Is it sinful to find other people's sins/ignorance amusing?

[Soler]

For instance, if you find the ridiculous nature of the “womenpriests” movement, or liturgical abuses, or something similar amusing, must you resist this feeling (or alternatively avoid reading about such things) or may you indulge it?

Thanks.

 

[EmeraldWings]

For instance, if you find the ridiculous nature of the “womenpriests” movement, or liturgical abuses, or something similar amusing, must you resist this feeling (or alternatively avoid reading about such things) or may you indulge it?

Thanks.

are you saying you find the logic behind such things amusing? or the sins themselves?
i can’t say i think it’s a sin to find the logic behind it amusing, although at the same time it’s not a good thing either, because i imagine, and correct me if i’m wrong, that in your mind you’re thinking how dumb these people are and how silly and ridiculous, or some such thing? because in that case, i would think that is your pride making you “amused” and then yes, it would be a sin,
but other then that i’m not entirely sure, and it would certainly be a good thing to bring up with your priest.

but on the other hand, if you mean the sins themselves are amusing(which i have a feeling you don’t)
then to *indulge *in it or seek it out for the sake of laughing and making fun of it, would, i am guessing, probably be sinful,
because these things are great offenses to God, and these people living in such sins or sins of any kind really, are suffering internally, they are spiritually drowning and need Gods help and our help, and at the least we should pray for them, if nothing else,
and then in that case i can safely say that yeah, that’s pride causing that, and it’s something to work on.

you don’t necessarily have to avoid the subject, but simply pray for the grace to see it in the right way, ask God to help you see it as He does, with more humility and love of neighbor.
it’s not mortally sinful, but if your amused out of pride, then you should try and resist the feelings, but be patient with yourself, just ask God for the grace, and you will change gradually,

ok, hope this helps, tc.

 

[Michael1985]

Yes, I’m afarid it is sinful.

It’s not a mortal sin but it can have serious consequences. We should never be happy or amused at someone elses sin. All sin does is hurt people, I can’t possibly find that amusing. Behind this is a large amount of pride.

It probably comes from the fact you think your better than them. I suggest you read the following passage carefully,

Luke 18:9-14
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” 13But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

This sin is a major barrier to union with God, you must try very hard to remove it from your life. Really try and assume that you are less pleasing in the eyes of God than those whos sins you find amusing. I suggest you read this passage every single day and meditate on it for a while.

 

[Ferds_Guiang]

For instance, if you find the ridiculous nature of the “womenpriests” movement, or liturgical abuses, or something similar amusing, must you resist this feeling (or alternatively avoid reading about such things) or may you indulge it?

Thanks.

Sometimes we cannot avoid learning about events that are disturbing and also the concomitant feelings therefore I believe we should try to reflect on these events and see the lessons that they may teach us. And it would be very ideal to say a prayer for our Church so that She may ever be our guide and light.

 

[Soler]

Yes, I’m afarid it is sinful.

It’s not a mortal sin but it can have serious consequences. We should never be happy or amused at someone elses sin. All sin does is hurt people, I can’t possibly find that amusing. Behind this is a large amount of pride.

It probably comes from the fact you think your better than them. I suggest you read the following passage carefully,

Luke 18:9-14
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” 13But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

This sin is a major barrier to union with God, you must try very hard to remove it from your life. Really try and assume that you are less pleasing in the eyes of God than those whos sins you find amusing. I suggest you read this passage every single day and meditate on it for a while.

I don’t think I’m better than them, at least not consciously, but I do find their world-view so ridiculous as to be amusing. I’ve been staying off Father Zuhlsdorf’s and Damian Thompson’s blogs for a while because of this, for fear that it was sinful.

Also, what about laughing at bad things that happen to people, such as what one might see on Failblog (which I’ve also been staying off for a while), so long as it is not malicious laughter (i.e. I am not happy that it happened to them, but am amused by its ridiculous nature nonetheless)?