Does killing bugs count as killing?

[MyLoveWaits]

I’ve asked people before, but they don’t answer very seriously. They think I’m joking, but this is a real question. When I squash bugs, I often wonder, “Am I committing a mortal sin?” Sometimes I try not to hurt these bugs, but I really don’t like them in my bedroom or bathroom. They’re really gross, but I feel SO bad for hurting them.

I’m a vegetarian, so I don’t hurt any ‘real animals’. So, what do you think? Does killing bugs count as killing? How do we know for sure? I can’t seem to ease my mind about this. Even if you told me it’s alright to kill them, something in the back of my head tells me it’s not okay…

 

[white_sheep]

No, killing bugs is not evil. It could be, as could practically any action, if you did it with evil intent. There is no evil inherent in killing insects or any other form of life. If you are just killing bugs in and around your house for normal reasons there is absolutely no moral fault.

However, I do suspect that you should take this to a trusted confessor and share your dilemma with him as this could be a sign of a greater problem or scrupulosity. Scrupulosity is a term which implies unwarranted worry about minor moral faults often where none truly exists.

 

[Della]

There are several articles in the Catechism about how we are to think about animals and treat them: ccc.scborromeo.org.master.com/texis/master/search/?sufs=0&q=animals&xsubmit=Search&s=SS. None of them tells us that killing bugs is wrong. Why? Because killing a bug, indeed any animal, is not murder. The Commandment against killing is against murdering fellow human beings, not killing animals or killing when necessary, such as in war or in self-defense.

Torturing animals, even bugs, is morally wrong, but not a mortal sin since they do not have immortal souls. For example, vets need to cause pain and suffering in order to cure, but they are not morally culpable of any wrongdoing because their aim is to heal not to cause suffering.

I agree with White Sheep that you need to guard against scrupulosity in such matters. Go by the teachings of the Church, not your feelings because our feelings can deceive us, but the Church cannot.

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

You aren’t committing a sin here. If you were causing them undue pain, then yes. But You are squashing them because you get a thrill from it you are killing them because, frankly, having insects in your living space is unsanitary and can lead to health issues.

You also aren’t causing undue pain. You are killing them quickly, rather than pulling all their wings and legs off and letting them starve to death or something. It’s also reasonable to assume that just putting them outside doesn’t work for the smaller ones.

 

[Carlan]

No, killing bugs is not evil. It could be, as could practically any action, if you did it with evil intent. There is no evil inherent in killing insects or any other form of life. If you are just killing bugs in and around your house for normal reasons there is absolutely no moral fault.

However, I do suspect that you should take this to a trusted confessor and share your dilemma with him as this could be a sign of a greater problem or scrupulosity. Scrupulosity is a term which implies unwarranted worry about minor moral faults often where none truly exists.

I have always considered many spiders in the garden a good thing to help rid it of the nasties such as avids and other such which harm our plants. But a mortal sin no, no need for worry there.Peace, Carlan

 

[Della]

I have always considered many spiders in the garden a good thing to help rid it of the nasties such as avids and other such which harm our plants. But a mortal sin no, no need for worry there.Peace, Carlan

I have no problem with spiders, either, except the kind that sting. Our basement is open to the underside of the house where many bugs live. I’m glad to have the spiders there to keep them under control. I find ones in our bathroom and kitchen that seem to love to camp out near water. They can be quite funny. I’ve seen some of them raise their forefeet like miniature ninjas warning me not to come nearer. Such bravery out of such tiny creatures is endearing, I think. As for mosquitoes–their kind deserve to die!