What do Catholics believe about 'sins' ?

Catholics believe pretty much the same thing about sin as do Protestants. Catholics believe we aquired Original Sin through our covenant relationship with Adam and Eve. But that kind of sin did not occur with a conscious choice, therefore a conscious choice is not required to have it removed. That is why we baptize infants the same as they did in the 1st century. The kind of sins we commit with a conscious choice demands a conscious choice to have it removed, that is why we go to confession.

Confession in the Bible:

http://www.scripturecatholic.com/confession.html

Here is the OFFICIAL Catholic teaching on sin, please note the Biblical references:

http://www.kofc.org/un/publications/cis/catechism/...

Remember mention of the 'unforgiveable sin', understood to mean sins against the Holy Spirit? And do you recall; the sins which cry out for vengeance"? If you don;t it is important for you to study the same. It seems to me that you are saying that Christ forgave all sins including those not yet committed. If that is the case, why the coming Judgement?Also, the term, 'Mortal' is an indicative word ref. to the gravity of those sins which jepordice the soul's eternal life with God. Sin is sin, but not all sins are of the same gravity,consequently not all sins will be a reason for individuals to go to Hell-- in God's own timing.It is not the case that all types of sin deserve eternal punishment nor immediate assignment to Hell.If this was the case, Adam and Eve would have deserved Hell but in fact were allowded to love on, but with the knowledge that the Fruit of Sin is death.You seem to have acquired from somewhere other than the Catholic church a concept of a very harsh Yahweh.

"Does it relate to any of God's teachings."

No, of course our beliefs don't relate to any of God's teachings. I'll let you in on one of our best-kept secret: there is a penthouse in Manhattan where we keep a schizo bag lady who talks to God and tells her what He wants. The next day, Poof! It's Catholic doctrine.

(And I wonder how long it will take before someone posts that statement here in R&S as solid "evidence" against Catholicism because after all, they heard it straight from a Catholic's lips.)

But to give your question far more attention than it deserves, Catholics believe that all sin is the result of disobeying God's commandments. Because we don't accept "Once saved, always saved," we believe that some very serious sins can lead to the loss of one's salvation. Things like murder and rape are called "mortal sins" for that reason.

Lesser sins, while still damaging to one's relationship with God, are called "venial sins." They still need to be addressed in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance (aka, Confession), but they do not lead to the loss of eternal life.

There's more, but you'll have to excuse me now. I have a long distance call coming in from Manhattan, and it's really important.

Mortal and Venial(1 John5:16)

Yes, It relates to all of God's teaching

Confession and absolution, especially( Matt9:2-8;John 20:22-23

we believe that sin is breaking of the Ten Commandments or anything that we know is wrong to do or say. Yes sins relate to Gods teaching about how we are supposed to avoid them.

Philosophically speaking, sin is an act of selfishness and results in the breakdown of one's relationship with God and fellowman. If we look at these things considered sinful, there is always the element of selfishness, i.e. choosing one's own satisfaction over others. Thus, sinfulness has a social dimension, because in choosing oneself we more away from others. If we choose the self, God is thrown out of the picture.

I'm a Catholic, and yes I have sinned'...big time.

sin comes in all shades, you can be in a family of rogues and it comes natural to sin'....and there are circumstances were you can't control your feelings, like addiction, and there is ignorance of sin.

I am confident that god knows the weakness in mans make up

and he doesn't expect perfection.

Like my children' I still love them... even with all their bad traits

and in God....it's exactly the same.

Fundie Charismatic Pentecostals protestants which i am not seem to think they can do all these things and then go confess them so some creepy guy behind a wall drinking from a brown paper bag and everything will be better we are all sinners and if you need to confess them, you should be asking forgiveness and guidance from god

Are you serious? The New Testament, which was compiled by the Catholic Church from its own writings and for its own use, has a great deal to say about sin and its consequences. And what it has to say is what the Cathooiic Church believes.

sin is like a religious crime and God is our judge, jury, witness and persecutor. yes it relates to god's teachings via the 10 commandments.