Masturbation Question

[StJudeprayforme]

I don’t need to justify myself its called I can have my own thoughts its called freedom.

Your concept of freedom is what Isaiah Berlin termed “negative freedom”. A freedom from interference. This concept quite different than the biblical and traditional Catholic concept of freedom. True freedom comes in dying to self and taking up the cross of Christ for: “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Even Kant, whose idea of freedom as a rational agent you also seem to be drawing from, did not see it as something to say “I can do whatever I want.” but rather as something that compeled you to act according to the moral law. In Western philosophy from the ancients running through Kant (with a few exceptions for some British Empiricists) freedom has been generally speaking the ability to follow the moral law.

All that said, since as Catholics we believe that the Church is the authentic interpreter of the moral law, then true freedom enables us to comply with her teachings. Freedom is not opposed to Catholic teaching, but in the truest form is in complete conformity with it.

 

[MichL1992]

okay I’m twenty years old and have never even thought about masturbating until possibly two years ago. it wasn’t really that difficult because I’ve never been in a relationship and I never wanted to ‘do anything’ with anyone. But I had friends to give me the details. I wish I never started now because it’s difficult to stop. the longest I’ve been without masturbating is three months now and it sucks because I feel no sense of self-control and the urge just grows in control until it’s been fulfilled. (when the urge comes I think the most I lasted was one very awkward day- maybe two.)

after the deed is done I feel exhausted and like I failed God. I make an effort to do a rosary everyday and on those days i try to do two in atonement for the sin. I ask God for him to send me my husband (whoever he may be or if I even have one in God’s plan) so I wouldn’t be doing this but so far nothing- I don’t know if I feel like it’s a sin and in turn feel so guilty about it because I’m told it’s a sin, or because of something much deeper. but regardless I hoping and Praying to stop for good.

 

[Imcatholic7]

Why is it still a mortal sin even if it was not finished ALL of the way? If someone were to realize what one was doing and stop before the end, why is that still mortal? Why wouldn’t someone just finish it then if they knew they had already committed a mortal sin?

 

[polytropos]

Why is it still a mortal sin even if it was not finished ALL of the way?

To be precise, it is grave matter if it’s not finished all of the way for the same reason it’s grave matter if it is finished all of the way: because it is a misuse of our God-given sexuality.

If someone were to realize what one was doing and stop before the end, why is that still mortal?

This is a slightly different case. It is still grave matter for the reason cited above. For someone “to realize what one was doing and stop before the end,” though, implies that before the realization, the act was done under compulsion, force of habit, etc. If one does not realize that it is bad, then his culpability is mitigated, so it is still grave matter done perhaps without full intentionality or knowledge.

It may or may not be mortal. It is probably safer to go to confession in such a case, since only God knows our true culpability, and it will help whether the sin was venial or mortal. It is important, however, not to despair in such a case.

Why wouldn’t someone just finish it then if they knew they had already committed a mortal sin?

This is a somewhat utilitarian stance. Our goal is not to commit as many mortal sins as possible; we are not trying to get around God’s rules, and we should not say, “Well, I’m going to confession anyway, why stop now?” Our goal is to please our Father, and sin offends him. Although we’ve committed mortal sin, we know it is better to commit less mortal sin, and so we try to stop out of love for God.

 

[Phil_Marinus]

To be precise, it is grave matter if it’s not finished all of the way for the same reason it’s grave matter if it is finished all of the way: because it is a misuse of our God-given sexuality.

This is a slightly different case. It is still grave matter for the reason cited above. For someone “to realize what one was doing and stop before the end,” though, implies that before the realization, the act was done under compulsion, force of habit, etc. If one does not realize that it is bad, then his culpability is mitigated, so it is still grave matter done perhaps without full intentionality or knowledge.

It may or may not be mortal. It is probably safer to go to confession in such a case, since only God knows our true culpability, and it will help whether the sin was venial or mortal. It is important, however, not to despair in such a case.

This is a somewhat utilitarian stance. Our goal is not to commit as many mortal sins as possible; we are not trying to get around God’s rules, and we should not say, “Well, I’m going to confession anyway, why stop now?” Our goal is to please our Father, and sin offends him. Although we’ve committed mortal sin, we know it is better to commit less mortal sin, and so we try to stop out of love for God.

What a load of Nonsense !

 

[polytropos]

What a load of Nonsense !

That’s quite an accusation. Care to clarify?

 

[Phil_Marinus]

What a load of Nonsense !

Well if anything it is an entertaining read… Just think it’s funny… can just see it now…
Mrs Palmer is Knocking herself out then realises…
OH Golly… this is a sin… goodness what do I do… exploding over the keyboard…
I really think this topic has been covered more than enough…
Yet Yeah has sinned but still is saved…