Immodest or immoral pictures

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As a recent convert to the catholic faith having joining the church at Easter Vigil, I was reading through a book on Catechism and came across a list of Mortal Sins, one of which was looking at “ immodest or immoral” pictures. What is considered as being an “immodest or immoral” picture? In going to most bookstores and passing through the magazine stands and some book shelves, one is likely to see the front covers of magazines and books displaying very scantily clad persons openly displayed, not to talk of what sometimes comes up on the TV. While I do not look looking inside this material, does the fact that they are on open display and can be viewed constitute a sin? If not, what would constitute looking at immodest or immoral pictures? ( I am not talking about sexually immoral pictures which I believe falls under pornography.)
 
It’s not a sin if you happen to walk by and see an immoral picture or see something pop up in the t.v. If you enjoy looking at them and frequently and on purpose do so, then it is a sin. Or if a thought comes into your mind and you do nothing to try and expel it, that is also a sin. The Catechism was probably meaning pornographic pictures. If you don’t think it’s pure don’t look at it on purpose.
 
kympen said:
As a recent convert to the catholic faith having joining the church at Easter Vigil, I was reading through a book on Catechism and came across a list of Mortal Sins, one of which was looking at “ immodest or immoral” pictures. What is considered as being an “immodest or immoral” picture? In going to most bookstores and passing through the magazine stands and some book shelves, one is likely to see the front covers of magazines and books displaying very scantily clad persons openly displayed, not to talk of what sometimes comes up on the TV. While I do not look looking inside this material, does the fact that they are on open display and can be viewed constitute a sin? If not, what would constitute looking at immodest or immoral pictures? ( I am not talking about sexually immoral pictures which I believe falls under pornography.)
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First of all…welcome home to the Catholic Church.

There’s a difference between noticing and looking/starring. For example, a beautiful woman walks by and I’m going to notice her. Nothing wrong with that. Now if I stare at her, begin to lust after her, then I’m stepping into the world of sin. It’s the same with pictures we encounter. A provocative photo will catch your eye. The sin perhaps is the failure to gain custody of the eyes and begin to use that photo for impure motives.

In our town we have a grocery store that now has one “family friendly” checkout stand where they’ve removed all of the Cosmo, FHM, and other similar soft-core porn magazines. I’ve always thought it was kind of amusing and sad that they draw attention to the fact that all but one of their checkout stands are family unfriendly.
 
If I see them at the front counter, where you don’t really have a choice or not, I just turn them around and complain to the manager. I happen to know the assistant manager at the local CVS pharmacy store, and she took them all down right away, saying that she was just waiting for a customer complaint to justify her doing so, that they bothered her too.

I’ve also taken my purchases back to the Pharmacy and have them ring them up, which is sometimes very inconvenient for them to do, and I make sure I explain that I don’t want to be subjected to the soft-porn magazines that they have on display at the front counter. They get very nervous when there’s a line of people waiting to pick up perscriptions, and they have an unhappy customer like me complaining within earshot of half a dozen other impatient people. 😉

But a casual glance is not sinful, especially if they’re in a location where you almost cannot see them, like at the front counter.
 
I imagine the purpose of looking at the picture would play a part in wether or not it is sinful.

Is the purpose titillation?
Is it simply to remember a loved one?
Is it exaltation?
 
kympen said:
As a recent convert to the catholic faith having joining the church at Easter Vigil, I was reading through a book on Catechism and came across a list of Mortal Sins, one of which was looking at “ immodest or immoral” pictures. What is considered as being an “immodest or immoral” picture? In going to most bookstores and passing through the magazine stands and some book shelves, one is likely to see the front covers of magazines and books displaying very scantily clad persons openly displayed, not to talk of what sometimes comes up on the TV. While I do not look looking inside this material, does the fact that they are on open display and can be viewed constitute a sin? If not, what would constitute looking at immodest or immoral pictures? ( I am not talking about sexually immoral pictures which I believe falls under pornography.)
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You can’t run through lie with a blindfold. Just do what you can to avoid bad places and people. Don’t drive yourself crazy with this. Just do your best and you will be fine!

😉
 
Thank you for your responses on the above topic. They were quite helpful.
I would like to solicit opinion from forum members on whether reading sex guides/manuals such as “The Joy of Sex” or “ Guide to Getting it On” is considered a sin, as these books are illustrated throughout with realistic drawings/illustrations of nudity and sex for educational purposes.
 
kympen said:
Thank you for your responses on the above topic. They were quite helpful.
I would like to solicit opinion from forum members on whether reading sex guides/manuals such as “The Joy of Sex” or “ Guide to Getting it On” is considered a sin, as these books are illustrated throughout with realistic drawings/illustrations of nudity and sex for educational purposes.
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I’m not 100% sure, but I think the Church’s stance is that we don’t really need how-to manuals for what comes naturally. I’m kind of undecided b/c I feel like I’d like to be able to please my husband as best as I can, but I’m more comfortable trying to read about it than asking him (I know I need to work on communication, but he’s much more experienced & worldly than I am & I always feel like an idiot). To me this is another argument for both parties being virgins on their wedding night - that way they don’t have any worries of being compared in that most intimate way… If/when I’m tempted and/or give into temptation and view these manuals, I go to confession for it b/c I do feel somewhat ‘dirty’ for looking… Which tells me that its probably wrong, but I’m sometimes too scrupulous (worry about everything being a sin). Good luck!
 
Because of the Sixth Commandment I would say stay away from that stuff.

Antrim
 
I would definitely stay away from books like ‘Joy of Sex’; they do not have the interest of Christians at heart. Many years ago I bought a book written by Dr Ruth - Yikes! I actually believed that junk until I got my head screwed back on straight.

If you want a book to read try ‘Good News About Sex & Marriage’ by Christopher West. It’s a very good book written by a very good Catholic man. You will not find any junk in this book and it’s recommended by Catholic Answers!

My wife and I are very close and we love each other very much, but it wasn’t that way until we made a commitment one day to follow the Catholic Church to the letter on this issue. There is nothing more liberating than throwing away all the contraceptives and obeying God!

About the soft porn - this is a subject I can really relate to. The most difficult sins for me to avoid are sins of the flesh and pictures can be the spark that ignites the blaze. For me, a glance at these pictures means a quick prayer for strength and courage. I have friends who have admitted they have the same problem. If it’s this way for you then the only thing you can do is pray when you are tempted. Only by the grace of God have I been able to stay in control.

Some temptations are more difficult than others. That’s the way it works.

True freedom is obtained by following Jesus.
 
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