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billcu1
Guest
Is the only thing the church states to call masturbation a sin Onan?
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JerryZ
Guest
Actually the sin of Onan is referred as an example against contraception. Remember Onan spilled his seed on the floor to deny his Brother’s widow a heir that would provide for her support in her old age. (No Social Security or pension those days).
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underacloud
Guest
It is a matter of natural moral law. Sex is intended for two purposes - procreation and the unity of marriage. Masturbation does not meet these purposes; it is contrary to both.
It is also a matter of tradition; the Church has always taught this to be the case, as did the Jews beforehand.
I think there is also mention of it (euphemistically) in Leviticus as making a man unclean if he emits semen other than via sex with his wife. I’ll try to find this reference.
It is also a matter of tradition; the Church has always taught this to be the case, as did the Jews beforehand.
I think there is also mention of it (euphemistically) in Leviticus as making a man unclean if he emits semen other than via sex with his wife. I’ll try to find this reference.
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davidv
Guest
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billcu1
Guest
Yes but isn’t that the old law we are free from. Didn’t Jesus give ten commandments of his own. The Magisterium I guess saying this in the CCC is good enough but I just don’t see that it’s a big sin myself. I would need the magisterium to tell me this. But in my circumstance I believe it is a venial sin (and I’m going to try and make sure of this at next confession) because of years of habit, anxiety and panic attacks to the point of being medicated all up. And I believe immaturity too is one of my problems. I emit semen when going to the toilet too.
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underacloud
Guest
The magesterium teaches that this is grave matter. Anxiety etc may lessen personal culpability, but not the objective gravity of the sin. In short, it is a big sin.
Of course, discuss with your confessor. But do not think that even if he acknowledges your anxiety etc as mitigating factors, it makes the sin any less objectively bad…
Of course, discuss with your confessor. But do not think that even if he acknowledges your anxiety etc as mitigating factors, it makes the sin any less objectively bad…
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billcu1
Guest
I intend to do so. But after doing this grave matter and attending Mass I feel a weight lifted from me. I know going to Mass forgives venial sins.
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eyesopening
Guest
Its not a venial sin. It is a mortal sin. And your “feelings” have little to do with it.
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YosefYosep
Guest
Masturbation is an act that conjures unhealthy lust which leads to objectifying others as a sexual medium. It is also a horrible mistreatment of our sexuality. Sex naturally = life. Taking the potential of life out of the sexual context is in itself a grave matter.
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ajatkinson
Guest
You don’t know that! Are you the OP’s spiritual director? Are you qualified to hear confessions? Not trying to be rude, but I can’t stand when people (usually on these forums) say “___ is a mortal sin.”
The act is “objectively grave”. Period. To determine whether any sin is a mortal sin requires looking at intent, knowledge, and how the person came to commit the act to begin with.
Holy Mother Church in Her infinite wisdom through her teaching magisterium and the CCC clearly say that you must have 1. grave matter to begin with 2. full knowledge of the sinful nature of the sin (some sources say things like “full reflection”) 3. and full and deliberate consent of the will to do the sin. The Church also teaches that culpability for acts, even objectively “grave” acts such as sexual sin, murder, etc can be lessened to venial status and even removed completely given the level of freedom in the act. If someone rapes you, you haven’t committed the sin of fornication whatsoever. Likewise, we also know that the Church says that force of acquired habit, addictions, spiritual immaturity, and even other psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, or stress can all influence one’s judgement in doing these acts.
Someone who goes to Mass weekly, prays daily for deliverance, and tries to improve their walk with the Lord who finds themself having trouble breaking the habit or perhaps has all but broken this habit yet occasionally finds themself “falling off the wagon” and committing this act is surely in a different boat morally then a person who knows it is gravely wrong, yet chooses to do it freely with disregard towards God, by not feeling remorseful or not trying and do anything to break the cycle.
I just came into the Church this past Easter Vigil, but I have read most of the Catechism and have read a great deal on moral theology due to my own concerns about breaking bad habits.
Talk to your Priest about the issue and see what he says. In my experience, the replies I have gotten in confession dealing with my own struggles are much less condemning and much more understanding than many you will get from those around you. Even priests and the religious struggle with these things. Becoming “holy” doesn’t mean we will have perfect mastery over our own will or sinful tendencies, especially concerning things as strong as sexual desires which are hard-wired within all of us. But, over time, we are hopefully becoming less and less attached to these sins, finding ourselves being more and more victorious over them with the help of Christ, and making a conscious effort to rid ourselves of them daily. When we fall, we must not despair. Satan uses that to drag me down and make me feel like its not worth the fight.
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