Is there sin here?

[Treybor]

I viewed an image out of curiosity and I saw a flash of an image and thought it might have been pornographic. I started thinking about it and saying to myself “no that couldn’t have been pornographic…” to verify I looked at it again. Then I thought I saw nudity, closed the image. Said to myself again, “that looked like nudity but I am not sure” … looked at it again very closely and the image contained people in sexual positions, but no nudity from what I saw. (this was in a video game). Now I am rather confused about the whole instance because I was looking at the image to see if it was pornographic or not and whilst doing so I became slightly aroused but full of fear at the same time.

I am very scrupulous and have difficulty reading my own intentions.

Now to tag on to this, a couple of months ago I had an instance that has been giving me scruples as well. A friend jokingly said “give me your soul” and pretended to take my soul, I said in reply “well make sure I get it back in good shape” or some such. I am thinking I sinned from this joke… I know it’s kinda of crazy I even give second thought to this stuff but there it is…

 

[baltobetsy]

The best way to handle all your questions about scruples is to ask the priest in confession. Scrupulous people such as yourself should have one and only one confessor whom they obey in everything pertaining to sin and conscience.

Go to confession with a priest you trust, tell him you are very scrupulous and ask if he is comfortable dealing with that. If he is, great. If not, ask for a recommendation of another priest for you to see. Let the priest direct you from there. Obey without question, even if it seems as if the priest is too easy on you. The rules are different for scrupulous people, and it’s always safe to obey your priest.

Also, do a Google search for “Ten Commandments for the Scrupulous.” There’s good help there, also.

Betsy

 

[Treybor]

Thank you for the reply, I am acquainted with the Ten Commandments for the Scrupulous, but have not yet actually gone to a priest to talk about my being scrupulous. This weekend I can’t make it to confession … is it alright if I receive communion?

 

[baltobetsy]

Well, I can’t answer that for you. But doesn’t one of the Ten Comm. for the Scrup. say that you should receive Communion unless you are absolutely certain you have committed a mortal sin? Answer for yourself - are you absolutely sure about the porn thing?

I would say joking about giving your soul is not to worry about.

Betsy