Is it a mortal sin to pursue someone

[DL82]

ok, did something i really know i shouldn’t. I met this young woman online and was talking to her for a while but never met up. I saw her on the street today and ran up to say hello. She looked really uncomfortable and walked away. I now realise how odd and stalker-like that must have seemed. Truth is, i just wanted to ask how she was doing, even though we did meet on a dating site and i can’t deny i find her attractive. Did i commit a mortal sin? I can see how stalking would be grave matter, because it is so selfish and an abuse of sexuality, but this wasn’t stalking, it was one chance encounter. All the same, the work of a stalker is one encounter after another, so where and when would such unthinking selfishness become mortal sin?

 

[mcs7474]

I really do not see a problem here…

 

[DanteAlighieri]

My friend, you’ve been here long enough to know that if you have to ask whether you committed a mortal sin, you didn’t.

In any case, the true question is whether what you did is gravely immoral – to which I would say, “absolutely not”. You chanced to meet her and you said hello; you didn’t pursue her against her will or stalk her. You are attracted to her – not (yet) obsessing over her. She has not told you to leave her alone, so there is no wish of hers to respect.

If she asks you to leave her alone and you selfishly pursue her, then you might be bordering on gravely immoral activity.

Don’t scruple yourself to death.

Peace,
Dante

 

[cthulhubryan]

If you didn’t have to put down the binoculars/telescope to post that then you are probably okay.

 

[Ruthie]

Are you sure it was her? There can be a big difference between a picture and the real thing.

Having a complete stranger act as if he knew me would definitely creep me out!

 

[George14]

Why not write an email to her something along this line:

"Hi, Mary. While on ///// street this morning I spotted someone I thought was you, and I rushed up to say hello. I startled the poor girl/woman, and I was awfully embarrassed when I realized how it must have scared her. So, not knowing me, she turned away, as was clearly appropriate.

So if someone DID approach you today and this rings a bell, I guess it was me. If so, forgive me for startling you: I should have made it clear who I was."

This should “fix” any misperception you didn’t intend. I hope.

Anyway, hi again: let me know