Is Masterbation a Grave Sin?

[Max]

One mistake is to talk about it with other people too much, especially if for some reason it’s someone of the opposite sex and the topic comes up…that’ll just put your mind back on it. But yeah, AVOID making it common conversation material…that hurts more than helps.

 

[Regenhund]

ProLifeAction:

Anytime the seed is extracted without the intent of being open to the “possibility of new life” or outside the context of marriage, the act is a sin.

Careful- you are forgetting that women are also cpable of the act. Generally the subject only seems to be brought up in the context of males.

 

[misericordie]

From the male point of view I believe the images we are exposed to such a TV commercials of women in bikinis, does not make it very easy to have the purest of pure thoughs.

Why is it there is so much of a lack of modest dress? especially in the Summertime, a time in which having pure thoughts is tougher.
Masturbation can become a destructive and alwful habit to break: it is a way the devil grabs a hold on someone, especially if they have had the habit for years.

 

[onaquest]

If I spend time talking myself into anything-Having two drinks instead one-smoking or not smoking a cigarette-releasing sexual tension-I always know I was given a choice and I chose the one that was self serving. This I feel I should confess.

 

[Sir_Knight]

Before I was married (i.e., no outlet) and when I was younger (stronger urges than now), this was an area of much concern for me and I discovered that when it comes to confessors, there is no consistency when it comes to mastubation. I confessed the act to one priest who told me that it was a mortal sin and gave me a HUGE penance to perform. I went to another priest who told me that it wasn’t a sin and I didn’t even have to bother confessing it.

**This brings up an interesting question: Christ said that whatever they loosen on earth will be loosen in heaven and whatever they bind on earth will be bound in heaven.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ONE PRIEST LOOSENS SOMETHING AND ANOTHER PRIEST BINDS THAT VERY SAME THING?

Does it go with the first one to pass judgement? The last one to pass judgement? A majority vote?**

ProLifeAction:

… In general this should be easy to remember – Anytime the seed is extracted without the intent of being open to the “possibility of new life” or outside the context of marriage, the act is a sin …

I received the following written reply from a Monsignor in charge of religious education at a Catholic University that I attended when I wrote to him about this subject: *" … There is much contraversy about mastubation in the Church today. The original doctrine making it a mortal sin came from an interpretation of Genesis 38 in which Onan was obliged to marry his dead brother’s wife and give her children in his brother’s name. But, instead of completely the act with her, he withdrew and spilled his seed on the ground.

Today, many in the Church say it was not the spilling of the seed that was a sin, but the act of not giving his sister-in-law an opportunity to conceive. It’s safe to say that most confessors today do not consider it to be a sin … "*

It is very confusing when the generals from headquarters (Popes, Cardinals, Bishops, etc.) say one thing and the captains & sergeants in the field (the priests ministering to the faithful) give a different message to the troops.

 

[Scott_Waddell]

Christ said that whatever they loosen on earth will be loosen in heaven and whatever they bind on earth will be bound in heaven.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ONE PRIEST LOOSENS SOMETHING AND ANOTHER PRIEST BINDS THAT VERY SAME THING?

Think in terms of a specific confession. If a priest with a disobedient view of masterbation gives you absolution, you are absolved, but HE gets to answer for it on Judgement Day, not you.

Yes, you should still confess it. Let me suggest that no matter what a priest or Bishop tells you, masterbation as a gravely disordered action is constant Church teaching (and therefore infalliable by virtue of the ordinary Magisterium) and demands both exterior and interior assent from the faithful. Sound good?

Scott

 

[Tom]

Sir Knight:

This brings up an interesting question: Christ said that whatever they loosen on earth will be loosen in heaven and whatever they bind on earth will be bound in heaven.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ONE PRIEST LOOSENS SOMETHING AND ANOTHER PRIEST BINDS THAT VERY SAME THING?

The Scriptural verse to hold and loose refers to the teaching authority of the Church, not the forgiveness of sin. Jesus gives the authority to specifically forgive sin also, and by that authority you are forgiven.

 

[ProLifeAction]

You had stated…*. *

*Today, many in the Church say it was not the spilling of the seed that was a sin, *

Don’t be misguided. God has a purpose for the “seed” and the selfish act of masturbation is clearly not one of them.

 

[onaquest]

ProLifeAction:

You had stated…*. *

*Today, many in the Church say it was not the spilling of the seed that was a sin, *

Don’t be misguided. God has a purpose for the “seed” and the selfish act of masturbation is clearly not one of them.

Where then are women covered if the scripture reference to spilling of the seed is your arguement-it is as much as sin for women as men -even though the egg is not wasted.

 

[Brendan]

rubbersoul:

I actually was hoping to find a thread relating to this subject. I’ve got a friend who is trying to stop this terrible habit and goes to confession regularly. He is beginning to feel guilty about confessing the sin over and over again.
What can I do for my struggling friend? He seems to be getting depressed.

Your comment about your friend and his guilt at confessing the same sin reminded me of a priest’s comment on that subject

“Would you rather start sinning in different ways?”

Your friend sounds as if he is on the right road. Frequent confession brings Grace to resist our corrupt natures.

I would also encourage your friend to carry a Rosary. If the urge to sin strikes him, start praying the Rosary. You can only do one of the two.

 

[Sir_Knight]

ProLifeAction:

You had stated…*. *

*Today, many in the Church say it was not the spilling of the seed that was a sin, *

Don’t be misguided. God has a purpose for the “seed” and the selfish act of masturbation is clearly not one of them.

THAT statment was made by a Roman Catholic Monsignor in charge of religious education at a Catholic University.

 

[eeurogirly]

You have to be fully conscious of what you are doing for it to be a mortal sin.

 

[Lilyofthevalley]

It is sinful, but the mitigating circumstances change the seriousness.​

How in Heavens name is a bodily function such as a nocturnal emmision sinful?
That is like saying having gas is sinful.

 

[sullivansoul]

Sir Knight:

Before I was married (i.e., no outlet) and when I was younger (stronger urges than now), this was an area of much concern for me and I discovered that when it comes to confessors, there is no consistency when it comes to mastubation. I confessed the act to one priest who told me that it was a mortal sin and gave me a HUGE penance to perform. I went to another priest who told me that it wasn’t a sin and I didn’t even have to bother confessing it.

This brings up an interesting question: Christ said that whatever they loosen on earth will be loosen in heaven and whatever they bind on earth will be bound in heaven.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ONE PRIEST LOOSENS SOMETHING AND ANOTHER PRIEST BINDS THAT VERY SAME THING?

Does it go with the first one to pass judgement? The last one to pass judgement? A majority vote?

I received the following written reply from a Monsignor in charge of religious education at a Catholic University that I attended when I wrote to him about this subject: *" … There is much contraversy about mastubation in the Church today. The original doctrine making it a mortal sin came from an interpretation of Genesis 38 in which Onan was obliged to marry his dead brother’s wife and give her children in his brother’s name. But, instead of completely the act with her, he withdrew and spilled his seed on the ground. *

Today, many in the Church say it was not the spilling of the seed that was a sin, but the act of not giving his sister-in-law an opportunity to conceive. It’s safe to say that most confessors today do not consider it to be a sin … "

It is very confusing when the generals from headquarters (Popes, Cardinals, Bishops, etc.) say one thing and the captains & sergeants in the field (the priests ministering to the faithful) give a different message to the troops.

Sir Knight has an excellent point, it often occurs when the message from the generals and sergeants do conflict, and what are we to do? Well, like any situation we must go with the higher authority. BUT, like previously posted one must be aware of the sin for full culpability to take place.

 

[madavis]

yes, the Church teaches it is a grave sin as many have pointed out. It is there in the Catechism. I think it is something many of us struggle with. In today’s society of sex, lust is probably the hardest sin to rid oursevles of (along with pride). It’s nice to know I am not alone in this struggle.

If the problem is really bad, many experts on the topic advocate that the only way to get a handle on it, is to treat it like a full fledged addiction, which it really is. There are support groups for this sort of thing.

 

[madavis]

Brendan:

I would also encourage your friend to carry a Rosary. If the urge to sin strikes him, start praying the Rosary. You can only do one of the two.

This is some very sage advice. This is exactly what I have tried to do when lustful thoughts come into my mind. Believe me it works… When temptation strikes, strike back in prayer.

 

[Max]

I’ve recently discovered a very helpful way to resist the temptation of masturbation. I keep a Rosary with me at all times now, and having something sacred like that nearby really helps you to consider your actions before acting on them.

Also, if for some reason out of shame you feel hiding your Rosary away will make it less bad, it’s always good to have backup. Put at least a crucifix in every room, preferably where it’s most visible…and if you have any spare rosaries, keep them in view too. It’ll help you realize and remember there really is no hiding from the Lord, and attempting to do so is futile. Keeping those reminders in every room helps…

It could work if you’re trying to get unhooked from viewing pornography as well. Maybe put a statue of Mary right by the computer…trust me, once you’re under that kind of pressure, you’ll decide “Eh…maybe not.” Then say a prayer asking to be rid of your temptation.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[k3vin]

rubbersoul, tell your freind to try this when he is tempted. Even though it may not feel ?clean? , give your thoughts ,urges,etc to Jesus(he definitely can help conqeur sin).

 

[dpjennin1982]

I don’t believe that masterbation is harmful in any way, especially if you are a single guy or single girl. We are better off masterbating then going out and getting someone pregnant or contracting an std, otherwise find a wife. I am not catholic, but I use to be. Not by choice though, I was too young my dad made me and my brothers go. Who on God’s green earth has the right to give orders to a catholic priest that He’s not allowed to be married. NOT GOD I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT! God told us to be fruitful and multiply, He said that its not good for man to be alone. That is why God put woman on the earth, so that man would have a companion, helper and mate. The apostles also addressed this issue to the churches.

Also I would like to address the issue that no man on this earth can take the place of our KING JESUS. He is the only way to Heaven and you won’t get to Heaven by confessing your sins to a catholic priest I assure you. You confess that Jesus is Lord with your lips and you will be saved.

Jesus offered up His life once For All who come to Him.

God Bless

 

[dpjennin1982]

You have to be fully conscious of what you are doing for it to be a mortal sin.

I would like to ask you where are the seven deadly sins in the bible? Theres galations 5 talk about the acts of the sinful nature and there are more than seven. So some sins can send you to hell and others you will stay in purgatory for awhile? What is purgatory, is it fire? Because the only place I found in the bible about fire after a person dies is Hell or the lake of fire and if I go there, I’m not ever getting out.

Remember to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.