does no longer be in control of a mortal sin, which calls for complete person potential to reason.

Answer 3

About small children, the Bible's account show that of the Israelites walking with Moses only the ones 20 years and older were kept culpable for the sins of the people.

Another account show that individual wrong doing may be given divine punishment. However, this has never been demonstrated for those of an age of breast feeding.

Thus in a normal Christian setting, the child would not be able to commit an unforgivable sin.

When you say mortal -- I object to that phrasing from a simple fact! We are all mortal, and the fact that even babies, young children, young adult, and the everybody else get sick and die on occasion demonstrate that Adamitic sin is at work in our bodies and permit anyone to die from their being sinners.

Thus all sin is mortal sin, (Rom 6:7,23) and only a few become unforgivable.
I believe you used the phrase to indicate that the sin would cause very premature death -- such is highly unlikely and as I understand it is reserved for special cases of unforgivable sin.

A few examples are high priest Eli's sons, King Herod eaten by worms, the couple in Acts that lied to the holy spirit, king Saul, the ones that rebelled against God and Moses (Korah +) and were made an example of. (others ?)

Answer 4

If you read the autobiographies of the saints, you'll see that many of them will admit that they made a vow of perpetual virginity at a young age without fully understanding what they were promising. They talk about writing the words but not knowing exactly what they meant.

In any case, even if a four year old does make such a vow and later breaks it, there is no sin involved. It was made without full comprehension. As I said in my reply to your first post, a four year old has an incomplete or diminished capacity to understand consequences of his or her actions. They lack the adult ability to understand, and therefore, they are free from any moral sin or obligation to fulfill a vow.

Answer 5

Because a Saint is not necessarily your typical child. They often have relationship with God that others cannot understand. Some of the Saints knew and loved Jesus at a very early age, but I think this is because they were different.

We only have the Saints own words to know that they made a vow of virginity at an early age. So, they are the ones who knew if they understood or not.

A Saint making a vow of virginity is not something they are making a reasonable decision to do...I think it would be more of a calling...the soul is not the age of the child. Our souls know and desire God, the soul does not age chronologically with the body. But committing sin is more inherent to us...it is our nature and does rely on a sense of understanding and culpability.

A mortal sin is a big one...such as murder, abortion, adultery...etc. I think most of us would be upset if a 3 or 4 year old carried out a pre-meditated murder. To me that would show they were in touch with something other than their own reason. Some of the Saints, as children were in touch with God, so again...it wouldn't be about reason and culpability but the innate desire of the soul to know God.

You should read some of the stories of the Saints lives. Many knew from the time they were small that they would dedicate their lives to God.

As an aside thought...I've heard many homosexuals (Ellen Degeneres is one) claim they "knew" they were homosexual as early as 4 or 5 years old. I guess you have to wonder at that as well...how would a 4 or 5 year old understand the concept of sexual orientatation?

Answer 6

How can you even begin to believe that a four to six year old child can comprehend virginity or sin, they do not know the difference between right and wrong yet. I don't even understand how Catholics could believe that a child of that age could understand those issues when Catholics of any age cannot even understand the difference between Catholic dogma and truth. The only way a child of that age could commit a sin is if they are taught or learn by example.

Answer 7

"Catholics if a four year old commits a mortal sin (and has a clear understanding what a mortal sin is)?
are they going to hell?"

It seems to me that you were asking a hypothetical question with certain parameters.

1. The age of the child

2. The sin committed is mortal

3. That the child is fully knowledgeable of their sin

The correct answer to this question should be that it is not us who can judge but if one dies with a mortal sin then their eternity is placed in question. If one is aware of ones sins regardless of age and refuses to repent and restore themselves to God then they will be judged for that mortal sin.

You changed the parameters in your second question stating that a child cannot know what the sin is. This parameter requires another answer and that is that we are judged according to our knowledge of sin. This would also apply to someone who is mentally deficient or mentally ill as well.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 8

By the time I was five I had killed and eaten parts of several people. I did not realize this was a mortal sin. By the age of seven I started to ask permission. That makes it OK. There is always a loophole.

Answer 9

Do the priests really care old they are? Should the millions being paid out be of a smaller amount because the priest only had sex with 4 year olds?

Answer 10

At that age they still do not have clear concepts of mortal sins and why they are such. Your question is highly hypothetical.