Is masturbation sinful?

[afton]

Many people have debated about this, but I have not found any conclusive
answer yet. Is masturbation sinful?

[McCulloch]

sex is 100% about reproduction, be it a direct cause (fertilization) or an indirect cause (relational bonding of a male and female).

How did you come to that conclusion?

[ConiectoErgoSum]

i got fed up with thinking I was 'in love' with girl after girl, only to discover that, when I went without seeing her, the drive mysteriously dissipated. then I came to realize that physical attraction is what separates a best friend from a lover - and sex is the result of physical attraction. also, from observing couples around me, it seems that adults with kids have sex less than young couples without kids. I hypothesize that the sex drive is still necessary to hold a couple together after reproduction, for parenting purposes and to encourage further reproduction, but is less strong because said sex drive has achieved its intended result. furthermore, it makes tons of sense that the survival of the species would be one of our genetic top priorities, right up there with survival of our self. there have been studies that show how the various chemicals (testosterone, dopamine, vasopressin) contribute to sexual pleasure and drive in ways that promote reproduction and/or establish a long-term bond conducive to raising children (sorry I saw it on a Discovery Channel show, and can't provide any written references. I think it's pretty well known how these chemicals work, and you can probably see it with a google search).

from a biblical standpoint, sex is not frequently discussed except in Song of Songs (where sex is about furthering a loving bond, but my premise is that this bond is only different from any other loving bond in that it builds couples for parenting purposes), and in the Torah (in reference to what not to do), and with relation to adultery and a few other times in the new testament. in the bible, marriage is seen as a necessary thing, and expressly related to sex - one couple is intended to remain together for life if at all possible. sex is viewed as a good act in this context only. Matthew 5:27 rejects even lust outside of one's own significant other. however, marriage, and thusly sex, is viewed as something that does not exist in heaven (Matt. 22:30). scripturally, sex is then a practical way of reproducing, and its limitations are also practical and earthly. for a God who says that we should not store up earthly treasures (see Luke 12:13 and on), a thing that does not exist in heaven can only be good on earth insomuch as it furthers an eternal cause. sex does not last forever, but new lives do. thus, biblically, sex must be entirely about reproduction, be it direct or indirect.

[cnorman18]

i got fed up with thinking I was 'in love' with girl after girl, only to discover that, when I went without seeing her, the drive mysteriously dissipated. then I came to realize that physical attraction is what separates a best friend from a lover - and sex is the result of physical attraction. also, from observing couples around me, it seems that adults with kids have sex less than young couples without kids. I hypothesize that the sex drive is still necessary to hold a couple together after reproduction, for parenting purposes and to encourage further reproduction, but is less strong because said sex drive has achieved its intended result. furthermore, it makes tons of sense that the survival of the species would be one of our genetic top priorities, right up there with survival of our self. there have been studies that show how the various chemicals (testosterone, dopamine, vasopressin) contribute to sexual pleasure and drive in ways that promote reproduction and/or establish a long-term bond conducive to raising children (sorry I saw it on a Discovery Channel show, and can't provide any written references. I think it's pretty well known how these chemicals work, and you can probably see it with a google search).

from a biblical standpoint, sex is not frequently discussed except in Song of Songs (where sex is about furthering a loving bond, but my premise is that this bond is only different from any other loving bond in that it builds couples for parenting purposes), and in the Torah (in reference to what not to do), and with relation to adultery and a few other times in the new testament. in the bible, marriage is seen as a necessary thing, and expressly related to sex - one couple is intended to remain together for life if at all possible. sex is viewed as a good act in this context only. Matthew 5:27 rejects even lust outside of one's own significant other. however, marriage, and thusly sex, is viewed as something that does not exist in heaven (Matt. 22:30). scripturally, sex is then a practical way of reproducing, and its limitations are also practical and earthly. for a God who says that we should not store up earthly treasures (see Luke 12:13 and on), a thing that does not exist in heaven can only be good on earth insomuch as it furthers an eternal cause. sex does not last forever, but new lives do. thus, biblically, sex must be entirely about reproduction, be it direct or indirect.

Okay. How does any of that make masturbation sinful?

Of COURSE sex is about reproduction; that's what it's FOR. But it's also for pleasure, in humans. That's easily proven; animals are generally only interested in sex when it's possible for the female to conceive; at other times, it's not a factor. Humans, on the other hand, are interested in sex ALL the time, and that interest often continues into later years. Seniors are far more sexually active than most younger people think - and while sexual activities can extend well into the 80s, conception presumably does not.

I'm a single guy about to turn sixty with no romantic prospects, and really no interest in pursuing a relationship. Why should I deny harmless pleasure to myself? What should I do, take up knitting?

In the Jewish faith, sexuality is a gift, not a weakness; and sex is to be celebrated - granted, within marriage - not avoided. There are no Jewish nuns or monks, and though celibacy is not considered exactly sinful, it is thought of as spitting on one of God's most precious gifts. Not a sin, but not very smart.

Masturbation is only a sin if sexual pleasure is somehow evil in and of itself. It isn't. Period, full stop.

[McCulloch]

i got fed up with thinking I was 'in love' with girl after girl, only to discover that, when I went without seeing her, the drive mysteriously dissipated. then I came to realize that physical attraction is what separates a best friend from a lover - and sex is the result of physical attraction. also, from observing couples around me, it seems that adults with kids have sex less than young couples without kids. I hypothesize that the sex drive is still necessary to hold a couple together after reproduction, for parenting purposes and to encourage further reproduction, but is less strong because said sex drive has achieved its intended result. furthermore, it makes tons of sense that the survival of the species would be one of our genetic top priorities, right up there with survival of our self. there have been studies that show how the various chemicals (testosterone, dopamine, vasopressin) contribute to sexual pleasure and drive in ways that promote reproduction and/or establish a long-term bond conducive to raising children (sorry I saw it on a Discovery Channel show, and can't provide any written references. I think it's pretty well known how these chemicals work, and you can probably see it with a google search).

Similarly, it can be shown that eating serves nutritive needs. However, I do not conclude, and I would guess neither would you, that any eating that does not directly serve this goal would be morally wrong. Sex is not just all about reproduction; food is not just about nutrition.

from a biblical standpoint, [...]

How nice for you. I am willing to admit that the writers of the Bible may have been wrong.

[ConiectoErgoSum]

McCulloch, you're saying that there's leftover pleasure even after reproductive motives are used up. i get that. so i said that sexuality outside of reproduction is

either neutral or bad

the question in this case is whether or not it's really neutral; maybe it just seems like 'harmless pleasure' at the time, but has negative consequences later.

eating food that does not contribute to nourishment, but just pleasure, seems harmless, does it not? yet it is rather apparent from american culture that there are negative consequences. perhaps a person can eat for pleasure and not get fat. but even if they do, they've maintained only neutrality.

perhaps you're right. if it can be proven that it truly is harmless pleasure, then it's not bad. if drinking is harmless pleasure, it's not bad. Jesus was all about havin' a party.

the problem is, with something that has a tendency to be very addicting, the chances of moral neutrality are slim, and the chances of harm are great. this is especially true when it comes to sexuality.

[melikio]

I think it best to leave the efficacy of masturbation between God and the individual human being.

I think there are some scientific/health reasons that 'may' support masturbation being beneficial for men; but I don't think one should ever hope to use it as a substitute for intimate relationships.

Now, when we're talking about people who are celibate, it is a reality that not all people have the will or opportunity to be 'partnered'. And in those cases that may be their only outlet.

Even people observing celibacy have a libido (it doesn't just SNAP OFF like a switch)... so I think there are good reasons why a person would masturbate.

Be all that as it may, I think the question is something that is between a person's conscience and whatever other moral factors they hold within.

[FinalEnigma]

after a week or two of not having sex or masturbating, ones sperm becomes old and inactive, thus reducing fertility.
God said to be fruitful and multiply. I can't see how doing something to increase one's chance of that could possibly be a sin.

Masturbation is also extremely good for your health. It reduces pain, relieves stress, and frequent masturbation can greatly reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.

God did not make rules that are bad for our health.

[Goat]

after a week or two of not having sex or masturbating, ones sperm becomes old and inactive, thus reducing fertility.
God said to be fruitful and multiply. I can't see how doing something to increase one's chance of that could possibly be a sin.

Masturbation is also extremely good for your health. It reduces pain, relieves stress, and frequent masturbation can greatly reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.

God did not make rules that are bad for our health.

Not to mention reduces the risk of prostate cancer (that old and inactive sperm has a detrimental effect). Of course, there will be those that say 'Well, that is why God made women'.

[FinalEnigma]

after a week or two of not having sex or masturbating, ones sperm becomes old and inactive, thus reducing fertility.
God said to be fruitful and multiply. I can't see how doing something to increase one's chance of that could possibly be a sin.

Masturbation is also extremely good for your health. It reduces pain, relieves stress, and frequent masturbation can greatly reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.

God did not make rules that are bad for our health.

Not to mention reduces the risk of prostate cancer (that old and inactive sperm has a detrimental effect). Of course, there will be those that say 'Well, that is why God made women'.

the only problem with that reply is that it implies you can go out and get sex whenever you want. It doesn't work that way. Could try prostitutes, but that's a sin.
and I mentioned that about prostate cancer. :p

[Flail]

after a week or two of not having sex or masturbating, ones sperm becomes old and inactive, thus reducing fertility.
God said to be fruitful and multiply. I can't see how doing something to increase one's chance of that could possibly be a sin.

Masturbation is also extremely good for your health. It reduces pain, relieves stress, and frequent masturbation can greatly reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.

God did not make rules that are bad for our health.

Not to mention reduces the risk of prostate cancer (that old and inactive sperm has a detrimental effect). Of course, there will be those that say 'Well, that is why God made women'.

the only problem with that reply is that it implies you can go out and get sex whenever you want. It doesn't work that way. Could try prostitutes, but that's a sin.
and I mentioned that about prostate cancer. :p

Your masturbation is irrelevant to me...and your opinion of my masturbation is none of my business.