Masturbation/Pornography Use

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I am a teen who has abused pornography/masturbation in the past. I was doing it for a while, even taking Holy Communion once. But, throughout this time I never new it was a mortal sin. I have not done it since I found out. My main question is:
Do I have to go to confession if I never knew it was a mortal sin?

I also have a few other minor questions.
I was wondering if “arousing” yourself through text (book) would be considered a mortal (or even venial) sin and if so which one. (Arousing as in not at “sexual climax”)
What if this text has explicit scenes/context?
Finally, I was wondering if arousing yourself through any other means would be considered a sin and if so which one.

I know this might have been kinda tough to read, and I am pretty hung up on this whole thing. I appreciate all responses.
 
For a sin to be truly a sin, full consent is required. If you do not know a mortal sin is mortal, that is not consent.

The text, as far as I know (I am not a moral theologian by any means) is not sinful in and of itself, but if it leads you to sin, you should avoid it.

And in regards to arousing by other means, again: if it leads you to sin, avoid it.

I struggle with similar things, and I know your pain. Persevere, and i’ll pray for you.

(EDIT: if anything I have said is wrong, please feel free to correct me)
 
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Sin is Sin, all types of pron and masturbation is Sin since it is done with full knowledge and consent of free will., it is a very grievous sin, no matter what the justifications is ,because, it is self-abuse and does not help in procreation, We humans are weak at time, when we are sad and depressed, automatically we rely on some support, either family, friends or a relative, but if we rely on pron then obviously we’ll indulge in excess of it ,so the best way is to avoid it altogether .,it’s a matter of self-control and modesty,we can always divert our minds in such situations and, be proactive in many other good activities like sports or spend quality time with family and friends ,as the proverb goes bad company ruins(destroys ) good morals ,so also perverse articles diverts us from being focused on our career goals in life which is much more important.Go to Confession immediately with out delay ,we don’t know when we will die ,we have to be prepared always,God Bless

Matthew 5:27-30 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
Matthew 6:22-23 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; 23 but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Job 31:1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I look upon a virgin?
Psalm 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.
1 Corinthians 11:27-31 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For all who eat and drink[h] without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30 For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.[j] 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined[k] so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
 
It is excellent that you have not done it since you found out it can be a mortal sin. Keep up the good work.

Go to confession, confess it, and be absolved and reconciled. You asked “Do I have to?” I don’t know if you have to, but I think it will do you a lot of spiritual good.

If you are hesitant because you are embarrassed or think the priest will be upset, don’t even worry about that. The priest has heard such confessions before, and he is there to reconcile you to the Lord. Give thanks and praise to God for his gift of forgiveness.
 
Yes i agree with confession and avoiding the near occasion of sin…the books etc u mentioned.

Its what i do…i also apply that to music/movies etc
 
for a sin to be grave… (This is frim Wikipedia)

-Its subject matter must be grave.

-It must be committed with full knowledge (and awareness) of the sinful action and the gravity of the offense.

-It must be committed with deliberate and complete consent.

I do not know if the OP fufilled the last 2 criterion.
 
I slip into this skating up to the edge, by staring at someone who is attractive for too long, or while looking through book choices online, there some picture on a trashy novel and I start reading the description before I know it.

This serves only to torture yourself. Not worth it. If I get myself into trouble, no matter how it started, I call out in my mind “Mother Mary! Please help me!” She does, every time.
 
The OP may not have known or meant to commit the sin and hence did so unknowingly but as many have posted here… once a person gains knowledge that a particular action was wrong, it is good to confess as not only to get a absolution for the sin committed but also to receive graces 🙂 The Examination of Conscience thus proves very helpful in such instances where one may be unsure or not know its a sin but one coming to know that a particular action is a sin can be viewed as a grace that God has granted so that a person maybe entirely free from the consequences of his action.

I remember a very practical example once given by a religious with regards to this subject… a person threw a brick at a shop and broke the glass but he did not know that it was against the law… so does he need to be punished or should he be set free? the answer being that the action being wrong does have a consequence no matter on the intention, so there will be a punishment but it will be mitigated since the doer was not aware of the crime… the same way a sin will have a consequence since its committed against God but confessions offers us an opportunity to obtain pardon for the action and thus again enter into a state of grace.
 
Even if you are not culpable for mortal sin, you don’t have to mortally sin to go to confession.
Go to confession (assuming you were already baptized and had a first communion), telling everything.
Better safe than sorry.

As to what sin it would be to the last question, probably being unguarded in our thoughts and actions, and lust.

When tempted to do anything, at the first moment you realize the temptation, picture the Crucifixion as realistically as you can. And in the next moment, pray to God for Grace to not fall into sin.

Pray at least 5 decades of the Rosary every day.
 
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