Ignorance is NOT a Valid Defense

 What came to mind when reading Apologist Dave Armstrong's answer, was that the same is true when it comes to taxes.  Back in the day, I worked in the tax office,  (Yes I know Jesus put tax collectors and prostitutes in the same category.😁) .  When people would say they didn't know they owed a tax, we responded that ignorance of the law was not an acceptable excuse. Sometimes, it was heartbreaking and sometimes the law would exemplify stupidity, but it wasn't my job to think or judge; it was to collect money.  I'd usually advise people to appeal to my superior.  Dave Armstrong's response amounts to the same principle.

Thank God, we have a God that is all merciful and not a tax collector.

Dave Armstrong

3h  · 

Question on Whether Ignorance of Mortal Sin is a Good Thing

[A person inquiring about the Catholic faith asked me this question]

Q: If you have to know that a sin is “grave” in order for it to be mortal (full knowledge and consent) then why would you want to tell someone that something is grave matter? Wouldn’t their ignorance of grave matter keep them from committing mortal sin and thus not endanger their salvation?

A: It's important that people are aware of what is a grave sin. Even if not knowing that sin x which has been committed is a grave matter and objectively a mortal sin (but not subjectively due to ignorance), a person is still harmed, as sin does no one any good and ultimately leads to spiritual death (Rom 6:16, 23; 7:11; 8:2; Jas 1:15; 5:20). Therefore, people ought to know what is considered serious sin, because habitual committing of such sins will eventually exclude one from heaven (see, e.g., Rev 21:8: "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death" [RSV] ).

Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat

Lectio:

ACTS 3:13-15, 17-19

Peter said to the people:
"The God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus,
whom you handed over and denied in Pilate's presence
when he had decided to release him.
You denied the Holy and Righteous One
and asked that a murderer be released to you.
The author of life you put to death,
but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.
Now I know, brothers,
that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did;
but God has thus brought to fulfillment
what he had announced beforehand
through the mouth of all the prophets,
that his Christ would suffer.
Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away."

Studium:

Peter and John had just healed a crippled man.  The people were amazed, to say the least.  More importantly, they were open to an explanation.  They were listening.  And so Peter began, "Why are you amazed at this?".  Peter goes on to explain that it wasn't by his power that the healing took place but by the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Who is Jesus.
     Peter was trying to appeal to them gently, with understanding (you acted out of ignorance) but making his point (The author of life you put to death.). 
       He also was showing them that Isaiah's predictions about suffering was not about them but rather was about their Messiah, Jesus.  That must have been an eye-opener.  

Meditatio:

The law tells us "Ignorance of the law, does not excuse one from liability.  Ignorantia juris non excusat or ignorantia legis neminem excusat (Latin for "ignorance of the law excuses not" and "ignorance of law excuses no one" respectively) is a legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law. 

Thank God, He is all merciful and does not abide by human rulings.

Oratio:

But how could I know I was doing wrong when I believed I was doing right?  Only You, My Love, know my heart.  You understand and are all merciful.  I appeal to your mercy.

Contemplatio:

Lord forgive me, I know not what I do.