Is it a sin to look at fashion magazines?

[kage_ar]

Usually, when women say “fashion magazine” they mean Cosmo, Elle, Vogue, Seventeen, etc… What young women need to understand is that they are all the same magazine. There was a template made, and each month they pop in some new faddish pictures, pick a body part to focus “articles” on and change the name of the Quiz and VOILA we have the next issue! Have you not noticed that every perfume sample smells similar? That is the give away… I am serious, they have been the same since I was a teen and I’m now an ollllldddd woman.

Read something that will actually require some brain cell activity J

 

[st_ignatius110]

I understand where you are coming from with everything you said.

I just wanted to look at this though. I used to make the arguement like that all the time, but then Jimmy Akin made the point on one of the radio broadcasts that it’s a terrible arguement to make. I forget exactly what he said, but he did show that it just… can lead to real problems if you look at things that way lol. I wish I could remember what he said exactly. But in any case, I know what you mean!

Hahahahahaha. That made me laugh. It probably is a terrible argument but I was late leaving work!!! rofl. Is that a good enough excuse?

 

[jjb5985]

st_ignatius110:

I think the problem is this. You are bringing up examples that are not the same as opening your mind purposfully and seeing immoral pictures. An article on being gay is one thing, an immoral picture of a person is another. I was talking about womens and teen magazines because those were the magazines specifically mentioned in this topic. I will also say that reading a magazine like this you WILL see immoral pictures. It is not just that you fear seeing them, but that you will see them.

I guess my concern comes down to this. The devil will attack you. He will attack you using things in your life around you. If we would not want to read or see something while Christ is standing there with us then perhaps we ought not to do it.

Hey, thank you for a really good conversation. I am enjoying it!

I understand what you’re getting at. I myself suffer with scrupulosity so by no means do I make any excuses for myself. I have, however, sought out answers to these types of things so I can truly know if something is right or wrong. Jimmy Akin actually covers a similar issue very well in this article.

jimmyakin.org/2005/07/bad_music.html

I suggest you read that before making any further points.

One things he mentions is that of a film reviewer. Many people rely on a Catholic film guide to see if movies are ok to watch and what kind of content they have. Now, a Catholic film critic who’s job it is to help people make good viewing choices, is choosing to open themself up to immoral material, but for a justifiable reason. You could say no one should ever do that regardless, but assuming it isn’t an occasion of sin for them, they have a good reason for it.

Now, for the question that started this thread, assuming there is no occasion of sin, I don’t see why they wouldn’t be able to read that article. That is assuming the pictures and the article aren’t an occasion of sin. You could say they don’t need to read fashion magazines, but we don’t NEED to do a lot of things. If we were to try to avoid any evil, we would sit in bed all day and do nothing. I know your problem is with knowingly exposing yourself to evil, but you overlook that there could be some reasoning for it. You may have to expose yourself to some immoral material, but if it’s not a problem and you have some good reason for it, (interested in fashion for instance) I don’t think it is ALWAYS bad. Not to say it couldn’t be, but I don’t think it is as black and white. There is a lot of individual decision making in these sort of circumstances as magazines or whatever other form of media aren’t instrinsically evil.

 

[jjb5985]

Another thing, I’m not encouraging looking at immoral material or anything that is an occasion of sin. Keep in mind I only think there can be reason for knowingly exposing yourself to something immoral, assuming there is no occasion of sin. The whole whether it’s an occasion of sin thing is a big aspect of the issue. I in no way agree with putting yourself in a situation where you are tempted to sin with no justifiable reason.

 

[Katie1723]

I don’t believe looking at a magazine is a sin, unless of course it might be Playboy, in which case you are “really” reading it for the articles anyhow. I read many magazines and if I see something I don’t like, i simply flip the page and don’t think about it. Goodness, don’t be so hard on yourself.
~ Kathy ~

 

[st_ignatius110]

I like the point about movie critics…but…I don’t watch to many movies and I think they too are a waste of time. But I see the point and it is a good one.

I would just sum it up with this. Simply remember, whatever you do in life, that Satan can use it against you. Use your best judgement and ask our Lord for guidance. Flipping past an immoral picture many not cause you to sin, but it could be a temptation to sin. Anyway, just stay close to our Lord through prayer and the sacraments and always inspect every aspect of your life.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

Lazerlike42:

I understand where you are coming from with everything you said.

I just wanted to look at this though. I used to make the arguement like that all the time, but then Jimmy Akin made the point on one of the radio broadcasts that it’s a terrible arguement to make. I forget exactly what he said, but he did show that it just… can lead to real problems if you look at things that way lol. I wish I could remember what he said exactly. But in any case, I know what you mean!

I would really like to know why it is a terrible argument. Have you remembered yet? Hehe, I know you said you don’t remember, but I’ve been cracking my head trying to figure out why it is a bad argument, since God can see what we do always anyways.