Is masturbation a sin?

[edwest2]

Interesting how people post about this on an internet forum and don’t just talk to a priest. That way, each person’s particular circumstances can be evaluated. For example, is the masturbation accompanied by watching porn or not? And so on.

Ed

 

[Rau]

Once you commit a mortal sin it doesn’t become less sinful when you are addicted . You still have the knowledge & consent…although it doesn’t take as long to consent.

Addiction diminishes the capacity to consent freely and thus diminishes personal culpability (not the objective character of the sIn, but personal culpability). The catechism addresses this very point. Did you not know that, or do you simply disagree with the catechism?

 

[truetofaith]

Addiction diminishes the capacity to consent freely and thus diminishes personal culpability (not the objective character of the sIn, but personal culpability). The catechism addresses this very point. Did you not know that, or do you simply disagree with the catechism?

No! I disagree with you. when a person keeps committing the same sin that was said to be mortal…he knows it is still mortal 50 times later and has already consented without thinking about it. Confession Time!

I’m bored & tired of this foolish discussion & I’ll say…

 

[Rau]

No! I disagree with you. when a person keeps committing the same sin that was said to be mortal…he knows it is still mortal 50 times later and has already consented without thinking about it. Confession Time!

I’m bored & tired of this foolish discussion & I’ll say…

If I repeat the catechism, and you reject what I say, well, you reject the catechism.

 

[Bookcat]

No! I disagree with you. when a person keeps committing the same sin that was said to be mortal…he knows it is still mortal 50 times later and has already consented without thinking about it. Confession Time!

I’m bored & tired of this foolish discussion & I’ll say…

You mean he never repented…and confessed the first time(s)?

Yes that person can have committed a mortal sin (if done with full knowledge and deliberate consent).

Now "could’ there be factors that mitigate the culpability due to other factors for some persons - yes see the Catechism entry on this sin (under the 6th Commandment).

Now just because there is a habit does not mean per se that there is not a mortal sin.

But there can yes be cases where the culpability is mitigated due to various factors. A confessor would evaluate the case.

 

[Tim_D]

I would prefer to err on the side of caution and presume that it is indeed mortal. Or at least that God is going to see it that way.

And this immediately renders such a term as “mortal” meaningless.

It is far easier to say that something is grave matter than to presume that the necessary conditions are always met for something to be “mortal.” Bookcat can go on and on about splitting the baby concerning being objectively and subjectively sinful but that does not go very far in answering the question. Something that I have been considering lately is the fact that if someone knew with absolute certainty the consequence of sin, who would knowingly commit it? How can we ever know that the conditions are met for something to be “mortal?” That is why I find it much easier and generally more clear to refer to things as being “grave” instead of “mortal.” Mortal presumes too much.

 

[Tim_D]

Once you commit a mortal sin it doesn’t become less sinful when you are addicted . You still have the knowledge & consent…although it doesn’t take as long to consent.

Then you stand in direct contradiction to what the Church teaches and condemn untold numbers of people who do not have full control over the things they do.

Have you never seen the psychological experiments where people in authority force people against their will and instinct to do things that they do not wish to do? According to you, they are all guilty. Good thing you’re not in charge.

 

[Bookcat]

Bookcat can go on and on about splitting the baby concerning being objectively and subjectively sinful but that does not go very far in answering the question.

The persons question was about what?

The nature of the sin itself.

Nothing asked about culpability.

Hence the answer is - masturbation, like adultery, murder, fornication etc - is a mortal sin.

That is answering his actual question.

 

[Tim_D]

Interesting how people post about this on an internet forum and don’t just talk to a priest. That way, each person’s particular circumstances can be evaluated. For example, is the masturbation accompanied by watching porn or not? And so on.

You are changing the parameters of the discussion but it is a known fact that porn can be an addictive behavior, too.

 

[Bookcat]

The Poster asked two questions in that first post- in the heading and then in the body related to that heading (see above #1 forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=1044857 ) They were about the nature of the sin itself not about culpability.

Here they are with the answers:

Q.1. Is masturbation a sin?

Answer: Yes.

Q.2 If so, then how severe of a sin is it?

Answer: Masturbation is a mortal sin.

 

[Tim_D]

You mean he never repented…and confessed the first time(s)?

Yes that person can have committed a mortal sin (if done with full knowledge and deliberate consent).

Now "could’ there be factors that mitigate the culpability due to other factors for some persons - yes see the Catechism entry on this sin (under the 6th Commandment).

Now just because there is a habit does not mean per se that there is not a mortal sin.

But there can yes be cases where the culpability is mitigated due to various factors. A confessor would evaluate the case.

"I mean what I say, or at least say what I mean; it’s the same things, isn’t it? - Alice In Wonderland :whacky:

 

[Bookcat]

The Poster asked two questions in that first post- in the heading and then in the body related to that heading (see above #1 forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=1044857 ) They were about the nature of the sin itself not about culpability…

Here they are with the answers:

Q.1. Is masturbation a sin?

Answer: Yes.
**
Q.2 If so, then how severe of a sin is it? **

Answer: Masturbation is a mortal sin.

 

[Rau]

…Bookcat can go on and on about splitting the baby concerning being objectively and subjectively sinful but that does not go very far in answering the question.

Note the name of the forum. “Moral theology”. The distinction he has explained and the language he has used, is proper. And the question, along with other interpretations of it, has been clearly answered.

 

[Tim_D]

Note the name of the forum. “Moral theology”. The distinction he has explained and the language he has used, is proper. And the question, along with other interpretations of it, has been clearly answered.

I realize that but since most posters here are not moral theologians it tends to be more productive by keeping things at a certain level.

 

[Rau]

I realize that but since most posters here are not moral theologians it tends to be more productive by keeping things at a certain level.

Given the thousands of participants on an open forum, what would that level be? I think to properly and clearly use the language of moral theology, explaining it where necessary, is entirely reasonable. And a great assistance to learning.

 

[Bookcat]

The Poster asked two questions in that first post- in the heading and then in the body related to that heading (see above #1 forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=1044857 ) They were about the nature of the sin itself not about culpability.

Here they are with the answers:

Q.1. Is masturbation a sin?

Answer: Yes.
**
Q.2 If so, then how severe of a sin is it? **

Answer: Masturbation is a mortal sin.

 

[NickyMaz]

This is something that I struggle with. I have been steeped in it for years and I am trying to free myself of this addiction. It is difficult but I have faith that the Lord will see me through.

 

[Tim_D]

Q.2 If so, then how severe of a sin is it?

Answer: Masturbation is a mortal sin.

Meaningless.

Q: How severe of a sin is it?

A: It is a sin of grave matter. According to the Church, culpability is dependent upon several considerations which can “lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.” Still, it is an offense against chastity and a misuse of the sexual faculty which are, in themselves, grave offenses.

 

[Rau]

Meaningless.

Q: How severe of a sin is it?

A: It is a sin of grave matter. According to the Church, culpability is dependent upon several considerations which can “lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.” Still, it is an offense against chastity and a misuse of the sexual faculty which are, in themselves, grave offenses.

You distinguish a sin of grave matter from grave offence from mortal sin?

 

[Tim_D]

You distinguish a sin of grave matter from grave offence from mortal sin?

Certainly. A mortal sin always consists of grave matter but grave matter does not always make for mortal sin. I personally find the term “mortal sin” to be more confusing than necessary.