9. How do we sin against faith?
1. By infidelity, heresy, and scepticism; 2. By impious and profane language, or by wilfully listening to it; likewise by reading or spreading irreligious books and writings; and 3. By indifference in matters of faith, or by actually denying it.
Many popular novels and other books which are commonly found in public libraries are dangerous to faith and morals. All, especially young persons, ought to seek competent advice regarding the selection of books to read.
10. When do people become guilty of indifference in matters of faith?
1. When they do not care for any religion, or when they consider all religions as equally good; 2. When they stand in need of being instructed, and neglect to attend the Catechism or Christian doctrine; and 3. When parents or guardians allow their children to be brought up in an erroneous belief.
11. How do we sin against hope?
1. By despair or by distrust of God; and 2. By presumption or by false confidence.
12. When do we sin by despair or by distrust?
When we either do not hope at all for that which we ought to hope for from God,1 or when we do not hope for it with confidence in Him.2
Examples: 1 Cain and Judas; 2 Moses and the Israelites in the desert.
13. What are we to hope for from God?
We are, above all, to hope for life everlasting, and for whatever is necessary and conducive to it — that is, the forgiveness of our sins and the grace of God.
14. On what grounds are we to hope for these things?
Because God, who is infinitely powerful, merciful, and faithful, has promised them to us, and Jesus Christ has merited them for us.
