Was this a mortal sin?

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royalblue

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I was drawing to illustrate a story a couple days ago, and my imagination began to wander and on a separate page I started drawing the characters in sexual situations. I was disgusted once I stopped doing it, and now I’m really worried whether or not it was a mortal sin.

Was it a grave matter? I just wasn’t thinking at the time, but it now does seem so to me. I know I wasn’t thinking, “I’m doing this to lust” - it was more of a sick fascination, but I probably was lusting anyway.

I feel terrible for doing this. Do I need to go to confession before receiving communion now?
 
royalblue said:
I was drawing to illustrate a story a couple days ago, and my imagination began to wander and on a separate page I started drawing the characters in sexual situations. I was disgusted once I stopped doing it, and now I’m really worried whether or not it was a mortal sin.

Was it a grave matter? I just wasn’t thinking at the time, but it now does seem so to me. I know I wasn’t thinking, “I’m doing this to lust” - it was more of a sick fascination, but I probably was lusting anyway.

I feel terrible for doing this. Do I need to go to confession before receiving communion now?
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Can anyone on thi forum tell you for sure if it was a Mortal sin?? No

Can we say that it is a serious matter? Yes…

Therefore I recommend that you get to confession as soon as possible, discuss it with your confessor and receive absolution for it whether it was mortal or not…

Peace
James
 
By definition, you cannot commit a mortal sin without intending to and knowing what you’re doing. If you described the account accurately, neither applied. If the description is lacking (we often tend to cut ourselves extra slack), then maybe. Let your conscience be your guide. Or just play it safe and get to confession. Be wary about developing scrupolicity, though.
 
royalblue said:
I was drawing to illustrate a story a couple days ago, and my imagination began to wander and on a separate page I started drawing the characters in sexual situations. I was disgusted once I stopped doing it, and now I’m really worried whether or not it was a mortal sin.

Was it a grave matter? I just wasn’t thinking at the time, but it now does seem so to me. I know I wasn’t thinking, “I’m doing this to lust” - it was more of a sick fascination, but I probably was lusting anyway.

I feel terrible for doing this. Do I need to go to confession before receiving communion now?
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I as everyone here can only give you my opinion on this we’re not God BUT do you really think that drawing some characters in a sexual situation is going to DAMN you to Hell for ALL ETERNITY? I’d bet my life on NO.

On a side note though, you seem extremely scrupulous and need to try and get that under control before it makes you so tortured you give up your faith. 😦
 
“I started drawing the characters in sexual situations.”

Think of it this way, you have another chance this week to receive the grace of Jesus & the Holy Spirit through your act of confession.
 
strive for chastity.

you seem scrupulous.

my opinion: NOT mortal sin.

Seek God, and may he give you his peace.
 
Scrupulous???
I disagree with the idea that this might be an issue of being overly scrupulous.
This action on the part of the OP required:
  • having the thought,
  • accepting the thought,
  • entertaining the thought,
  • acting on the thought to the extent of moving from his legitimate activity (illustrating the book) to this sinful activity.
  • Further, the acts does not seem ot be confined to a single quick drawing since the OP mentions sexual situations (plural).
So how much time are we talking about here. Even for a person who is quick at sketching, the thoughts, and actions probably consumed, at a minimum, 5 minutes or more; well outside of what could be considered a “passing” or “random” thought.
It was only AFTER he had done the act, that he was “disgusted” by what he had done.

His concern over the seriousness of this sin is quite legitimate and certainly not scrupulous.

Also, I don’t think that saying, “I just wasn’t thinking at the time…”, is much of an excuse. Certainly not one that was acceptable in the teachings of Christ.
Perhaps he was not thinking of sinning, but neither was he thinking of God and giving his activity over to praising and glorifying God. This was the opportunity that allowed satan in. The OP’s “house” (soul) was not evil but was empty, not being filled with God, and so satan entered. (Mt 12:43-45)

At the very least, two components of the Mortal sin were in play. Grave matter, and Full knowledge. Further, there can be little doubt that consent was given to the sinful thoughts and activities. Whether full consent was given, he needs to discuss in detail with his confessor.

In short, this is a SERIOUS matter, that should not be simply reviewed internally (though that is important) but should be reviewed externally with the help of a good confessor.

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
In short, this is a SERIOUS matter, that should not be simply reviewed internally (though that is important) but should be reviewed externally with the help of a good confessor.

Peace
James
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I don’t think the OP gave enough information for us to come to the conclusion that it is SERIOUS, as in a matter of life and death serious as you imply.

I think these forums are full of serious scrupulosity, and I think we should at least hold back a little, until we have more information. For instance, was he drawing the pictures specifically for sexual arousal, such as making homemade pornography, and then using it to get off?? Or on the other hand was his mind just wondering to sex, and since he is an arist, he drew some sexual stuff. I contend simply drawing some sexual images is an occasion of sin, and not automatically mortal sin in itself. just my opinion though.
 
…just go to confession in this case confess it “as it is before God” and that it may have been mortal…

Both thoughts and actions can be mortal sins of course. (and one does not have to think “I am doing this for lust” …)

Yes one needs grave matter, full knowledge and complete consent for mortal sin…but in this case as described I would…

Just give a call over to a rectory and pop in for confession…or just knock at the door…or go to your Cathedral or a Monastery…

But yes I would advise (making a perfect act of contrition now ) and bringing this up in confession…

(and of course add other sins…current ones or ones from the past…especially in cases where you think could even not be a sin at all…)
 
We should not be too eager to suggest the scrupulosity idea. There is not enough evidence in the OP to suggest it.

If the situation is bothering you, go to a good confessor and ask for guidance in this situation. God is looking for ways to be merciful not for ways to condemn.
 
I agree that the OP doesn’t really support scrupulocity. I think the concern is that the advice of “If it’s bothering you, go to confession” could possibly lead to scrupolocity if one gets carried away with it. “I’m bothered by the fact that I had a single lustful thought, I’d better go to confession.”

But, I’m with you. Nothing here suggests that royalblue is there, so we shouldn’t be too quick to jump to conclusions. For now, assuming that this is a fairly isolated incident, play it safe and go to confession.

Confession’s awesome anyway. 🙂
 
slywakka250 said:
I don’t think the OP gave enough information for us to come to the conclusion that it is SERIOUS, as in a matter of life and death serious as you imply.
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Since you believe I am “implying” life or death, let me say I am not, unless you mean "Life or Death of the soul. But “Life or death” (in the corporeal sense of death of the body) is not even close to the only things that can be considered “Serious” matter in regards to the health of the soul.
I believe that the Author DID provide enough detail to conclude that his concerns are justified and that he should seek advice and absolution from a good confessor.
I think these forums are full of serious scrupulosity, and I think we should at least hold back a little, until we have more information.
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I DID hold back a little. I never said that it was a mortal sin. I advised both in my first post and in every post after that he go to confession and be guided by the advice of his confessor.
For instance, was he drawing the pictures specifically for sexual arousal, such as making homemade pornography, and then using it to get off?? Or on the other hand was his mind just wondering to sex, and since he is an arist, he drew some sexual stuff. I contend simply drawing some sexual images is an occasion of sin, and not automatically mortal sin in itself. just my opinion though.
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I think one would need to consider what thougths etc were engaging his mind when he chose to draw those images. I think we can agree that his thoughts were not for the Glory of the Kingdom. Nor could making the drawing really be seen as morally neutral.

The facts as given by the OP seem sufficient to
a) be able to deduce this person is not being overly scrupulous and
b) needs the advice and guidance and absolution of the sacrament of reconciliation.

Peace
James
 
All right, let’s clear up this scrupulosity business.
I suffered from severe scrupulosity for a long time, and I can tell you right now that this is the last thing you have to worry about. Rather, I would be concerned about going too far in the other direction.
Get to confession, talk to a good, strong, faithful priest, and be honest with him. It will help–trust me.
 
Probably not mortal.

Definitely a sin.

And I agree with James that this is not a case of scrupulosity. “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt 5:28) The OP had a dirty thought, entertained it, expanded on it, acted on it (creating pornography in the process!), and did so in a sustained manner before ceasing. I don’t think it rises to the level of grave matter, but it’s a gray area, in my opinion. I don’t think the OP had full knowledge, but… you don’t want those grave or nearly-grave sins on your soul for long.

Get thee to a confessional, RoyalBlue!
 
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