Which religions do / do not have any decrees on / against masturbation?

[Aupmanyav]

Let's see... when young and learning... while in middle age while taking care of the household... as well as in old age when advising the young ones. People make time for what's important.

Masturbation is hardly important (as per Hindu belief). They say 'an idle mind is a devil's workshop'. My prescription for young people (who are in the learning phase, like my elder grandson) is whenever you feel the urge do sit-ups and push-ups. That will have more benefits. For house-holders, it is no problem. They can engage in other sports.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I remember some report saying India is one of the highest pornography consumers in the world. Even to have a session time on a website, it's got to be significant.
Going by what you are saying, it seems like a family activity like going to the cinema and getting some ice cream.

You know, Firedragon, times have changed. Our traditions are being destroyed by Western influence.

 

[Stevicus]

Masturbation is hardly important (as per Hindu belief). They say 'an idle mind is a devil's workshop'. My prescription for young people (who are in the learning phase, like my elder grandson) is whenever you feel the urge do sit-ups and push-ups. That will have more benefits. For house-holders, it is no problem. They can engage in other sports.

Cold showers can also help. I've also heard the same saying, "Idle hands are the devil's workshop."

 

[firedragon]

You know, Firedragon, times have changed. Our traditions are being destroyed by Western influence.

I have to agree with that. But in my opinion, Indian traditional values saw a huge decline in the early 20th century. But you maybe right that the new generation is losing it faster. I have mostly read up on the historical records of India, but I am not well versed in the most recent history in terms of modernisation or westernisation if that applies.

Hmm. That maybe a good topic to study a bit. Or a lot. In all honesty, I think there should be some kind of a revolution by the Indian population because you guys are all over the world. Maybe more so than any other nation. And if the real Indian traditions spread once more due to some kind of revival, it might add a good balance to the world.

I am making arbitrary comments with what I feel. Not some studied topic I know very well.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I still find it stupid. Total waste of time.

Less chance of prostate cancer perhaps, for those with no partner(s).

New Study Says Men Should Masturbate 21 Times a Month—Here's Why (health.com)

And from all the evidence I have seen as to such, it is a healthy thing to do, but not to overdo.

 

[Link]

In Sunni Islam:

Three views:

Haram
Makruh (hated but not haram)
Allowed (not even makruh, but even can be used to avoid sins and be good thing to do)


In Shiite Twelver Islam unanimous position by scholars:

Haram and it's a form of Zina and considered one of the great sins (not small)

(no other view, hadihs are one position on this).

My view:

I don't know but the right thing to do for me, is assume the hadiths are right about it being haram and the apparent meaning of the verse "except their wives or who their oaths/right hands posses", is about marriage and muta, and masturbating has not been made an exception to the rule.

So it appears to be haram to me by apparent meaning of Quran as well as hadiths.

 

[Alien826]

Less chance of prostrate cancer perhaps, for those with no partner(s).

New Study Says Men Should Masturbate 21 Times a Month—Here's Why (health.com)

And from all the evidence I have seen as to such, it is a healthy thing to do, but not to overdo.

Last year I had surgery to reduce the size of my prostate, which was causing urinary problems. The surgeon warned me that he would be sending the cut off pieces to the path lab, and that I should not be worried if the results showed some level of cancer. Apparently at age 80, 80% of men have some prostate cancer, which they often die with undiagnosed, and it wouldn't necessarily need treatment. I'm 81 and the test showed NO cancer at all. And the urinary problems were fixed!

What a good thing my life-long masturbation has been! And that's not counting all the other benefits.

And I haven't gone blind, mad, or grown hair on the palms of my hands.

 

[QuestioningMind]

Masturbation is hardly important (as per Hindu belief). They say 'an idle mind is a devil's workshop'. My prescription for young people (who are in the learning phase, like my elder grandson) is whenever you feel the urge do sit-ups and push-ups. That will have more benefits. For house-holders, it is no problem. They can engage in other sports.

It's important if you want a natural and healthy way to reduce stress, obtain simple pleasures, and maintain proper prostate health for men. In fact I can't think of a single negative consequence. Why so many religions want to stifle a natural part of human sexuality is baffling.

 

[Sand Dancer]

It's important if you want a natural and healthy way to reduce stress, obtain simple pleasures, and maintain proper prostate health for men. In fact I can't think of a single negative consequence. Why so many religions want to stifle a natural part of human sexuality is baffling.

Because being a human is icky. If we were godly, we'd not do those human thingies. (Yes, sarcasm)

 

[Aupmanyav]

In fact I can't think of a single negative consequence. Why so many religions want to stifle a natural part of human sexuality is baffling.

Well, it is certainly better than a rape. No, most religions have no comments on it except that one may engage in some better activity and do not get addicted to it.

 

[blü 2]

Antinatalists would surely encourage it more that atheists.
It's an extreme which is wrong, the rest are just shades of wrong.

Wrong how, exactly?

If God was agin masturbation, [he]'d have given everyone shorter arms.

 

[paradox]

If God was agin masturbation, [he]'d have given everyone shorter arms.

Really? and how would you then pee pee?

Wrong how, exactly?

I mean antinatalism is wrong and anything that leans toward is shades of it.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Last year I had surgery to reduce the size of my prostate, which was causing urinary problems. The surgeon warned me that he would be sending the cut off pieces to the path lab, and that I should not be worried if the results showed some level of cancer. Apparently at age 80, 80% of men have some prostate cancer, which they often die with undiagnosed, and it wouldn't necessarily need treatment. I'm 81 and the test showed NO cancer at all. And the urinary problems were fixed!

What a good thing my life-long masturbation has been! And that's not counting all the other benefits.

And I haven't gone blind, mad, or grown hair on the palms of my hands.

Glad to see this for you. I'm slightly younger and pondering the likely reasons as to my end. Haven't had the doctor's fingers up my end for some time.

 

[mangalavara]

Without judgment, I would like to create a bit of a map, so I might be able to figure out some potential correlations.

I have yet to find anything about masturbation in any śāstra (scripture) of Hinduism.

What's a little extra protein?

Oh gawd...

 

[mangalavara]

Actually, there is no time for it. In youth one is learning, in middle age one is taking care of a household, in old age one is advising young ones. One is not supposed to waver from the tasks.

Would browsing the internet, telling a joke, taking a nap, etc. be wavering from the tasks?

 

[blü 2]

Really? and how would you then pee pee?

What say peeing gets its own organ?

I mean antinatalism is wrong and anything that leans toward is shades of it.

By 'antinatalism' do you mean birth control? (If you do, the women of the world have already almightily outvoted you.)

 

[paradox]

By 'antinatalism' do you mean birth control?

Antinatalism or anti-natalism is the ethical view that negatively values procreation. Antinatalists argue that humans should abstain from procreation because it is morally wrong.

Antinatalism - Wikipedia

What say peeing gets its own organ?

What you're saying that God should have made us not being able to do or think anything that God doesn't like.
That would very boring life.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Would browsing the internet, telling a joke, taking a nap, etc. be wavering from the tasks?

IMHO, it will vary with things. For what are you browsing the net and how much time will you be spending on that? Is money/betting involved in that browsing (that will not be considered good). Will that take you away from your duties? Mind and body need diversion to perform at their best level. As perhaps you would agree that Hinduism is not Victorian, it gives you leeway, but there always are limits. Like Buddha said, wisdom is in the middle path. 'Ati sarvatra varjayet' (Excess contra-indicated everywhere).

 

[Aupmanyav]

I have yet to find anything about masturbation in any śāstra (scripture) of Hinduism.

They kept you busy all the time in the three stages of life. Study, be at the job, or keep praying for 'moksha'.

 

[mangalavara]

As perhaps you would agree that Hinduism is not Victorian, it gives you leeway, but there always are limits.

I agree, yes.