Witnessing another's grave sin -is it sinful for you?

[wworld]

If you watch anyone commit a grave sin (or, since we humans can’t tell if some else’s sin was mortal, of grave matter), are you for some reason held accountable? I’m wondering if this might be a sin against charity… But I also think it would only be sinful if you helped the person commit it. An explanation would help, thanks!

 

[Maureen1125]

I think there are alot of factors to take into account.

IE…you drove your friend to the abortion clinic and held her had during the procedure and then took her home…yes…that is a sin, even though you were not the one getting the abotion.

IE…you are in a 7-11 when 2 men come in and rob and assult the clerk. 1 of the 2 men hold you at gun point and you witness this attack…No…this is not a sin as you were the victim of a crime.

IE…you are at a party and your buddy wants you to stand guard at the door while he sexually assults a girl who has passed out from drinking too much…Yes, that is a sin if you if knowingly help him to rape this girl by simply ensuring he doesn’t get caught.

 

[Vico]

If you watch anyone commit a grave sin (or, since we humans can’t tell if some else’s sin was mortal, of grave matter), are you for some reason held accountable? I’m wondering if this might be a sin against charity… But I also think it would only be sinful if you helped the person commit it. An explanation would help, thanks!

There could be a sin if one derives pleasure from watching sin as this is vicarious enjoyment of what is immoral, also for not doing something if the sin could be prevented, or if the person could be desuaded from doing it. Silence can be a kind of approval.

There is a sin of scandal. It may be mortal or venial. It is setting a less than perfect example which leads others into sin through their own weakness, even when what they are scandalized with is not sinful. One example: inviting an alcolholic to a party with alcolhol.

 

[Bookcat]

Catechism:

1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:

• by participating directly and voluntarily in them;
• by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them;
• by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so;
• by protecting evil-doers.

1869 Thus sin makes men accomplices of one another and causes concupiscence, violence, and injustice to reign among them. Sins give rise to social situations and institutions that are contrary to the divine goodness. “Structures of sin” are the expression and effect of personal sins. They lead their victims to do evil in their turn. In an analogous sense, they constitute a "social sin."144

 

[Bookcat]

There is also various forms of cooperation in sin…formal (always sinful)…or material (at times sinful and at times not…depending…)

 

[valentino]

If you watch anyone commit a grave sin (or, since we humans can’t tell if some else’s sin was mortal, of grave matter), are you for some reason held accountable? I’m wondering if this might be a sin against charity… But I also think it would only be sinful if you helped the person commit it. An explanation would help, thanks!

No.Most of us see and hear grave sins almost daily.I worked at a store once and the boss used the Lord’s name in vain constantly.I could have told him it was wrong but i’m sure he’'d heard it before.If I saw some boys in a store steal i may tell the manager if the time was right but depending on the circumstances the manager or clerks are supposed to be on guard against such things and it may not be my place to interfere.On the other hand if a real serious crime was taking place like a child was being beaten by her father or a girl was being raped I don’t think I could stand idly by.Its never happened so far and I hope it never does but I doubt I could live with myself if I ignored it.I still don’t know if it would be a sin lets say if the man had a gun and my life was in danger.I would certainly have an obligation to get some help or try to do whatever I could to stop it.yes I would say its a sin against charity.

 

[Ponyguy]

If you watch anyone commit a grave sin (or, since we humans can’t tell if some else’s sin was mortal, of grave matter), are you for some reason held accountable? I’m wondering if this might be a sin against charity… But I also think it would only be sinful if you helped the person commit it. An explanation would help, thanks!

There are sins of commission (where one knowingly does something sinful), and also sins of omission (when one fails to prevent a sinful act, or co-operates with another’s sinful act).

I’m not certain what sort of “grave matter” you are hypothetically witnessing here, but if you were witnessing a robbery or a murder and failed to act to stop the event, I’d think that you were an accomplice to the sinful act, and just as guilty as the antagonist.

 

[wworld]

There are sins of commission (where one knowingly does something sinful), and also sins of omission (when one fails to prevent a sinful act, or co-operates with another’s sinful act).

I’m not certain what sort of “grave matter” you are hypothetically witnessing here, but if you were witnessing a robbery or a murder and failed to act to stop the event, I’d think that you were an accomplice to the sinful act, and just as guilty as the antagonist.

Does this quote mean I commit a sin of omission if someone is breaking minor rules at school (eating in class, running, etc) if I don’t report it?

 

[Ponyguy]

Does this quote mean I commit a sin of omission if someone is breaking minor rules at school (eating in class, running, etc) if I don’t report it?

Do you consider eating in class, running down a hallway or other minor offenses to be a “grievous matter”?

God gave you a free will as well as an intellect. Unless you have attempted to bring sarcasm to this thread, I suggest you try using the intellect before replying.

 

[mdgspencer]

How can seeing someone sin be sinful? People only sin by their own choice for evil. I’m afraid that some of my own family members have committed grave sin, such as cohabitation. Seeing others gravely sinning is common. It can be good for us to realize this if we respond well. We can respond in a way that God will bless us for it, as when we pray for them.

 

[Vico]

How can seeing someone sin be sinful? People only sin by their own choice for evil. I’m afraid that some of my own family members have committed grave sin, such as cohabitation. Seeing others gravely sinning is common. It can be good for us to realize this if we respond well. We can respond in a way that God will bless us for it, as when we pray for them.

If a person is weak they may be scandalized (that is, tempted to sin themselves). Therefore, we are to avoid the near occassions of sin. So, exactly as you stated, if a person chooses to be tempted, or neglects to consider a tempting situation, a sin is committed.

Baltimore Catechism No. 3

Q. 771. What do you mean by the near occasions of sin?
A. By the near occasions of sin I mean all the persons, places and things that may easily lead us into sin.

Q. 772. Why are we bound to avoid occasions of sin?
A. We are bound to avoid occasions of sin because Our Lord has said: “He who loves the danger will perish in it”; and as we are bound to avoid the loss of our souls, so we are bound to avoid the danger of their loss. The occasion is the cause of sin, and you cannot take away the evil without removing its cause.

Q. 773. Is a person who is determined to avoid the sin, but who is unwilling to give up its near occasion when it is possible to do so, rightly disposed for confession?
A. A person who is determined to avoid the sin, but who is unwilling to give up its near occasion when it is possible to do so, is not rightly disposed for confession, and he will not be absolved if he makes known to the priest the true state of his conscience.

 

[AHapka]

Do you consider eating in class, running down a hallway or other minor offenses to be a “grievous matter”?

God gave you a free will as well as an intellect. Unless you have attempted to bring sarcasm to this thread, I suggest you try using the intellect before replying.

You do realize that if he/she is talking about school rules, he/she may be very young and not yet have a fully formed intellect?

 

[Ponyguy]

You do realize that if he/she is talking about school rules, he/she may be very young and not yet have a fully formed intellect?

Then how the heck is this poster asking questions on a serious adult-oriented internet message forum?
If one is old enough to compose proper sentences and submit them for adult scrutiny and consideration, I would expect him/her to be old enough to have a reasonably well-formed intellect.
Again, perhaps someone was trying to inject some sarcastic humor into this topic; if that is the case, my response should not be taken as critical as it might have come across.

 

[puzzleannie]

If you watch anyone commit a grave sin (or, since we humans can’t tell if some else’s sin was mortal, of grave matter), are you for some reason held accountable?

why are you watching it?
if you are a witness to a crime you have an obligation to report it, and to stop it if you can do so without endangering yourself or the victim.
if you are watching an immoral sexual act as entertainment, as in porn, that is a sin in and of itself.
If you mean, you have knowledge of someone who appears to be living a sinful lifestyle (although we can never know what people do behind closed doors), no unless it is someone for whom you have a spiritual responsibility, such as your child, you can give your opinion if asked but there is a limit to how much you can interfere.

too many loose ends too your question for a one size fits all answer

if your school has an honor code, yes you follow it, but that does not make you responsible for someone who is breaking the rules.
every minor infraction is not necessarily a sin, and we have to be careful about judging other people in terms of calling their activities “sins” or worse, calling them “sinners”

 

[AHapka]

Then how the heck is this poster asking questions on a serious adult-oriented internet message forum?
If one is old enough to compose proper sentences and submit them for adult scrutiny and consideration, I would expect him/her to be old enough to have a reasonably well-formed intellect.
Again, perhaps someone was trying to inject some sarcastic humor into this topic; if that is the case, my response should not be taken as critical as it might have come across.

You make good points