Self-mutilation

[RedDuke50]

Would it be a mortal sin to hit yourself (not like black eye hitting or anything) or maybe pulling off a piece of skin to where you bleed? I know that it is a mortal sin to cut yourself but are these like the same thing?

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Would it be a mortal sin to hit yourself (not like black eye hitting or anything) or maybe pulling off a piece of skin to where you bleed? I know that it is a mortal sin to cut yourself but are these like the same thing?

It is a serious psychological desorder…

 

[JRKH]

Would it be a mortal sin to hit yourself (not like black eye hitting or anything) or maybe pulling off a piece of skin to where you bleed? I know that it is a mortal sin to cut yourself but are these like the same thing?

What would be the significant difference here that would make one a mortal sin and the other not?

Peace
James

 

[GEddie]

What would be the significant difference here that would make one a mortal sin and the other not?

Peace
James

The fact that in one case you cannot seriously harm your body, while in the other you can.

ICXC NIKA

 

[JRKH]

The fact that in one case you cannot seriously harm your body, while in the other you can.

ICXC NIKA

That might be one - but would the difference be significant enough to make one “grave matter” and the other not?
I mean really - the difference between cutting and "tearing off skin till you bleed???

Peace
James

 

[GEddie]

That might be one - but would the difference be significant enough to make one “grave matter” and the other not?
I mean really - the difference between cutting and "tearing off skin till you bleed???

Peace
James

Skin is really tough and stretchy, and it is very hard to pull it off with your hands; while doing life-ending damage is easy with a blade.

I agree, if someone is tearing at their body to the point of significant blood loss, that would be mortal sin, or insanity!

ICXC NIKA

 

[Et_Cetera]

Sin or not, if someone is doing this, then it calls for some psychological evaluation.

 

[RedDuke50]

What I meant about tearing off skin was like on your lip you might have a piece of skin peeling off so you might pull it off but then it starts to bleed. I am sorry that I didn’t make it clearer before.

 

[GEddie]

What I meant about tearing off skin was like on your lip you might have a piece of skin peeling off so you might pull it off but then it starts to bleed. I am sorry that I didn’t make it clearer before.

OK, I get it.

In This instance, there would be no sin at all involved, inasmuch as no damage is done to your body.

ICXC NIKA

 

[JRKH]

OK…

Intentional self mutilation is not good and yes it is sinful. Peeling a piece of dry skin from a lip is something quite different and drawing blood is generally not the intent.

That said - no one here can say for sure if it such intentional mutilation is a mortal sin or if there are other mitigating factors involved. This is why one needs to talk to a priest about such matters.

Peace
James