Masterbation: moral or venial

[ClementRome]

Is masterbation a mortal or venial sin? It seems it is almost impossible for men(or women too) to totally abstain from it. Most people don’t have the diligence like the saints did and their urges overpower them, even to the point of not wanting to do them in your mind but still having too

 

[JSSebastianoP]

Mortal.

 

[Timbothefiveth]

Usually mortal, though occasionally there can be circumstances which lessen the severity. You don’t “have to” do it, no matter how strong the temptation is, even if it seems like it.

If you’re having problems, pray a lot and try not to get in to situations where you’ll be tempted. If you’re tempted, pray and make the sign of the cross. If you fail, go to confession and never give up.

 

[Michael1985]

I don’t think it’s just the saints that can overcome this. I haven’t masterbated in two years, (shortly after the time I found out it was wrong).

Trust me I’m not a saint, although I’m trying to be. I’m an ordinary guy who gets tempted just like anyone else. But with God’s help I overcame this. It’s not impossible, it can be done.

 

[EverestFox]

Mortal. Sorry if you didn’t want to hear that.

But lighten up! It’s not impossible to abstain. Rely on God! He’ll give you a hand.

 

[yablabo]

Is masterbation a mortal or venial sin? It seems it is almost impossible for men(or women too) to totally abstain from it. Most people don’t have the diligence like the saints did and their urges overpower them, even to the point of not wanting to do them in your mind but still having too

It’s a grave sin, but that doesn’t necessarily make it mortal.

Mortal sin is defined as a sin whose object is grave and is done with both full knowledge and consent.

Full knowledge includes knowing both that the matter of the act is gravely sinful and that the act which you are now committing is that specific act.

Consent is the act of the will to perform the act.

If there is a complete defect in the knowledge or consent regarding the grave act, the sin is only venial.

But a defect in knowledge does not necessarily excuse one from any mortal sin whatsoever in the commission of this grave sin. One would be culpable for the ignorance of the grave act…and therefore guilty of a mortal sin of due to neglect of being a moral agent (i.e., knowing that one is gravely obliged to know what is correct moral action and willing to neglect that duty knowingly).

Check out the Catechism of the Catholic Church starting at 1857 and going through 1860.

– Nicole