Accidently watched porn? Should I confess? I feel horrible now

[idontknow322]

First of all I never actually watched porn but my friend sent me a link and it was sexual content I closed the tab as soon as I saw sexual content. I feel bad even more since I went to confession on Christmas first time since my communion (was scared to go). Should I confess? God Bless .

 

[TimSpalding]

So, first, confession is only required for mortal sin. For a sin to be mortal it must be a grave sin, you must know it to be a grave sin and you must INTEND to do it. Clearly this fails the last test, at least. So, no, you do not need to confess it.

Is it a sin at all? I can’t see into your soul, but by your description, no. Sin is chosen. Being sent a link, opening it and closing it isn’t choosing sin.

 

[Zekariya]

First of all I never actually watched porn but my friend sent me a link and it was sexual content I closed the tab as soon as I saw sexual content. I feel bad even more since I went to confession on Christmas first time since my communion (was scared to go). Should I confess? God Bless .

It is the same with many movies out there. The moment an unexpected sex scene comes up you turn your head. It would only be sinful if you intentionally watched it. If impure thoughts come into your imagination, it is only sinful if you entertain them rather than stopping them the moment you realize it.

I’d tell your friend to never email you explicit content. That is really inappropriate.

 

[TimSpalding]

it is only sinful if you entertain them rather than stopping them the moment you realize it

Stopping thoughts is easier said than done—and not being able to is not necessarily sinful. (Don’t think about an elephant! Aha, you’re thinking about it.) Being unable to get a thought our of your head is not the same thing as lovingly revisiting it.

 

[Zekariya]

it is only sinful if you entertain them rather than stopping them the moment you realize it

Stopping thoughts is easier said than done—and not being able to is not necessarily sinful. (Don’t think about an elephant! Aha, you’re thinking about it.) Being unable to get a thought our of your head is not the same thing as lovingly revisiting it.

As long as you are not entertaining them it is not a sin. It could take multiple stops and starts before you get the thought out of your head. I didn’t mean to come across as saying that it only takes one stop to stop them.

 

[Actaeon]

First of all I never actually watched porn but my friend sent me a link and it was sexual content I closed the tab as soon as I saw sexual content. I feel bad even more since I went to confession on Christmas first time since my communion (was scared to go). Should I confess? God Bless .

Well, the first part has already been covered: you didn’t desire to look at such images and you didn’t dwell on them when they were presented to you.

However, you should also know that what your friend did constitutes “undesired sexual conduct”, and you should let your friend know, preferably in writing that is recorded, such as an email/message, that you want him/her NOT to send you any images like that. If said “friend” continues to do so, then it is apparent that they are not your friend… and then their conduct moves into the category of “sexual harrassment” (which, yes, even as a guy you can be a victim of). At that point, having provided a written request for the person to stop, you are then free to pursue a cease and desist order, a restraining order, and/or levy criminal charges against the person.

You should never have to put up with unwanted sexual content being sent to you.

 

[fastenatingguy]

We just got a new cable provider last month. Just when I was starting to figure out which channel numbers I liked, that all went out the window with the new provider.

So a few days before Christmas I am watching a movie late at night, and it ends. I start paging through the other channels and I came across a soft core porn movie.Had no idea that was in the new package. So I turned away from that and started looking for something else. I found something, but it was boring. So I thought “let’s try one more time” and as I am paging I come across the soft core porn again. This time I am weak and instead of turning away immediately, I watch it for a minute.

Then I come to my senses (thank you Lord) and say “time to go to bed” and so turned it off. Went to confession the next day, then I felt much better afterwards. The priest said “that was a real good confession!”