Masturbation... is it wrong?

[christalee4]

Why would it be more sinful to enjoy the pleasure of masturbation than say, a massage? Either one is a pleasure of the flesh. Both have benefits. Yet one is more sinful than the other? I don't get it. If God created us to feel pleasure, then it would seem to me that it is a sin to not experience that which God has created.

Massage involves interaction with another person, and nothing was specified about relationship between the massager and massagee.

Masturbation is termed as an act of solitude, unless one is doing it in the presence of another.

Promiscuous sexual relations between strangers in any form is a sad situation. Masturbation for single people and beween people who have a relationship is a healthy outlet for sexual tension.

 

[Danhalen]

Massage involves interaction with another person, and nothing was specified about relationship between the massager and massagee.

Masturbation is termed as an act of solitude, unless one is doing it in the presence of another.

Promiscuous sexual relations between strangers in any form is a sad situation. Masturbation for single people and beween people who have a relationship is a healthy outlet for sexual tension.

Yeah, I know. You seem to be agreeing with me. My question was rhetorical.

 

[Ninja Turtles]

On a few check-ups I went to they're like...

"Here's a cup..."

And I was like... "Should I pee in it?" And they were like.

"No... we want you to [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] into it."



But I did, and than I handed him the cup, and than I walked out of the office, and have yet to do it since. That was a couple of months ago.

Think about it this way, if you let something sit for an extended period of time, it will sour. If you don't eat for a long time, you disgestive system deteriorates. You need to keep food moving through the system with regular bowel movements. Like wise you need to do the same with your reproductive organs, women have this with their period, men need to keep the prostate moving, else you are at a higher risk of prostate cancer.

 

[jamicon]

No, it is not a sin. Masturbation is not mentioned in the Bible. Yes, children start to touch at a very young age (many, but not all children, even though not to [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]). No, Christ's statements about lust do not include masturbation unless you are coveting another's spouse or desiring a Biblically illicit sexual encounter (rape, incest, beastiality, etc.) I guess I don't need citations since we are not talking about homosexuality. But, some books are by Philo Thelos, L William Countryman, and Ecker and of course the good old New King James Version.

How else can you find another physically and mentally attractive without LUSTING for them. Jesus was not overturning the entire sexual history of the Jews or Jewish law. It was merely an extension of the ADULTERY law from only action (which was Jewish) to intent (the new purity law of the heart). It is assumed that since the INTENT theory applies to adultery, then it was also extended to all sexual immorality (porneia).

 

[DrGather]

So you're saying all love that involves attraction also involve Lust?

 

[Donut Hole]

Sing along now:

Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.

 

[DrGather]

*Sings along

Rather catchy

 

[jamicon]

Yes, I am. Lust in the modern sense. The idea of lust that I am expressing is the desire to have sex with a person. If you can have a desire to have sex with a person without having thoughts about having sex with them, then you have a neat trick not many would want to share. "Lust" can mean many different things. The Biblical equivalent, in my opinion, is "coveting" or an intense desire for an occurrence (intent).

But, if you believe that pre-marital or extra-marital sex is wrong (no matter what the situation), then you would have to believe that all desire or longing for a sexual encounter (fantasy) would be wrong and sinful. But, wouldn't that mean that you could not fantasize about your future wife? Could you touch thinking about your wedding night? That seems pretty ridiculous and inconsistent with the scripture (in my opinion).

 

[DrGather]

The idea of lust that I am expressing is the desire to have sex with a person.

When I think someone is beautiful, I think someone is beautiful That is what I think. When I think someone is smart, I think someone is smart. When I think about this person, and let's call this person my Girlfriend, I do not have sexual thoughts about her. Why?

Because I have no desire. She's beautiful. When I think she's beautiful that's what I think.

I don't think... "Wow she's Hot. I want to do her."

I think "Wow she's beautiful." and that is it. And than I express that. I have no sexual desire.

 

[Lucretius]

I don't think... "Wow she's Hot. I want to do her."

Well you should think that.

 

[jamicon]

Well, that is an interesting idea. I understand your basic application (which is how I feel most of the time), but in order to have sex you have to intend to have sex. Just wondering, if you are to marry, when and where will you form that intent? Isn't the intent implied in marriage? Do you believe that you cannot have any fantasy or thought until after the marriage ceremony?

Many of these "traditional" interpretations are so difficult to comprehend. To get from the Old Testament, then to the New Testament, then to "traditional" interpretations you have to do mental gymnastics. Then, even if you buy their argument, the scripture contradicts itself in multiple places and becomes ridiculous. Now, that is just my opinion based upon my attempt to study every sexual verse and reading multiple books. But, it is not the first time I was told something by the church, then studied the subject myself and completely disagreed.

Your efforts are very noble, but in my opinion unfortunate. However, I believe that your heart is truly in the right place. Just months ago I would have agreed with you, but after four months of study, I am respectfully dissenting from the "traditional" view.

 

[DrGather]

If I marry it will not be for Sex. And after marriage, Having Sex with your partner is not Lust.

 

[Mechanical Bliss]

If no... Why is it not wrong?

It's harmless and arguably both physically and psychologically beneficial.

 

[DrGather]

psychologically beneficial.

Psychologically... How so?

 

[Mechanical Bliss]

Psychologically... How so?

Masturbation becomes an outlet or relief for repressed sexuality.

Repressing one's sexual desires by not allowing for any release in a natural biological function can tend to lead to obsessive and unhealthy thoughts of sexuality, and repressed sexuality is often linked to things like violence.

 

[Romany]

I think masturbation is wrong for the same reason Dr. Gather thinks it's wrong.

Romany

 

[invisible trousers]

^^^ Which are...? I'm not familiar with with Dr. Gather

No, I don't think masturbation is wrong, and I don't think it's a sin. You have to jump through some little hoops to make it a sin. Also the fact that it's not mentioned in the bible at all lends me to believe that if it were something that drastically affected your relationship with God, He would have decided to at least mention it in passing.

Guilt is a very, very powerful tool.

edit: i didn't realize dr gather is someone who posted in this thread

 

[chuck010342]

Is it a sin? Is it wrong?

If so Why?

Personally I would say yes... but if this turns into a debate, than I'll put in my two cents.

It is not wrong because the scriptures don't say anything about it.

 

[Silent Bob]

How can masturbation be wrong?

I don't get it. I know what the bible says but what kind of a God honestly cares about what you do in the shower/toilet/bed/[add your favorite location here] by yourself?

Who can possibly get hurt from masturbation, except you if you get overzealous and you hurt yourself? (ROLF is that even possible?)

On the other hand I have two friends who do not touch or have sex. One is a complete crazy stalking sex fiend the other completely mad about the military and killing people of other nationalities. I know that a two folk survey is not at all scientific but it is enough to tell me that what I did half an hour ago is a possitive thing.

 

[Gracchus]

Our government is killing innocents, holding persons without charges, counsel or trial, sanctioning torture, and you folks are agonizing over whether it is wrong to spank the monkey?!

KJV Matthew 7:3

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

KJV Matthew 23:24

Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.