Is Masturbation A Sin?

[McBell]

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?

Define "sin".

To me, sin is nothing more than going against the will/wishes of your chosen deity.
This brings up a few interesting twists.
How often is it the person who thinks their deity declares masturbation a sin when their deity is completely silent on the subject?
In fact, is there a holy scripture somewhere that clearly states masturbation is a sin?

 

[savagewind]

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

OK.

There is masturbating an urge a person has which can be theologically a sin but not necessarily so. But then there is masturbating to no urge, but to bring up an urge. I think this kind might be theologically sinning always. It is like making yourself hungry so you can eat. I think that to make bodily urges appear for the purpose of pleasure is sinning, theologically.

I can't be the only one who knows the difference between responding to a natural urge and creating an unnatural urge. I think the second one is sinning so sometimes masturbation is a sin, but not always.

 

[savagewind]

Define "sin".

To me, sin is nothing more than going against the will/wishes of your chosen deity.
This brings up a few interesting twists.
How often is it the person who thinks their deity declares masturbation a sin when their deity is completely silent on the subject?
In fact, is there a holy scripture somewhere that clearly states masturbation is a sin?

Deaden therefore you body members. Colossians 3:5
Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Ephesians 4:19
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
Romans 6:13
Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

OK.

There is masturbating an urge a person has which can be theologically a sin but not necessarily so. But then there is masturbating to no urge, but to bring up an urge. I think this kind might be theologically sinning always. It is like making yourself hungry so you can eat. I think that to make bodily urges appear for the purpose of pleasure is sinning, theologically.

I can't be the only one who knows the difference between responding to a natural urge and creating an unnatural urge. I think the second one is sinning so sometimes masturbation is a sin, but not always.

From a theological/Christian perspective, I'd say that this is a pretty fair and balanced approach.

 

[Lyndon]

Masturbating is not a sin, but starting another thread on masturbation is a sin, I do believe!!

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

[removed duplicate post]

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

Masturbating is not a sin, but starting another thread on masturbation is a sin, I do believe!!

I didn't realize there WAS another thread on masturbation, LoL.

 

[McBell]

Deaden therefore you body members. Colossians 3:5
Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Ephesians 4:19
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
Romans 6:13
Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

Now try defining sin in a clear concise manner.
"Defining" sin in the way you do above is part of the reason there is so much disagreement as to what is and is and is not a sin.

 

[Marisa]

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

Well that may be.

 

[jonathan180iq]

I didn't realize there WAS another thread on masturbation, LoL.

Probably because you're slowly losing your vision... Either that or your hairy palms brushed right past the other thread.

 

[Marisa]

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.

Why does god find your pleasure abhorrent? I don't understand "doing it for what it is naturally for is not sin" . . . what is masturbation "naturally" for?

 

[Marisa]

Define "sin".

To me, sin is nothing more than going against the will/wishes of your chosen deity.
This brings up a few interesting twists.
How often is it the person who thinks their deity declares masturbation a sin when their deity is completely silent on the subject?
In fact, is there a holy scripture somewhere that clearly states masturbation is a sin?

My question is: at what point do we examine what our deity's wishes are? And if we're not allowed to do that, should that tell us something about our deity?

 

[savagewind]

Now try defining sin in a clear concise manner.
"Defining" sin in the way you do above is part of the reason there is so much disagreement as to what is and is and is not a sin.

I do not agree with the others that blanket rules apply to what is sin. It is my opinion that ALL unrighteousness is sin. So what is unrighteousness? I think it differs for each person but it is not in a person's control to decide for himself or herself what is unrighteous for each person. It is wild and can't be tamed imo.

For instance, a husband or wife who masturbates and therefore does not want sex with his or her spouse is sinning. A spouse on a business trip with an urge and masturbates it is probably not sinning.

Sin cannot be defined concisely imo. Though righteousness can, I think.

 

[Simplelogic]

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?

I guess the definition of "sin" is different for many people. For those who hold to the Law of Moses as being the basic definition for what is right (acceptable) and wrong (not acceptable) then the answer is no. There is no prohibition in the written law of Moses which prohibits someone from doing this.

 

[savagewind]

Why does god find your pleasure abhorrent? I don't understand "doing it for what it is naturally for is not sin" . . . what is masturbation "naturally" for?

I did not say god finds pleasure abhorrent. I said that I think bringing up an urge to do it is unnatural thus unrighteous. It is like making yourself hunger so you can eat more.

What is it naturally for? Sometimes it is for pleasure when the person needs it. Key word "need". The sin, I think, is MAKING a need for it. I am sorry if you really can't see the difference.

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

For instance, a husband or wife who masturbates and therefore does not want sex with his or her spouse is sinning.

There could be many explanations for behavior of this sort; ranging from esteem issues, confidence issues, one or the other unable to perform, one or the other having medical issues while the spouse desires release, etc. I get your point that you are trying to draw a line. I'm just a little fuzzy on where you draw that line; and possibly, you are as well. I give you credit for seeking a balance between reality and theology; unlike Christine O'Donnell, for instance.

To me, it is quite sad that one beats themselves with guilt to the point of being a tearful mess in a shower or suicidal because of biology.

What about mutual masturbation? If a husband and wife enjoy fondling each other to climax rather than intercourse? Would you consider that sinning?

 

[Marisa]

I did not say god finds pleasure abhorrent. I said that I think bringing up an urge to do it is unnatural thus unrighteous. It is like making yourself hunger so you can eat more.

You said that god finds masturbation done for pleasure to be sinful. It is logical for me to assume, based on that, that god finds pleasure sinful. This may very well not be an "across the board" assessment of pleasure, but it certainly seems that god finds at least some pleasure repulsive. Since there are no victims when you masturbate, it's not logical to assume that god dislikes it because it hurts someone.

What is it naturally for? Sometimes it is for pleasure when the person needs it. Key word "need". The sin, I think, is MAKING a need for it. I am sorry if you really can't see the difference.

Well that's clear as mud. Seems rather convenient, as well. Who gets to define when a need is legitimate? I'm guessing god? So should we be in the business of telling other people they are sinning when they engage in masturbation?

 

[Marisa]

There could be many explanations for behavior of this sort; ranging from esteem issues, confidence issues, one or the other unable to perform, one or the other having medical issues while the spouse desires release, etc. I get your point that you are trying to draw a line. I'm just a little fuzzy on where you draw that line; and possibly, you are as well. I give you credit for seeking a balance between reality and theology; unlike Christine O'Donnell, for instance.

To me, it is quite sad that one beats themselves with guilt to the point of being a tearful mess in a shower or suicidal because of biology.

What about mutual masturbation? If a husband and wife enjoy fondling each other to climax rather than intercourse? Would you consider that sinning?

Christine O'Donnell . . . gotta love her.

 

[savagewind]

There could be many explanations for behavior of this sort; ranging from esteem issues, confidence issues, one or the other unable to perform, one or the other having medical issues while the spouse desires release, etc. I get your point that you are trying to draw a line. I'm just a little fuzzy on where you draw that line; and possibly, you are as well. I give you credit for seeking a balance between reality and theology; unlike Christine O'Donnell, for instance.

To me, it is quite sad that one beats themselves with guilt to the point of being a tearful mess in a shower or suicidal because of biology.

What about mutual masturbation? If a husband and wife enjoy fondling each other to climax rather than intercourse? Would you consider that sinning?

LOL. No. The sin is in denying the spouse pleasure and this is sometimes done by pleasuring one's self too much to the point of refusing sex because masturbation is chosen over colitis. Of course, all this rubbish applies to healthy people. It is about consciously denying the other person sex. The other healthy person who wants sex. It isn't a rule.

 

[Marisa]

LOL. No. The sin is in denying the spouse pleasure and this is sometimes done by pleasuring one's self too much to the point of refusing sex because masturbation is chosen over colitis. Of course, all this rubbish applies to healthy people. It is about consciously denying the other person sex. The other healthy person who wants sex. It isn't a rule.

If my husband has the power to deny me colitis, I wholeheartedly support him exercising that power.

Colitis
An inflammatory reaction in the colon, often autoimmune or infectious.

((LOL this is supposed to be funny, I know you meant coitus. ))