Movies

[Magnavox]

Question.

If you read the title of a movie and it sounds like it could be morally offensive, and you decide to watch the movie but during the first 5 minutes you realize that while watching it you probably shouldn’t be watching it and during the first few scenes you see objectionable stuff and you say to yourself “I’m not going to watch this, I know better.”

Did you commit a mortal sin in doing this, or did you start to place yourself in the occasion of sin and resisted it and committed no sin at all?

Thanks.

 

[Bookcat]

From the Compendium of the Catechism:

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.

 

[Bookcat]

As for the question of what is an occasion of sin? Here is one explination

catholicreference.net/index.cfm?id=35228

 

[Magnavox]

From the Compendium of the Catechism:

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.

Thanks. I am aware of the definitions of both kinds of sin however.

 

[thistle]

Question.

If you read the title of a movie and it sounds like it could be morally offensive, and you decide to watch the movie but during the first 5 minutes you realize that while watching it you probably shouldn’t be watching it and during the first few scenes you see objectionable stuff and you say to yourself “I’m not going to watch this, I know better.”

Did you commit a mortal sin in doing this, or did you start to place yourself in the occasion of sin and resisted it and committed no sin at all?

Thanks.

That is not a sin.

It is a sin to watch pornography but not a movie which happens to have some sex scenes in it. If they offend you when they come up just shut your eyes.

 

[Bookcat]

Question.

If you read the title of a movie and it sounds like it could be morally offensive, and you decide to watch the movie but during the first 5 minutes you realize that while watching it you probably shouldn’t be watching it and during the first few scenes you see objectionable stuff and you say to yourself “I’m not going to watch this, I know better.”

Did you commit a mortal sin in doing this, or did you start to place yourself in the occasion of sin and resisted it and committed no sin at all?

Thanks.

You have to judge the event …according to the criteria…but in doing so ask yourself what you were thinking etc then…not after the fact…

(one can not judge for you…though your confessor can help)

as for near occasions of sin…yes we are to avoid such. The question for the future is: is this really a near occasion of mortal sin?(or venial sins) Is it likely that one would fall into such…either given the content (that most would find it so) or given ones own weaknesses.

Some near occasions of sin are sinful to stay in or go in cause we knowly are in them etc…others we can not avoid etc.

Some things are just occasions but not near occasions…others are remote occasions of sin which are everywhere…

of course something can be not a near occasion of sin …but still not a good thing to watch…or something a Christian should waste time with etc…

some things are a just a “mix” where they are not near occasions but have some good and some not good things…and one makes a judgment to watch or not watch…like a good show that has several “sexual jokes”…some shows just keep doing such that it is just after awhile very annoying etc…and some have a few but really are otherwise really good shows…

 

[Magnavox]

That is not a sin.

It is a sin to watch pornography but not a movie which happens to have some sex scenes in it. If they offend you when they come up just shut your eyes.

Okay, thanks. The movie was definitely not pornography. I understand watching that is grave matter for sure.

 

[Magnavox]

You have to judge the event …according to the criteria…but in doing so ask yourself what you were thinking etc then…not after the fact…

(one can not judge for you…though your confessor can help)

as for near occasions of sin…yes we are to avoid such. The question for the future is: is this really a near occasion of mortal sin?(or venial sins) Is it likely that one would fall into such…either given the content (that most would find it so) or given ones own weaknesses.

Some near occasions of sin are sinful to stay in or go in cause we knowly are in them etc…others we can not avoid etc.

Some things are just occasions but not near occasions…others are remote occasions of sin which are everywhere…

of course something can be not a near occasion of sin …but still not a good thing to watch…or something a Christian should waste time with etc…

some things are a just a “mix” where they are not near occasions but have some good and some not good things…and one makes a judgment to watch or not watch…like a good show that has several “sexual jokes”…some shows just keep doing such that it is just after awhile very annoying etc…and some have a few but really are otherwise really good shows…

Very informative, thank you.

 

[Bookcat]

Very informative, thank you.

Your very welcome…

one needs to examine with honesty of course…but sometimes we do not realize something right away…(so be honest, avoid scruples, and follow Christ joyfully and faithfully)

…over the years I have had to prune the movies I watch

Also…

Think of the early Christians who would not go to certain forms of entertainment…

(by the way here is a great thing to read…earlychristians.org/testimonies_martyrs.html)