Just looking at a woman is NOT the same as lusting after a woman.
That's not my opinion, that is Catholic moral theology.
It's black & white. Not confusing at all. Don't befuddle your own mind.
Matthew
God created women in a way that would attract men.
There are so many ways He did this, with their beauty and movements
He did this to encourage marriage to produce children.
Thus it is human for men to admire the looks of women.
I now read of adultery of the mind.
Can looking at a beautiful woman, created in a manner that attracts men,
just as God intended, now be classed as adultery.
The last thing a faithful Catholic wants is to commit adultery
when admiring a beautiful woman, yet it seems like a trap by doing so.
I can understand the sin of deliberately wanting to commit adultery,
but can this apply when seeing a woman you would like to marry for example.
Could someone please tell me how to do this natural thing
in a way that is not a sin.
The last thing a practicing Catholic man wants is to die and be accused of adultery of the mind
I could have written the above reasoning and question.
God created women in a manner that is attractive to men so that marriage would follow.
And that He achieved. I, now an old widower,
have feared that my attraction to such beauty could be judged as lust.
It is not intended by to be lust as a Catholic I know that to be a mortal sin.
Yet like my friend above I fear the 'trap' involved.
One cannot stop admiring feminine beauty.
Thank you Matthew for your answer.
Very comforting.