Masturbation - Religion?

[rubyduby]

So i just wanna know, is masturbation a sin for christians? I'm christian and i just wanna know if i'm doing the right thing...

[Sky Flower]

In my opinion, your religion should not interfere with your choice to masturbate or not. Whether christians believe it to be sinful or not is irrelevant because it is a natural process which endangers no one and so there is no way it can be considered a 'wrong' thing.

[SammieRose]

Ruby, many christian scholars believe that masturbation is false and is a sin as they refer masturbation to fornication, specially the Catholic branch of Christianity. Fornication actually is, "to have sex with somebody that you are not married to"

So as for the bible, no actual direct reference to masturbation as a sin can be found. Although Doctrine will say that Genesis 38:6-10 talk about it when it mentions that Onam spilled his seed on the ground after laying with his sister in law.

You will find priest that will tell you it is a sin and you should ask for forgiveness, when others will tell you it is normal and is part of loving yourself, as god has asked us to.

[anyone50]

Only you can decide if it's the right choice. If your religious beliefs make you feel guilty after masturbation then it defeats the purpose in doing it in the first place. I'm a Christian and i do and I have never felt it interferes with my beliefs as the poster above has sited it's not really addressed in the bible. Don't be confused by what men of religion have added to the meaning of the bible

[lauren1]

This is a subject which has crossed my mind too even though I'm not a Christian. But since it's not hurting anyone else and no-one around me knows about it how can it be wrong?

[lauren1]

I'm really pleased you think that way. I do too, more and more each day.

[WalkingOnDisaster]

My religion says to avoid anything that can be addicting. I'm not really a christian. I'm a Jehovahs Witness, and we believe that it's okay till it becomes an addiction. If, say, you like masturbating. Just cause it's the topics name. If you do it once in a while, no harm. Once you become addicted to it,or begin relying on it for daily pleasure, it becomes a problem.

[WalkingOnDisaster]

Why shouldn't masturbation make EVERY day better? Is it an "addiction" if I brush my teeth too?

Not in the way you brush your teeth. A person can look to masturbation in a dependent mannor. That's were we draw the line. If you masturbate, even every day, who cares? But there shouldn't be a 'i absolutely HAVE to do this' feeling associated.

[Leftyxx69xx]

Ruby, many christian scholars believe that masturbation is false and is a sin as they refer masturbation to fornication, specially the Catholic branch of Christianity. Fornication actually is, "to have sex with somebody that you are not married to"

So as for the bible, no actual direct reference to masturbation as a sin can be found. Although Doctrine will say that Genesis 38:6-10 talk about it when it mentions that Onam spilled his seed on the ground after laying with his sister in law.

You will find priest that will tell you it is a sin and you should ask for forgiveness, when others will tell you it is normal and is part of loving yourself, as god has asked us to.


Wow great response! are you christian??

[randomnessqueen]

im pretty sure that in christianity its only sinful for males to ejaculate.

[Peta]

Can you you refrain from lusting during masturbation because the bible clearly states lust is a sin.

Matt 5:28-29 (NIV) [Jesus:] "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."

1Th 4:2-8 (NIV) For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God... For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

I know I can't and if masturbation becomes an addiction it can very much hurt yourself because it can take control of parts of your life and your body. "Learn to control your body" as stated in the above verse is what a sex or masturbation addict would have a major problem with, masturbation would be something they would have to do to.

I think it's clearly a sin by these verses. But hey I'm not a Christian, in fact sex is part of the reason why I'm not.

[saturnine]

Ruby, many christian scholars believe that masturbation is false and is a sin as they refer masturbation to fornication, specially the Catholic branch of Christianity. Fornication actually is, "to have sex with somebody that you are not married to"

So as for the bible, no actual direct reference to masturbation as a sin can be found. Although Doctrine will say that Genesis 38:6-10 talk about it when it mentions that Onam spilled his seed on the ground after laying with his sister in law.

You will find priest that will tell you it is a sin and you should ask for forgiveness, when others will tell you it is normal and is part of loving yourself, as god has asked us to.

^^^^^
Also, God says "Your body is a temple", meaning you should treat it with respect and not let anyone destroy it (sex before marriage, essentially). I don't believe in this and I'm not so sure about my religion, but if your body is apparently a temple, you treat it kindly and make yourself feel nice. Masturbation is just that.
I fear that youth leaders are misleading young girls and guys into NOT pleasuring themselves when it really is healthy and normal, just because they don't want them to be sexually aroused and perhaps have sex before marriage. Whenever I used to be preached to about purity I wanted to vomit and run out of the room. No one should tell you how to run your life and emotions and decisions, not even God. He tells you to believe in him and let him into your heart and he will forgive you for your sins, for the most part. He shouldn't control your life like a whip wielding punishing dictator. That's my opinion.
In conclusion, go for it. Treat your body well, after all, it is a "temple".

[LilKelli69]

I was always told that masturbation was natural and normal. It's a way to explore your inner self. I was told that it's normal and part of loving yourself. I love me too. :O)