Am I going to hell because I masturbate?

[ChristIsLord]

Rubbish. You telling me most Catholics - at least the practicing ones - don’t love God more than they fear Him? Very few people keep their faith long with a primarily fearful attitude, really.

Bishop Fulton Sheen said, on the strength of his many decades of experience as a confessor, that perfect contrition was more common in his experience than imperfect. He was one perceptive cookie, so I’d take his word for it absent any similarly weighty evidence to the contrary.

See if one is MAINLY motivated by fear of hell that is imperfect contrition, but most people who confess actually do so mostly because they DO love God and actually are sorry for their sins out of that love, not out of fear or anything else. So those majority would have that same love of God, and hence perfect contrition, outside the confessional too.

I disagree with you, especially with masturbation, that’s one sin people confess solely because they fear it will send them to hell not because they feel it offended God. Most I would wager confess it knowing full well that they will break and do it again in the near future, hopefully with enough time to get to the booth before they get hit by a bus.

I fear God much more than I love Him, I’ve never met the Man how could I have any deep love for Him? Yet if He has the power to send me to eternal hellfire, whether I’ve met Him or not I’ll most certainly fear Him, most Catholics that I know at least especially the men fall into this category.

 

[Amishrakefight]

In Men’s Health magazine they surveyed that over 90% of men masturbate for health reasons. What I do not understand is how semen is released without masturbating and not is a sinful way for non-married Catholic? I understand about the faith stuff. I am more concerned that my health is not screwed up with this semen build-up inside. It may cause cancer.

 

[RichT]

In Men’s Health magazine they surveyed that over 90% of men masturbate for health reasons. What I do not understand is how semen is released without masturbating and not is a sinful way for non-married Catholic? I understand about the faith stuff. I am more concerned that my health is not screwed up with this semen build-up inside. It may cause cancer.

Some studies have shown that men who ejaculate regularly have a reduced risk for prostate cancer. I have heard of other studies to the contrary. I also was once told by a Urologist that any man who lives long enough will get prostate cancer no matter what. Now when given the choice of who to follow, I think I’ll listen to God on this one.

 

[FM927]

So, are you comparing Yoga to Masturbation?

I was not making that specific comparison. Since you thought I did, just tell me who exactly is being hurt by doing either without bringing religion into the equation?

 

[Melchior]

I love this quote.

“Achievement of your happiness is the only moral purpose of your life, and that happiness … is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of your values.” -Ayn Rand

so that’s right. it IS about me. obviously I care about other people, too, because doing nice things for other people is something that makes me happy, but I find nothing wrong with placing myself first.

nobody’s saying I don’t love others or come to their aide… masturbating isn’t infringing upon anyone else’s rights, is it?

Sadly, Ayn Rand lived quite a miserable and sad life, particularly in her last years. Objectivism was and is a fiction and hedonism and being a libertine never leads to a life well lived. At some point, when pleasure stops filling the void you will start to wonder, “what’s the point?”. So by all means look to Rand and learn from her. Her philosophy failed her completely.

 

[Writer]

I disagree with you, especially with masturbation, that’s one sin people confess solely because they fear it will send them to hell not because they feel it offended God. Most I would wager confess it knowing full well that they will break and do it again in the near future, hopefully with enough time to get to the booth before they get hit by a bus.

I fear God much more than I love Him, I’ve never met the Man how could I have any deep love for Him? Yet if He has the power to send me to eternal hellfire, whether I’ve met Him or not I’ll most certainly fear Him, most Catholics that I know at least especially the men fall into this category.

Christ laid down His life in order that sinners like you and all of us might have eternal life. If you can’t love someone who surrendered His life (in excruciating agony) in exchange for your eternal soul, what exactly are the prerequisites you’re looking for? If your idea of Christ and the Church is all about rules and fear, then you need to attend to your own spiritual condition speedily… That’s what is truly frightening–that you would exchange the mystery and beauty of salvation for a lie.

 

[Melchior]

In Men’s Health magazine they surveyed that over 90% of men masturbate for health reasons. What I do not understand is how semen is released without masturbating and not is a sinful way for non-married Catholic? I understand about the faith stuff. I am more concerned that my health is not screwed up with this semen build-up inside. It may cause cancer.

It is a myth that it just builds up. Like most bodily fluids, you body re-absorbs or releases it on it’s own in a couple of different ways. You will not explode if you if you do not release it is not the same as a full bladder. It is more similar to blood than urine (though not really similar to either).

 

[ChristIsLord]

Christ laid down His life in order that sinners like you and all of us might have eternal life. If you can’t love someone who surrendered His life (in excruciating agony) in exchange for your eternal soul, what exactly are the prerequisites you’re looking for? **If your idea of Christ and the Church is all about rules and fear, then you need to attend to your own spiritual condition speedily… **That’s what is truly frightening–that you would exchange the mystery and beauty of salvation for a lie.

We all love Christ’s sacrifice trust me I do, and I love the Lord as much as one can love someone they’ve never met. I’ve never met Christ, I’ve never spoken to Christ, Christ has never spoken to me. How then can I rationally say I love Him more than I fear Him? In order to truly love you must form a relationship, forming a relationship with someone who occupies another reality and does not communicate with you I would wager impossible even if people claim to do so.

If you think fearing God and living by rules etc… is a “lie” then you are pretty much denying the Catholic faith for its first 1950 years of existence.

 

[ForwardProgress]

Back to the original question:

I’ve been told by several real life priests (not internet people) that while MB is disordered and not what God wants for us, there are several mitigating factors that can cause the actor to not be culpable for his/her sin.

The posters are right here on the act’s morality. It is not what God intended the reproductive parts to be used for.

BUT…given our fallen sinful natures and the way we were brought up, and countless other things we have learned to use these parts to bring about a certain result without using the right tool for the job…kind of like banging in a nail with a high heel shoe. The end result is the same, but it’s not what the shoe was made for.

You HAVE to talk with a confessor and give the relevant circumstantial info as to why you perform MB. Something somewhere is causing you to do it. Based on that, the confessor can give you advice as to your culpability (guiltyness) of the sin.

Kind of like a person who kills someone. Killing someone is gravely evil, no matter if it was in self defense, war, revenge, etc…but culpability can vary (self defense for example). The act was evil, but you are not guilty due to the self-defense aspect.

Again, only a priest can help you determine your present and future culpability. Do not despair! Definately try to get it out of your life, but don’t be so hard on yourself while you work it out.

 

[RichT]

I was not making that specific comparison. Since you thought I did, just tell me who exactly is being hurt by doing either without bringing religion into the equation?

Well it seemed as though you were comparing the two which would be a huge stretch. Secondly, to ask me not to bring religion into it on a Catholic Forum just isn’t going to happen. The OP has said she was Catholic, so she is obligated to follow church teaching. So under that pretense, she is hurting herself and God by her actions. As far as Yoga is concerned, it has already been established that Yoga without the Eastern Meditation is okay. Besides, it’s a form of exercise at that point and not a form of inappropriate sexual activity. Huge difference.

 

[kage_ar]

To the OP.

It seems the root of the problem is that you are not practicing your Faith. Yes, in order to practice your Faith, you go to Confession. Please, take time this Advent season to make a good Confession. Staying away from Jesus in Confession and the Eucharist does hurt you. The Sacraments give us strength to live our lives with peace and get to Heaven!

 

[Amishrakefight]

Mu Urologist claims it is necessary to masturbate. The Urologist went as far as not to be concerned with faith as much as one’s own health. He said the amount of semen is important. Most men ejaculate 2.5 - 5 milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc) (1/2 - 1 teaspoon) of semen. Either significantly higher or lower amounts can be a sign of trouble in guys my age. Amounts greater than 1 cc but lower than 2.5 cc may indicate prostate problems or frequent intercourse. A semen sample that is less than 1 cc could indicate a blockage of the ejaculatory ducts or other tubular abnormalities. No ejaculate at all may signal retrograde ejaculation. High amounts of ejaculate may, in some cases, also contribute to infertility. If you do not masturbate or have sex how would you be able to check on your health without sinning by doing so? No one has answered me yet.

 

[Catholic_JIMMY]

it doesn’t feel wrong or shameful because it isn’t wrong or shameful… that’s one reason why it’s so nice to be an Atheist… we can masturbate whenever we need to, it feels amazing, it’s healthy, and there’s no reason to feel bad for doing it because it’s a natural part of human sexuality, which you said yourself. I’m a woman and I masturbate whenever I feel the need, which is probably three times a week, or sometimes twice a day. I’m a virgin and I plan on staying a virgin until the day my faraway boyfriend moves in with me. we won’t have children when we eventually get married, because we don’t like them. see how liberating it is? I’m not being tied down, I feel no guilt, and I have no fear of being punished for doing things that affect no one but myself. if only you could be as free as I. I honestly feel bad for you. hug

Off subject, but what are you going to do when you are about to die. Masturbate some more?

 

[Wyatt]

Catholicgirl,

I understand what you are going through. In all honesty, every time I have went to confession I have had to confess masturbation. It is difficult, and I realize it may be different for you than it was for me since I am male, but let me tell you, it was embarrassing the first time I mentioned it. I also sat face to face with my priest when I made my first confession (I will have been Catholic for two years this coming April).

As some others have said, there are factors which reduce or eliminate culpability for this type of sin. That is for your confessor to determine. After discussion with my priest at length regarding my struggle with lust, he explained to me why it wasn’t mortal sin in my situation. I would wager to guess it would not be for most people our age. Try not to beat yourself up too much about it, but do get to confession. You’ll feel better after talking to someone about it. Trust me, you aren’t the first girl that that priest has heard confess sexual sins, nor will you be the last. I would recommend what others have said to either sit behind the screen, or if you think your pastor will recognize your voice, get to another parish for confession.

 

[bilop]

Mu Urologist claims it is necessary to masturbate. The Urologist went as far as not to be concerned with faith as much as one’s own health. He said the amount of semen is important. Most men ejaculate 2.5 - 5 milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc) (1/2 - 1 teaspoon) of semen. Either significantly higher or lower amounts can be a sign of trouble in guys my age. Amounts greater than 1 cc but lower than 2.5 cc may indicate prostate problems or frequent intercourse. A semen sample that is less than 1 cc could indicate a blockage of the ejaculatory ducts or other tubular abnormalities. No ejaculate at all may signal retrograde ejaculation. High amounts of ejaculate may, in some cases, also contribute to infertility. If you do not masturbate or have sex how would you be able to check on your health without sinning by doing so? No one has answered me yet.

It’s BS. Get a new urologist.

If the body has too much semen, it will release it through a “nocturnal emission” which is not sinful. Otherwise, it is just reabsorbed.

If you’re not married why do you need to check your fertility?

God Bless

 

[Catholic_JIMMY]

Mu Urologist claims it is necessary to masturbate. The Urologist went as far as not to be concerned with faith as much as one’s own health. He said the amount of semen is important. Most men ejaculate 2.5 - 5 milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc) (1/2 - 1 teaspoon) of semen. Either significantly higher or lower amounts can be a sign of trouble in guys my age. Amounts greater than 1 cc but lower than 2.5 cc may indicate prostate problems or frequent intercourse. A semen sample that is less than 1 cc could indicate a blockage of the ejaculatory ducts or other tubular abnormalities. No ejaculate at all may signal retrograde ejaculation. High amounts of ejaculate may, in some cases, also contribute to infertility. If you do not masturbate or have sex how would you be able to check on your health without sinning by doing so? No one has answered me yet.

Ask a doctor, I doubt God will care if it is onestly for health reasons (like checking your sperm count), it is a sin if it for pleasure.

 

[bilop]

Ask a doctor, I doubt God will care if it is onestly for health reasons (like checking your sperm count), it is a sin if it for pleasure.

No, it is a sin regardless.

If you are not married you have no need to check your sperm count.

If you are you can licitly collect a sample through intercourse.

God Bless

 

[Julian_Peters]

Thank you to all who participated, this thread is now closed.