Definitely Mortal?

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Antonio5

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I was sat with my family watching a normally innocent TV program but the storyline contained a sex worker. Sadly this involved scenes with a scantily dressed women in. During such scenes I averted my eyes, but then came innapropriate noises. I didn’t remove myself from the room but tried my best to avert my eyes. Should I of left the room and by not doing so have I greviously sinned?
 
Considering that you averted your eyes, I don’t think you sinned at all. It’s no more of a mortal sin than being in a hotel room where Intimate Things Are Going On in the next room and the walls seem unusually thin. This happened to me once when I was on an overnight trip to New York City with my dad: I was taking a bath and the wall of the bathroom abutted the next room where Something Was Going On and people were being very vocal about it. Up to and including what sounded like the headboard of a bed knocking against the wall rhythmically. Of course I banged on my side of the wall to let people know they were being Very Loud, but since the racket kept going, I don’t think they heard me! :o
 
I don’t think it was a sin for you to stay in the room unless you stayed purposely to hear the noises. I would say though if the next time it happens you feel your conscience telling you to leave the room, do so.
 
I did not want to hear the noises but towards the end I didn’t avert my eyes when the poorley dressed women appeared however I did not lust. Is this a mortal problem?
 
I was sat with my family watching a normally innocent TV program but the storyline contained a sex worker. Sadly this involved scenes with a scantily dressed women in. During such scenes I averted my eyes, but then came innapropriate noises. I didn’t remove myself from the room but tried my best to avert my eyes. Should I of left the room and by not doing so have I greviously sinned?
I don’t think you have sinned.
 
When it come to moral questions like this, its important to realize that other people can sin. All to often on these forums, I feel like people are taking personal responsibility for all the sins around them.

In this scenario, it would be the producers, directors, and actors/actresses that put inappropriately dressed women on TV that sinned. It is not your personal sin that this behavior occurred.

God doesn’t punish you if you don’t happen to fully shield yourself in time every time this behavior occurs. To do so would be extremely unfair on God’s part!
 
Are you a teenager?
you may be someone who is vulnerable to problems of this sort, and in that case leaving the room might be a good idea for you.
You might also suggest that your family choose a more family friendly show to watch. Normally innocent shows don’t usually have depictions of sex acts.
There are plenty of interesting dramas and so on to watch, things like Monk and Psych, that are not offensive or temptations.
But then that’s partly why I got rid of cable TV, which can get pretty gross.
 
Have you talked to your priest as previously suggested?

You post on here about every week or two about some program your parents are watching on TV (or song on their radio) and whether or not you have committed a sin by watching it or not insisting on the channel change, etc.

I think you need spiritual guidance on a *consistent *basis from one priest to help you properly form your conscience in this matter.
 
I don’t think that you sinned either but who here can know your innermost thoughts and intentions? That’s why Jesus left us the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While this forum is wonderful in multiple ways, we cannot hear confessions and give absolution. Bring that to the confessional and I would bet that if everything that you said were as it is you have no sin. But I wouldn’t risk eternal life with a bet… teachccd 🙂

P.S. I’m not a betting man so let that be your guide!! 😃
 
I believe there is also the danger of exasperating scruples by saying one should always go to confession if there is a distant and remote chance of mortal sin (there is always a possibility, but they often border on the insane), but from the sounds of this you might be a bit of a novice to the formation of your conscience. I think the best guide to this is to go to confession and work out either laxity or scruples over time until you do not have to ask questions like this here, but from the facts you state I would say at worst there is venial sin (or likely less) unless there are more facts such as knowingly and deliberately listening to the noises for sexual gratification, etc.

I think having scruples is a much lesser evil than laxity (though maybe having a very minor and slight laxity is better than a horribly severe case of scruples). Both states are sinful and prevent God’s grace from best flowing through you. If you are obsessed with trying to control every last detail about your life, the devil will make you obsess over the morality of little details and fill you with anxieties. If instead you like to take thing easy and not stress, he will do otherwise. You need to seek that middle ground.

Anyhow, I would repent of anything you are aware was wrong, confess, mention your uncertainty, and try to keep the same confessor. I find it beneficial if the confessor knows your identity so he can help judge your laxity or scrupulosity, but that’s up to you. Also read up on the Church’s doctrine of mortal sin (read it honestly not interpreting it too strictly or too leniently).
 
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