Abortion...a mortal sin?

[puppypatrol]

While teaching CCD last night, I had a student pose a disturbing question.

One student (they are 6th and 7th graders) asked if getting an abortion was a sin. Of course I replied it was a mortal sin. Then another student asked "How can it be a sin if the President says it is OK?" After getting over the shock of hearing the question, I asked the kids who was more important, God or the President? Who decides what is sin and where we spend eternal life?

I guess I just found it disconcerting that there would even be the question. What are these hearing at home?

[crazzeto]

That's disturbing, I'm glad you corrected them on that.

[Orchanian]

That is one unfortunate result of Roe v. Wade - if something is not illegal, people may assume that it is not immoral. Many people have bought the lie that abortion is a woman's choice, and that anyone who cares about women would support abortion. The reality is that anyone who cares about women would reject abortion because of the harm it does. Women who have had abortions suffer from depression, addictions, eating disorders, increased suicide attempts, difficulty maintaining healthy relationships with men, and increased incidences of child abuse with later children. In a study of about 200 women who became pregnant as a result of rape or incest, 92% of those who chose abortion regretted their decision. Of those who chose to carry to term, not one regretted that decision. There is actually a lot of data that shows the negative impact of abortion. There is not a single study that shows that a woman's life was improved as a result of an abortion. These facts are so important for us to communicate to our young people so that they don't make the mistakes of their parents. More info on the stats is available in a book called Forbidden Grief. Testimonials of post-abortive women are online at www.silentnomoreawareness.com.

[kimmielittle]

Originally Posted by puppypatrol

While teaching CCD last night, I had a student pose a disturbing question.

One student (they are 6th and 7th graders) asked if getting an abortion was a sin. Of course I replied it was a mortal sin. Then another student asked "How can it be a sin if the President says it is OK?" After getting over the shock of hearing the question, I asked the kids who was more important, God or the President? Who decides what is sin and where we spend eternal life?

I guess I just found it disconcerting that there would even be the question. What are these hearing at home?

We need teachers like you

[Mark77]

At least they know that the President is pro abortion.

Most adults are ignorant of his pro-abortion voting record which includes voting twice against the "Infants born alive protection act".They fall for the propaganda & believe he "wants to reduce abortions", the usual lies spouted by the pro-death crowd.

This is a great opportunity to do as Jesus taught us "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation." (Mk 16:15), and to counteract the overwhelming noise of the secular crowd that most people get 24/7 on TV and the internet!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

[jrabs]

Originally Posted by puppypatrol

While teaching CCD last night, I had a student pose a disturbing question.

One student (they are 6th and 7th graders) asked if getting an abortion was a sin. Of course I replied it was a mortal sin. Then another student asked "How can it be a sin if the President says it is OK?" After getting over the shock of hearing the question, I asked the kids who was more important, God or the President? Who decides what is sin and where we spend eternal life?

I guess I just found it disconcerting that there would even be the question. What are these hearing at home?

wow - super sad question but so glad the young student asked it. That's brave. You handled it wonderfully. I love your answer.

[Mark77]

Originally Posted by Orchanian

That is one unfortunate result of Roe v. Wade - if something is not illegal, people may assume that it is not immoral. Many people have bought the lie that abortion is a woman's choice, and that anyone who cares about women would support abortion. The reality is that anyone who cares about women would reject abortion because of the harm it does. Women who have had abortions suffer from depression, addictions, eating disorders, increased suicide attempts, difficulty maintaining healthy relationships with men, and increased incidences of child abuse with later children. In a study of about 200 women who became pregnant as a result of rape or incest, 92% of those who chose abortion regretted their decision. Of those who chose to carry to term, not one regretted that decision. There is actually a lot of data that shows the negative impact of abortion. There is not a single study that shows that a woman's life was improved as a result of an abortion. These facts are so important for us to communicate to our young people so that they don't make the mistakes of their parents. More info on the stats is available in a book called Forbidden Grief. Testimonials of post-abortive women are online at www.silentnomoreawareness.com.

Excellent point!

Legal does not equal moral.

Slavery was legal in the US until 1865 and women could not vote until 1920!!!



Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

[Br. Rich SFO]

Originally Posted by puppypatrol

While teaching CCD last night, I had a student pose a disturbing question.

One student (they are 6th and 7th graders) asked if getting an abortion was a sin. Of course I replied it was a mortal sin. Then another student asked "How can it be a sin if the President says it is OK?" After getting over the shock of hearing the question, I asked the kids who was more important, God or the President? Who decides what is sin and where we spend eternal life?

I guess I just found it disconcerting that there would even be the question. What are these hearing at home?

You may want to even add that it is so serious of a Mortal Sin that it carries an Automatic Excommunication. You of course will then have to explain what an Excommunication is and what it's intent and purpose is. Look to the Rule of St. Benedict for help with this.

[tmancath]

Originally Posted by puppypatrol

While teaching CCD last night, I had a student pose a disturbing question.

One student (they are 6th and 7th graders) asked if getting an abortion was a sin. Of course I replied it was a mortal sin. Then another student asked "How can it be a sin if the President says it is OK?" After getting over the shock of hearing the question, I asked the kids who was more important, God or the President? Who decides what is sin and where we spend eternal life?

I guess I just found it disconcerting that there would even be the question. What are these hearing at home?

Even though abortion is legal in the U.S because Roe vs. Wade in 1973, doesn't mean that it is true. It contradicts the law of the land and therefore, us as Catholics (or Christians) must accept that it isn't right and moral. Fr. Corapi often talks about the intriscant sin of abortion. I faced an issue as such three years ago. One of my friends was in trouble and she come to me for help. She did lie to me about what she was in trouble for and I didn't know that she ulitimately used the money I lent her for an abortion til after the fact. All I could think about was, am I going to be excommunicated? Abortion is a mortal sin. It is something that not only (alleged) President Obama (yes I am a birther) should be aware of, but also our speaker of the house Nancy Pelosi should be aware of. Mrs. Pelosi claims that she is Catholic, yet she doesn't know when life begins or agrees with the Church on its stance.

[puzzleannie]

Originally Posted by puppypatrol

I guess I just found it disconcerting that there would even be the question. What are these hearing at home?

well down here where 90% of voters are registered democrats, I know what they are hearing at home because I hear it from parents whenever I uphold Church teaching where it contradicts the democratic party platform and current efforts.

[Scottgun]

In my view, every Catholic catechesis course should include a close look at Evangelium Vitae. For instance:

73. Abortion and euthanasia are thus crimes which no human law can claim to legitimize. There is no obligation in conscience to obey such laws; instead there is a grave and clear obligation to oppose them by conscientious objection. From the very beginnings of the Church, the apostolic preaching reminded Christians of their duty to obey legitimately constituted public authorities (cf. Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-14), but at the same time it firmly warned that "we must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). In the Old Testament, precisely in regard to threats against life, we find a significant example of resistance to the unjust command of those in authority. After Pharaoh ordered the killing of all newborn males, the Hebrew midwives refused. "They did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live" (Ex 1:17). But the ultimate reason for their action should be noted: "the midwives feared God" (ibid.). It is precisely from obedience to God-to whom alone is due that fear which is acknowledgment of his absolute sovereignty-that the strength and the courage to resist unjust human laws are born. It is the strength and the courage of those prepared even to be imprisoned or put to the sword, in the certainty that this is what makes for "the endurance and faith of the saints" (Rev 13:10).

And it also explicitly rejects what I'll call "democracism":

70...

Democracy cannot be idolized to the point of making it a substitute for morality or a panacea for immorality. Fundamentally, democracy is a "system" and as such is a means and not an end. Its "moral" value is not automatic, but depends on conformity to the moral law to which it, like every other form of human behaviour, must be subject: in other words, its morality depends on the morality of the ends which it pursues and of the means which it employs. If today we see an almost universal consensus with regard to the value of democracy, this is to be considered a positive "sign of the times", as the Church's Magisterium has frequently noted. 88 But the value of democracy stands or falls with the values which it embodies and promotes. Of course, values such as the dignity of every human person, respect for inviolable and inalienable human rights, and the adoption of the "common good" as the end and criterion regulating political life are certainly fundamental and not to be ignored.

[tmancath]

Originally Posted by Scottgun

In my view, every Catholic catechesis course should include a close look at Evangelium Vitae. For instance:





And it also explicitly rejects what I'll call "democracism":

well done. Pope John Paul II did a wonderful job of getting his point across. Anytime I think of life issues and the Church. Evangelium Vitae and Humanae Vitae (by Pope Paul VI) is what I turn to.

[puppypatrol]

Originally Posted by Br. Rich SFO

You may want to even add that it is so serious of a Mortal Sin that it carries an Automatic Excommunication. You of course will then have to explain what an Excommunication is and what it's intent and purpose is. Look to the Rule of St. Benedict for help with this.

I went into that last year during the election and, boy, were some of the parents mad at me. Complaints to my pastor, phone calls, and, to top it all off, the students became rude and totally disrespectful. I almost quit teaching but, since my pastor asked me.....we share a class.

Originally Posted by tmancath

Even though abortion is legal in the U.S because Roe vs. Wade in 1973, doesn't mean that it is true. It contradicts the law of the land and therefore, us as Catholics (or Christians) must accept that it isn't right and moral. Fr. Corapi often talks about the intriscant sin of abortion. I faced an issue as such three years ago. One of my friends was in trouble and she come to me for help. She did lie to me about what she was in trouble for and I didn't know that she ulitimately used the money I lent her for an abortion til after the fact. All I could think about was, am I going to be excommunicated? Abortion is a mortal sin. It is something that not only (alleged) President Obama (yes I am a birther) should be aware of, but also our speaker of the house Nancy Pelosi should be aware of. Mrs. Pelosi claims that she is Catholic, yet she doesn't know when life begins or agrees with the Church on its stance.

The real problem is that many don't understand that being Catholic is all or nothing. One can't pick and choose what they want to believe. What they don't understand is that we are also pro-choice but you only get to choose before you go to bed with someone, not after. Unless they became pregnant by the Holy Spirit, they already made their choice.

I am so sick and tired of "Cafeteria Catholics" PRETENDING they know what the church teaches and what it doesn't teach, or even what the church means when it says..... I have a parish not 15 miles from where I live that is full of them and they are not having the leash pulled in because their pastor is the same way. I find I have to often turn and walk away before loosing my temper and saying something I shouldn't.

Many of the adults in my parish just don't know the truth about their faith and will fall for anything because they don't have the interest in learning what is real and what isn't. Sometimes there seems to be more concentration on "conscience" instead of teachings. They don't understand you can't have a properly formed conscience if you don't know the teachings. I guess my dream is that Catholics would be at least as concerned with learning about their faith as they are with the Friday Night sports event at the local high school. The benefits will stay with them and their kids longer. (I know, it may never happen in my lifetime, but I can dream, can't I?)

[tmancath]

Originally Posted by puppypatrol

The real problem is that many don't understand that being Catholic is all or nothing. One can't pick and choose what they want to believe. What they don't understand is that we are also pro-choice but you only get to choose before you go to bed with someone, not after. Unless they became pregnant by the Holy Spirit, they already made their choice.

I am so sick and tired of "Cafeteria Catholics" PRETENDING they know what the church teaches and what it doesn't teach, or even what the church means when it says.....

Many of the adults in my parish just don't know the truth about their faith and will fall for anything because they don't have the interest in learning what is real and what isn't. Sometimes there seems to be more concentration on "conscience" instead of teachings. They don't understand you can't have a properly formed conscience if you don't know the teachings. I guess my dream is that Catholics would be at least as concerned with learning about their faith as they are with the Friday Night sports event at the local high school. The benefits will stay with them and their kids longer. (I know, it may never happen in my lifetime, but I can dream, can't I?)

I couldn't agree with you more

[Fidelis Unus]

Originally Posted by jrabs

You handled it wonderfully. I love your answer.

Absolutely agree. What a great response at an unexpected moment!

I'm so glad these children have you there teaching them. Thank you for giving of yourself in this way, you are helping to shape souls.

Bless you,
Maggie