Mortal Sin Question!

[Konohage]

Hello all! I have a question about whether something is a mortal sin. As I’ve mentioned before, I have an anxiety disorder that manifests in scrupulosity, so I tend to get very confused and distressed about whether something is a sin or not. Here is my question:

I recently started watching a certain TV show. Now, I’m the type that gets pretty addicted to TV shows and video games. I’m what one would call a “fangirl.” So, I started watching this show, it was on every day so I would tape it and watch it with my dad. I didn’t want it to get between me and God, however, because I didn’t want to wast all my time watching this show.

So, I tried to just watch it with my parents and that’s it. Then, without me asking them to, my parents got the show on DVD for me for Christmas. So, now it’s like ridiculous how much I watch this show. The other night I was up till 4 AM just watching segments of it on Youtube. It’s really started to take up my time. I guess you could say I’m addicted. It’s also my own fault, because I simply give in to watching it, rather than not watching it all day.

So, would this be a mortal sin, because I’m putting it before God? For the record, I’m working on cutting down my TV time so it won’t happen again. It’s only been really bad for the past week or so.

Thanks!

 

[1ke]

No.

This is your scrupulosity talking. You need a regular confessor who is trained to help you deal with this problem. Talk to your priest regularly.

 

[camerong]

Absolutely agree with the above. Remember that mortal sin requires both grave matter, and full knowledge and consent. This is clearly not grave matter, assuming the show is not pornographic.

But go talk to a priest, you will believe it better coming from him.

 

[Barbkw]

I understand compulsive behavior - I’m currently addicted to posting here. The only benefit, I hope, is that I’m helping other people.

Is it a mortal sin to feed a compulsion that is quite selfish by its nature and not helpful to you or to others?

IMO, it’s not so much a mortal / venial question.

It’s whether or not this compulsive behavior is good for you - mind, body, and soul. Is this what God wants and intends for you?

P.S. Why did you hide the name of the program?

 

[Konohage]

THANK YOU ALL. Really, that soooo put my mind at ease. And in case you were wondering, the show is not pornographic or anything like that.It’s more of an action/drama show. I don’t know if any of you have heard of it, it’s called Supernatural. It’s more like fantasy/action/drama. It does contain some elements about God and the book of Revelations in the later seasons, but it’s fictional so it doesn’t bother me.

 

[Skeptic92]

Hello all! I have a question about whether something is a mortal sin. As I’ve mentioned before, I have an anxiety disorder that manifests in scrupulosity, so I tend to get very confused and distressed about whether something is a sin or not. Here is my question:

I recently started watching a certain TV show. Now, I’m the type that gets pretty addicted to TV shows and video games. I’m what one would call a “fangirl.” So, I started watching this show, it was on every day so I would tape it and watch it with my dad. I didn’t want it to get between me and God, however, because I didn’t want to wast all my time watching this show.

So, I tried to just watch it with my parents and that’s it. Then, without me asking them to, my parents got the show on DVD for me for Christmas. So, now it’s like ridiculous how much I watch this show. The other night I was up till 4 AM just watching segments of it on Youtube. It’s really started to take up my time. I guess you could say I’m addicted. It’s also my own fault, because I simply give in to watching it, rather than not watching it all day.

So, would this be a mortal sin, because I’m putting it before God? For the record, I’m working on cutting down my TV time so it won’t happen again. It’s only been really bad for the past week or so.

Thanks!

The only mortal sin that could arise from it is missing Mass ona Sunday or HDO, other then that it’s not a sin, but definitely not healthy, it may be a cause for sin but its not a sin in itself.

Plus as you said you have quite an addicting personality in the first place, i doubt you could ever have a mortal sin arise from it, as you may not have full consent of will, let alone being addicting to a show like “supernatural” is definitely not Grave matter

 

[Barbkw]

Uhm. I watch Supernatural. It’s the dryest humor a person can find on television. And IMO, one of the best programs on TV. It doesn’t hurt that the two main characters, are Hot (and 100% brain less Americans) and demons constantly try to kill them and it’s a spoof on Revelation. And Castiel is a hoot. Very good writers. 1,000 times better than Smallville.

 

[Edmundus1581]

I understand compulsive behavior - I’m currently addicted to posting here. The only benefit, I hope, is that I’m helping other people.

Is it a mortal sin to feed a compulsion that is quite selfish by its nature and not helpful to you or to others?

IMO, it’s not so much a mortal / venial question. It’s whether or not this compulsive behavior is good for you - mind, body, and soul. Is this what God wants and intends for you?

Thankyou for your openness. I’ve also been inclined to spend too much time here, or in other internet time-wasters.

As you say, we have to apply some judgement to discern when the benefits to ourselves and others, of these activities have become a selfish compulsion. It can also happen with other good habits too, such as hard work, parish involvement, etc.

We should feel no more guilty about over-indulging leisure (such as TV watching) as over-indulging work and good activities, because leisure is, in itself, also a gift from God, and a good use of our time. I’d rather be around someone who was watching too much TV, than someone who was working too hard

Moderation in all things!

 

[Edmundus1581]

I agree with previous comments, that this is not a mortal sin, and possibly not a sin of any gravity.

Uhm. I watch Supernatural. It’s the dryest humor a person can find on television. And IMO, one of the best programs on TV. It doesn’t hurt that the two main characters, are Hot (and 100% brain less Americans) and demons constantly try to kill them and it’s a spoof on Revelation. And Castiel is a hoot. Very good writers. 1,000 times better than Smallville.

(I don’t know the show myself, but it sounds good!)

When we consider whether the time “wasted” is a “sin” we need to look at the quality of the program itself. If it is educational, or is a stimulating entertainment (rather than a soporific or prurient waste of time), then there is more justification for the time spent.

For myself, I regard several hours playing XBox games as stimulating entertainment, appropriate to my state in life. I sometimes play them for longer than I intend, but I don’t sweat it.

 

[Konohage]

The only mortal sin that could arise from it is missing Mass ona Sunday or HDO, other then that it’s not a sin, but definitely not healthy, it may be a cause for sin but its not a sin in itself.

Plus as you said you have quite an addicting personality in the first place, i doubt you could ever have a mortal sin arise from it, as you may not have full consent of will, let alone being addicting to a show like “supernatural” is definitely not Grave matter

Thank you so much for that (name removed by moderator)ut! That is so helpful! And yeah, I would definitely not miss Mass for something like a TV show Also, what does HDO stand for?

 

[Konohage]

I agree with previous comments, that this is not a mortal sin, and possibly not a sin of any gravity.

(I don’t know the show myself, but it sounds good!)

When we consider whether the time “wasted” is a “sin” we need to look at the quality of the program itself. If it is educational, or is a stimulating entertainment (rather than a soporific or prurient waste of time), then there is more justification for the time spent.

For myself, I regard several hours playing XBox games as stimulating entertainment, appropriate to my state in life. I sometimes play them for longer than I intend, but I don’t sweat it.

Thank you very much! I really like your way of analyzing the quality of the program itself, that makes a lot of sense to me that will come in handy in the future!

 

[Konohage]

Uhm. I watch Supernatural. It’s the dryest humor a person can find on television. And IMO, one of the best programs on TV. It doesn’t hurt that the two main characters, are Hot (and 100% brain less Americans) and demons constantly try to kill them and it’s a spoof on Revelation. And Castiel is a hoot. Very good writers. 1,000 times better than Smallville.

Oh wow! That is so awesome, glad to meet a fellow fan! It’s interesting how I keep finding Catholic friends who enjoy this show so much!

This really helps. Thank you so much for your feedback!

 

[Skeptic92]

Thank you so much for that (name removed by moderator)ut! That is so helpful! And yeah, I would definitely not miss Mass for something like a TV show Also, what does HDO stand for?

HDO= Holy Day of Obligation, it’s days throughout the year other then Sundy that we are obliged to go to Mass, in the UK there is almost no non-sunday Holy Day’s of obligation, however im unsure of the situation in other conutries

Check your countries liturgical calender, it should tell you if there are non-Sunday holy of day obligation.

 

[Konohage]

HDO= Holy Day of Obligation, it’s days throughout the year other then Sundy that we are obliged to go to Mass, in the UK there is almost no non-sunday Holy Day’s of obligation, however im unsure of the situation in other conutries

Check your countries liturgical calender, it should tell you if there are non-Sunday holy of day obligation.

Awesome, thank you very much! I’ll be sure to remember that!