Mortal sin?

[pm2222]

I asked this question yesterday, but is this a mortal sin. I tend to be scrupulous a little when it comes to mortal sins. I was in the car with someone and he said he was going to show me a picture. The picture, I was almost 100 percent sure was going to be pornographic. He put it sort of in front of my face, and I glanced at it for maybe a second, and stopped looking at it and wouldn’t look at it again. I didn’t dwell on the picture, I just wanted him to move it away from me. I am worried because I knew it was going to be pornographic yet I still looked at it for a second. Even though I didn’t dwell on the picture, is this a mortal sin?

 

[bobballen_18]

I asked this question yesterday, but is this a mortal sin. I tend to be scrupulous a little when it comes to mortal sins. I was in the car with someone and he said he was going to show me a picture. The picture, I was almost 100 percent sure was going to be pornographic. He put it sort of in front of my face, and I glanced at it for maybe a second, and stopped looking at it and wouldn’t look at it again. I didn’t dwell on the picture, I just wanted him to move it away from me. I am worried because I knew it was going to be pornographic yet I still looked at it for a second. Even though I didn’t dwell on the picture, is this a mortal sin?

Well, I think your question was pretty well answered in the other thread. First, reference post #3 of your previous thread:

Compedium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compen…um-ccc_en.html

I would say in your case, it was probably a venial sin. Perhaps you weren’t positive it would be pornographic, but you at least had a very good idea it would be. My only question would be, why didn’t you ask him if it was pornographic? If he answered in the affirmative, then you wouldn’t even have to worry about looking once. It’s things like these you should think about in terms of putting yourself in the occasion of sin.

If you truly didn’t dwell on it, and looked away as soon as you knew it was pornographic, then you should be fine to receive Communion, although if you truly aren’t sure either, it wouldn’t hurt to make a spiritual communion as someone said in the other thread, until you have made a good Confession. However, confess this at your next Confession and resolve to avoid occasions of sin.

 

[pm2222]

I should have asked but i am not sure why I didn’t. He put it in front of me and I looked then turned away and that was pretty much it

 

[bobballen_18]

I should have asked but i am not sure why I didn’t. He put it in front of me and I looked then turned away and that was pretty much it

OK, well, it’s not a mortal sin if even one of the 3 conditions for mortal sin were not present - since it’s pornographic, it’s a grave matter, but ultimately it’s up to you to decide if “full knowledge” and “deliberate consent” were present. Really, you should know deep down if they were. But if you can’t decide for yourself, ask your confessor/priest about it and for tips on working with scrupulosity in general.

 

[fred_conty]

I should have asked but i am not sure why I didn’t. He put it in front of me and I looked then turned away and that was pretty much it

You said you were not sure why you didn’t ask him. Maybe because it came as a surprise at that moment and caught you unawares of what this was about for sure. It probably happened quickly and before you reflected enough he stuffed it in front of your face and you just sort of knee jerked it and looked down at what he was holding in his hand and them looked away, maybe even partly to satisfy him.

In addition he probably knew what your reaction would be and did it for kicks. Just tell him just get that piece of junk out of your face and that he should know better.

The other thing is, just be aware that curiosity is not good to satisfy and not to satisfy your curosity in the future about anything you are suspicious of. That is called firm amendment.

Just a thought.