Smoking

[DavidFilmer]

Say this person is trying to stop masturbating but after so long the urge to have sexual release returns and they slip up. (sounds like smoking to me) So this person who is trying to stop masturbating, even though addicted, through prayer, the rosary, etc., is commiting mortal sin, but the smoker, whether trying to quit or not, is possibly not even sinning.

The issue is freewill consent (one of the three requirements I brought up for a sin to be considered mortal). In the past, the Church has recognized chemical addictions, and has realized that such addictions may diminish our capability for freewill consent, and thus possibly mitigate the mortal nature of some sins.

In more modern times, the Church has also recognized the psychologically addictive nature of habitual behavior (such as masturbation or use of pornography). Confessors have recently included such afflictions in the category of addiction, whereby free will may be still compromised to some degree.

However, ultimately, it does NOT MATTER what the Church (or any confessor) says in this regard. ONLY God can know if any particular offense is mortally or (only) venially sinful. We cannot even know for ourselves if we are in a state of Grace, or a state of mortal sin.

No priest, bishop, or (even) Pope can tell you if any particular sin you have committed is mortal or venial (well, maybe a Pope could - but I’m pretty sure it’s never been done). The Church’s understanding of psychological addiction is developing along with our scientific knowledge of the human mind, and the Church’s pastoral approach is likewise being refined. And this is good, but it is not necessary. A guy who was a habitual masturbator centuries ago may have been told by his priest that his sin was unequivocally mortal, but if he masturbated and died, only God’s opinion would ultimately matter.

 

[Josh316]

The issue is freewill consent (one of the three requirements I brought up for a sin to be considered mortal). In the past, the Church has recognized chemical addictions, and has realized that such addictions may diminish our capability for freewill consent, and thus possibly mitigate the mortal nature of some sins.

In more modern times, the Church has also recognized the psychologically addictive nature of habitual behavior (such as masturbation or use of pornography). Confessors have recently included such afflictions in the category of addiction, whereby free will may be still compromised to some degree.

However, ultimately, it does NOT MATTER what the Church (or any confessor) says in this regard. ONLY God can know if any particular offense is mortally or (only) venially sinful. We cannot even know for ourselves if we are in a state of Grace, or a state of mortal sin.

No priest, bishop, or (even) Pope can tell you if any particular sin you have committed is mortal or venial (well, maybe a Pope could - but I’m pretty sure it’s never been done). The Church’s understanding of psychological addiction is developing along with our scientific knowledge of the human mind, and the Church’s pastoral approach is likewise being refined. And this is good, but it is not necessary. A guy who was a habitual masturbator centuries ago may have been told by his priest that his sin was unequivocally mortal, but if he masturbated and died, only God’s opinion would ultimately matter.

Thank you for this as I think it a very intelligent answer to a very difficult question. The only other question I have is even though a sin may be harder not to commit if one is chemically (smoking) or psychologically (masturbation) addicted, in the end isn’t it more a matter of will POWER and not FREE will? I mean it’s not as if a gun was to this person’s head.

 

[DavidFilmer]

The only other question I have is even though a sin may be harder not to commit if one is chemically (smoking) or psychologically (masturbation) addicted, in the end isn’t it more a matter of will POWER and not FREE will? I mean it’s not as if a gun was to this person’s head.

But, again, this is up to the individual, and the ultimate judgment rests with God alone.

Will-power is the result of an exercise of the will (as muscular power is the result of an exercise of the gym). The more we bend our free will to the will of God, the easier it becomes.

We are always free to turn our freewill against God - nobody is holding a gun to our head, one way or another (if he were, it would not really be freewill).

 

[Tomster]

Anybody got a light? :hey_bud: