Is Masturbation A Sin?

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

I think this is an important question. Condemning masturbation as a sin, in my opinion, places a heavy burden on individuals, especially our impressionable youth. Even with religious connotations aside, masturbation is often considered "unmanly" or "unwomanly"; and those who are discovered participating in masturbation are often ridiculed and considered "lops who can't get the real thing"; or "perverts"; etc. These kinds of messages strike at the heart of human sexuality and have direct negative influences on our self-image and self-worth.

For this reason, I feel that this is an important topic to discuss.

I am a former believer. In fact, I am a former fanatic. For the purpose of this thread, I will respond as if I still believed as I once believed; and I will state my case based on the perspective I had as a former question.

So I ask: Do you hold masturbation to be a sin; and why or why not?

 

[jonathan180iq]

Of course it's not a sin, since sin isn't something that exists.

Besides, having to wash dirty boxers and socks is a lot easier than having to cover up the social side effects of sexual frustration.

 

[Laika]

I would argue strongly that masturbation is not a sin. The issue is that religious and secular morality are not mutually exclusive in this regard, but that the notion of masturbation of sinful is quickly wrapped up in secular guises, as most sexual acts are. Masturbation is a near universal sexual activity amongst men and women and yet is stigmatised for not being "normal".

People are punished for doing something that is natural as society feels entitled to judge the "morality" of human sexuality, not based on whether it promotes either the mental or physical health of the individual, but whether it corresponds to the institution marriage; so long as marriage is thought to be "natural", sexual activity outside of marriage is "sinful" or "unhealthy" and it is therefore necessary to supress sexual activity as immoral such as promiscuity, adultery, masturbation, sex before marriage, underage sex between teenagers, and (in so far as marriage is thought in terms of procreation) homosexuality and bisexuality, as well as same-sex activity amongst outwardly identifed hetrosexuals.

Whilst the sexual revolution has lifted many taboos on sexuality, it has not led to a fundamental changes in our understanding of sexual activity as natural and shaped our ethics to respond to this psychological instinct. the stigmatisation of masturbation is part of a sex-negative culture in which our sexual desires are subordinated to the psychoological conditioning necessary for marriage, rationalised as "morality".

 

[chinu]

I think this is an important question. Condemning masturbation as a sin, in my opinion, places a heavy burden on individuals, especially our impressionable youth. Even with religious connotations aside, masturbation is often considered "unmanly" or "unwomanly"; and those who are discovered participating in masturbation are often ridiculed and considered "lops who can't get the real thing"; or "perverts"; etc. These kinds of messages strike at the heart of human sexuality and have direct negative influences on our self-image and self-worth.

For this reason, I feel that this is an important topic to discuss.

I am a former believer. In fact, I am a former fanatic. For the purpose of this thread, I will respond as if I still believed as I once believed; and I will state my case based on the perspective I had as a former question.

So I ask: Do you hold masturbation to be a sin; and why or why not?

According to me there's a very simple formula to calculate what is Sin, and what is Sin-not/Holy.

Any act which helps one to re-unite with.. from where we all started the journey of life in the beginning is Sin-not/Holy. Rest everything is Sin.
So, in that way.. Yes, masturbation is Sin.

 

[Marisa]

I think this is an important question. Condemning masturbation as a sin, in my opinion, places a heavy burden on individuals, especially our impressionable youth. Even with religious connotations aside, masturbation is often considered "unmanly" or "unwomanly"; and those who are discovered participating in masturbation are often ridiculed and considered "lops who can't get the real thing"; or "perverts"; etc. These kinds of messages strike at the heart of human sexuality and have direct negative influences on our self-image and self-worth.

For this reason, I feel that this is an important topic to discuss.

I am a former believer. In fact, I am a former fanatic. For the purpose of this thread, I will respond as if I still believed as I once believed; and I will state my case based on the perspective I had as a former question.

So I ask: Do you hold masturbation to be a sin; and why or why not?

While I accept that none of us are perfect, I do not accept "sin" and the connotations that go along with it, such as that those unrepentant of their "sins" deserve eternal torture or "separation from god", however one chooses to view a mythical being's condemnation of those who displease it. Because of this, I'm free to learn about all the completely normal behaviors we share with other animals in the animal kingdom. Among many primates, sex in many forms is used to build relationships and alliances. Interestingly, female bonobos are even seen masturbating fussy infants. Among humans, very young children are often seen engaging in self stimulating behaviors. It's important to teach our young about privacy, but it's also important to teach them that their bodies are not sources of shame. So no, I don't see anything wrong or "sinful" about masturbation.

 

[Valjean]

What would God's purpose be in forbidding it?

 

[Thana]

I think this is an important question. Condemning masturbation as a sin, in my opinion, places a heavy burden on individuals, especially our impressionable youth. Even with religious connotations aside, masturbation is often considered "unmanly" or "unwomanly"; and those who are discovered participating in masturbation are often ridiculed and considered "lops who can't get the real thing"; or "perverts"; etc. These kinds of messages strike at the heart of human sexuality and have direct negative influences on our self-image and self-worth.

For this reason, I feel that this is an important topic to discuss.

I am a former believer. In fact, I am a former fanatic. For the purpose of this thread, I will respond as if I still believed as I once believed; and I will state my case based on the perspective I had as a former question.

So I ask: Do you hold masturbation to be a sin; and why or why not?

No, I wouldn't call it a sin....
But depending on where you are in your spiritual walk or where you'd like to be, I'd say it's an activity to avoid. Denying the flesh, in any way, is a good thing. It helps us grow spiritually.

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

Denying the flesh, in any way, is a good thing.

Have you considered that masturbation, in and of itself, can be a tool for "denying the flesh?" Sex is a physiological drive; much like hunger, thirst and rest. Healthy masturbation is shown to reduce stress and sexual frustration. It releases and burns off endorphins and hormones. It can reduce the pressure and drive to act out.

 

[Marisa]

No, I wouldn't call it a sin....
But depending on where you are in your spiritual walk or where you'd like to be, I'd say it's an activity to avoid. Denying the flesh, in any way, is a good thing. It helps us grow spiritually.

I don't understand how one can say that denying our natural proclivities which produce no victims is an instruction from a god they will describe as loving. That confounds me, always has and always will.

 

[Thana]

Have you considered that masturbation, in and of itself, can be a tool for "denying the flesh?" Sex is a physiological drive; much like hunger, thirst and rest. Healthy masturbation is shown to reduce stress and sexual frustration. It releases and burns off endorphins and hormones. It can reduce the pressure and drive to act out.

Mmm, going for a run can have pretty much the same effect
(in regards to endorphins and stress)

Besides, that's why the bible says to marry, if you can't help yourself.

 

[Thana]

I don't understand how one can say that denying our natural proclivities which produce no victims is an instruction from a god they will describe as loving. That confounds me, always has and always will.

You don't have too.
It just depends on what you want from God and from life. You can keep on keeping on for all it matters. And I don't recall saying it was an instruction from God or calling it 'loving'?

Think of it like the practice of fasting, except you're starving your libido.

 

[savagewind]

There is a difference between masturbating when physical sexual stress has become overwhelming or if the body can be helped by the act, for instance as in some kind of malady which can be helped by sexual release ....and doing it just for something to do which is pleasurable.

The second is by habit. I think masturbating by habit is unwise and if a person is on a spiritual journey unwise means sin.

I think that there is masturbating that is sin and masturbating that is not sin.

Doing it just for pleasure is to bring up the urge first, which is sin imho.

Doing it for what it is naturally for is not sin imho.

Learning the difference is part of a person's journey (perhaps) but I might be wrong. I think that to believe it is sin for yourself is OK. I think that to announce that it is always sin for everyone is evil.

 

[Marisa]

You don't have too.
It just depends on what you want from God and from life. You can keep on keeping on for all it matters. And I don't recall saying it was an instruction from God or calling it 'loving'?

Think of it like the practice of fasting, except you're starving your libido.

You didn't. I wasn't suggesting you did, I tried to keep my comment vague enough that it wouldn't seem like I was putting words in your mouth. Truthfully where the Abrahamic god is concerned, what I mentioned are two things I hear very often.

 

[Altfish]

But it makes you blind

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

I want to draw a line in the sand as some of these comments are bordering on touching on medical and psychological issues that take one's self control; such as hormonal imbalances, perpetual erections, compulsive sexual disorders. I object to persons suffering from medical or psychological ailments being referred to, or suggested as, "sinful" or "living in sin". People who suffer from such things should not be condemned or labeled; they should be medically and psychologically assisted.

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

Besides, that's why the bible says to marry, if you can't help yourself.

This line of thought troubles me for a couple reasons; one of them related to my Post #15; but I will, for the moment, withhold criticism while I ponder how to best proceed.

 

[savagewind]

I want to draw a line in the sand as some of these comments are bordering on touching on medical and psychological issues that take one's self control; such as hormonal imbalances, perpetual erections, compulsive sexual disorders. I object to persons suffering from medical or psychological ailments being referred to, or suggested as, "sinful" or "living in sin". People who suffer from such things should not be condemned or labeled; they should be medically and psychologically assisted.

I didn't say that. I said that if a person is on a spiritual journey then bringing up the urge to want masturbation is sinning. Saying "sin" is OK I think because look at the title of the thread! Should we not say sin on a sin thread?

 

[Thana]

You didn't. I wasn't suggesting you did, I tried to keep my comment vague enough that it wouldn't seem like I was putting words in your mouth. Truthfully where the Abrahamic god is concerned, what I mentioned are two things I hear very often.

Well... I've always found that the absolute worst thing you can do when you want to learn about God is to listen to a Christian

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

I didn't say that. I said that if a person is on a spiritual journey then bringing up the urge to want masturbation is sinning. Saying "sin" is OK I think because look at the title of the thread! Should we not say sin on a sin thread?

The word "sin" is a theologically correct word under the context of this thread.

 

[McBell]

Well... I've always found that the absolute worst thing you can do when you want to learn about God is to listen to a Christian

Interesting.
My experience has been that each person has their own personal version of god.