Question on the sin of pornography

[Eucharisted]

What are the conditions? I.e.: Is it a sin if you fantasize to the porn, view the porn, or touch to the porn? Or two or all three?

 

[ChristoEtEcclesiae]

Looking at porn and masturbating are both sexual sins. Fantasizing about the porn you have seen is a residual effect of seeing the porn and it is taught by the Church that it helps to distort your perception of sex and sexuality subconsciously if not consciously.

Go to Confession before attending Mass and receiving Communion if you have committed these sins. If you do not repent and receive absolution, you will be sinning by receiving the Eucharist if you choose to do so.

 

[_Shannon_]

All of it is sinful...dwelling on impure images is sin. Failing to avoid a near occasion of sin is sin.

There is a difference between temptation and sin, but if you're already at the site looking at porn, you've given into temptation.

Whether or not your sin is mortal or venial is going to depend on all kinds of stuff, though. But we're definitely in the grave matter area of things here in regards to determining sin.

 

[Eucharisted]

Looking at porn and masturbating are both sexual sins. Fantasizing about the porn you have seen is a residual effect of seeing the porn and it is taught by the Church that it helps to distort your perception of sex and sexuality subconsciously if not consciously.

Go to Confession before attending Mass and receiving Communion if you have committed these sins. If you do not repent and receive absolution, you will be sinning by receiving the Eucharist if you choose to do so.

So just viewing the porn - that is, deliberately viewing it - is the sin?

All of it is sinful...dwelling on impure images is sin. Failing to avoid a near occasion of sin is sin.

There is a difference between temptation and sin, but if you're already at the site looking at porn, you've given into temptation.

Whether or not your sin is mortal or venial is going to depend on all kinds of stuff, though. But we're definitely in the grave matter area of things here in regards to determining sin.

I didn't know failing to avoid occasion of sin was a sin. So does that mean someone who goes to a porn site is guilty of two sins?

 

[Gwendolyn]

All of it is sinful.

Viewing the porn and getting aroused by it (because, aside from accidentally coming across porn, the only reason to watch porn is to feed a sexual urge)
Fantasising about the porn
Masturbating to the porn

 

[_Shannon_]

So just viewing the porn - that is, deliberately viewing it - is the sin?



I didn't know failing to avoid occasion of sin was a sin. So does that mean someone who goes to a porn site is guilty of two sins?

If one purposefully visits that site, at least...but I dunno I don't want to get uberlegalistic about it all. There's all kinds of sin and disorder wrapped up in pornography.

 

[ChristoEtEcclesiae]

If you intentionally go to a porn site, it is a mortal sin.

If you accidentally encounter porn, get rid of the porn IMMEDIATELY.

For sin to be sin, there must be some intent.

 

[St. Columcille]

What are the conditions? I.e.: Is it a sin if you fantasize to the porn, view the porn, or touch to the porn? Or two or all three?

I am reminded of St. Francis of Assisi's temptation with the protitute, in the same chapter as his discussion with a Muslim ruler. How is it that St. Francis of Assisi could strip himself naked and not sin? I think there is a point within a saint where there is no temptation when the sin becomes grotesque and revolting. St. Francis even rolled around in the snow when the devil tempted him and created a family of snowpeople to have his flesh submit to perfect chastity. I could site these later on if people are interested.

Hence one should never look for porn, but should porn be forced, as sometimes living in a military base living with roommates whose values differ from Catholics and who play porn as a means of intimidation or other motive, I find the intent of the good Catholic is not to seek it out. In such cases, I suggest getting an iPod and listening to Catholic or Christian music and praying in a corner. I'd go so far as to invest in some icons, incense, electric votive candles and create a home altar as a means of combating such intimidation from roommates who have little respect. The home altar does wonders in such environment as even the most hardy will lighten up, even if you need to barter putting away the home altar for them to not play porno while you are in your barracks.

As far as touching yourself is concerned, there is no real acceptable practice. I was thinking earlier that maybe it was accepted maybe for IUI (Intrauterine insemination). But after reading the USCCB website, IUI might be acceptable while engaging in intercourse with the wife with a condom that I think has a hole in it, but the collection of excess sperm is left behind isused. USCCB - Reproductive Technology (Evaluation & Treatment of Infertility) Guidelines for Catholic Couples(1)
It is clear that IVF and ET are clearly a violation due to the creation of excess embryos that will die based on the reading of Donum Vitae.

So to answer your question, yes to all three, it is a sin; albeit I think just because you happen to view nudity by other's playing porn, or if you are a doctor having to treat a patient, I would have to say there is some common sense and professionalism, perhaps even a sort of immunity attained through Christian virtue like St. Francis of Assisi in terms of the second.

 

[Eucharisted]

If one purposefully visits that site, at least...but I dunno I don't want to get uberlegalistic about it all. There's all kinds of sin and disorder wrapped up in pornography.

If you intentionally go to a porn site, it is a mortal sin.

If you accidentally encounter porn, get rid of the porn IMMEDIATELY.

For sin to be sin, there must be some intent.

I am reminded of St. Francis of Assisi's temptation with the protitute, in the same chapter as his discussion with a Muslim ruler. How is it that St. Francis of Assisi could strip himself naked and not sin? I think there is a point within a saint where there is no temptation when the sin becomes grotesque and revolting. St. Francis even rolled around in the snow when the devil tempted him and created a family of snowpeople to have his flesh submit to perfect chastity. I could site these later on if people are interested.

Hence one should never look for porn, but should porn be forced, as sometimes living in a military base living with roommates whose values differ from Catholics and who play porn as a means of intimidation or other motive, I find the intent of the good Catholic is not to seek it out. In such cases, I suggest getting an iPod and listening to Catholic or Christian music and praying in a corner. I'd go so far as to invest in some icons, incense, electric votive candles and create a home altar as a means of combating such intimidation from roommates who have little respect. The home altar does wonders in such environment as even the most hardy will lighten up, even if you need to barter putting away the home altar for them to not play porno while you are in your barracks.

As far as touching yourself is concerned, there is no real acceptable practice. I was thinking earlier that maybe it was accepted maybe for IUI (Intrauterine insemination). But after reading the USCCB website, IUI might be acceptable while engaging in intercourse with the wife with a condom that I think has a hole in it, but the collection of excess sperm is left behind isused. USCCB - Reproductive Technology (Evaluation & Treatment of Infertility) Guidelines for Catholic Couples(1)
It is clear that IVF and ET are clearly a violation due to the creation of excess embryos that will die based on the reading of Donum Vitae.

So to answer your question, yes to all three, it is a sin; albeit I think just because you happen to view nudity by other's playing porn, or if you are a doctor having to treat a patient, I would have to say there is some common sense and professionalism, perhaps even a sort of immunity attained through Christian virtue like St. Francis of Assisi in terms of the second.

Thanks you guys!

Now that I know more, it helps me stay away more from porn.

But only by God's grace.

 

[St. Columcille]

I wanted to add one more thought.

When I went to have a penitant dialogue with an Eastern Orthodox priest, his suggestion was right on the money. Due to the nature of sexual sins, the response needs to match the nature. You do not attach physical sins with spiritual actions; i.e. just prayer alone is not sufficient. He mentioned the example of St. Joseph in the Old Testiment who when tempted by his master's wife, fleed. It is necessary that the physical temptation be responded with a physical action. Hence, when you get the urge to touch, go take a jog or walk and couple it with prayer, liturgical music, and other spiritual excercises. Attempt to be among other people. Just do not sit there alone and think the spiritual excercises will deminish the temptation, because your flesh is acting in a physical matter. Hence, again looking to St. Francis of Assisi, he did something physical by making snowpersons and subjecting his flesh to stimulation (albeit somewhat sever in his case and which he asks for "Brother Donkey (KJV wording)" (his body) for forgiveness for excessive mortification).

Even using stimulation of feeling by using a prayer rope or rosary is helpful, use of site by reflecting on an icon or crucifix, use of smell with incense, listening in silence or use of liturgical music for sound, and other such things might be useful. I think a home altar a great way to find a get away place in the solitude of your own home.

 

[Eucharisted]

I wanted to add one more thought.

When I went to have a penitant dialogue with an Eastern Orthodox priest, his suggestion was right on the money. Due to the nature of sexual sins, the response needs to match the nature. You do not attach physical sins with spiritual actions; i.e. just prayer alone is not sufficient. He mentioned the example of St. Joseph in the Old Testiment who when tempted by his master's wife, fleed. It is necessary that the physical temptation be responded with a physical action. Hence, when you get the urge to touch, go take a jog or walk and couple it with prayer, liturgical music, and other spiritual excercises. Attempt to be among other people. Just do not sit there alone and think the spiritual excercises will deminish the temptation, because your flesh is acting in a physical matter. Hence, again looking to St. Francis of Assisi, he did something physical by making snowpersons and subjecting his flesh to stimulation (albeit somewhat sever in his case and which he asks for "Brother Donkey (KJV wording)" (his body) for forgiveness for excessive mortification).

Even using stimulation of feeling by using a prayer rope or rosary is helpful, use of site by reflecting on an icon or crucifix, use of smell with incense, listening in silence or use of liturgical music for sound, and other such things might be useful. I think a home altar a great way to find a get away place in the solitude of your own home.

Very helpful advice

 

[Vendetta]

And from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Pornography consists in the removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials.

Emphasis mine. I hate the stuff, especially since it's my addiction. Any prayers you want to combat it, I gladly offer.

 

[benedictaoo]

What are the conditions? I.e.: Is it a sin if you fantasize to the porn, view the porn, or touch to the porn? Or two or all three?

It is a sin of it is not just the obvious sexual sins but that the people in it are real people, so to imagine them is to objectify them. and that is how you participate in the sin of pornography.

There are several sins going on, impure thoughts, actions with oneself and dehumanizing and objectifying the ppl.

 

[Eucharisted]

Can the patron saint of objects help against the objectivization of women?

 

[benedictaoo]

So just viewing the porn - that is, deliberately viewing it - is the sin?

Yes, it is one sin. If you do dwell on the impure thoughts that arise, that is another sin. If you do impure acts, yet, another one.

 

[benedictaoo]

Can the patron saint of objects help against the objectivization of women?

any saint of your choosing can help you...

 

[benedictaoo]

I didn't know failing to avoid occasion of sin was a sin. So does that mean someone who goes to a porn site is guilty of two sins?

O my God, I am heartily sorry for
having offended you, and I detest
all my sins, because of Your just
punishments, but most of all because
they offend You, my God, who are
all-good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of
Your grace, to sin no more and to
avoid the near occasion of sin.

 

[_Shannon_]

I just wanted to add that I think it is very courageous to talk about this and your struggle with porn. I don't know if you feel like you're an addict or not. But I admire you admitting you are struggling with porn.

There are many who have likened porn to heroin in its addictive nature. So if you are trying all you know to do personally--frequent confession, blocking filters on your computer, accountability partner, etc. and you still find yourself struggling--know that there are lots and lots of support groups out there. Many prayers!

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Until the reason not to sin becomes stronger than the desire, you'll more often fail than over come the temptation.


If you desire to grow spiritually, you must always avoid viewing pornography.

Keep in mind the people who run the porn industry. They will sell you anything you desire, regardless of the evil behind it. They're involved in
human trafficking as well as child porn, regardless of their pubic denial.

Their lust for money is greater than their sense of respect for other human beings.

Don't help support them by visiting their web-sites.

In all, pray.

Jim

 

[Eucharisted]

Yes, it is one sin. If you do dwell on the impure thoughts that arise, that is another sin. If you do impure acts, yet, another one.

Even better clarification

any saint of your choosing can help you...

Ok

O my God, I am heartily sorry for
having offended you, and I detest
all my sins, because of Your just
punishments, but most of all because
they offend You, my God, who are
all-good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of
Your grace, to sin no more and to
avoid the near occasion of sin.

I recently found that on the back on a missal. I was never taught it exactly like that. Probably translation issues.

I just wanted to add that I think it is very courageous to talk about this and your struggle with porn. I don't know if you feel like you're an addict or not. But I admire you admitting you are struggling with porn.

There are many who have likened porn to heroin in its addictive nature. So if you are trying all you know to do personally--frequent confession, blocking filters on your computer, accountability partner, etc. and you still find yourself struggling--know that there are lots and lots of support groups out there. Many prayers!

Frequent Confession helps, though my scruples make it hard for me to know when I've sinned or just being tempted, and when I'm contrite or not.

Until the reason not to sin becomes stronger than the desire, you'll more often fail than over come the temptation.

If you desire to grow spiritually, you must always avoid viewing pornography.

Keep in mind the people who run the porn industry. They will sell you anything you desire, regardless of the evil behind it. They're involved in
human trafficking as well as child porn, regardless of their pubic denial.

Their lust for money is greater than their sense of respect for other human beings.

Don't help support them by visiting their web-sites.

In all, pray.

Jim

Yeah, they're like those people who send scam e-mails: Bad blood. But sinners who need prayers, nonetheless.