Masturbation...yet again

[MichaelHowling]

It’s a very moral question. Any sexual act has its proper context in marriage…to express love, and for procreation.

 

[1ke]

Masturbation is no more wrong than brushing your teeth, it’s not a moral question

Is your point in posting here to post “April’s opinion” on every thread, or are you interested in what the Catholic Church actually teaches?

You profess to be a Catholic, so perhaps you would be interested to know that it is in fact wrong, grave matter against the sixth commandment:

2352 By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure. “Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action.” “The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose.” For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of “the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved.”

 

[davidv]

Masturbation is no more wrong than brushing your teeth, it’s not a moral question

Prove it.

 

[MichaelHowling]

How has catholicism twist Your father ?

Catholicism teaches about God the father… given this task by Jesus Himself

Who’s your father ?

 

[aprilfloyd]

I might criticise the church, but that is how I am - it should be able to stand basic questions about what it purports to be the truth - there is nothing wrong in that - I am not a ‘happy clappy’ type and prefer knowledge to blind faith.

It is well accepted and taught medically that masturbation is normal. When I was young it was taught in my catholic school as being somehow ‘wrong’ - they were less enlightened times. Today it is accepted, that both males and females masturbate and its normal, if the original poster is looking for clarity, it is important to indicate what is truth and what is religious doctrine or tradition.

I found the church’s position on masturbation very strange as a young man and I am only supply another viewpoint for the poster to consider and investigate - a sexual urge is just a sexual urge - there is no need for a spiritual explaination

 

[aprilfloyd]

Prove it.

I think you will find the burden of proof is not with me - I am not making spiritual claims around masturbation

 

[1ke]

it should be able to stand basic questions about what it purports to be the truth

But you do not ask questions. You make statements of your opinion and propose them as fact.

It is well accepted and taught medically that masturbation is normal.

Being taught medically neither makes something well accepted nor true. And certainly does not make it moral. Abortion is medically accepted as normal. That does not actually make it normal. That does not actually make it moral.

When I was young it was taught in my catholic school as being somehow ‘wrong’

Because it is wrong. It is grave matter against the sixth commandment.

they were less enlightened times.

This has nothing to do with whether something is true or not. Calling sin normal makes it no less sinful.

Today it is accepted, that both males and females masturbate and its normal

Which, again, has no bearing on whether or not it is moral.

if the original poster is looking for clarity, it is important to indicate what is truth and what is religious doctrine or tradition.

Interesting that you think these could be two different things.

I found the church’s position on masturbation very strange as a young man

And instead of seeking to understand and to conform to Christ, you chose instead to conform to society. Christ speaks of the narrow and the wide path. Christ tells us there will will be deception in our midst. He also gives us a sure source of God’s law and God’s truth-- the Church. It is up to you to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and reject what is evil and what is false.

 

[billcu1]

I posted elsewhere on this topic.

Stop stressing out about masturbation, it is normal, healthy and natural - supernatural stories are not applicable here - catholics mastrurbate as much as anyone - the only different is they are persuaded to feel guilty. Get on with your life and worry about more important matters - ignore a lot of these posts. if you have any questions they should be directed to your doctor and not your religion

That last sentence may have some truth. I’m sorry to say I did what I had to. I was having problems with semen coming onto my clothes and I was hurting. I don’t know if pain is normal when not masturbating or it’s the body complaining about an old habit or what. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with me.

 

[claudegris]

The forum is catholic answers, I am not anti catholic
My catholicism is real, but my desire for truth greater, I have seenso
Many people do strange things and say strang things in the nameof religion
If Jesus could cope with a doubting Thomas then this forum can too

I see how Catholicism has twisted my father into a horrible manand I have lots of questions

So your father is “a horrible man”. You blame it on Catholicism. Therefore you come to this forum where people are looking for catholic answers and post not “doubts” but statements which you present as fact and which are always dissenting?

Of course the forum can take it. I just don’t understand your purpose. Is it to lure as many people away from the teachings because you blame these teachings on the problems your father has?

You may find a thousand medical journals that describe masturbation as natural.
Guess what? A lot of physicians consider abortion normal, that is not the point.
Masturbation is adultery, you are cheating God, your (future) spouse and yourself.

I really would like you to explain to me your goal in this forum. I hope in charity I just missed something and you really are here in the pursuit of something good and not just to bother religious people you dislike.

 

[aprilfloyd]

Hi

I don’t blame it on ‘catholicsim’ more his literal reading of catholicism and it’s interpretation of ‘god’ - leads him to be unaccepting of other religions and their gods, he takes it all too literally and can not see it as a tradition or culture or a ‘way of living’

Other point,

I don’t dislike religious people, their are 1,000s of religions and gods. I only know very little and in that just a part of our ‘god’ (if I can say that that deals with catholicism) the majority of followers of god in the other two ‘god’ religions I know of less - some family members are muslim, some are jewish) My own daughter is a budhist and indian born

RE - Masturbation

The difficulty I have here is that instead of saying that the catholic church suggests and teaches that masturbation is wrong - that is not the majority religious view, nor the majority world view. It is part of nature and human sexuality and in my opinion is not a subject matter for religions at all. The poster in question should know that the catholic opinion does not ‘carry weight’ in that is is just that an opinion, it is nebulous and not binding on him and I think people should say that. Masturbation on the other hand (no pun intended) is ‘real’ and causes no harm, is part of the human condition and if anything medicially beneficial.

 

[aprilfloyd]

I should also have mentioned that I don’t see a connection between masturbation and abortion at all.

 

[claudegris]

Well sadly you have not been able to answer my question.
What is your goal in posting in a Catholic forum specially when the OP is searching for the catholic answer. Since you do not believe Catholicism is true but merely “a culture or tradition” I am led to believe that you merely wish to upset people or “troll”.

As for the relationship between masturbation and abortion, I merely wanted to provide an Example of a situation where medical opinion can differ from moral truth.

 

[aprilfloyd]

Hi

I am not sure what answer you are looking for? My answer from the catholic perspective of someone raised in the tradition is as valid as any other.

I am giving a catholic answer - catholicism teaches that masturbation is wrong from a catholic standpoint, that is very different from masturbation being morally wrong or medically wrong. I only wished to highlight that fact.

I don’t know where you are going with the ‘troll’ comment or to think I wish to upset people. I assume you accept all religions and gods are inherently tricky to discuss as followers can take offence, whether something is said or not

Saying that, I am looking for truth and catholicsim in common with many religions, finds it difficult to be held up to any scrutiny or the desire for truth. As I am sure, as a catholic, you will understand that all religions believe they are right - but they can’t all be. As a child I realised that very quickly. So in the search for truth, I must consider that other religions and Catholicism may have go it wrong.

If you feel that that is offensive,I apologise but truth can be unpalatable

 

[claudegris]

I am giving a catholic answer

Nope.

 

[aprilfloyd]

Nope.

I stand corrected, I though that Catholicism taught masturbation was wrong and that was a catholic answer

 

[claudegris]

I guess you are here to teach us what Catholicism is and is not.

The catholic answer is definitely not along the lines of masturbation being ok.

I have seen many of your other comments by now and see no reason to continue reading your sour grapes.

Adieu. You’ll be in my prayers.

 

[aprilfloyd]

Thanks.

I enjoyed our chat

 

[fred_conty]

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

“For me the real evil of masturbation would be that it takes an appetite which, in lawful use, leads the individual out of himself to complete (and correct) his own personality in that of another (and finally in children and even grandchildren) and turns it back, sends it back into the prison of himself, there to keep a harem of imaginary brides. And this harem, once admitted, works against his ever getting out and really uniting with a real woman. For the harem is always accessible, always subservient, calls for no sacrifices or adjustments, and can be endowed with erotic and psychological attractions which no real woman can rival .”

Just another thought.

 

[Blue_Horizon]

This has been such an ingrained habit that I wonder if something might happen if I just stopped cold turkey. I sometimes have discomforts and pains. That might just be from my body craving this though. … Maybe in my situation things are venial.

Keep trying, its when one gives up trying that mortal sin is a real possibility.
Of course things are most likely venial for you as you seem to be covering the basics.
Some things God wants us to over come only by prayer. Don’t stop praying.

Re medical effects of suddeny stopping?. Ask a doctor. I do not see how the body cannot accomodate to slowly reduced frequency - it does to most other appetites.

Some young males allegedly seem to regularly suffer mild discomfort from seminal fluid (not semen) build up/pressure which usually self-regulates through “wet dreams”. The cause of this “pressure” may be a psycho-physiological reality rather than a purely physical one but its hard to know I suppose. Regradless, do your best, follow the standard advice and keep battling. Success or failure you will remain in God’s loving care and compassionate understanding.

 

[aprilfloyd]

With all due respect I really feel that the advice for the poster is to consult his doctor to understand his normal healthy ‘predicament’ - this should really not be considered in terms of a persons religious beliefs. An impressionable person may read these posts and get the total wrong idea about his body. Religious teachings are not the best place to seek advice on understanding the simple functions of the human body. Masturbation is normal. I say that as someone raised a catholic and does not need to contradict one’s catholic beliefs.