Is watching sexual content in movies a mortal sin?

[hyacinth]

I recently watched a thriller that, I’m now reading, Catholic News Service classifies as “O – morally offensive” on a rating system because of it’s “strong sexual content”. I didn’t know the film’s rating before watching it.

The movie included several short (but graphic) flashbacks to sex scenes. I know I could have looked away, but at the time I wasn’t thinking about it being a sin while watching. I really don’t want to go to confession just for that because I was just in there, but I’m wondering if I have to confess it to receive communion on Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday. In other words, is watching those scenes a mortal sin?

 

[fergly]

hey hyacinth,

I think you really have to be honest with yourself and examine the intention in your heart while you watched those scenes. (i completely understand the struggle also been there). if you catch a glimpse as you were taken by surprise, I dont think that qualifies as consent, and thus probably not even venial, assuming you didn’t know the scenes would be in there. If you had an idea there might be parts like that, it may be venial. However, if you knew the scenes were coming and chose not to fight it, it may be something you want to bring to confession. And tell your priest exactly that; the scenes came and I just didn’t look away. They are people too and have probably had the same struggles, been in the same situations.

based on how you’ve described it, it doesn’t seem like full consent to me. But you need to be the one to really examine your heart!

Hope you find peace in this and have an awesome Easter!