Maybe this is a silly question

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Julie_de_Sales

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I always wondered why sexual pleasure is considered much more sinful than enjoying food for example. It’s also about human needs. Let’s say if someone eats just for the pleasure of eating and not because he needs that food to survive than it’s totally fine but if someone experiences sexual pleasure that it’s not in the context of marriage he commits a mortal sin by consenting to it. I’m not talking about eating too much and damaging your health, but in general. Why would one be more important than the other?
 
One is actually needed for survival, and the other is not. Sexual pleasure is designed for two people who are married to each other, and there is harm done if it is entered into casually as in a one-night stand.

Eating in the ordinary course of your life is something you need to do, and it is morally the same no matter what level of pleasure it gives you.
 
Lust is the least deadly of the 7 Deadly Sins, gluttony is worse.
 
I think you answered your own question.

You said “I’m not talking about eating too much and damaging your health, but in general.”

what if we changed it around?

"I always wondered why “eating till you burst” is considered much more sinful than “enjoying sexual pleasure in marriage” for example. It’s also about human needs. I’m not talking about “sexual pleasure outside of marriage”, but in general. Why would one be more important than the other?

It’s context. Eating is not a sin. Gluttony is. Sex isn’t a sin. Adultery is.

See?
 
Yes, I do, it makes sense 😉 However, I think most people wouldn’t consider a mortal sin if one evening, let’s say, they ate way too much and even got sick because of it, but would have a different attitude in the area of chastity.
 
Procreation is just that. A married couple join with in the act that with God may result in a brand new human life!!!
 
Julie_de_Sales said:
I always wondered why sexual pleasure is considered much more sinful than enjoying food for example. It’s also about human needs. Let’s say if someone eats just for the pleasure of eating and not because he needs that food to survive than it’s totally fine but if someone experiences sexual pleasure that it’s not in the context of marriage he commits a mortal sin by consenting to it. I’m not talking about eating too much and damaging your health, but in general. Why would one be more important than the other?
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It must be ordered, with temperance.

1 John 2
16 For all that is in the world, is the concupiscence of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life, which is not of the Father, but is of the world.
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Julie_de_Sales said:
Let’s say if someone eats just for the pleasure of eating and not because he needs that food to survive than it’s totally fine
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It’s not totally fine. That is the definition of gluttony.
It is incontrovertible that to eat or drink for the mere pleasure of the experience, and for that exclusively, is likewise to commit the sin of gluttony.
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http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06590a.htm

That being said, it is considered disordered or inordinate–being contrary to reason–but not strictly contrary to charity (and therefore mortal), unless we make such seeking of pleasure our end instead of God, as St. Paul notes:
Phill 3:18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
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Likewise, gluttony that deprived others of needed sustenance would be a form of stealing and clearly contrary to charity on that count.
 
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Julie_de_Sales said:
I always wondered why sexual pleasure is considered much more sinful than enjoying food for example.
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Sexual pleasure isn’t in itself sinful. It’s partaking of it outside of God’s plan for it that is sinful.
Julie_de_Sales said:
Let’s say if someone eats just for the pleasure of eating and not because he needs that food to survive than it’s totally fine but if someone experiences sexual pleasure that it’s not in the context of marriage he commits a mortal sin by consenting to it.
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Because eating for pleasure still serves the purpose for which it was intended. The person isn’t throwing it up afterwards or chewing and spitting it out. The act of eating is complete and if it’s not gluttony, there is no sin. With sexual pleasure, one is seeking the pleasure outside of God’s plan. Sex is for both procreation and the unity of the couple. The pleasure is a side effect that aids both of those purposes and isn’t supposed to be sought for itself apart from those ends. Sex outside of marriage may result in a complete act but is not taking place in the context for which God intended it.
 
Julie_de_Sales said:
I always wondered why sexual pleasure is considered much more sinful than enjoying food for example. It’s also about human needs. Let’s say if someone eats just for the pleasure of eating and not because he needs that food to survive than it’s totally fine but if someone experiences sexual pleasure that it’s not in the context of marriage he commits a mortal sin by consenting to it. I’m not talking about eating too much and damaging your health, but in general. Why would one be more important than the other?
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Sex is much more powerful and significant than food. Sex is where we bond most closely and intimately with another person, as well as where we most resemble God in His power of creating new life.

And we all intuitively understand this significance. Your spouse is not going to get upset and maybe end your marriage if he or she catches you gorging on cake. Showing food - or people stuffing themselves - isn’t banned on prime time tv. Food magazines aren’t sold only to adults. Euphemisms for food or eating aren’t viewed as serious insults (unlike the f word)
 
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MasterHaster said:
Are they ordered in terms of severity?
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Yes the ones that are all of spirit (pride, envy, etc) are the most severe since they don’t involve body passions overtaking the spirit whereas those that are of the body overtaking the spirit (gluttony, lust, etc) are the least severe since involve the passions overtaking the spirit. I can’t offer a distinction on why gluttony ranked worse than lust but it is in most lists. Maybe because with gluttony you waste food that could save those who are hungry, etc
 
People generally don’t sit around eating for pleasure. That would be gluttony. People eat because it’s a necessity of life. They’re supposed to eat a reasonable quantity and type of food to sustain good health. If they get pleasure out of eating for this purpose, that’s a side benefit.

Sex is NOT a necessity of life. Unlike food, one can go long periods without sex, or even their entire life without sex, and still be healthy. People arent supposed to have sex just for pleasure. That would be the sexual equivalent of gluttony, which is lust. Sex between married couples is necessary to procreate the human race and it also encourages the couple to bond. Sex for these purposes is fine, and the pleasure is a side benefit.
 
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The ranking of the 7 capital sins is at CCC 1866. More detailed explanations of the ranking have been given by Fr John Hardon who is probably the authority most frequently quoted today.
Pride is the worst sin.
By the way, I am not offering this to “support” a “claim.” It’s standard Catholic teaching not in dispute.

Here is an example article.

 
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Did you actually read the stuff Fr. Hardon wrote about the sins? I’m guessing you probably didn’t.

I give up on this discussion. You’re not interested in reading anything thoughtfully, or listening to anything thoughtfully. Therefore, it’s pointless to continue. I can only hope that what we post helps someone who is actually interested and has an open mind and the motivation to read and listen.
 
Julie_de_Sales said:
I always wondered why sexual pleasure is considered much more sinful than enjoying food for example. It’s also about human needs. Let’s say if someone eats just for the pleasure of eating and not because he needs that food to survive than it’s totally fine but if someone experiences sexual pleasure that it’s not in the context of marriage he commits a mortal sin by consenting to it. I’m not talking about eating too much and damaging your health, but in general. Why would one be more important than the other?
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Gluttony can be a serious sin.

Also, while it can useful to have distinctions, all sins and all virtues are connected with one another. A person who concedes to sexual immorality will logically and naturally be more vulnerable to excesses with food and drink, and a person who concedes to other excesses will also be more vulnerable to sexual immorality. A person who practices the smallest virtue opens the door to greater virtues and allows God into deeper recesses of the heart, and a person who concedes the smallest sin makes themselves more vulnerable to other sins. The more we feed our corrupt nature, the more corrupt it will become.
 
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