Is The Occasion Of Sin A Sin?

[Michie]

I was watching a video on YouTube not too long ago. On it, I was disturbed to hear a priest say, or intimate, that the occasion of sin was itself a sin. That’s never occurred to me. It sounds so strange and it seems like, in a scrupulous person, it could fuel scrupulosity. What’s the bottom line? Is the occasion of sin itself actually a sin? Could it be a sin sometimes? And, sometimes not? Does it depend on how proximate the occasion of sin is? I really would like to get some clarification. Thank you for any help you can provide.


Since I haven’t seen the video you are referring to, I can’t give a specific answer to your question. But thank you for asking about this, since it definitely touches on points relevant for everyone’s spiritual journey. In order to determine whether an “occasion of sin” can in itself be a sin (this is your question), we have to review what sin is, and we have to understand what an occasion of sin is.

Temptation vs. Sin

Continued below.

Is the Occasion of Sin a Sin? - SpiritualDirection.com

Fr. John Bartunek answers a reader's question about whether or not the occasion of sin is actually a sin, and what actually determines that.

spiritualdirection.com

 

[AlexB23]

I was watching a video on YouTube not too long ago. On it, I was disturbed to hear a priest say, or intimate, that the occasion of sin was itself a sin. That’s never occurred to me. It sounds so strange and it seems like, in a scrupulous person, it could fuel scrupulosity. What’s the bottom line? Is the occasion of sin itself actually a sin? Could it be a sin sometimes? And, sometimes not? Does it depend on how proximate the occasion of sin is? I really would like to get some clarification. Thank you for any help you can provide.


Since I haven’t seen the video you are referring to, I can’t give a specific answer to your question. But thank you for asking about this, since it definitely touches on points relevant for everyone’s spiritual journey. In order to determine whether an “occasion of sin” can in itself be a sin (this is your question), we have to review what sin is, and we have to understand what an occasion of sin is.

Temptation vs. Sin

Continued below.

Is the Occasion of Sin a Sin? - SpiritualDirection.com

Fr. John Bartunek answers a reader's question about whether or not the occasion of sin is actually a sin, and what actually determines that.

spiritualdirection.com

Here is an example. Going to a casino in itself is not a sin. Say, you and your friends go to a casino to have affordable dinner there, eating dinner inside of a casino itself is not a sin. But, if you then go on to gamble after dinner, then gaming in the casino could be interpreted as a sin.

I don't gamble myself, but when we traveled to the West Coast, we went to a casino, just for the food. None of my family members or my parents friends gambled. So, the mere act of going to a gaming facility isn't the sin itself. So, the building is the occasion, but the sin never took place, as we do not have an urge or addiction to gambling.

But say someone is addicted to gambling, and they went with their friends to the casino for dinner. Then, they would have a temptation to play the games afterwards. Then, going to a place which you know has been addicting to you puts you in the right occasion to sin (eg. gamble).

TLDR: Know your addictions, and try to stay away from places that feed your addiction. If you have no addiction, it is perfectly okay to visit a place, as long as you don't participate in the addiction that others do.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Gambling is not a sin. Otherwise, every parish that has bingo and parish bazaars are committing sin.

The only time the occasion of sin can be sinful, if it is a place where sin is the only way to participate,
such as visiting a house of prostitution or where adult films are shown.

Going to a casino is not sinful, even if one were to play the slot machines. Gambling addiction
is not a sin in of itself. Just like alcoholism, the person needs to seek help to overcome
the addiction. Refusing to get help could be sinful, but the conditions for sin must be reached first.

 

[AlexB23]

Gambling is not a sin. Otherwise, every parish that has bingo and parish bazaars are committing sin.

The only time the occasion of sin can be sinful, if it is a place where sin is the only way to participate,
such as visiting a house of prostitution or where adult films are shown.

Going to a casino is not sinful, even if one were to play the slot machines. Gambling addiction
is not a sin in of itself. Just like alcoholism, the person needs to seek help to overcome
the addiction. Refusing to get help could be sinful, but the conditions for sin must be reached first.

It is just an example. Christ wants us to let go of our vices, and is very forgiving

 

[JimR-OCDS]

It is just an example. Christ wants us to let go of our vices, and is very forgiving

But gambling is not a sin. Neither is having vices. Letting them go is part of growing
spiritually, but not sin in of itself.

Just being in this world could be considered sinful if we were to use all human vices
as being sinful.

 

[AlexB23]

But gambling is not a sin. Neither is having vices. Letting them go is part of growing
spiritually, but not sin in of itself.

Just being in this world could be considered sinful if we were to use all human vices
as being sinful.

Yeah, but just trust my example. Trying to keep it simple here. Mitchie upvoted my example

 

[Michie]

It is just an example. Christ wants us to let go of our vices, and is very forgiving

Especially in matters of addiction.

 

[Michie]

Yeah, but just trust my example. Trying to keep it simple here. Mitchie upvoted my example

It was an excellent example.

 

[AlexB23]

Especially in matters of addiction.

Yep, Jesus understands where we are at, so he helps us through our addictions, even if it may take years to get over.

 

[Michie]

Yep, Jesus understands where we are at, so he helps us through our addictions, even if it may take years to get over.

Amen. Then there is the matter that sin does not just affect us but has a rippling effect that affects others as well.

 

[jamiec]

I was watching a video on YouTube not too long ago. On it, I was disturbed to hear a priest say, or intimate, that the occasion of sin was itself a sin. That’s never occurred to me. It sounds so strange and it seems like, in a scrupulous person, it could fuel scrupulosity. What’s the bottom line? Is the occasion of sin itself actually a sin? Could it be a sin sometimes? And, sometimes not? Does it depend on how proximate the occasion of sin is? I really would like to get some clarification. Thank you for any help you can provide.


Since I haven’t seen the video you are referring to, I can’t give a specific answer to your question. But thank you for asking about this, since it definitely touches on points relevant for everyone’s spiritual journey. In order to determine whether an “occasion of sin” can in itself be a sin (this is your question), we have to review what sin is, and we have to understand what an occasion of sin is.

Temptation vs. Sin

Continued below.

Is the Occasion of Sin a Sin? - SpiritualDirection.com

Fr. John Bartunek answers a reader's question about whether or not the occasion of sin is actually a sin, and what actually determines that.

spiritualdirection.com

Whether remote or approximate, an occasion of sin may itself be a sin; and in different circumstances, an occasion of sin may not be a sin.

In the making of judgements in moral theology, a great deal depends upon the circumstances in individual cases. In matters of moral theology, and especially in the guidance of individual cells, one size does not fit all.

Making moral judgements is a great deal more complicated than it may on the surface appear to be, because one must consider, not only whether something qualifies, as it were, as a sin; but also, what the spiritual condition of the person doing the sinful act may be.

And one also needs to know what exactly in the judgement of the Church counts as a sin in the first place. Clarity in one’s thinking is absolutely essential if we are going to make moral judgements about a subject as important as this; otherwise we may, however unintentionally, end up doing considerable harm to others, even if not to ourselves.

 

[Lady Bug]

I think if you deliberately put yourself in an occasion of sin, knowing it will cause you to sin, then that could be a sin too. As far as gambling not being a sin, it can become a sin in no time.

 

[WarriorAngel]

We pray in the act of contrition to avoid the 'near' occasion of sin.
So the occasion of sin is sin... if we're praying to avoid the 'nearness' of it.

As an example a near occasion would be in a motel with a guy and nobody else there and a strong attraction.
The occasion of sin is giving in.

 

[Ave Maria]

I've never heard of an occasion of sin being a sin in and of itself. It would be imprudent to knowingly put oneself in a near occasion of sin, but I don't think it would be sinful to do so. If it were sinful in any way, it would only be a venial sin, I think.

 

[Paleouss]

I saw this post and find it an interesting topic. I am not Catholic, but would like to give my two cents.

Is the occasion of sin itself actually a sin? Could it be a sin sometimes? And, sometimes not? Does it depend on how proximate the occasion of sin is?

My limited understanding of this term, occasion of sin, is that it is "external occasions that incite or intice one to sin." Under this simple definition, it seems as if an external occasion to sin is not a sin 'in and of itself'.

But what if this definition was broadened a bit. What if I said occasions to sin could include "Interer and exterior occasions that incite or intice one to sin". What ramifications would this have on our question?

In this new broadened definition, the interer occasion seems to be a sin, already. How so, we might ask? As a quick thought, without a lot of deliberation, we might see that this interer occasion might spring from our fallen nature (sinful nature). In that case, a sin (if the definition of sin is anthing against or contrary to God).

Further, what about the 10th Commanment?

May God do a work through you.