Am I being scrupulous?

[invadersomeone]

A little while ago my friend sent me a link to a ‘shocker site’. Curiosity got the better of me and I took a look at it to see what it was then quickly closed out. Now i’m sitting here thinking i’ve sinned because i looked at it for like 5 seconds.

It’s really bugging me now, have I sinned or am I just being scrupulous? If it’s just scrupulosity how do I overcome that?

 

[Moscati]

By “shocker site” do you mean porn? And did you know it would be porn (if that’s what it was)? If you didn’t know what is was, and you closed it right away, then no, I don’t think you sinned. If you did know what it was, and you clicked on it anyway, that would be–though kudos for closing it right away.

Tell your friend not to send you junk, and don’t dwell on it.

 

[Bookcat]

A little while ago my friend sent me a link to a ‘shocker site’. Curiosity got the better of me and I took a look at it to see what it was then quickly closed out. Now i’m sitting here thinking i’ve sinned because i looked at it for like 5 seconds.

It’s really bugging me now, have I sinned or am I just being scrupulous? If it’s just scrupulosity how do I overcome that?

One must judge …

From the Compendium of the Catechism:

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

---

 

[bbentrup]

A little while ago my friend sent me a link to a ‘shocker site’. Curiosity got the better of me and I took a look at it to see what it was then quickly closed out. Now i’m sitting here thinking i’ve sinned because i looked at it for like 5 seconds.

It’s really bugging me now, have I sinned or am I just being scrupulous? If it’s just scrupulosity how do I overcome that?

It would be too much to say curiosity is sinful. But outside work and the creative arts, this characteristic trait of man is largely unhelpful. Jesus and his Church have already shown us the path that we must follow as pilgrims. Straying off the path to see what’s just beyond our vision can’t possibly help us, and can potentially be fatal. In that sense, I’d try to control curiosity as much as possible. Cling desperately to Jesus, as doing so will not fail you.

Looking back at the past event, the possible sin/non-sin, is a separate issue. Pondering about sin in the abstract form, especially for those who are still working on shaping their conscience (most of us), is probably good wisdom. We need to understand the nature of the act and whether it is one that we must avoid objectively and/or subjuctively (an innocent pasttime for many people that for some of us would lead to bad habits, e.g., alcohol). That would be good and not scrupulous as it is simply an inquiry into the truth. Scrupulosity seems to occur when we worry needlessly if something that we did was a sin. “Needlessly” is the key word there because if we know we are not going to do it again or we know that we are currently walking in Jesus’s footsteps on the true path, then turning around and looking backwards would just be delaying our obligated heavenly pilgrimage. Only if you’re not sure about which direction to go (i.e., whether to keep on with that activity) should you dwell on it. Your task, if you have decided later about the nature of the act, is to simply note it, confess it if serious sin the next time in confession (not necessarily mortal as you would likely not have formed the requisite full knowledge at the time), and MOVE ON.

May God’s peace be with you!

 

[Father_Gow]

Your task, if you have decided later about the nature of the act, is to simply note it, confess it if serious sin the next time in confession (not necessarily mortal as you would likely not have formed the requisite full knowledge at the time), and MOVE ON.!

I agree. Make a mental note that this was something not good (probably not mortal) and even though you just gave into your curiosity you still have some guilt even though that is as far as you took it. Remember that Confession not only makes absolution available to you but also the graces you need to help you purify your imagination and memory from the material you glanced at so that those images do not lead you down a further road of thoughts or etc.

If ever in doubt - confess it - that is why the Sacrament is there for you.

 

[Bookcat]

I agree. Make a mental note that this was something not good (probably not mortal) and even though you just gave into your curiosity you still have some guilt even though that is as far as you took it. Remember that Confession not only makes absolution available to you but also the graces you need to help you purify your imagination and memory from the material you glanced at so that those images do not lead you down a further road of thoughts or etc.

If ever in doubt - confess it - that is why the Sacrament is there for you.

If one confesses something that is doubtful (one has doubts about it being mortal or even a sin)…of course mention that one is not sure it was mortal…or not sure it was sinful.

 

[Father_Gow]

If one confesses something that is doubtful (one has doubts about it being mortal or even a sin)…of course mention that one is not sure it was mortal…or not sure it was sinful.

But if the person has guilt about what they did - it is a good sign that they commit some offense in that moment. Also, just because a person does not necessarily think what they did was sinful does not mean that it wasn’t. If people stopped going to confess because of doubt about the reality of certain sins then do we not begin to walk down the road of Subjectivism?

 

[Bookcat]

But if the person has guilt about what they did - it is a good sign that they commit some offense in that moment. Also, just because a person does not necessarily think what they did was sinful does not mean that it wasn’t. If people stopped going to confess because of doubt about the reality of certain sins then do we not begin to walk down the road of Subjectivism?

Let me clarify what i am getting at Father…

If the person judges in his conscience that he committed a mortal sin he should confess that mortal sin (grave matter, full knowledge, complete consent) for sure.

If the person judges in his conscience that he committed a venial sin…it is good to confess that sin (encouraged)…(they can be forgiven in other ways)

If the person is in doubt that he had the full knowledge or complete consent …(but had the grave matter) then he may confess it but he should note to the priest that he is not sure it was mortal (that he has doubts that it was)

If the person is in doubt that something he confesses is even a sin at all (such as if he gave any consent) …then he may confess it …but needs to say that it is doubtful.

Does a person have to confess something that was grave matter but which he honestly is in doubt that he had full knowledge or complete consent?

No. For one is only obliged to confess mortal sins…

Now should a person confess doubtful sins? Or things that were “doubtfully mortal”?

It depends.

If the person is of normal conscience …then it can be very much recommended to confess those things that were “doubtfully mortal” …even from the point of view of clarification from the Priest.

If the person is lax…they would be strongly urged to confess such doubtfully mortal sins…for otherwise the person would not be bothered likely …

If the person is scrupulous or has scruples to some degree or a tendency to them…he would be recommended not to confess any doubtful sins at all…(though he could)…but only those sins that are certain (intending the rest of his sins at they are before God)

As to doubtful sins per se (if it was a sin at all) one could if one is in the first two categories so long as it is not becoming a tendency to scruples…and one would be advised not to in the third category

*** in ANY case if one confesses something that is a grave matter that one is doubtful that it was mortal due to doubts about the full knowledge or complete consent…they should say that one has such doubts about it in some way.

Same goes with things that are doubtfully sinful at all. One should say it is doubtful.

And if one has only doubtful things to confess…one needs to add something that one is certain about…for doubtful sins (in the sense that one doubts if one sinned at all) are not sufficient matter for the Sacrament (hence too the custom to say “and all the sins of my life especially for those of x and y”)

 

[Bookcat]

Though I would add… that when it comes to sexual sins where something action is done …like one starts looking at pornography and then after a brief time turns away…etc…(not just thoughts that tempt one and one has doubts about…or a surprise glance at such things that one feels attraction for but turns away from ) …then I personally advise that even if one has doubts…to go to confession…even if the person has difficulty with scruples…for the Priest can then help in determining things and can advise them…for such is a particularly tricky area.

As to the persons original question…i am not sure what he is talking about…what the subject was…but perhaps he may want to bring it up as it is (saying he is not sure if he still is not when he goes) in confession…

 

[edwest2]

Being scrupulous is OK. Sometimes we all see something we weren’t expecting or thought we’d see. Every now and then, I’m somewhere where I see a magazine cover I wasn’t looking for but caught my eye.

Just be honest with yourself. If it wasn’t your intention to see something shocking that was immoral, then look at it as a event to help guard yourself against future incidents. When in doubt, talk to your priest.

Hope this helps,
Ed