Sin?

[jealphak]

A quick questions about something thats been weighing on my conscience: I’m in highschool and for my APUSH project I had to research the Oneida Community. They were very radical sexually, and I feel like when researching this I read to much about that aspect (although admittedly, I never searched past the Wikpedia page). Also, when looking for a lab activity for my AP Bio project, I saw one on the reproductive system and glanced at it out of curiousity. It certainly wasn’t pornographic but it still bothers me. I know i have an issue with scrupulosity, but these aren’t sins right? I just want to make sure. I’m slowly getting over this scrupulosity thing, but i still need help here and there. Thanks

 

[jealphak]

As a side note, posting these questions isn’t sinful in itself, correct? I trust in God and his mercy - I’m just not always certain as to whether I have offended Him or not. I know He loves me and I love Him as much as my mortal heart can in return. God bless andthanks.

 

[Aramis]

There is beauty in the human form.

Appreciating that beauty in appropriate context is not a sin. Nor is the use of accurate representations and/or photographs for educational purposes.

If, however, you had more than a passing sexual thought, it might be a sin. If you looked at them specifically to attain arousal, that’s definitely in the area of sinful behavior.

Satan temps us… it is the lingering on or acting on that impulse that is sinful.

You and your confessor need to make the determination if it is a sin in your specific case, but keep in mind that the fleeting temptations are not themselves the sin; giving in to them is.

 

[puzzleannie]

if you have problems with scrupulosity find one good priest for confession, tell him of this difficulty, follow his guidance and do not ask third parties, especially anonymous friends on the internet, for guidance in this area. check the stickies and info posts on this and the spirituality forum for aids for the scrupulous, or search on the ten commandments for the scrupulous. You will not benefit, and may actually be hurt, by advice from well meaning people who do not understand the burden of scrupulosity. No it is not a sin to read about sexual practices in the context of academic research or science schoolwork, unless the sole purpose of such research is to stimulate improper feelings.