"Actor's idolatry" problem - is it a sin?
score:3
You are not describing something that is traditionally considered to be idolatry. However, you may be describing the sin of scandal (beliefs may vary on what constitutes "leading others into sin", but I understand that you're not asking us to get into that).
The Catechism actually addresses this almost directly, in the following:
2113 Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God.
Regarding the "simulation of idolatry", the Catholic Encyclopedia mentions:
Even the simulation of idolatry, in order to escape death during persecution, is a mortal sin, because of the pernicious falsehood it involves and the scandal it causes. Of Seneca who, against his better knowledge, took part in idolatrous worship, St. Augustine says: "He was the more to be condemned for doing mendaciously what people believed him to do sincerely".
The point here is that the "simulation of such worship" is marked as distinct from the actual worship (idolatry), and then explained to be a matter of doing what others believe is done sincerely. So the traditional understanding of idolatry, re-iterated there by St Augustine, is that it requires sincerity. In the same way, our worship of God also requires sincerity, and not merely "outward displays".
So acting out or demonstrating how pagans worshipped is not the sin of idolatry. (Except when it is: if you know you are particularly prone to falling into idolatry, or your acting style very much involves you "getting into the role" mentally, then this may not be the role for you).
But there is actually another part to your question. Most people don't really believe that what is done in the context of theatre or film is done sincerely, except perhaps children (...there was a time when I thought a certain actor really had a disability due to a convincing character portrayal). But what you go on to describe as "actor's idolatry" (action as seen from outside without knowledge of context) is traditionally considered not to be the sin of idolatry, but the sin of scandal.
2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. the person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.
There really won't be any basis for this not being a sin. Scripture is very clear, see for example Luke 17:1-2, Proverbs 28:10. The only thing in dispute is whether certain things count as leading others into sin - and that can be a pretty big dispute among people.
More post
- 📝 Why do Filipino Catholics have a harder time to get a church annulment?
- 📝 American and Southern Baptists
- 📝 Christian Position on the meaning of Faith
- 📝 To use or not use portable receptacles for baptism?
- 📝 What did God mean when He said 'lest they live forever'?
- 📝 What is the biblical argument against Papal Succession?
- 📝 Where is the Third Temple to be built?
- 📝 Why are there no longer large-scale miracles from God?
- 📝 What is the direct Biblical basis for the Son pre-existing eternally?
- 📝 How does God communicate to people today?
- 📝 John 1:47-49 understanding Nathaniel
- 📝 Psalm 14 and psalm 53 are similar?
- 📝 How is the George Lamsa translation of the Bible (from Aramaic) viewed by Evangelical scholars?
- 📝 Prevenient Grace - Negative Responses to Scriptural Examples of It
- 📝 How is one supposed to "know" whether or not the Book of Mormon is true?
- 📝 How should we dress when attending church?
- 📝 Are there any Christians who are scientists and believe in modern miracles?
- 📝 What is the significance of Judas's name?
- 📝 Why did Adam claim he was "naked" before God when he and Eve had clothed themselves with fig leaves?
- 📝 What is the definition of 'free will' as explained in the Bible?
- 📝 During Lutheran Confession, can the confessor refuse to absolve the sins of the penitent?
- 📝 What is the scriptural basis for a monarchical episcopate?
- 📝 Did any heretical Christian sect believe money is evil?
- 📝 Do the Mormons/ Latter Day Saints view of the Trinity and belief in a divine Mother make a practical difference to their ethics & conduct?
- 📝 Are there any references to "four canonical Gospels" prior to 100 AD?
- 📝 If there were sentient aliens, would Jesus be their messiah also?
- 📝 What does Classic Dispensationalism teach about the eternal state?
- 📝 Was Jesus Plan B?
- 📝 Did Luther ever acknowledge that his Catechism would require textual changes as language evolves?
- 📝 What is the difference, if any, between "unclean spirits" (Mark 5:2) and "demons" (Matthew 8:16)?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 What did Jesus mean when he said ‘Go and sin no more’ if sinlessness is impossible?
- 📝 Are there any writings from the church fathers teaching Original Sin before Augustine?
- 📝 Why do some Christians think it's not a sin to charge interest?
- 📝 What was the problem at Babel?
- 📝 Can one sin be worse than another sin, or are all sins equal?
- 📝 What basis is there for defining sin as "rebellion"?
- 📝 How should a Christian evaluate whether a particular action a sin or not?
- 📝 Why did God make it a sin to eat an apple?
- 📝 What is the Catholic understanding of the first sin committed by Adam and Eve?
- 📝 How is original sin transmitted?
- 📝 Do Christian groups which think h*m*sexuality is a sin think you can be a practicing h*m*sexual and also a Christian?
- 📝 How does one reconcile the sinlessness of Mary with her sin offering in Luke 2:24?
- 📝 If baptism cleanses original sin then why do the children of baptised parents still need to be baptised?
- 📝 A problem with Purgatory: How could Jesus say what he did to the repentant criminal on a cross next to him if Purgatory existed?
- 📝 Inheritance of original sin
- 📝 Did Thomas Aquinas rate masturbation as a greater sin than rape?
- 📝 Is it a sin to do "works" for the sake of "rewards" in heaven?
- 📝 How do the Catholic and Orthodox views of original sin differ?
- 📝 What's the problem with groves?
- 📝 Since Jesus death paid our sin debt in full, why do Christians still die?
- 📝 Can any sin be forgiven? (According to the teaching of the Catholic Church)
- 📝 When people sin against us but don't repent, should we forgive and forget?
- 📝 According to the Bible, does sin give Satan 'Legal Access' to your life in any sense?
- 📝 If Satan fell because of sin, then was there sin in heaven at that point?
- 📝 How have major theological traditions handled "continuing to indulge in sin when saved?"
- 📝 Does the seal of confession apply even when the sin is intended and there is no desire to repent?
- 📝 Genesis 3, original sin and mortality
- 📝 Is it possible to achieve a life without sin on earth?
- 📝 Can Catholic works of ‘satisfaction’ (prayer, fasting, etc.) for the removal of temporal punishments of venial sin be credited to others still alive?
- 📝 Why is it not a sin when God asked Moses to lie to Pharaoh?