Masturbating a sin?

[Swimmer98]

I guess if you're catholic and may a few other religions masturbating is a sin. If any of you are in a religion that it is a sin, do you just disagree with it or did you stop or not start at all?

[Catholic Guy]

I believe that it's a sin but that the benefits of it out way that fact because it's a good release of stress and it's proven that it's good for you

[GoGoDiego]

For catholics, it is a mortal sin. Some of the doctors of the church emphasized on it, like St. Thomas Aquinas.
As for me, I do not believe in that.

[johny1996]

No no no Its not..

What Does the Bible Say?

Though sexual offenses such as premarital sex (fornication), homosexuality, adultery, and bestiality are plainly condemned as gross sins in the Bible, masturbation is not mentioned. (Genesis 39:7-9; Leviticus 18:20, 22, 23; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10) Masturbation was common in the Greek-speaking world during Bible times, and several Greek words were used to describe the practice. Interestingly, not one of these words is used in the Bible.

Since masturbation is not directly condemned in the Bible, does this mean it is harmless?

Excites “Sexual Appetite”

“Deaden, therefore, your body members,” urges the Bible, “as respects . . . sexual appetite.” (Colossians 3:5) This “sexual appetite” is not the new sexual sensations that most youths feel during puberty, of which there is no need to be ashamed. “Sexual appetite” exists when these feelings are intensified so that one loses control. Such sexual appetite has led to gross sexual immorality, as described by Paul at Romans 1:26, 27.

But does not masturbation “deaden” these desires? On the contrary, I must confess: “When I masturbated, I would dwell mentally on wrong desires, and all that did was to increased my appetite for them.” Often an immoral fantasy was used to increase the sexual pleasure. (Matthew 5:27, 28) Given the right circumstances, I could have easily fallen into immorality

“At one time, I felt that masturbation could relieve my frustration without my getting involved with a female. Yet I developed an overpowering desire to do so.”

Mentally and Emotionally Defiling

Masturbation also instills certain attitudes that are mentally corrupting. (Compare 2 Corinthians 11:3.) This habit teaches one to treat his or her body as merely an object to be used for sexual pleasure. When masturbating, a person is immersed in his or her own bodily sensations—totally self-centered. Sex becomes separated from love and is relegated to a reflex that releases tension. But God intended sexual desires to be satisfied in sexual relations, an expression of love between a man and his wife.—Proverbs 5:15-19.

A Balanced View of Guilt

Though sin is sin, the Bible does show that God views our wrongdoing as having varying degrees of gravity, and he is very merciful. “For you, O Jehovah, are good and ready to forgive; and the loving-kindness to all those calling upon you is abundant.” (Psalm 86:5) When a Christian succumbs to masturbation, his heart is often self-condemning. Yet, the Bible states that “God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.” (1 John 3:20) God sees more than our sins. The greatness of his knowledge enables him to hear with sympathy our earnest pleas for forgiveness.

Do not despair. Do not conclude you have committed the unforgivable sin. That is just how Satan would like you to reason. The fact that you feel grieved and vexed with yourself is proof in itself that you have not gone too far. Never weary of turning humbly and earnestly to God, seeking his forgiveness and cleansing and help. Go to him as a child goes to his father when in trouble, no matter how often on the same weakness, and Jehovah will graciously give you the help because of his undeserved kindness and, if you are sincere, he will give you the realization of a cleansed conscience.”

[Bull]

Masturbation is not a sin. Masturbation is natural and normal. Masturbation is good and provides sexual release which is necessary. Do it, enjoy it, and do not feel guilty about doing it. I am a born again Christian who masturbates almost every day.

[GoGoDiego]

No no no Its not..

What Does the Bible Say?

Though sexual offenses such as premarital sex (fornication), homosexuality, adultery, and bestiality are plainly condemned as gross sins in the Bible, masturbation is not mentioned. (Genesis 39:7-9; Leviticus 18:20, 22, 23; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10) Masturbation was common in the Greek-speaking world during Bible times, and several Greek words were used to describe the practice. Interestingly, not one of these words is used in the Bible.

Since masturbation is not directly condemned in the Bible, does this mean it is harmless?

Excites “Sexual Appetite”

“Deaden, therefore, your body members,” urges the Bible, “as respects . . . sexual appetite.” (Colossians 3:5) This “sexual appetite” is not the new sexual sensations that most youths feel during puberty, of which there is no need to be ashamed. “Sexual appetite” exists when these feelings are intensified so that one loses control. Such sexual appetite has led to gross sexual immorality, as described by Paul at Romans 1:26, 27.

But does not masturbation “deaden” these desires? On the contrary, I must confess: “When I masturbated, I would dwell mentally on wrong desires, and all that did was to increased my appetite for them.” Often an immoral fantasy was used to increase the sexual pleasure. (Matthew 5:27, 28) Given the right circumstances, I could have easily fallen into immorality

“At one time, I felt that masturbation could relieve my frustration without my getting involved with a female. Yet I developed an overpowering desire to do so.”

Mentally and Emotionally Defiling

Masturbation also instills certain attitudes that are mentally corrupting. (Compare 2 Corinthians 11:3.) This habit teaches one to treat his or her body as merely an object to be used for sexual pleasure. When masturbating, a person is immersed in his or her own bodily sensations—totally self-centered. Sex becomes separated from love and is relegated to a reflex that releases tension. But God intended sexual desires to be satisfied in sexual relations, an expression of love between a man and his wife.—Proverbs 5:15-19.

A Balanced View of Guilt

Though sin is sin, the Bible does show that God views our wrongdoing as having varying degrees of gravity, and he is very merciful. “For you, O Jehovah, are good and ready to forgive; and the loving-kindness to all those calling upon you is abundant.” (Psalm 86:5) When a Christian succumbs to masturbation, his heart is often self-condemning. Yet, the Bible states that “God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.” (1 John 3:20) God sees more than our sins. The greatness of his knowledge enables him to hear with sympathy our earnest pleas for forgiveness.

Do not despair. Do not conclude you have committed the unforgivable sin. That is just how Satan would like you to reason. The fact that you feel grieved and vexed with yourself is proof in itself that you have not gone too far. Never weary of turning humbly and earnestly to God, seeking his forgiveness and cleansing and help. Go to him as a child goes to his father when in trouble, no matter how often on the same weakness, and Jehovah will graciously give you the help because of his undeserved kindness and, if you are sincere, he will give you the realization of a cleansed conscience.”

Whilst it is not mentioned much in the Bible, the Cathechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "sex is a sacred covenant between a married couple" due to its effect of raising up children. And it is mentioned in some church documents that sexual activity outside marriage is a sin. Masturbation also counts.

Anyways, I do not even regard that. I masturbate regularly and a devout catholic.

[Removed_Profile]

I am a Catholic, and I do not believe it is a sin. I masturbate quite a few times a week for around 3 years, and have never felt as though I have committed a sin

[Wyatt 13]

I am catholic and I don't think is a sin, I have my place in heaven.

[CrazyPerson101]

Idk if its a sin or not but this is how I look at it, If it is, we sin everyday. Im sorry but we're not perfect. I think that the reason masturbation isn't mentioned in the bible is because it isn't a sin but it is a way of relieving yourself from the sexual desire and or urge without going out and well doing it.

[Bmble_B]

Idk if its a sin or not but this is how I look at it, If it is, we sin everyday. Im sorry but we're not perfect. I think that the reason masturbation isn't mentioned in the bible is because it isn't a sin but it is a way of relieving yourself from the sexual desire and or urge without going out and well doing it.

Haha I agree with this knucklehead :P

[Swimmer98]

Have you guys ever confessed to masturbating if you feel that it could be considered a sin?

[Svan]

I am Roman Catholic, and I don't care if masturbation is a sin. I am not hurting anyone or myself.
Therefore, it isn't a sin.

[ComfortableInChaos]

I am Roman Catholic, and I don't care if masturbation is a sin. I am not hurting anyone or myself.
Therefore, it isn't a sin.

Omfg this guy keeps on taking the words out of my mouth... Although I'm not catholic or anything... but still lol I'm not religious in any way but even if I were to be religious and when I WAS in the past, I didn't care. I still did it anyway.

[Tendencies]

I'm not sure about how my religion views it, but either way, it's something that is actually good for your body and has health benefits and feels amazing.

[theDoc]

Yes, because it causes you to have adulterous thoughts about others...

[Snydergate]

I am christian and some say its a sin, others don't. It depends on who you ask, I did some research one day out of boredom and curiosity and I got mixed results but the people who said it wasn't a sin had a better way to back it up since it is a healthy bodily function. If I were God, I would not send people to Hell just for jerking off or even having sex without being married, there are much worse things called sins out there. Jerking off is no sin to me.

[jeans_kid]

Both me and my girlfriend are Catholics, but neither of us feels we are committing a sin when we have sex or masturbate. We love and trust each other like any other married couple. We know that our bodies are made for each other, and having sex is one of the ways we express our love for each other. We both know we are not having sex for the sake of sex.

[Borxar]

I am christian and some say its a sin, others don't. It depends on who you ask, I did some research one day out of boredom and curiosity and I got mixed results but the people who said it wasn't a sin had a better way to back it up since it is a healthy bodily function. If I were God, I would not send people to Hell just for jerking off or even having sex without being married, there are much worse things called sins out there. Jerking off is no sin to me.

Not directing anything specifically to this quote but just bringing to light things that have been overlooked. Firstly sin is not based on feelings. It might feel good to rob a bank or do a whole lot of heinous things and these are all sins. But yes to God it is not about if you do this you will go to hell or not. That's not Christianity at all. It is about whether or not you are covered by His grace or standing alone on your own. That doesn't mean we are free to sin as much as we want but that our sins are covered. So no masturbation doesnt cut you off from God, but that said if you are able to stop at some point then it actually feels like you can get on with many different things in life and that weight is lifted.

[gothy]

To me. I couldn't care less about the concept of sin. To me it is how organized religion controls the followers. Through fear and guilt.

The only important thing is to be good and not hurt others. Not cuz god says so or whatever, but because life sucks as it is. We should try to make it suck less for others.


So is mastrubation hurting others?

No.

So to me it isn't wrong.

[Bull]

Any religious dogma that is not supported in explicit Biblical text is invalid.
As far as the Roman Catholic Church goes, it needs to clean up its own mess with priests abusing young boys, and nuns and priests who are not celibate, instead of covering it up and then telling people they are committing a mortal sin when they masturbate! Come on get real. I am not Catholic, but I am a born again Christian who is more spiritual than religious. Religious institutions are run by fallible men and women, therefore they are fallible and more people centered than God centered. But to answer the question, No masturbation is not a sin according to the Bible.

[nklarke]

I'm Jewish. Masturbation is not well seen, in fact is forbidden but it doesn't mean that if you do it you go to hell or something like that. At least in Judaism that doesn't work like that.

GOD is the Judge and He takes in consideration all what you do, the good things and bad things.

[hockeyfan]

I'm Catholic and don't think it's a sin

[Swimmer98]

I'm Catholic and don't think it's a sin
Yea, I'm still debating it. Guess it varies depending on your religion and your personal feelings about it mainly.
Thanks for the responses so far, would love to see how others feel about it.

[TheN3rdyOutcast]

If it was a sin, then it wouldn't have so many benefits. I don't really have a religion.

[nascar_alex]

I don't belive it's a sin, of it id im going deep down in hell

[Swimmer98]

Thanks for the responses guys! When you first started masturbating did you feel guilty about it because it was a sin or another reason?

[ChaseDakoda]

Wow. I am a catholic and hay you catholic guys remember catechism? We were told its a sin and we shoudl pray for strength to onercome the sin of masturbation. Remember? I do it but sometimes I feel like I have sinned. I still do it. I was in 6th grade and went to first confession ad the priest chewed my ass out for doing it and said some wid things. Ya he scared me for like 4 months before I was thinking one day no human can go without masturbating not even the pope. So i ask for strength but I think its ok.

[Cole98]

I'm going to hell.

[Swimmer98]

Wow. I am a catholic and hay you catholic guys remember catechism? We were told its a sin and we shoudl pray for strength to onercome the sin of masturbation. Remember? I do it but sometimes I feel like I have sinned. I still do it. I was in 6th grade and went to first confession ad the priest chewed my ass out for doing it and said some wid things. Ya he scared me for like 4 months before I was thinking one day no human can go without masturbating not even the pope. So i ask for strength but I think its ok.

Yea, I don't know if masturbation is something you should confess about or not. Many people I've talked to don't believe in confessing that because they don't believe it's a sin, though they are catholic as well.

[Swimmer98]

Thanks for all the comments guys! Interesting to see how people view it

[Just a Guy]

I'm a Christian and I don't know if it's a sin or not so I try to not do it but occationally I'll slip up and end up jacking off but after I do I feel so dirty, anyone else feel that way?

[chrisawesome]

If it was a sin we would ALL be in hell!