Mortal Sin to visit a Sikh Temple?

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scrdosnatrnum

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Hi,

Is it a Mortal sin to go to a Sikh temple without the intention of worshipping? I am a 16 yr old and I have been to a Sikh temple quite a number of times with my Indian friends. I don’t go there for worship, but rather to eat free Indian food and to hang out with my friends. My friends have absolutely no intention of converting me. I don’t ever intend to convert from the Catholic faith and I’ve heard Sikhism is against proselytisation.

Thanks…
 
Not in the slightest. Not a sin at all, let alone a mortal one. Catholicism is not a cult; it’s perfectly fine to have friendships and interact with people of other religions. As long as you don’t start actually practicing Sikhism there’s nothing wrong with you going there as just a friend.
 
I’m not being snarky, but see this as an opportunity for catechesis.

See the Catechism on the definition and qualifications of what mortal sin is, and then ask yourself the question, and see what answer you come up with.

Peace!
 
Sorry, once I rad “Indian food” I lost interest in the actual question. I love Indian food more than any other cuisine. When I try to make it, kind of disappointing. Authentic, wow! No sin. Jot at all.
 
Ive been to a sikh temple loads of times on school trips/university trips when studying religion, highly doubt its a mortal sin.
 
@scrdosnatrnum yes,its a mortal sin why ? because it is said in 1 Corinthians 10:20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.[g] 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Do All to the Glory of God 23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

Job 20:“Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue,13 though he is loath to let it go,and holds it in his mouth,14 yet his food is turned in his stomach; it is the gall of asps within him.15 He swallows down riches and vomits them up again;God casts them out of his belly.
Exodus 20: 5 you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

James 4:4 Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is in vain that the scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace; therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be mismated with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Be′lial?[a] Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,“I will live in them and move among them,and I will be their God,and they shall be my people.17 Therefore come out from them,and be separate from them, says the Lord,and touch nothing unclean;then I will welcome you,18 and I will be a father to you,and you shall be my sons and daughters,says the Lord Almighty.”

You must confess it and how many number of times you have went and eat ,or shown respect to it have you removed your footwear and covered your head that means you have shown respect indirectly worshiped.because with out removing you footwear and covering you head your will not be allowed in the temple ,with out giving excuses or justifying yourself, confess it immediately its a very grievous sin breaking the 1st commandment.God Bless.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
 
In February I went to a Buddhist temple I think, and a few more this April when I went on vacation. I don’t like to if I could, but for vacation it is more of a tourist spot thingy. Anyhow, I did something convertly as my teeny tiny way of praying or evangelizing. Perhaps you could the next time you go, just mho.
 
I don’t think it is a big deal, as long as you are firm and secure in your faith. So on that basis… no. However:

Someone mentioned your parents. Your parents are charged with and held accountable for your spiritual welfare and safekeeping, not just your physical welfare. They would better know than we would where you are spiritually. If they deem you to be not ready for such things, going to the temple anyway at that point might qualify as being a mortal sin.
 
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No, not at all. My sister went to a Buddhist festival and enjoyed herself (no worshiping there - just food and music). I see nothing wrong with being there as a friend.
 
I don’t think it is a mortal sin, but be careful that you don’t give scandal. If someone is considering entering the church, but thinks that a catholic went to a pagan temple, this might cause them to rethink joining.
 
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Even the Holy Father has visited mosques and other places of worship. He didn’t just go to eat some food, either.
 
I would think it’s a bit disrespectful to them to keep going there and partaking of their food without any intention of converting. I don’t know much of Sikh temple culture but in Hari Kirshna temples or gatherings they use food as a draw with the intention to convert people. I think it is probably fine to visit , but bearing in mind your age I wouldn’t if I was you until you are a lot older, but that’s just my take on it and to protect you from any influences. Rather meet your mates in at their homes and eat Indian food then there is no expectation or offence caused. Oh and let your priest and parents know just so you have adults advice on the matter.
 
I doubt that’s the case. Indian people are very big on hospitality and tend to want to share their culture. Lots of cultures are like that and happily invite others to partake of celebrations with no motive other than to be kind and to share their cultures with others. In my neighborhood, there is a Greek Orthodox church that serves a greek luncheon with children dancing Greek dances every Friday. There is no purpose of converting others in it. They are just raising money for their parish by selling good Greek food.
 
Let me get this straight. You go to a Sikh temple not to worship but for the free Indian food and to hang out with your friends. Why not invite them to Mass and if you really crave Indian food, go to an Indian restaurant with them later?
 
lilypadrees said:
Why not invite them to Mass and if you really crave Indian food, go to an Indian restaurant with them later?
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Possibly because he can’t laugh and chat with his friends during Mass and as a teenager, he doesn’t have the money to take his friends out for dinner.
 
@scrdosnatrnum

The Council at Jerusalem

Acts 15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

Acts 21:25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled[c] and from unchastity.

1 Corinthians 10:20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.

From the Council of the Apostles this has not been changed,that you abstain from food offered to idols.Those trying to misguide you giving false examples,claims, are not true, this is nothing to do with people, culture, or celebrations but it is regarding food offered to idols, don’t listen to them,just confess it immediately.

Luke 16:10 “He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.
 
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