Bizarre cases of libido

[Mr_Fausto]

Personally, I think if a person is drawn to that type of visualization/scenarios, there definitely could be cause for concern. The things we continue to watch, over and over, eventually we can become fixated, and a habit forms. I think that is very much the case for men with porn. The images become so ingrained inside of a man’s mind…that a habit forms because of continuously seeking out the visuals. So, a case could be made for someone who is ‘drawn’ to these types of scenes. The thing about video games, Mr Fausto, is that they too are very addicting, and it’s great that you sacrificed that for Lent. I think you will emerge better off for doing so!

But, if you really feel that you’re drawn to a certain type of scenario, and you seek it out, that would be cause for concern. Again, if you are feeling ‘weak’ around such stimulus, better to not view it.

So am I compelled to spend forever in Purgatory, go the other way? What sin do I commit, or am I sinning? I don’t think this would exactly help anyone’s cause for canonisation…to put in a far-fetched way. St. Faustina, St. Josemaria, pray for us!

 

[whatevergirl]

I don’t know how reliable this website is, but I found this interesting:

psychologistworld.com/influence_personality/authoritarian_personality.php

Some of the above statements sounds like the description of a conservative Catholic, LOL.

 

[Mr_Fausto]

Aw, stop beating yourself up over this. You are acknowledging things at least. Just avoid these scenes for now, and see how you feel. I don’t think being an ultraconservative makes you predestined to this. LOL! I really don’t see the correlation.

I want to, but you’ve caught me in those sporadic moments where my mind is all over the place on this. The VAST majority of the time I don’t give this a second thought…but gah, it’s like a craving for that favourite juice or ice cream…it only comes once in a while but when it comes :doh2:

 

[whatevergirl]

So am I compelled to spend forever in Purgatory, go the other way? What sin do I commit, or am I sinning? I don’t think this would exactly help anyone’s cause for canonisation…to put in a far-fetched way. St. Faustina, St. Josemaria, pray for us!

I think your reason for concern is not a bad one…but you are not acting on this, right? So far, you are telling us that you have a ‘bizarre libido’ with looking at things that maybe wouldn’t normally seem generally arousing to ‘most’ people. Now that you are aware, just avoid the visuals that are leading you to feel this way. And praying never hurt anyone–it can only lead us closer to God, indeed. Blessings, Mr Fausto…Good for you, in seeking to stay pure.

 

[whatevergirl]

I want to, but you’ve caught me in those sporadic moments where my mind is all over the place on this. The VAST majority of the time I don’t give this a second thought…but gah, it’s like a craving for that favourite juice or ice cream…it only comes once in a while but when it comes :doh2:

One of my confessions, I told the parish priest that I had ‘fleeting impure thoughts.’ They were odd, and out of nowhere…BUT, I pushed them out of my mind immediately…and just kept praying for God to keep those thoughts out of my mind. We are human, and bombarded by lots of stimulus in our secular world. It is in what we do when we see or hear something that makes the difference…do we dwell on it, and then fixate our minds on it…? Or do we go to confession, pray, and keep striving to push such thoughts out of our minds? I am a woman, and yes, women can have ‘thoughts’ also. It isn’t just a ‘man-thing.’ I normally don’t think such thoughts, but every now and then…a fleeting thought occurs. So back to the priest…lol He told me, your thoughts are fleeting. You can’t always control what pops into your mind, but you can control how long it remains there. I never forgot that piece of advice…and I took it!

So, for you, also. Push the fleeting thoughts out of your mind, and avoid what might be leading you to think about them to begin with. I will pray for you, you sound so concerned…I think you will be fine, though. God bless.

 

[JPUSC]

It would be good if there were more in-depth study and research into this. It is certainly interesting, indeed. It might even provide an insight into the abuse scandal, if they are related at all.

Now, I’m not talking about you Mr Fausto, but while we’re on the topic, this notion could very well be related to the clergy abuse scandal. According to Cohen et al. (2002), studying child sex offenders, pedophiles have impaired interpersonal functioning and elevated passive-aggressiveness, as well as impaired self-concept. The paedophiles emerge as significantly higher on Psychoticism, Introversion and Neurotocism than age-matched controls. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia#Psychopathology_and_personality_traits). Combined with the elements of Authoritarian personality type, this makes some sense.

Of course, this is all just speculation.

Back to the topic, if you are not acting upon your thoughts, it is not a sin. With all the other strange fetishes others have, I doubt you are any different from everyone else. Everyone has psychological reactions to everything around them, so I hope I didn’t scare you or anything.

 

[Mr_Fausto]

It would be good if there were more in-depth study and research into this. It is certainly interesting, indeed. It might even provide an insight into the abuse scandal, if they are related at all.

Now, I’m not talking about you Mr Fausto, while we’re on the topic, could this very well be related to the clergy abuse scandal? According to Cohen et al. (2002), studying child sex offenders, pedophiles have impaired interpersonal functioning and elevated passive-aggressiveness, as well as impaired self-concept. The paedophiles emerge as significantly higher on Psychoticism, Introversion and Neurotocism than age-matched controls. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia#Psychopathology_and_personality_traits). Combined with the elements of Authoritarian personality type, this makes some sense.

Of course, this is all just speculation.

Back to the topic, if you are not acting upon your thoughts, it is not a sin.

Not a flattering comparison JP…what do I do when I have acted on it? Is it a mortal sin? Am I in desperate need for confession before Sunday? I first try to convince myself it isn’t sin, then I confess its venial and start splattering myself with holy water…then I decide its mortal and have a meltdown…in cases where I feel I’ve gone too far.

 

[JPUSC]

Not a flattering comparison JP…what do I do when I have acted on it? Is it a mortal sin? Am I in desperate need for confession before Sunday? I first try to convince myself it isn’t sin, then I confess its venial and start splattering myself with holy water…then I decide its mortal and have a meltdown…in cases where I feel I’ve gone too far.

I added something to my previous post:

**With all the other strange fetishes others have, I doubt you are any different from everyone else. Everyone has psychological reactions to everything around them, so I hope I didn’t scare you or anything. **

It is not a mortal sin if you didn’t perform any sexual acts. LOL, don’t freak out or have a meltdown. Other people have way stranger fantasies than you and they seem normal. This isn’t something people usually talk about, so it’s probably not even abnormal.

 

[whatevergirl]

Not a flattering comparison JP…what do I do when I have acted on it? Is it a mortal sin? Am I in desperate need for confession before Sunday? I first try to convince myself it isn’t sin, then I confess its venial and start splattering myself with holy water…then I decide its mortal and have a meltdown…in cases where I feel I’ve gone too far.

Well, putting it bluntly, if you are masturbating as a result of these ‘thoughts,’ and visuals…then, I’d go to confession as soon as you can…That is grave matter, and depending on your discussion with a priest, he may have some good advice. Now, if you are not acting it out…and these are remaining as thoughts…it might still behoove you to go to confession, as confession cleanses us as white as snow. And we can begin anew, with a repentant heart. I can’t answer the above questions for you, only you can…you know where you stand with all of this.

 

[Mr_Fausto]

I added something to my previous post:

**With all the other strange fetishes others have, I doubt you are any different from everyone else. Everyone has psychological reactions to everything around them, so I hope I didn’t scare you or anything. **

It is not a mortal sin if you didn’t perform any sexual acts. LOL, don’t freak out or have a meltdown. Other people have way stranger fantasies than you and they seem normal. This isn’t something people usually talk about, so it’s probably not even abnormal.

That is refreshing to know thank you. As to the nature of the thing itself…

 

[JPUSC]

Also, masturbation may not even be a mortal sin depending on the circumstances:

Catechism of the Catholic Church

2352 By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure. "Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action."137 “The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose.” For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of "the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved."138

To form an equitable judgment about the subjects’ moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.

 

[Mr_Fausto]

…That is grave matter, and depending on your discussion with a priest, he may have some good advice. Now, if you are not acting it out…and these are remaining as thoughts…it might still behoove you to go to confession, as confession cleanses us as white as snow. And we can begin anew, with a repentant heart. I can’t answer the above questions for you, only you can…you know where you stand with all of this.

That what was always so frustrating…none of that EVER applied to me as I sought out answers on this. It has always remained confined to the television/video game/etc. and my brain, and that’s it. Period. Fin. Dead End.

 

[Mr_Fausto]

…may not even be a mortal sin depending on the circumstances:

No no please! I need no comforting in that area and my family seethingly resents my “intolerant” view of such things (I’m always “in trouble” for that).

 

[whatevergirl]

Also, masturbation may not even be a mortal sin depending on the circumstances:

Yes, true…I knew you’d post something further…thank you.

 

[whatevergirl]

That what was always so frustrating…none of that EVER applied to me as I sought out answers on this. It has always remained confined to the television/video game/etc. and my brain, and that’s it. Period. Fin. Dead End.

Um, I forgot the original question. I need sleep…I will be back tomorrow. G’night, Mr Fausto…take care.

 

[JPUSC]

No no please! I need no comforting in that area and my family seethingly resents my “intolerant” view of such things (I’m always “in trouble” for that).

Interesting. So, you are a conservative Catholic living in a home where your beliefs are not accepted. Maybe you’d like some control over that?

And relax, mortal sin or not, Confession will take care of your anxiety if you are worried.

 

[Leopard]

…Involuntely physiological occurence? What exactly is the moral implications of libido, in any such case?..

If it is an involuntary physiological reaction, no moral implications whatsoever. If you’re not doing anything to encourage the situation you may want to talk to a physician about this, but you don’t need to mention it in confession.

…Do I avoid the situations or what?..

If you know what situations cause the occurrence to transpire, and if that is something that is practical for you to avoid, then sure, go ahead and avoid it. Not that the situations are immoral (playing SimCity, reading The Pit and the Pendulum, watching History Channel documentaries, etc.), but just for your own comfort.

…I don’t suppose I could slide into Opus Dei with this little issue…

Why not, if it isn’t a moral issue? Quite frankly, if you ignore it and don’t draw attention to the occurrence, probably most people won’t notice. Polite people don’t go around looking at other people trying to see if this sort of thing is happening.

 

[Mr_Fausto]

Why not, if it isn’t a moral issue? Quite frankly, if you ignore it and don’t draw attention to the occurrence, probably most people won’t notice. Polite people don’t go around looking at other people trying to see if this sort of thing is happening.

That would be disturbing if they did. Actually, its my family but not so much necessarily my home. I own my home but my mother is living for a with me.

 

[Mr_Fausto]

So should I not be playing SimCity or watching movies that involve this or whatever? Is it bad to seek out the movies or even watch them, or what? I want to say this to my confessor, but I find myself awkwardly interiorly muted when I come around to it.

 

[Mr_Fausto]

Um, I forgot the original question. I need sleep…I will be back tomorrow. G’night, Mr Fausto…take care.

Ha it was late when I got off…but I was at a public library so I suppose any time past dark to TOO late.