Masturbation is killing me

[RoseMary131]

Thanks guys for all these great responses. Jadetiger I made sure I did it on Sunday, because Sunday, being the day of rest, is revered as the day to indulge in whatever you gave up for lent. Unfortunately now that I think of it, breaking my promise to not masturbate on Sunday doesn’t lessen the act’s severely grave nature.

I’m feeling good about breaking this addiction now guys.Please keep me in your prayers.

Although you totally missed the part about being able to “do what you gave up” on Sunday’s - it does not apply here - you were able to have self control by waiting till a time you mistakenly thought would be not breaking your personal Lenten sacrifice.

For instance, if you gave up eating all sweets - then on Sundays you can have sweet treats.

Now, if you are giving up something that is already “bad”, you can’t toss it in on Sundays to celebrate the Lord’s Day. How did you celebrate Sunday? “I had ice cream.” “I committed a sin.”

Let me address something else. Look, you were able to “make yourself wait” - that shows you were in control. Put that ability to use in a bit different way - telling yourself that you did show some self control.

Please make sure you don’t celebrate Easter with mortal sin.

Remember with Holy Week approaching, the confession times are probably a bit different. Your last chance to go to confession may be Wed. of Holy Week. You do not want to be in a state of mortal sin and not get to go to Holy Communion on Easter.

I am praying for you.

I will post some links for you from Steve Woods website on overcoming this addition.

 

[RoseMary131]

Check out the help Steve Wood has to offer. This page is filled with links to help you.
http://www.familylifecenter.net/strugglewithporn.asp

Treating Sexual and Pornographic Addictions
dads.org/article.asp?artId=233

What is Pornography Doing to Fathers and Their Families?
familylifecenter.net/article.asp?artId=234
by Steve Wood
The venom of Internet Pornography is slowly killing the spiritual life of millions of Christian fathers. At every Catholic men’s conference I have spoken at over the past four years, I have encountered men addicted to Internet pornography. Men from every region of North America, who attend Mass every Sunday, are silently addicted to pornography.

Screwtape’s Strategies and Pornography
familylifecenter.net/article.asp?artId=235
Alias Screwtape
My Dear Wormwood:
For your careful review, I have outlined below our strategies for destroying faith and family life. Destroy this secret message immediately after reading it. This classified material comes from the lowest regions. … Now as we begin this new millennium, we must use technology to bring our master plan to completion by utilizing Internet pornography. Already we have spiritually neutralized millions of the Enemy’s men with pornography…

Steve Wood’s book Breaking Free 12 Steps to Sexual Purity for Men
familylifecenterstore.net/breaking-free/

Organizations and Resources dealing with Pornography
familylifecenter.net/article.asp?artId=241

Pure Mind Scripture Computer Program
familylifecenter.net/article.asp?artId=319

St. Joseph’s Freedom Groups for Men Seeking Sexual Purity
dads.org/mens-groups.asp

St. Joseph’s “Mini” Freedom Groups
dads.org/mens-MiniFreedomGroups.asp

10 Steps to Start a St. Joseph’s Freedom Group
dads.org/mens-10StepsFreedomGroups.asp

 

[Aloysium]

. . . I end up becoming incredibly guilty and depressed after committing it. It becomes hard for me to pray, because I feel like I’m not worthy of God. I’m a horrible sinner, and I hate it.

my guess is that your in your imagination, you feel the opposite: powerful, in charge, sexy - something along those lines

so it goes round and round and round . . . ., pushing you further from people, feeling less happy, less in charge as you chase fantasies

look, you are as much a horrible sinner as anyone else;
there is no point calling yourself that, because when you are doing the sinning you are likely not caring a bit about it
and there would be reasons why on Sunday that could use some exploration
you may even feel you are two separate people
it is time to heal this brokenness, pray and God will help you. He loves you. He wants the best for you.
there are good suggestions in this thread; like with other soul-destroying (that is what it sounds like it is doing to you) addictions, we need help from others

 

[dshix]

An addict to what, exactly? How many people have you met who just sit around and masturbate all day…your statements are confusing. An addiction is formally defined as something that the person cannot live without, cannot stop doing; as in the case of drugs, where life is affected and worsened. Masturbation, I think we can all agree, does not fit this definition. It is healthy for the body, and that is fact. It is proven. Can you prove to me that it is a sin?

Masturbation is a brain drug addiction. It has been scientifically proven that when a person masturbates or views porn, they’re brain goes into hyperdrive secreting these brain drugs, and they become addicted. This addiction is significantly greater than opium.

It is very hard to get off of it, and often leaves behind negative effects.

As to the “benefits” of masturbation, they are far outweighed by the spiritual, mental, and psychological health of the individual.

 

[RoseMary131]

An addict to what, exactly? How many people have you met who just sit around and masturbate all day…your statements are confusing. An addiction is formally defined as something that the person cannot live without, cannot stop doing; as in the case of drugs, where life is affected and worsened. Masturbation, I think we can all agree, does not fit this definition. It is healthy for the body, and that is fact. It is proven. Can you prove to me that it is a sin?

Peace to you Reaching Faith.

dshix gave an explanation on the chemical release in the brain that the person becomes addicted to with this heightened feeling.

Proving to you, an atheist, that masturbation is a sin makes no sense to attempt. One needs to understand that God exist before believing in sin of any nature.

 

[clem456]

Masturbation is a brain drug addiction. It has been scientifically proven that when a person masturbates or views porn, they’re brain goes into hyperdrive secreting these brain drugs, and they become addicted. This addiction is significantly greater than opium.

It is very hard to get off of it, and often leaves behind negative effects.

As to the “benefits” of masturbation, they are far outweighed by the spiritual, mental, and psychological health of the individual.

Yes. Lust is as addictive, or more so, as any drug. Maybe that’s why so many people can’t stop? Seems self evident considering the topic at hand?

 

[ReachingFaith]

Peace to you Reaching Faith.

dshix gave an explanation on the chemical release in the brain that the person becomes addicted to with this heightened feeling.

Proving to you, an atheist, that masturbation is a sin makes no sense to attempt. One needs to understand that God exist before believing in sin of any nature.

Peace to you as well! And I am and always have been open to the idea of God. It has yet to be proven, however. I see masturbation on what I suppose Catholics label as a “worldly” level–that is, that it is the individual’s body and no one else has any business there. My main point stands that masturbation is actually quite healthy and normal. Having been Catholic for as many years as I was, I see that so many things are labeled as evil to keep people in control. Fear of sin, of being a “horrible sinner” who is so depressed–what kind of religion is that? My advice to you would be to handle your life in your own manner, OP.

 

[ReachingFaith]

Masturbation is a brain drug addiction. It has been scientifically proven that when a person masturbates or views porn, they’re brain goes into hyperdrive secreting these brain drugs, and they become addicted. This addiction is significantly greater than opium.

It is very hard to get off of it, and often leaves behind negative effects.

As to the “benefits” of masturbation, they are far outweighed by the spiritual, mental, and psychological health of the individual.

Spiritual is not measurable in reality. Mentally it releases “feel good” chemicals into the brain, and the person has an enjoyable sensation. It does not encourage a person to develop mental health issues or to see one’s self as a sex figure. It does encourage a healthier, happier body image, and increased understanding of what makes that person happy. Aside from all that, prove to me that it is harmful to the person and I will agree with your point that it is a sin.

 

[dshix]

Spiritual is not measurable in reality. Mentally it releases “feel good” chemicals into the brain, and the person has an enjoyable sensation. It does not encourage a person to develop mental health issues or to see one’s self as a sex figure. It does encourage a healthier, happier body image, and increased understanding of what makes that person happy. Aside from all that, prove to me that it is harmful to the person and I will agree with your point that it is a sin.

I’m not debating with you whether it is a sin. You are an atheist, and I’m not so stupid as to think I can convince an atheist about sin until the person has opened his mind to God.

Sex addiction has the following bad effects, off the top of my head:

• Inability to respect women for the persons they are. (This point can be argued, but is undeniable.)
• Difficulty focusing on the work and livelihood of the addict’s life, due to constant impulses to view porn or masturbate.
• Inability to have a completely healthy sex life with a spouse.
• High probably of sexually promiscuous behavior, causing very high risk of STDs.
• This point is not thoroughly documented, but I know it from experience and from stories of people who have gone through it: people who have been sex addicts for their entire life, when they get older, realize that their life has been thrown away on bodily impulses and superficial desire. They feel empty, nay, scraped of all ability to show sexual affection to anyone, because their brain has been completely wracked with the brain drugs.

Now, this list just came off the top of my head, but if I spent a few minutes going to some sites that compile all the bad effects, both physical and mental, I could provide a much larger, more comprehensive list.

Sex addiction gives temporary pleasure in the moment, but then you need even more pleasure the next time to be satisfied, and more the next time after that. It is just like a drug; the person gets used to having such and such small portion, and has larger and larger portions until it reaches astronomical levels. Eventually, the level of drug needed to attain the desired high is too large to attain, and they either experience emotional breakdown from being unable to purchase the drug, or, in the case of sexual addiction, spend the rest of their life trying to find more hardcore porn to arouse them further.

 

[clem456]

Spiritual is not measurable in reality. Mentally it releases “feel good” chemicals into the brain, and the person has an enjoyable sensation. It does not encourage a person to develop mental health issues or to see one’s self as a sex figure. It does encourage a healthier, happier body image, and increased understanding of what makes that person happy. Aside from all that, **prove to me **that it is harmful to the person and I will agree with your point that it is a sin.

Prove it to yourself. It is self evident to just about everyone else here. Just to be clear, we are not talking about self-exploration done by teenagers, we are talking about habitual masturbation by adults, right? Find us an adult who habitually masturbates and tell us what kind of person you find.

 

[Aloysium]

Spiritual is not measurable in reality. Mentally it releases “feel good” chemicals into the brain, and the person has an enjoyable sensation. It does not encourage a person to develop mental health issues or to see one’s self as a sex figure. It does encourage a healthier, happier body image, and increased understanding of what makes that person happy. Aside from all that, prove to me that it is harmful to the person and I will agree with your point that it is a sin.

“feel good” is “not measurable in reality”
“enjoyable sensation” is “not measurable in reality”

" It does encourage a healthier, happier body image, and increased understanding of what makes that person happy." I think the onus is on you to prove this claim.

“prove to me that it is harmful to the person” - the guy/gal is posting “Masturbation is killing me”

gimme a break

 

[ReachingFaith]

“feel good” is “not measurable in reality”
“enjoyable sensation” is “not measurable in reality”

" It does encourage a healthier, happier body image, and increased understanding of what makes that person happy." I think the onus is on you to prove this claim.

“prove to me that it is harmful to the person” - the guy/gal is posting “Masturbation is killing me”

gimme a break

Do you agree spirituality is not measurable in reality? Pardon me. But you have obviously never had sexual relations if you do not understand that this type of pleasure is measurable! And yes, the person is posting that. The post only proves to show what we socially–and in this case morally/religiously–define as “evil”. It’s equatable with breast feeding. It was never considered gross until someone called it so, and that vague someone had the power in society. Religion began to exist as a means of control, and as a need for something greater to be in charge. But the danger is that religion brands. It brands and makes people develop such things as scruples and anxiety attacks and self hate. As in the case of this poster. It is not harmful. The poster defines it this way because of messages and encouragements to do so or go to hell.

 

[dshix]

Do you agree spirituality is not measurable in reality? Pardon me. But you have obviously never had sexual relations if you do not understand that this type of pleasure is measurable! And yes, the person is posting that. The post only proves to show what we socially–and in this case morally/religiously–define as “evil”. It’s equatable with breast feeding. It was never considered gross until someone called it so, and that vague someone had the power in society. Religion began to exist as a means of control, and as a need for something greater to be in charge. But the danger is that religion brands. It brands and makes people develop such things as scruples and anxiety attacks and self hate. As in the case of this poster. It is not harmful. The poster defines it this way because of messages and encouragements to do so or go to hell.

So… you ignored my post, which is the most complete answer to your objections on this thread, and yet, you still speak as if you believe you have an inkling of credibility?

 

[teachccd]

Find us an adult who habitually masturbates and tell us what kind of person you find.

What kind of person will you find? What kind of person will you find who smokes? What kind of person will you find who is addicted to food and is overweight? What kind of person will you find who sins everyday? My friend, you will find you, me and everyone else. Do not judge the integrity of a person who is struggling to quit an addiction and continues to fail. Jesus said it best when He said, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”

 

[dshix]

What kind of person will you find? What kind of person will you find who smokes? What kind of person will you find who is addicted to food and is overweight? What kind of person will you find who sins everyday? My friend, you will find you, me and everyone else. Do not judge the integrity of a person who is struggling to quit an addiction and continues to fail. Jesus said it best when He said, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”

You took what clem said completely out of context.

 

[teachccd]

You took what clem said completely out of context.

Then in what context was it to be taken? If I did then I truly apologize.

 

[jwinch2]

reclaimsexualhealth.com/

This might be worth looking into.

 

[dshix]

Then in what context was it to be taken? If I did then I truly apologize.

Clem was responding to ReachingFaith, who claimed that people who masturbate have perfectly normal and good mental and physical health.

Clem took that and responded that if you take any example of an adult who is a sex addict, you do not find mental health, but rather, a confused, broken individual (even if they don’t know it) who is trapped.

 

[ReachingFaith]

Clem was responding to ReachingFaith, who claimed that people who masturbate have perfectly normal and good mental and physical health.

Clem took that and responded that if you take any example of an adult who is a sex addict, you do not find mental health, but rather, a confused, broken individual (even if they don’t know it) who is trapped.

Wow. My head… A sex addict and an adult who masturbates to complement or substitute for a healthy sexual relationship…where is the crossing of definitions here! And if you’ll notice, why is it anyone else’s business what you do down there? This whole topic is something personal and private, and should remain that way. But since it’s a moral issue what one does with the private parts, let me just say that I’d estimate about 80% of all people masturbate or have masturbated at some point in their lives. You can deny that you have, but are we then to assume that everyone who has done this is somehow mentally and physically unhealthy? Masturbation can relieve stress and pain, especially in the case of women with severe menstrual cramps. Is that not healthy? Correct me, please, but respectfully.

 

[OxygenMan]

Wow. My head… A sex addict and an adult who masturbates to complement or substitute for a healthy sexual relationship…where is the crossing of definitions here! And if you’ll notice, why is it anyone else’s business what you do down there? This whole topic is something personal and private, and should remain that way. But since it’s a moral issue what one does with the private parts, let me just say that I’d estimate about 80% of all people masturbate or have masturbated at some point in their lives. You can deny that you have, but are we then to assume that everyone who has done this is somehow mentally and physically unhealthy? Masturbation can relieve stress and pain, especially in the case of women with severe menstrual cramps. Is that not healthy? Correct me, please, but respectfully.

Masturbation is extremely isolating and degrading.