Is masturbation good for you?

[Haydn]

Billy Connolly: Masturbation - YouTube

[taiko]

Thanks for all the responses. One thing I should have made clearer was when I said I wanted to see points from a Religious angle, I meant a Catholic angle. Sorry, I should have said that.

 

Seems like an odd place to come seeking a Catholic perspective. You are just as, no more likely to get a Dawkinsian perspective Most of the world believe the Catholic church has written itself into a box because they consider themselves supernaturally unable to teach an error in moral living. So while other religious folk will focus on lusting phrases or a particular Bible story the Catholics are stuck the official position that in God's eye sexting and masturbating with their spouse, perhaps when separated physically for long periods but together in a cyberspace or even as the couple's regular play time, is as bad as masturbating to child porn or visiting a prostitute as far as the eternal soul is concerned.

[mukkrakker]

but you can't take one piece of scripture out of context to support an agenda

 

That is EXACTLY why there are so many different Christian denominations:

 

List of Christian denominations - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Can't and shouldn't are not the same thing.

[truthbetold]

No doubt

 

17. You call on a Father who judges each person’s work without favoring one over another. So live your lives as strangers here. Have the highest respect for God.

18. The blood of Christ set you free from an empty way of life. That way of life was handed down to you by your own people long ago. You know that you were not bought with things that can pass away, like silver or gold.

19. Instead, you were bought by the priceless blood of Christ. He is a perfect lamb. He doesn’t have any flaws at all.

20.He was chosen before God created the world. But he came into the world in these last days for you.

21. Because of what Christ has done, you believe in God. It was God who raised him from the dead. And it was God who gave him glory. So your faith and hope are in God.

22. You have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. So you have an honest and true love for your brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply, from the heart.

23. You have been born again by means of the living word of God. His word lasts forever. You were not born again from a seed that will die. You were born from a seed that can’t die.

 

to find freedom from sin is to put the faith in Jesus, and prioritize love (in God and others). At least, imo!

 

 

OP, you do whatever your heart tells you. But pray about it, seek strong counsel, read the bible.

 

And to that I would say James 2:14-26 "Faith without WORKS is dead" What you singled out that I said about being Holy can stand alone and be supported by numerous passages through the bible, in fact it could even be a running thread that connects all we should strive for. Much like "love above all else, even your enemies" can do the same. The quote that I singled out cannot be a something that is supported by many other passages in scripture. That was my point.

 

 

Thank you pie2! That was my point, to give my opinion on the topic from a spiritual perspective.

 

I am not Roman Catholic, I just read and study the bible. So that is what I am going off from. Regarding masturbation, I do not see any verses that the actual physical act is a sin. I do see many verses that lusting after someone that is not your wife is a sin. The issue is, how do you separate the two? I don't know how, or even if it's possible, but I think even trying to is missing the big picture. The issue to me is to look at the origin of sin, the seed if you will, and not just at the fruit. We can see most sexual sins, originate in lust. If we want to conquer it, that is what we must address. Not only looking to classify the sins into categories.

 

I don't see how my stating that is mocking anyone's religion. Or how that has anything to do with a whore of Babylon (its funny how every denomination states the other is the whore of Babylon). On a discussion board you will get a diversity of opinions, ranging from anti-theism to fundamentalist baptist. Everyone gives their opinion, and it creates a dialogue. It is basic forum etiquette that if someone has a issue with a particular person, they will quote that person. That's the way I operate anyway.

 

And I apologize to you and Pie because I have enjoyed your postings for an overall message. I am a believer of what unites us surpasses what divides us. However, I'm pretty sure most everyone equates "the whore of Babylon" to the RC church, I would be shocked if you tell me you never heard that. There are a ton of posts here that tell the OP not to get tangled up in man made "religious" rules and do what moves him. From my perspective I always believe in helping another Christian up when they stumble. It goes to:

James 2:14-16 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

 

So while you may not agree, and I totally respect that, the RC DOES believe God has something to say about it as outlined in the CCC verse I gave. We don't believe that it is "man made" we believe in the promise that Jesus made in John 14:16 that we have an infallible guide that is with us to the end. (Holy Spirit) Now you can absolutely believe that the passage means the Holy Spirit is there to guide ANYONE to the right conclusion, but if that's true then why are there thousands of Christian sects neither agreeing with the other? God cannot teach error, everyone would reach the same conclusion and not have an interpretative spin if everyone received the Holy Spirit. It's even in scripture that God will send a deceiving spirit to some. 2 Thess 2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

 

There are numerous other passages that tell us flat out we should not try to interpret scripture for ourselves, that is why we believe the Church who has a Vicar for Christ on Earth can speak for God's will. If you look at the CCC referenced it actually appeals to human intellect that it makes sense considering why God created man and woman and what his clear intentions were for marriage besides procreation, unification. Selfish pleasure doesn't meet that in the Catholic view.

 

 

The apostles and the early Christians had to rely on "tradition" as the only scripture was oral preaching of the word. So when traditions are mentioned in Paul's letters, it was known by the early Christians that the meaning was OT as the NT didn't exist as we know it. So to say everything is by faith and scripture alone for a Catholic doesn't make sense. We have 2000 plus years to tell us otherwise.

 

 

Again, I apologize as I respect your viewpoints as they are and a follower of Christ, I truly mean that. I would have never entered this discussion if the OP only wanted different Christian perspectives, it was only because he mentioned Catholic which I see he clarified that is what he was interested in. And I hope the above reads in the spirit of intent which is to just clarify my position. I do not mean to preach at all, but it's hard to convey is this method without body language etc...

 

 

As I have mentioned, I don't ever push my Catholicism on others and I encounter and deal with quite successfully everyone from Atheists to Zoroastrianism. I don't wear my religion on my sleeve, I prefer to glorify the Lord with my life, which follows the "do unto others" and love all. So yes I took offense to the "holy" implications as Catholics are often perceived as such or trying to act better than others. We or at least I am not a Pharisee, I know when I help others it is not "me" but Jesus who lives in me. "he died for me, I live for him" I died to "myself" and seek his will in all.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for all the responses. One thing I should have made clearer was when I said I wanted to see points from a Religious angle, I meant a Catholic angle. Sorry, I should have said that.

 

Silver93, Thanks for the kind words and the clarification. I apologize to you for referring to you as "OP" I thought about it when I said I am praying for you (and I still am, please know I will keep you in my prayers through the lenten journey and pray you grow even closer in his grace:)) If you eventually do wish to have someone to share your life with, just pray on God's will and he WILL be faithful. There are many to say you can't trust him on that, but it's not true! If you put God at the center he will direct your paths. Trust in the Lord and lean on his not your understanding and he will make that path straight!

 

And it's NOT boring! Some will try to say you will get someone that you will be mismatched with or living out some dull life with no passion or excitement and it's not true! When I lived by "my" choices it was a disaster, when I put God in charge, it was like going from black and white to technicolor! Really, love the way God intended it and not what sin or man wants to twist it into, is beyond words in EVERY aspect. God is about love not fear. The fear gets misconstrued, it's only that we should "fear" the ugliness that sin always is as, God wants the best for us he knows our heart's desires even better than we do and if we ask, he will reveal!

 

Jeremiah 29-11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

Silver93, I wish you peace and many blessings from above!

[mukkrakker]

I am a believer of what unites us surpasses what divides us...

 

No surprise, and I know you hate them, but facts proves this wrong as well.

[mukkrakker]

full on religious nutcase. yow.

 

That's so unfair…

 

...you mean they don't answer the questions, and then rant on and on and on about some other trifling unconnected point of scriptural doctrine…

 

Oh, now I get it. Point well taken.

 

[maiden of rohan]

Try it, and see if you get struck down by lightening and then you'll know.

 

 

I've been masturbating for years and still, no lightening bolt has come to strike me down.

[taiko]

Try it, and see if you get struck down by lightening and then you'll know.

 

 

I've been masturbating for years and still, no lightening bolt has come to strike me down.

Play fair. Nobody ever said the Sodom and Gomorrah option would be used, just that your soul won't be with the father after you die.

[maiden of rohan]

Play fair. Nobody ever said the Sodom and Gomorrah option would be used, just that your soul won't be with the father after you die.

 

All the pleasure is absolutely worth it. The pervert shouldn't be watching anyway.

[crederer]

I was raised catholic and went to catholic school and sunday school and all that jazz. I guess it was a very progressive in my area because all of the things I read on the internet from other catholics sound like a completely different take on the religion than what I was taught.

 

We were taught evolution, we were taught it's normal to masturbate and have sexual desires. We were taught God is loving, not a fear monger, we were taught praying and being dogmatic publicly were not positive things as it was for attention and that's not the purpose. We were taught to accept and love people of other religions as we are all God's children. Hell we even had to take a world religions class in grade 12 that focused on Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and various other Christian based religions.

 

We were taught not to judge and were actually punished in some shape or form when we were judging people for their beliefs.

[Silver93]

I am currently finding it very hard to abstain from masturbation. I would rather not do it because I feel like it is controlling me but if I don't I feel very uneasy. Any advice would be much appreciated. Again looking at it from a Catholic point of view. Thanks.

[taiko]

I am guessing that acting like the priest character in The Pillars of The Earth and beating and cutting yourself to feel something else in order to maintain strict celibacy is not Catholic doctrine. The only relief I can see from the rule book that if self control fails is you to find a Catholic girl who believes it is her duty to satisfy you when needed and marry her. Of course other factors used in the modern world to find a life mate will be demphasized in order to find someone good enough for now and losing the potentially better that might come along in the future. I assume you are of age?

[Robert Z]

I am currently finding it very hard to abstain from masturbation. I would rather not do it because I feel like it is controlling me but if I don't I feel very uneasy. Any advice would be much appreciated. Again looking at it from a Catholic point of view. Thanks.

 

When I was growing up in the Catholic Church, our priest told the young men that masturbation was only a sin if it is associated with impure thoughts.

 

Allow yourself to be human. What you are trying to do is not natural or normal. And I would argue that it isn't physically or mentally healthy.

Edited April 2, 2014 by Robert Z

[angel.eyes]

I am currently finding it very hard to abstain from masturbation. I would rather not do it because I feel like it is controlling me but if I don't I feel very uneasy. Any advice would be much appreciated. Again looking at it from a Catholic point of view. Thanks.

 

One approach that I find helpful with any urge that, while very tempting, is ultimately not good for me is to focus on what I gain, rather than what I give up. I rarely focus on what I'm being "denied" or "deprived." For example, in eating healthily and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, my focus is on how great I feel, how much more I can achieve when taking on meaningful physical challenges, and the fact that I want to be healthy even when I'm elderly. I don't dwell on and obsess about all the yummy candy bars, delicious tarts, or luscious cakes I could be enjoying in the moment (that will just leave me feeling lethargic in the morning and gunk up my arteries). Ditto for playing an instrument or playing in a sports league. I'm so focused on improving my performance that I don't mind getting up early to practice or to work on my technique, when I could just roll over in bed instead and have another dream. The same applies to sexual activity and lust.

 

G. K. Chesterton wrote a great little essay on chastity, "A Piece of Chalk," in which he discusses how chastity is about far more than just the absence of vice. (BTW, I suggest him over others since you're Catholic. He's an eminent Catholic from the late 19th/early 20th century who has been proposed for beatification.)

 

If you can refocus away from how you are depriving yourself to the positives of your decision to abstain and have self-control (and there are many positives), you'll have a much easier time.

 

My other piece of advice would be to find something you're truly passionate about, and become engrossed with that. When you're bored and idle, it's easy to obsess about something you want and "can't" have. My mother liked to say to me when I was growing up, "Idle hands make the devil's work." She was referring to general mischief that kids get into, but it's appropriate here.

 

At any rate, google the title of the essay. There are lots of free copies on the web. Or, if you prefer, you can buy books of some of his works. He's a fascinating and engaging writer. I've found his writings helpful as I try to live the type of life Christ has called us to lead.

[somedude81]

Just do it already.

 

Do you really think God cares if you touch yourself?

[angel.eyes]

When I was growing up in the Catholic Church, our priest told the young men that masturbation was only a sin if it is associated with impure thoughts.

 

Therein lies the rub! (no pun intended) What pure thoughts are you having when you masturbate?!?

[somedude81]

Therein lies the rub! (no pun intended) What pure thoughts are you having when you masturbate?!?

Simple, just focus on the pleasure and don't think about other people.

 

Though in my experience, it's more fun to have impure thoughts.

[Robert Z]

Therein lies the rub! (no pun intended) What pure thoughts are you having when you masturbate?!?

 

 

It was doable and worked for a time.

 

I think this guilt business really screws people up. It did me. It creates a very unhealthy and unrealistic view of sex and sexuality. And like so many victims of religion, this young man may bear the scars for years, as I did. This is precisely the sort of bs that eventually led me to endure 25 years of a bad marriage that nearly ended in my suicide.

 

So here is my advice

Edited April 2, 2014 by Robert Z

[Fugu]

The urban myths surrounding masturbation are innumerable - laughable now, of course.

 

"Oh, dude, if you masturbate, that means you're gay." I heard that one and prayed that nobody would ever find out about what I did in my spare time, lol.

 

"Oh, masturbation can really lead to blindness" Yeah, I never really believed that one though.

 

"Masturbation is a sin." Heard that one and wondered whether God could see me - was convinced that he was watching the whole time and felt weird every now and again.

 

I long ago abandoned the immorality of masturbation. However, that being said, there are some things to consider.

 

If you're masturbating at the expense of real life relationships, then that's something that you might want to put some thought into. If you're a compulsive porn user, that's probably not a good thing - not the occasional use of porn but the inability to stop. But if you can keep the habit in check, happy wanking, I say.

[jonsnuh]

What are the spiritual pluses to not masturbating?

 

I have trained in martial arts, and it was said that some fighters like some from the BJJ Gracie family avoid masturbation or sex prior to the fight.

 

Does it really help to get through an exam or test, by not masturbating? Or is masturbating actually better?

[Els]

I am currently finding it very hard to abstain from masturbation. I would rather not do it because I feel like it is controlling me but if I don't I feel very uneasy. Any advice would be much appreciated. Again looking at it from a Catholic point of view. Thanks.

 

 

Why do you feel it is 'controlling' you? Is it just because you feel a desire to do it? When you are hungry you feel a desire to eat, do you not? Do you abstain because you fear that when you give in to hunger and eat, it means that 'it is controlling you'? IMO, both are natural and physiological responses.

 

That being said, I support everyone living according to their beliefs if it's what they truly want. You should really have a think about whether this no-fap thing is what YOU really want, though, or whether it's something that has been guilt-tripped into you.

[Els]

What are the spiritual pluses to not masturbating?

 

I have trained in martial arts, and it was said that some fighters like some from the BJJ Gracie family avoid masturbation or sex prior to the fight.

 

Does it really help to get through an exam or test, by not masturbating? Or is masturbating actually better?

 

Orgasm makes some people sleepy and less clear-headed if it occurs in the past couple hours or so. When I had exams (and I'm Asian, we do crazy things for exams) I wouldn't O in the morning, but I'd O the night before, to get a good sleep.

 

My SO also prefers not to O just before work, because he works in a fairly high pressure field where incompetence costs lives. Any other time is fair game though!

[endlessabyss]

It's wrong (being that it's under the umbrella of sexual immorality).

 

Even Freud thought it was wrong, and he had some of the most bizarre ideas on sex I've ever read.

 

After reading the New Testament, I now know how important it is to exert self-control. If you are a true Christian, Christ is part of you. Don't defile your body, it's a temple.

[pie2]

What are the spiritual pluses to not masturbating?

 

I have trained in martial arts, and it was said that some fighters like some from the BJJ Gracie family avoid masturbation or sex prior to the fight.

 

Does it really help to get through an exam or test, by not masturbating? Or is masturbating actually better?

 

 

I'm confused about how martial arts fights and exams relate to spirituality.

 

 

But what are the spiritual advantages to not masturbating? I personally don't think there are any.

 

 

I think there are spiritual advantages to not lusting after others. I don't know why that is. And it's not an easy thing to do. But the bible says that sexual sins can be sins against our own bodies! No other sins affect us in that particular way (I think). So sexual immorality is a pretty big deal.

[Bishop556]

Of course! How else will I keep my palms so hairy to keep me warm for the winter?