Stop reading if there are erotic scenes?

[Kathrin]

If I read a book (or watch a movie, for that matter) and there happen to be descriptions of erotic scenes, is it a sin if i keep reading/watching it? If I don’t read or watch it FOR those scenes?
Would it be ok if I skip the passages? Of course this is not always 100% possible.

Kathrin

 

[Cicero_Buck]

Would anyone here buy a used mortgage from a depressed bank?

 

[The_Fool]

If I read a book (or watch a movie, for that matter) and there happen to be descriptions of erotic scenes, is it a sin if i keep reading/watching it? If I don’t read or watch it FOR those scenes?
Would it be ok if I skip the passages? Of course this is not always 100% possible.

Kathrin

If you read/watch something and there happens to be an erotic scene, I think you can continue reading/watching provided you keep your focus and stay away from near occasions of sin, like we always promise at confession. That is freewill to reject bad things and change our way of thinking. If you aren’t reading or watching specifically for those scenes, I don’t see what the issue is unless it is an occasion of temptation. A subtle message might be lost in skipping those parts, but I never saw much worth in them anyway. So, basically, skip them if you feel like it, especially if they’re tempting you. Try to avoid things that have them, and try to look at things in a detached manner if possible. I am still running into weird scenes and end up focusing on how unrealistic/OCC/wrong/stupid they can be. If you can’t skip the passages:shrug: try to focus on the less distasteful aspects. It’s only my opinion, and it’s not much, but there it is. Was I clear enough? I think I’m rambling.

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

If it makes you uncomfortable, skip it.

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood

 

[Wowbagger]

I suggest that, if it is a temptation to sin, skip it. If not, then carry on–and congratulations on your mastery of your passions.

Some people can’t encounter so much as a PG-13 innuendo without falling into sinful thoughts. Some can bear a great deal more than that, right up to some rather graphic depictions of sex in a number of our artsier R-rated films. Much depends on the person involved.

So I think, anyhow.

 

[Kathrin]

If you aren’t reading or watching specifically for those scenes, I don’t see what the issue is unless it is an occasion of temptation.

I wouldn’t say temptation (as in temptation to do something). That is not really a problem for me. I think I can also usually stay detached enough.
I asked the question after I had been reading a book that (I didn’t know this when I started reading) also has some descriptions of erotic scenes in it. It didn’t bother me all that much, and usually if I read a book I want to give the author a chance and try to see all the positive messages in it even if there’s some doubtful stuff.
The problem was that one sentence I read i THINK stirred up a small bit of feeling in me, I am not really sure if it was because I felt it or because I was afraid I might feel it. I didn’t dwell on it. Does that already mean that book is too tempting for me?

 

[Wowbagger]

This may seem like a cheap 4:30 AM copout, but I think that’s something only you can know. The rules only go so far in specific circumstances like this one, and I think we’ve past the point where there’s any more guidance Church rules can give you. Now it’s really up to you and your conscience.

Unless someone else has a better piece of advice, in which case, more power to ya.

 

[Kathrin]

If there are no specific rules, I guess you are right… I myself know best how something affects you.
Only that I sometimes go back and forth between two extremes. In this case, one extreme would be: Of course you ahve to stop reading this because it can get you into near occasion of sin!
The other part of me says: You are just being sxcrupulous again. You cannot avoid everything. You should give this author a chance and read the book, just skipping passages that make you feel uncomfortable.

 

[Ana]

If there are no specific rules, I guess you are right… I myself know best how something affects you.
Only that I sometimes go back and forth between two extremes. In this case, one extreme would be: Of course you ahve to stop reading this because it can get you into near occasion of sin!
The other part of me says: You are just being sxcrupulous again. You cannot avoid everything. You should give this author a chance and read the book, just skipping passages that make you feel uncomfortable.

As a Wizard of Oz lover, I was excited to read WICKED, the life and story of the Wicked Witch of the West. I barely made it through Chapter two. This book was foul. Believe me there was no chance of stirring up any temptations, it was full of perversions. It was so crude, that even though the story was interesting, I just really felt like I was doing something wrong. So, I pput it up. I have to say the temptation was the book itself.

I usually have a three strike rule. Three strikes your out, but sometimes I don’t make it to three. I will try to divert my attention if possible, but St. Peter tells us to guard our eyes and our ears, and I believe him. There are soooo many good books out there, I am not going to waste my time on trash.

 

[LilyM]

I think you’re approaching the issue the wrong way. Everything unholy that you watch and read affects you a little, weakens you a little. It’s like dying of a thousand little cuts.

So instead of asking ‘can I read/watch this and get away with it’, you should be asking ‘how is reading/watching this getting me closer to Christ’. Once I ask myself that question, it’s obvious that I should avoid ANY sexual suggestion where possible, and switch channels/flick pages as soon as I become aware of it.

 

[Pondero]

I think you’re approaching the issue the wrong way. Everything unholy that you watch and read affects you a little, weakens you a little. It’s like dying of a thousand little cuts.

So instead of asking ‘can I read/watch this and get away with it’, you should be asking ‘how is reading/watching this getting me closer to Christ’. Once I ask myself that question, it’s obvious that I should avoid ANY sexual suggestion where possible, and switch channels/flick pages as soon as I become aware of it.

I think your answer is the best one so far Lily. There is little I can add to it, except to say we should find a way to clean up the garbage we see on evening TV.

 

[Gertabelle]

I think you’re approaching the issue the wrong way. Everything unholy that you watch and read affects you a little, weakens you a little. It’s like dying of a thousand little cuts.

So instead of asking ‘can I read/watch this and get away with it’, you should be asking ‘how is reading/watching this getting me closer to Christ’. Once I ask myself that question, it’s obvious that I should avoid ANY sexual suggestion where possible, and switch channels/flick pages as soon as I become aware of it.

Ditto!

I would also add that by watching/reading these things, you are sending a message to the producers of these materials that you approve, support, and encourage this sort of work. Is that really the sort of message you wish to send?

 

[GodLovesTheSpek]

The Liar tempts us to lead us astray with a million little lies. Each lie is a test. Pass the test and move closer to He who is Truth. Fail the test and move closer to that which is Lies.