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S_V7
Guest
Are mortal sins that happen in dreams valid if one is aware of it happening and chooses it? Something similar happened to me and just added to my anxiety. I even faintly remember feeling guilty in my dream.
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ltbpoe43
Guest
I think I saw a similar thread (maybe you could search for it) that said basically you can not control your subconscious mind and as such are not culpable for a sin that occurs in a dream.
I think the fact that you remember feeling guilty about it even in a dream is very telling of how you obviously wouldn’t act upon such a dream event or truly intend to harm yourself or another.
I think you are okay. It’s not a sin if no true ill will is attached or intended. Offer it up the next time you are in prayer.
Good question.
I think the fact that you remember feeling guilty about it even in a dream is very telling of how you obviously wouldn’t act upon such a dream event or truly intend to harm yourself or another.
I think you are okay. It’s not a sin if no true ill will is attached or intended. Offer it up the next time you are in prayer.
Good question.
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bilop
Guest
No, you can’t control what happens in a dream, even if you feel like you can.
One can not sin while dreaming.
God Bless
One can not sin while dreaming.
God Bless
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S_V7
Guest
Thanks much for these posts, they’re really helping me calm down. I’m going through another scrupulous phase that is really wearing me down.
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Matt_Collins
Guest
By definition, a sin is a choice. It is an act of your will.
Dreams, by definition, are not a choice. They are not an act of your will, even if they feel like they are. They are something that happens outside of your will.
Sometimes people get worried about dreams they have when they are in a sort of “twilight” of sleep, either while they’re waking up or while they’re falling asleep. Sexually explicit dreams often occur in this state.
To commit a mortal sin it is necessary to be in FULL possession of one’s faculties. In a state of partial sleep one is not in full possession of one’s faculties.
Therefore it is IMPOSSIBLE to sin while asleep. And it is IMPOSSIBLE to commit a mortal sin while in a state of transition between wakefulness and sleep, no matter what evil is being committed in the dream.
Dreams, by definition, are not a choice. They are not an act of your will, even if they feel like they are. They are something that happens outside of your will.
Sometimes people get worried about dreams they have when they are in a sort of “twilight” of sleep, either while they’re waking up or while they’re falling asleep. Sexually explicit dreams often occur in this state.
To commit a mortal sin it is necessary to be in FULL possession of one’s faculties. In a state of partial sleep one is not in full possession of one’s faculties.
Therefore it is IMPOSSIBLE to sin while asleep. And it is IMPOSSIBLE to commit a mortal sin while in a state of transition between wakefulness and sleep, no matter what evil is being committed in the dream.
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Smber2c
Guest
I can relate to dreams containing sins. I always awake very happy when I’m faced with temptatoin in my dream and “choose” to push it away. But other times, when I “choose” the sin, I feel awkward.
I’m not guilty of the sin because as people have said above, we’re not really in control. But I have found that usually my dreams are at least partially indicative of what liberties I’m granting my mind while awake.
It’s almost like muscle memory. If I’m in a good habit of saying no immediatly while awake, then the “me” in my dreams follows suit. If I’ve been wishy washy lately and take forever to push down evil thoughts, the “me” in dream land may not be very virtuous.
So, I don’t see dreamed sins as sins of any sort, but I do think they can provide some idicators (for me atleast) of how well my will is controling my instinct lately.
I’m not guilty of the sin because as people have said above, we’re not really in control. But I have found that usually my dreams are at least partially indicative of what liberties I’m granting my mind while awake.
It’s almost like muscle memory. If I’m in a good habit of saying no immediatly while awake, then the “me” in my dreams follows suit. If I’ve been wishy washy lately and take forever to push down evil thoughts, the “me” in dream land may not be very virtuous.
So, I don’t see dreamed sins as sins of any sort, but I do think they can provide some idicators (for me atleast) of how well my will is controling my instinct lately.
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Lady_Cygnus
Guest
I had the same question recently and actually brought it to confession. The priest gave me a detailed response on why it wasn’t a sin. I’ll summarize what he said (there is no way I could remember the references - although one was St Thomas Aquinas and another a Franciscan priest/therapist).
Basically, in dreams we do not have complete control and are not culpable for the sins committed therein. Even if we have lucid dreams, the dreamer never has full control as he would be in real life. However, if during our waking hours he exposes himself to immoral material, he can be held responsible. It’s like the drunk driver who kills someone - his sin isn’t that he killed a person, but that he put himself in a position to cause harm to others.
So, as an example, an unchaste dream would not be sinful. If, however, during his waking hours, the man watches a lot of risky movies, he puts himself into the near occasion of sin, testing that boundary, he can be held culpable.
When he explained it it made a lot more sense…
Basically, in dreams we do not have complete control and are not culpable for the sins committed therein. Even if we have lucid dreams, the dreamer never has full control as he would be in real life. However, if during our waking hours he exposes himself to immoral material, he can be held responsible. It’s like the drunk driver who kills someone - his sin isn’t that he killed a person, but that he put himself in a position to cause harm to others.
So, as an example, an unchaste dream would not be sinful. If, however, during his waking hours, the man watches a lot of risky movies, he puts himself into the near occasion of sin, testing that boundary, he can be held culpable.
When he explained it it made a lot more sense…
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JimG
Guest
Nothing that happens in dreams is sinful.
Please don’t doubt God’s grace. He is not trying to trap you into sin.
Please don’t doubt God’s grace. He is not trying to trap you into sin.
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jjb5985
Guest
Yes, even in lucid dreams your sense of reasoning and judgement is impaired. I have experienced this myself, and looking back to when I felt in complete control in dreams, there was still a certain disconnect with reality that isn’t there when you are wide awake.
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AndyF
Guest
Don’t concern yourself with it. Sleep is your time to put your problems aside. There are prayers for a peaceful sleep in NAB which says that it is should be the norm.Are mortal sins that happen in dreams valid if one is aware of it happening and chooses it? Something similar happened to me and just added to my anxiety. I even faintly remember feeling guilty in my dream.
AndyF
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baltobetsy
Guest
I’ve had dreams where I do something sinful and even resolve to go to Confession. I’m very relieved when I wake up and realize I have not sinned after all.
Betsy
Betsy
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Teeliumtrozzle
Guest
You cant control whats happening in a dream, so its NOT a sin.Sometimes I have nightmares that Im on the purple train and then someone comes along and says blasphemy.I hate that, even in the dream, but if you dream you commit sin, you are not really doing it and cant control it, so its not a sin.
I think you should ask God to send you some nicer dreams.
I think you should ask God to send you some nicer dreams.
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