masturbation and religion? Two conficting ordeals...

[MyNinja]

Hi everyone,

 

A couple of days ago the discussion of masturbation and religion came up. The speaker said that even though masturbation isnt specifically stated in the bible, it's something that shouldn't be performed.

 

The whole point of this is that I don't want to get my religion mixed up with masturbation (christian)...you see any person you ask, well maybe not any, would say "masturbation is perfectly normal and heathy to do" (even doctors says it's heathy) I mean i don't deny that its unheathy or anything it's just that i get so confused because i get the normal sexual desires like any other teen...and i get ashamed because in christianity that would be lust.....im getting headaches just trying to sort this out..

it's almost impossible to not have some sort of sexual feelings for someone at one point or another. i mean something's not right

thanks for your responses

[Fenrisulfr]

So everyone says masturbation is good, but 'some guy' says the bible says (but doesn't specifically state) it isn't? And now you want to know who is wrong?

 

Which country do you live in?

[MyNinja]

umm ok.

 

i dont know if that's a joke but if you really want to know.....obviously america.....please dont reply if it's not going to be taken seriously. thanks

[Loner8080]

if it doesn't state it in the bibe, then it is simply that man INTERPRETING(making it mean what he or she wants) the bible. Other christian churches probably do not hold this stance.

 

Read your book, find out for YOURSELF what it says.

[Fenrisulfr]

Hey, I am taking you serious. And yes I guessed it was America.

 

But does it not seem obvious to you what is wrong with the situation? (and that's what I tried pointing out -- not trying to make fun of you or anything)

[skyteph]

umm ok.

 

i dont know if that's a joke but if you really want to know.....obviously america.....please dont reply if it's not going to be taken seriously. thanks

 

I'm sure she did the best she could

 

Anyway, you should do what feels right, not what some guy thinks is right. Follow your heart and take your head with you

 

IMHO I believe that religion gets in the way of life, it causes so many conflicts and if we could all just accept that nobody knows the meaning of life (etc) then all these wars on who is right would cease to happen. And I know it's a little off topic (I sure hope it's not counted as flamming, if it is I am sorry) but although it's nice to believe that there is a god out there that will comfort us, it's silly to think that he would punish someone for masturbating, considering that it is both healthy and natural.

[DragonGirl724]

youd be AMAZED that the ones who usually preach the most...do the exact opposite. they sometimes find its ok if they do it sneakily & pray for forgiveness after eachtime. some also find that it balances out b/c they inform others to 'follow in the ways if The Lord' & think oh its ok i do it b/c i help spread the 'word of The Bible' by informing others not to sin. so if I do it then i make up for it.

 

what i think it means is that The Bible (referring back to Adam & Eve) punished Adam & Eve for giving into evil temptations. and whatever the church doesnt want you to do is considered 'evil & dirty' to them. so they threaten you to feel shameful for your self-enflicting sin & that if you do it youre going to hell for it.

 

oh please...if thats the case then i must be condemned to the firey depths of hell. see you all there!

 

-DG724

[tiger_lilies]

You ask a very good question. My family are Roman Catholics and with us, masterbation and sex are not openly discussed. Our priests are one of the only religions, that I am familiar with, which does not allow them to have sex...abstinence. Same with our nuns.

 

Yet, I remember watching a documentary on sex and they had interviewed a priest (Catholic) who openly admitted to masterbation as he said that he is a man just like any other man. The only difference is that he made the conscience descision to abstane from sex, hence why he entered the priesthood.

 

Christians and Catholics are quite similar. I suggest that you talk privately to someone at your church who can answer that question for you.

 

I'd just like to say..good for you for thinking about something like this instead of sweeping the thought under the carpet. It shows that you have a conscience with your desicion making.

[MyNinja]

yup i already checked in the bible and even prayed for all of this, but somehow i still feel confused as to whether masturbation is wrong or just something that humans do.

 

as far s health issues go, the speaker said that it has opposite effects, as we may become dependent on masturbation and not hold out until marriage to have sex.........sorry if im talking in circles here or making absolutely no sense.........hey its hard trying to get all that info out of your head! (just kidding)

[DragonGirl724]

mo'Nique,

 

if it makes you feel any better...animals do it too. my friend was at the zoo & witnessed a manatee rubbing one off. lol

 

thought id share that story with you. (details to come if anyone is interested) lol

 

-DG724

[MyNinja]

thanks alot tiger-lilies we need more people like you who can relate to other's situations and give good input....

[MyNinja]

Dragongirl

 

that statement you made about the animals just reminded me of the time my bird (cocktail) was perched on my finger, well the bird started rubbing it's underside vigorously on my finger and i got grossed out by it and flung the bird off my finger. ...just thought id tell you, not getting off subject......!

[DragonGirl724]

hahahahahhahhahahaahha thats so funny!!!! lol yea my puppy used to hump me & id get so mad id toss him off of me. lol

 

ps: youre not gonna go to hell for masterbating.

 

-DG724

[geo_jane]

LOL

For some reason this thread reminds me of that cheerleader sketch on SNL that Sheri O'Teri and Will Farrell used to do. They would end their cheers with:

 

"Sex can wait. Masterbate"

 

Unfortunately, I have no constructive advice to add. Except this thought: If you are good person in every way, why would God fault you for trying to get rid of a little sexual frustration?

[I_love_rain_hugs_and_you]

No Comment

[Day_Walker]

I believe that you have to understand from a religious perspective that you are being taught what they feel to be moral. Its a moral issue as far as the bible is concerned. I have heard it explained this way within the context of christianity, Masterbation can lead to impure thoughts which is is a sin. What you have to understand is that masterbation is normal because most humans have or continue to masterbate. If they are your religious beliefs then you have to decide what you feel is appropriate. It does also say something whne masterbation isnt mentioned in the bible and another person is interpreting what their thoughts are on the subject and expecting you to follow what they say. The best advice I can give you is to make up your own mind.

[PAdreamer]

mo'Nique, I know exactly where you're coming from. Being a Christian myself, one thing I've had to come to terms with is that every person has their own personal stand on their religious views and what they are and are NOT willing to follow. I can't remember specifically if it says it in the Bible... I think it IS in there... I'll see if I can find it for you.

 

However, don't misunderstand me. Being a Christian, I believe what I believe, but I ALSO am willing to make my own decisions about what I will and will not follow, even if I DO believe it's correct. For example, the Bible says that sex outside of marriage is a sin. I believe that, but I personally have decided that I will knowingly go against it. I don't feel bad about it- it's my personal choice, and I'll deal with it. You decide what you will or will not do. The only question is, are you willing to accept consequences for your choices?

[arwen]

Hey Mo'nique,

 

I understand perfectly... I was raised a christian, by very devout parents. They were very apt about not having sex before marriage, etc. The issue of masturbation wasn't even talked about. Like PA, I started to make my own decisions about sex and love, definitions of relations, etc. I choose not to refer to myself as a christian, because I can't relate to many aspects of christianity. That's a personal choice I have made for now, who knows things will develop in other directions later in life.

 

My experience with the morals of christianity have been that I have been in many inner conflicts between what the bible/church/parents have taught me about life, and what I think myself. I have been in serious problems because it got me so worried that I would be the worst daughter to my parents, being brought up with the thought that the christian belief exactly in THIS way (the way of my specific church, which was evangelical), was THE way. Any deviation in life from that way, is a sin.

 

It took some time before I realized life is more or less a set of your own choices. For me this means, if you are a christian, you should be a christian because of your personal convictions and beliefs and faith. Not because your parents want you to be one. Even if you are a devout christian, there are still very different interpretations of the bible. There is no RIGHT one in my opinion. You cannot force a belief on someone else. If you feel it isn't right for you to masturbate, because you are convinced God didn't intend humans to perform on feelings of lust, that's understandable. But choose so because of YOUR conviction. Not because of what others tell you.

 

I hope this helped,

 

Ilse.

[Napoleon Bonaparte]

Masterbation IS my religion. Thus they aren't mutually exclusive.

[DragonGirl724]

lol! sweet reply napoloeon.

 

-DG724

[Luke Skywalker]

link removed

 

This link argues that masturbation (sexual fantasy thoughts without intent) is not sinful as there is no 'intent' involved.

 

link removed

 

This link also argues that masturbation is not sinful.

 

On my other thread on this section (relating to a Mortgage broker who made a comment directly related to thought-matter masturbated on the morning before), people have argued that masturbation was sinful.

 

In experience, I have experienced no conviction for masturbation, sex fantasy or even looking at porn. The worst thing I did last year where conviction was experienced (the feeling I did something wrong or went too far), was an arrangement to meet someone from adultfriendfinder at the a mall accross town with the intent of having sex. Although I aborted, I felt I had committed a 'thought-crime'. Hence, my own convictions do not suggest that occasional masturbation is sinful.

 

However, I'd like to keep the gauntet of this thread on and hopefully have some further serious discussion on this matter.

[Dilemma]

yup i already checked in the bible and even prayed for all of this, but somehow i still feel confused as to whether masturbation is wrong or just something that humans do.

 

as far s health issues go, the speaker said that it has opposite effects, as we may become dependent on masturbation and not hold out until marriage to have sex.........sorry if im talking in circles here or making absolutely no sense.........hey its hard trying to get all that info out of your head! (just kidding)

 

If you would feel guilty about it and regret doing it, then don't.

 

But if you think it's ok and that God understands you, then proceed.

 

Remember, that you can interpret the bible anyway you can. Everybody can have his or her own version of it. What is important is that you get the message. That you become a good and responsible Christian or basically a good person inside and out.

[Gracelove]

Oh my gosh! I can totally relate!

I remember when my friends were suggesting that I do it. One of them is sooo sweet, and one of my favorite friends, I really admire her.

I went to the book store and got the concordence (sp?) And I looked up every scripture on masturbation.

I didn't find anything saying that it was wrong. And I only saw it in reference to men.

So it's weird.

Because if it's healthy and normal I want to be doing it like everyone else.

But if it's bad (like I've heard a preacher say once), then I don't want to commit another sin if I can avoid it.

It's conflicting I know. Espicially since, in my home, it was never discussed.

Even now, I throw away vibrators I've purchased when I think my parents might discover them.

[timlondon]

If God hadn't wanted you to masturbate he wouldn't have given you hands

[Iceman26]

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