Near Occasion of Sin

  • Thread starter Thread starter CuriousInIL
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

CuriousInIL

Guest
In a number of responses in these forums, people talk about the near occasion of sin and equate that to sin. That seems wrong to me. Why would it be called the near occasion of sin if it could just be called sin?
 
I think there is plenty of information. It is not specific to one or another “near occasions” but asks why being in the near occasion of sin is equated to doing the sin itself.

The topic could just as easily apply to unmarrieds living together, a gambling addict moving to Vegas, a person with an adulterous history going out alone with a person of the opposite sex, an alcoholic going to a bar, etc, etc, etc. Why is the person who puts himself in the near occasion of sin, sinning? I think the OP made the question sufficiently clear.
 
I still say not enough info from the OP. Why? Because all the OP says is that in “numerous” (how many?) posts, people equated near occasions of sin with sin. But. . .what exactly did the people SAY? Was this the OP’s impression, or was there more? Was there some lack of comprehension on either side? How do we KNOW unless we know what was actually said? And in any case, what is the real point? If somebody DID make a mistake (it happens), then why not address the person directly? Why start a thread that pretty much says, “some people made mistakes about equating near occasions of sin and sin itself” (Gasp!) and then a rather disingenous (or so it appeared) tag-on. (again I could be wrong, mea culpa).

It appears to me (and of course I could be wrong) that there is more to the post than meets the eye. . .and therefore I repeat, more information is needed.
 
40.png
CuriousInIL:
Why would it be called the near occasion of sin if it could just be called sin?
Click to expand...
Because the near occasion of sin in and of itself is not sinful, but is sinful for that particular person. Using my previous example: going into a bar is not itself sinful. However, an alcoholic who has wrought much destruction in his life through the consumption of alcohol has a responsibility to avoid the sin, and therefore also the people, places, and things which would reasonably lead him to sin. Therefore, it is sinful for an alcoholic to knowingly and intentionally put himself in such a position where he is likely to fall into sin. Extenuating circumstances (he is now an AA sponsor who needs to pick up his buddy from the bar, perhaps) would mitigate the sin. Again, the sin is not objective, but relies on the particulars of the operator and the circumstances.

When “near occassion of sin” is usually discussed is in sexual situations. Two unmarried people sharing a bed is not itself sinful, however it can easily be opening the door to premarital sex. It depends on the people and circumstances. Would you say two strangers stranded in a snowstorm with no heat, one blanket, and one bed would be sinning to share it? No. Putting oneself in the “near occassion of sin” is sinning. However, the near occassion of sin is not an objective list and depends on each individual person and the circumstances surrounding him. That’s why we don’t label the action as an outright sin (sharing a bed, going in a bar, moving to Vegas).

"IF YOUR EYE IS YOUR DOWNFALL, TEAR IT OUT!"

Is Our Blessed Lord actually advocating self-mutilation? Of course not! He is employing figurative language to stress a point that is vital to our spiritual well-being. By saying “cut it off - - - tear it out,” Our Lord is telling us, figuratively, that we must avoid the occasion of sin. The occasions of sin are all persons, places or things that may lead one into sin. In fact, in the Act of Contrition, we promise to avoid the near occasion of sin.

Reference: Mark 9:43-50

Act of Contrition: O my God, I am heartfully sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishment, but most of all because I have offended Thee my God, Who is all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasion of sin, Amen.
 
40.png
CuriousInIL:
In a number of responses in these forums, people talk about the near occasion of sin and equate that to sin. That seems wrong to me. Why would it be called the near occasion of sin if it could just be called sin?
Click to expand...
Don’t make so much of the wording. It could just as well be called “near occasion of moral evil.” However…

A near occasion of sin in the strict sense is not a sin at all as strictly speaking it refers to a circumstance as opposed to a human act. However when we speak of “near occasion of sin” being a sin we mean obviously placing one’s self in a near occasion of sin being a sin.

Placing one’s self in a near occasion of sin is actually not always a sin. It is specifically unneccessarily or without good reason placing one’s self in a near occasion of sin that is always a sin. If necessity or some other good reason causes you to place yourself in a near occasion of sin, there is an obligation to try through prayer or other means to render that occasion remote.

An example of placing yourself in a near occasion of sin that would not be a sin due to necessity or good reason would be if someone who is emotionally vulnerable (perhaps due to a death in the family) hugs you and her hugging you is an occasion of sin for you – in that situation it would not be wrong to consent to the hugging. However there is an obligation to try to minimize the danger (by prayer or trying to keep the hug as brief as possible)

So when someone says near occasions of sin are a sin, they would probably mean all that I wrote above – but it takes too long to write all that 😉 And even saying “placing yourself in an unnecessary near occasion of sin is a sin” takes too long.
 
40.png
tuopaolo:
Placing one’s self in a near occasion of sin is actually not always a sin. It is specifically unneccessarily or without good reason placing one’s self in a near occasion of sin that is always a sin.
Click to expand...
What is the sin of unnecessarily or without good reason placing one’s self in a near occasion of sin? What is it called? What “rule” does it violate?

And, if necessary, I can give examples. But, I did not because threads nearly always seem to get hung up on and follow the examples more than the philosophical point.
 
40.png
CuriousInIL:
What is the sin of unnecessarily or without good reason placing one’s self in a near occasion of sin? What is it called? What “rule” does it violate?

And, if necessary, I can give examples. But, I did not because threads nearly always seem to get hung up on and follow the examples more than the philosophical point.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure I understand. The sin of unnecessarily placing oneself in the near occassion of sin (for instance, an alcoholic going in a bar) is the sin of being in the near occasion of sin.

In the discussion of pre-marital relationships, I believe the sin of scandal is often cited. In that, the emphasis is that even if you are not objectively sinning and perhaps not even placing oneself in the near occasion of sin, you might be supporting others actually sinning. This is reflected in scripture in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8. If this doesn’t answer your question, please let me know.
 
40.png
CuriousInIL:
What is the sin of unnecessarily or without good reason placing one’s self in a near occasion of sin? What is it called? What “rule” does it violate?
Click to expand...
It violates the virtue of prudence.

It puts your soul and the potential for it to be healthy, beautiful, and glorifying of God in unnecessary danger.

It would be the same as if you ran 10 miles without having any water – that would put your body in unnecessary danger from likely dehydration and even death.

So for instance, being alone with a woman you’ve committed adultery with every time you’ve been alone with her would mean that you are not being prudent by placing yourself in that danger to your soul. You may also be placing her soul in danger and so it would violate also the virtue of charity (or love for her and her soul). It would also violate the virtue of justice because you would be putting the honor of your spouse and your spousal union in danger.

So, placing either your body or your soul in unnecessary or needless danger, i.e. without any good reason would be a sin against prudence (and possible against charity or justice or other virtues depending on the particular case)
 
40.png
starrs0:
Is the sin of near occasion mortal or venial?
Click to expand...
Depends. Keep in mind what makes up a mortal sin:
  1. Grave matter
  2. Knowledge that it is a sin.
  3. Full consent.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top