Is it possible to sin when

[faqcorner]

Er…

if I did something (If I wasn’t paying attention of what I was currently doing, and was mostly just watching something or doing like homework or something) but wasn’t paying attention…but unconsiously I was doing an “sinful” act (though not sure if it is a sin, because not sure if there was full consent involved…)

is it?

to me, I don’t think so, but I would just like to make sure… >.>

 

[Will_B]

I like the answer given by one of the priest on EWTN when asked the difference between mortal sin and venial sin.

Venial sin just happens because of your nature… Example you come home from a long day at the office and our spouse says something that just boils your temper over and you say things you shouldn’t have… That’s venial sin…

On the other hand you leave for work and plot how to tell your spouse off, because you are really mad… That’s mortal sin… Why, because you planned it…

I’m sure there are many more examples.

Blessing,

Will B.

 

[rpp]

One cannot sin by accident. You must either commit or fail to commit some act.

In your situation, if I understand you correctly, you are studying and you have the TV on in the background, but are not watching it. Maybe you are tuned to one of those premium cable TV channels that show soft-core porn. One of those shows come on but you do not notice right away. Then you look up and there it is.

So far, no sin has been committed. This is, however a near occasion of sin. It is what happens next that determines it.

First, recall that viewing pornography is always a grave sin. If you realize this and do it anyway, then it becomes a mortal sin.

Now back to the action. If you…

Immediately change channels to something more benign or turn off TV, good for you. No sin has been committed.

OR

You put your head back into your books and stay that way until the show is over, never looking at it or thinking about it. Again, no sin has been committed, but you exposed yourself needlessly to a near occasion of sin for an extended period of time.

OR

You look at the program for a time, but eventually either turn it off or resume studying. In this case, you have committed a grave sin.

OR

You look at it and continue watching. You become sexually aroused. Perhaps you even “take care of” yourself. Need I say that multiple grave (and in this case almost certainly mortal) sin have been committed. It is time for you to look up the confession times on the internet and get to that sacrament as soon possible.

 

[faqcorner]

One cannot sin by accident. You must either commit or fail to commit some act.

In your situation, if I understand you correctly, you are studying and you have the TV on in the background, but are not watching it. Maybe you are tuned to one of those premium cable TV channels that show soft-core porn. One of those shows come on but you do not notice right away. Then you look up and there it is.

So far, no sin has been committed. This is, however a near occasion of sin. It is what happens next that determines it.

First, recall that viewing pornography is always a grave sin. If you realize this and do it anyway, then it becomes a mortal sin.

Now back to the action. If you…

Immediately change channels to something more benign or turn off TV, good for you. No sin has been committed.

OR

You put your head back into your books and stay that way until the show is over, never looking at it or thinking about it. Again, no sin has been committed, but you exposed yourself needlessly to a near occasion of sin for an extended period of time.

OR

You look at the program for a time, but eventually either turn it off or resume studying. In this case, you have committed a grave sin.

OR

You look at it and continue watching. You become sexually aroused. Perhaps you even “take care of” yourself. Need I say that multiple grave (and in this case almost certainly mortal) sin have been committed. It is time for you to look up the confession times on the internet and get to that sacrament as soon possible.

.> errr…

The TV and the “Book” weren’t porn nor anything like that

The “Book” was a book for SAT studying
and the “TV” isn’t even a TV, it’s just a video showing an anime (non porn >.> or hentai/etc. it’s just a show I was watching between studying for SATs

actually, in my case, really I was paying more attention to the SAT studying stuff + anime rather than what my hands were doing ( I don’t need my hands, so I wasn’t paying too much attention to them )

THAT’S what I was talking about, not that the things I was doing (watching/reading, depending on the time/whatever) was anything explicit >.>’…

 

[rpp]

.> errr…

I guess I am confused. What do you mean “I don’t need my hands…”

 

[faqcorner]

I guess I am confused. What do you mean “I don’t need my hands…”

if I’m watching something on the computer, and looking at a page of SAT stuff, I don’t pay attention to what I’m doing, I’m looking at the video/page of work, instead of paying attention, I’m doing that >.>’…

<.<

 

[rpp]

if I’m watching something on the computer, and looking at a page of SAT stuff, I don’t pay attention to what I’m doing, I’m looking at the video/page of work, instead of paying attention, I’m doing that >.>’…

<.<

I think you need to spit this out. I have no clue what you are referring to.

 

[faqcorner]

I think you need to spit this out. I have no clue what you are referring to.

.> and I have no idea what you are not getting/asking me to spit out…

shrug

though, to come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve done anything “earning” me a mortal sin, though all I was doing is make sure…

 

[jmcrae]

Not a mortal sin, in this case, but good heavens, what if someone had walked in on you?

For the sake of your personal dignity, it might be a good idea to get into the habit of practicing mindfulness, so that you know what every part of your body is doing, at any given time.

In the same way that you constantly checking the gauges and mirrors when you’re driving a car, also just do quick check on every body part at regular intervals whenever you’re sitting still, to make sure you’ve got good posture, that nothing’s going to sleep, and that nothing’s doing anything “weird” all by itself. (Mouth not hanging open stupidly, etc.)

 

[faqcorner]

Not a mortal sin, in this case, but good heavens, what if someone had walked in on you?

For the sake of your personal dignity, it might be a good idea to get into the habit of practicing mindfulness, so that you know what every part of your body is doing, at any given time.

In the same way that you constantly checking the gauges and mirrors when you’re driving a car, also just do quick check on every body part at regular intervals whenever you’re sitting still, to make sure you’ve got good posture, that nothing’s going to sleep, and that nothing’s doing anything “weird” all by itself. (Mouth not hanging open stupidly, etc.)

k~… just needed to make sure ._.’…thanks!

 

[rpp]

I still do not know what the actions or possible sin the OP is asking about. He/she was simply too vague.

 

[jmcrae]

I still do not know what the actions or possible sin the OP is asking about. He/she was simply too vague.

I just assumed that he was picking his nose. It really doesn’t matter; this isn’t the Confessional.