Is Masturbation A Sin?

[viole]

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

Agree. You can learn much more about Him by listening to an atheist.

Ciao

- viole

 

[viole]

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.

I would choose masturbation over colitis anytime.

Ciao

- viole

 

[savagewind]

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.

You are not listening. I can not make you listen.

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?

I said there is no way of knowing, that it is wild. We know though that a need is NOT legitimate if it is created.

I suppose I must get visual. I am a woman so I can only explain it from a woman's perspective. It starts with hormones. Hormones cause a rise in that place. That is natural. No touching required. No porn needed. Nothing caused it on purpose. It is like a little visitor come to say Hi! You could kill it. That is what some people say to do to it. I have a hard time killing mosquitos so why should I kill my little friend? So now you know. I masturbate.

Now listen, please. I can call my little friend to come over just because I want to get busy. How? By touching myself or imagining sex in my head. THAT I consider sinning.

I realize I said "theologically" so you assume "god". I know that because you have said it now at least twice. I did not say The God considers is sinning. OK? Theological can mean more than god, I think.

Deaden your body members mean do not let desire rule. I think it does not mean to kill desire. Responding to a desire which comes naturally is ruling it. Let not it rule you. They are half right. Half right isn't good enough for me.

 

[savagewind]

I would choose masturbation over colitis anytime.

Ciao

- viole

Now we know!

 

[viole]

Now we know!

What do you know?

Ciao

- viole

 

[savagewind]

What do you know?

Ciao

- viole

I don't know how to spell. If it was multiple choice I would have chosen

• coitus

 

[viole]

I don't know how to spell. If it was multiple choice I would have chosen

• coitus

Ok. For a second I though you preferred diseases of the intestine to masturbation

Ciao

- viole

 

[savagewind]

I usually look things up when it doubt but this time I am happy I didn't. LOL. Thank you.

 

[Augustus]

But it makes you blind

I'd reply with an insightful comment, but can't quite make out what you have written...

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I read this thread.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

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 side with the Catholic Church that masterbation is an unhealthy use of genitals (I will add when done inappropriately and all the time) aka its a sin. Just as if I am rubbing my skin, the rubbing in and of itself is not wrong. Its what you are doing it for, how are youre doing it, your intent (pleasure or not).

The Church holds any sexual activity is only done within marriage (I am lesbian, so if I still were Catholic that bond of physical relations within marriage if is out).

In a committed relationship, I am al' natural. I see no problem with it in general as lesbians and gays cant quite procreate as thr Church teaches. I do agree sexual relations are best expressed in comitted relationships homosexual or not.

That is my take.

 

[Marisa]

You are not listening. I can not make you listen.

Actually, I'm reading. But yes, I am paying attention. I'm also thinking, and sometimes that present a problem, where religion is concerned.

I said there is no way of knowing, that it is wild. We know though that a need is NOT legitimate if it is created.

I'm not sure you mean to present this concept this way. When my body needs certain minerals, it creates a craving in me for certain foods. I'm guessing this would be a "legitimate" need in your opinion, as opposed to my craving salt when I'm on my menstrual cycle. Some crave chocolate. It's not that my body "needs" salt, it's just something my body does.

The point I was making is that you probably can't tell when as well as you think you can when a need is "legitimate" and when it's not. Defining "legitimate" is murky, especially where needs are concerned.

I suppose I must get visual. I am a woman so I can only explain it from a woman's perspective. It starts with hormones. Hormones cause a rise in that place. That is natural. No touching required. No porn needed. Nothing caused it on purpose. It is like a little visitor come to say Hi! You could kill it. That is what some people say to do to it. I have a hard time killing mosquitos so why should I kill my little friend? So now you know. I masturbate.

I promise not to judge you by it. Some of the best people I know do, too.

Now listen, please. I can call my little friend to come over just because I want to get busy. How? By touching myself or imagining sex in my head. THAT I consider sinning.

Which brings me back to why is the simple seeking of pleasure bad or to be avoided in the eyes of your god? Do you ever wonder why a good, kind, loving, whatever nice thing god would find the simple seeking of pleasure to be distasteful?

I realize I said "theologically" so you assume "god". I know that because you have said it now at least twice. I did not say The God considers is sinning. OK? Theological can mean more than god, I think.

To me, god is a job description, not a proper name. It's like saying kleenex even when I mean Puffs. You can fill in "god" with whatever deity you have, but it does seem that a deity with a personality is much more likely to find things pleasing or displeasing.

Deaden your body members mean do not let desire rule. I think it does not mean to kill desire. Responding to a desire which comes naturally is ruling it. Let not it rule you. They are half right. Half right isn't good enough for me.

Desire doesn't have to be "ruling" to masturbate for pleasure. Even still, why is desire a bad thing?

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

It is interesting how the subject of masturbation has spilled over to sexual boundaries between two people. I would have to say that, if there is good reason to criticize the religious (mostly Christian) admonishment of masturbation, this is the root reason to do so.

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

After much contemplation, I must take great issue to this. To find a spouse for the sole purpose of sexual release and pleasure is abominable. It reduces our fellow human beings to the status of blow-up dolls. FURTHER, if one is "unable to help themselves", this speaks of impulse control or compulsive issues. Entering a relationship with these kinds of issues present can only lead to heartache at best; a victim of sexual abuse at worst. If you "can't help yourself", don't get a spouse; get medical and psychological help.

You said that god finds masturbation done for pleasure to be sinful.

It has to do with intent. If we are laying in bed one night and our biorhythms state it is time to relieve ourselves of those hormones and gathered fluids (and by happenstance receive pleasure from that), that's one thing. We're already stimulated by our hormonal cycles. The poster postulates that this is different than not feeling particularly stimulated and choosing to stimulate oneself in order to receive that gratification. So the pleasure, in and of itself, is not "sinful" according to this logic; but according to this logic, stimulating oneself with the direct intent of self-gratification is "sinful".

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.

I find this problematic; to reduce sex and sexual pleasure to a duty to provide your spouse. Sex should never be a "duty".

I side with the Catholic Church that masterbation is an unhealthy use of genitals (I will add when done inappropriately and all the time). Just as if I am rubbing my skin, the rubbing in and of itself is not wrong. Its what you are doing it for, how are youre doing itt, your intent (pleasure or not).

Surveys indicate that most men masturbate on the average of about 3 times per week. Is that ... "too much" or "all the time?" Granted, 3 times per day on a continual basis; I would have to wonder about one's psychological and emotional health and refer them to a "sexual addiction" questionnaire (unless they were youths; in which case, that's pretty much to be expected, LoL).

How is it unhealthy to stimulate our own genitalia?

Research has indicated that for males, stimulation of the genitalia (which stimulates the prostate) is healthy for that prostate and may even prevent prostate issues. Moreover, for a man without a sexual partner, masturbation may actually help to prevent or slow down impotence.

I do not understand the logic of how masturbation is "unhealthy use of genitalia".

 

[Marisa]

It is interesting how the subject of masturbation has spilled over to sexual boundaries between two people. I would have to say that, if there is good reason to criticize the religious (mostly Christian) admonishment of masturbation, this is the root reason to do so.

With as much time as religion seems to spend attempting to exert control over how/how often people have sex, I'm constantly amazed we haven't labeled them perverted and tossed them out generations ago. I mean, perversion is as perversion does, right?

It has to do with intent. If we are laying in bed one night and our biorhythms state it is time to relieve ourselves of those hormones and gathered fluids (and by happenstance receive pleasure from that), that's one thing. We're already stimulated by our hormonal cycles. The poster postulates that this is different than not feeling particularly stimulated and choosing to stimulate oneself in order to receive that gratification. So the pleasure, in and of itself, is not "sinful" according to this logic; but according to this logic, stimulating oneself with the direct intent of self-gratification is "sinful".

I still don't understand why we have positive thoughts about a god that says "don't have fun".

 

[leibowde84]

I side with the Catholic Church that masterbation is an unhealthy use of genitals (I will add when done inappropriately and all the time) aka its a sin. Just as if I am rubbing my skin, the rubbing in and of itself is not wrong. Its what you are doing it for, how are youre doing it, your intent (pleasure or not).

The Church holds any sexual activity is only done within marriage (I am lesbian, so if I still were Catholic that bond of physical relations within marriage if is out).

In a committed relationship, I am al' natural. I see no problem with it in general as lesbians and gays cant quite procreate as thr Church teaches. I do agree sexual relations are best expressed in comitted relationships homosexual or not.

That is my take.

Why do you think the Catholic Church is correct? You merely explained their stance.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Why do you think the Catholic Church is correct? You merely explained their stance.

I agree with their stance. I explained why.

 

[savagewind]

Actually, I'm reading. But yes, I am paying attention. I'm also thinking, and sometimes that present a problem, where religion is concerned.

I agree.

I'm not sure you mean to present this concept this way. When my body needs certain minerals, it creates a craving in me for certain foods. I'm guessing this would be a "legitimate" need in your opinion, as opposed to my craving salt when I'm on my menstrual cycle. Some crave chocolate. It's not that my body "needs" salt, it's just something my body does.

Not really. I think cravings are natural too. It is about making it into a habit. Too much chocolate is not good. Too much salt, not good. Too much masturbation is not good.

The point I was making is that you probably can't tell when as well as you think you can when a need is "legitimate" and when it's not. Defining "legitimate" is murky, especially where needs are concerned.

Good point. I agree it is murky. That is where wisdom comes in. Most young people do not have wisdom because it is learned. To say straight out "masturbation is a sin" is wrong I think especially saying it to young people. I think it is like saying "God made you wrong so now there are strict rules for making you right."

I promise not to judge you by it. Some of the best people I know do, too.

Thank you.

Which brings me back to why is the simple seeking of pleasure bad or to be avoided in the eyes of your god? Do you ever wonder why a good, kind, loving, whatever nice thing god would find the simple seeking of pleasure to be distasteful?

I think I can seek just one thing at a time. If I am seeking to do God's will I can't also be seeking pleasure. Whenever pleasure comes to me, I should consider it a gift.

To me, god is a job description, not a proper name. It's like saying kleenex even when I mean Puffs. You can fill in "god" with whatever deity you have, but it does seem that a deity with a personality is much more likely to find things pleasing or displeasing.

OK!

Desire doesn't have to be "ruling" to masturbate for pleasure. Even still, why is desire a bad thing?

I think that when the time is right to masturbates a person can rightly choose to or choose not to. Choosing it is to desire pleasure. Not choosing it is to reject pleasure.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Granted, 3 times per day on a continual basis; I would have to wonder about one's psychological and emotional health and refer them to a "sexual addiction" questionnaire (unless they were youths; in which case, that's pretty much to be expected, LoL).

Pretty unhealthy there.

How is it unhealthy to stimulate our own genitalia?

Its like any part of the human body. If you "irritate" (regardless the motive pleasure or not) any part of the body you can cause redness of the skin. You can scratch at and harm sensitive body parts exp. Eye lids, eyes, are sensitive to touch. I have pinched nerves in my right palm that I was born with. If I "stimulated" that nerve, it wont be pleasurable. Regardless, it may harm thr nerve depending on "how" I stimulated it.

Its medical reasons not moral or ethics. I dont agree with it "and" people have their interests. Its not life or death thing.

 

[Marisa]

Not really. I think cravings are natural too. It is about making it into a habit. Too much chocolate is not good. Too much salt, not good. Too much masturbation is not good.

But why? Too much salt and chocolate have negative affects on your health. In general, that's not true with masturbation. We're not talking about people with sex addictions here, just people who masturbate.

Good point. I agree it is murky. That is where wisdom comes in. Most young people do not have wisdom because it is learned. To say straight out "masturbation is a sin" is wrong I think especially saying it to young people. I think it is like saying "God made you wrong so now there are strict rules for making you right."

Wisdom, or maturity? There are some incredibly intelligent kids in the world. But I'm guessing you mean in a more "common sense" manner, right? In that sense, you could say that wisdom comes from experiences. I agree, though, that teaching kids to feel shame over what their body does is a net bad.

I think I can seek just one thing at a time. If I am seeking to do God's will I can't also be seeking pleasure. Whenever pleasure comes to me, I should consider it a gift.

See, when I hear that, I hear that god has a problem with pleasure. Why is god's will not that you should feel pleasure? Wouldn't it be better if the 2 went hand in hand?

 

[savagewind]

Pretty unhealthy there.



Its like any part of the human body. If you "irritate" (regardless the motive pleasure or not) any part of the body you can cause redness of the skin. You can scratch at and harm sensitive body parts exp. Eye lids, eyes, are sensitive to touch. I have pinched nerves in my right palm that I was born with. If I "stimulated" that nerve, it wont be pleasurable. Regardless, it may harm thr nerve depending on "how" I stimulated it.

Its medical reasons not moral or ethics. I dont agree with it "and" people have their interests. Its not life or death thing.

I am thinking of brushing hair, a repetitive thing. I am thinking of pumicing the feet which is repetitive and good. What about a massage? How can it be good but masturbation be bad?