idahoon1
Jr. Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2019
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- Orthodox Christian
I have an issue that I cannot really discuss with my priest: is it a sin to look at someone attractive?
To give you an example: your'e watching tv or browsing a magazine - and baaam, there's that man/woman that catches your eye. Or, worse - you see someone handsome in the street and look at him because of his face, body features, etc. (I'm not talking about deliberate staring with imagining something bad, nor about watchning something indecent)
Now the best part: assuming there's that subple shade of attraction/desire - how to tell it during confession?
- if I say: I had lustful glances on men - it would be a lie, since I didn't stare at anyone, or rather looked the other way
- if I say: I had lustful glances on PEOPLE - it would also be a lie - since in that particular case I saw a guy...
- if I say: I looked at a man and felt desire - it would be also a lie - since it was not that strong feeling, it would be an exageration
So, whenever I happen to see an attractive face, a piece of nudity, someone that is pleasing to my eye - I face the above problem.
And when I tell the priest "I casted lustful glances" - I feel like holding back something (and be worthy of judgement and so on).
I cannot discuss this with my priests - as he is young and should not be performing the role of an Elder (to avoid the so-called "mlodostarczestwo").
He is performing the role of my spiritual father, but I know there are limits - and I feel like such conversation would be of no spiritual benefit to anyone.
For that reason, I would even more appreciate an answer from a priest.
Thank you!
To give you an example: your'e watching tv or browsing a magazine - and baaam, there's that man/woman that catches your eye. Or, worse - you see someone handsome in the street and look at him because of his face, body features, etc. (I'm not talking about deliberate staring with imagining something bad, nor about watchning something indecent)
Now the best part: assuming there's that subple shade of attraction/desire - how to tell it during confession?
- if I say: I had lustful glances on men - it would be a lie, since I didn't stare at anyone, or rather looked the other way
- if I say: I had lustful glances on PEOPLE - it would also be a lie - since in that particular case I saw a guy...
- if I say: I looked at a man and felt desire - it would be also a lie - since it was not that strong feeling, it would be an exageration
So, whenever I happen to see an attractive face, a piece of nudity, someone that is pleasing to my eye - I face the above problem.
And when I tell the priest "I casted lustful glances" - I feel like holding back something (and be worthy of judgement and so on).
I cannot discuss this with my priests - as he is young and should not be performing the role of an Elder (to avoid the so-called "mlodostarczestwo").
He is performing the role of my spiritual father, but I know there are limits - and I feel like such conversation would be of no spiritual benefit to anyone.
For that reason, I would even more appreciate an answer from a priest.
Thank you!