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Objection 1: It would seem that blasphemy is not always a mortal
sin. Because a gloss on the words, "Now lay you also all away,"
etc. (Col. 3:8) says: "After prohibiting greater crimes he
forbids lesser sins": and yet among the latter he includes blasphemy.
Therefore blasphemy is comprised among the lesser, i.e. venial,
sins.
Objection 2: Further, every mortal sin is opposed to one of the
precepts of the decalogue. But, seemingly, blasphemy is not contrary
to any of them. Therefore blasphemy is not a mortal sin.
Objection 3: Further, sins committed without deliberation, are not
mortal: hence first movements are not mortal sins, because they
precede the deliberation of the reason, as was shown above (FS,
Question 74, Articles 3,10). Now blasphemy sometimes occurs
without deliberation of the reason. Therefore it is not always a
mortal sin.
On the contrary, It is written (Lev. 24:16): "He that
blasphemeth the name of the Lord, dying let him die." Now the death
punishment is not inflicted except for a mortal sin. Therefore
blasphemy is a mortal sin.
I answer that, As stated above (FS, Question 72, Article
5), a mortal sin is one whereby a man is severed from the first
principle of spiritual life, which principle is the charity of God.
Therefore whatever things are contrary to charity, are mortal sins in
respect of their genus. Now blasphemy, as to its genus, is opposed
to Divine charity, because, as stated above (Article 1), it
disparages the Divine goodness, which is the object of charity.
Consequently blasphemy is a mortal sin, by reason of its genus.
Reply to Objection 1: This gloss is not to be understood as meaning
that all the sins which follow, are mortal, but that whereas all those
mentioned previously are more grievous sins, some of those mentioned
afterwards are less grievous; and yet among the latter some more
grievous sins are included.
Reply to Objection 2: Since, as stated above (Article 1),
blasphemy is contrary to the confession of faith, its prohibition is
comprised under the prohibition of unbelief, expressed by the words:
"I am the Lord thy God," etc. (Ex. 20:1). Or else, it
is forbidden by the words: "Thou shalt not take the name of . . .
God in vain" (Ex. 20:7). Because he who asserts something
false about God, takes His name in vain even more than he who uses
the name of God in confirmation of a falsehood.
Reply to Objection 3: There are two ways in which blasphemy may
occur unawares and without deliberation. In the first way, by a man
failing to advert to the blasphemous nature of his words, and this may
happen through his being moved suddenly by passion so as to break out
into words suggested by his imagination, without heeding to the meaning
of those words: this is a venial sin, and is not a blasphemy properly
so called. In the second way, by adverting to the meaning of his
words, and to their blasphemous nature: in which case he is not
excused from mortal sin, even as neither is he who, in a sudden
movement of anger, kills one who is sitting beside him.
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