occasion to sin

[argent_paladin]

Placing yourself into near occasion without sufficient reason is not in itself sinful. If it were, there would be no distinction between "near occasion" and "sin" itself. By definition, near occasion is not sin but placing oneself in a situation where one is tempted to sin. If that were itself a sin, one would be trapped in infinite regression, because you would have to avoid near occasion to near occasion and so on.
Still, just because something isn't sinful, doesn't mean we should do it. I could quit my job, skydive, gamble, drink, etc without sinning. But it may not be prudent. We are not just called to avoid evil but to do good as well.

[Donna]

Cam, what you've said may be esp. helpful for the scrupulous soul.

I thank the person who posted the Cath. Encyclopedia info.

[Cam42]

[quote]Cam, what you've said may be esp. helpful for the scrupulous soul.[/quote]

And this is the reason for all the posting on this topic. I hope that what I have said makes sense is all.

God Bless,

Cam42

[Socrates]

If there is nothing wrong with putting one in a near occasion of sin, why do we promise in the Act of Contrition to "avoid the near occasions of sin"?

If I find being in certain places, reading or watching certain things, being on certain websites, or being with certain people usually leads me to sin, I should avoid those things/people/situations if reasonably possible.