Is it a sin if I read books or watch movies that contain sexual scenes?

In our western society, saturated by sexuality, it is difficult to escape the explicit sexual content in advertising, social media and in the movie and publishing industries. Sadly, many Catholics contribute to the problem by engaging in activities that perpetuate the problem, as in reading books and watching movies that contain sexual scenes. They may claim that this explicit sexual content has no effect upon them or that it does no actual harm, but they are mistaken.
 
When we read books and watch movies that contain sexual scenes, these sexual images are imprinted upon our memories and may do great harm. These images will often come to mind and are the material for impure thoughts and actions, whether it is self-abuse or sexual promiscuity. The reason for this is that the more our minds are occupied with these sexual images, the more they become normative and therefore seemingly natural in daily living. This takes a toll not only on the individual, but upon marriages as well, because when these images are recalled, they not only diminish attraction to one’s spouse, but they are also a form of adultery, a way of stepping out of the marriage. In the words of Jesus, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5: 28). Therefore, to keep our minds and bodies pure, we must fill them with that which is wholesome and pure. This can be a challenge in the selection of books that we read and in the movies we watch, but it is well worth the effort if we want to maintain the beauty of chastity, a key virtue for one’s spiritual well-being and for healthy marriages as well.
 
Another danger in reading books and watching movies that contain sexual scenes is that we are cooperating in the production of this impure material. We can make the claim that the authors and publishing companies, along with movie directors and production companies, are the ones responsible for the books and movies which contain explicit sexual content, but this is a false claim. In Catholic moral theology, there is the principle of material cooperation, when a person helps another person do something morally evil, even if they do not share in their intentions. Therefore, we may absolve ourselves of reading books and watching movies that are impure, because we assert that we did not create them. But the problem with this thinking is that in a capitalistic society, publishers and movie companies produce what people are reading and watching. Therefore, if we are patrons of their movies and books which are sexually impure, then they will keep producing them, because there is a market for them. We therefore implicitly give our tacit approval of their products by our consumption of them. It may sound simplistic, but if we stopped patronizing companies which produce sexually explicit books and movies, they would change course. If their customer base dried up, they would take a different path. As consumers, we have a lot of power, but we must bring our faith and morals into our choices concerning entertainment.
 
It may seem that with these principles in mind, there is no possibility to enjoy books and movies in our current culture, but this is hardly the case. For one, we may revisit some of the classic works of literature and classic movies, which have nourished hearts and minds in a wholesome manner for decades and centuries. We should also keep in mind that there are many good and wholesome movies still being produced in our day, such as those produced by Angel Studios and our own North Dakota based Canticle Productions, along with great books produced by Catholic publishing companies, such as Ignatius Press. Explore these options for the good of your heart and mind. Always remember that we are to enjoy the goods of this world, but with the understanding that they must be good for the soul. In the words of our Savior, “For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).