My doctor told me Masturbation is healthy, normal and good

[QuasiCatholic]

"The Gale Encyclopedia of Children’s Health, with articles by medical writers and health-care professionals and an editorial board of pediatricians with academic affiliations, has more than 600 alphabetically arranged, signed entries, ranging in length from 500 to 4,000 words. Half of the entries cover topics affecting children from conception through age 4, and the rest discuss topics affecting children from 5 to 18 years of age. "

 

[bobballen_18]

In this case, your morality IS subjective. You must realize that almost all of the medical field and most other nonreligions persons consider masturbation NOT offensive at all. If fact, not a sin as you would describe it. Morality, in some cases, is a man-made concept that is defined by the society you live in; it is subjective. To suggest that your religious morality is absolute and to try and impose it upon a secular democratic society is in fact offensive to many other people.

SuperLuigi basically already said what I was going to - but again, I never said anything about “impos[ing] it upon a secular democratic society”, at least not in the sense that there would be a secular law against masturbation. I am talking about the moral law, and there are no cases in which morality is subjective. The medical field’s opinion and non-religious persons’ opinions about masturbation do not make it right. Anyway, the only sense of “impose” (although that’s your word, not the word I used) that I meant was just like I said in my last post - we as Catholics must do our best to make the truth known about the sinfulness of many actions our society believes are no big deal.

 

[bisco]

"The Gale Encyclopedia of Children’s Health, with articles by medical writers and health-care professionals and an editorial board of pediatricians with academic affiliations, has more than 600 alphabetically arranged, signed entries, ranging in length from 500 to 4,000 words. Half of the entries cover topics affecting children from conception through age 4, and the rest discuss topics affecting children from 5 to 18 years of age. "

couldn’t find anything, but the ‘new catholic encyclopedia’ is an excellent and appropriate source, and available on line.

 

[Mulligan2]

My friends,
As a doctor myself I signed up just so I many respond to this topic.
It is in my professional opinion that masturbation is indeed a normal and healthy part of growing up. Obviously, in some religions, present company included, masturbation is called sinful and therefore can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. When older children/young adults go through adolescence and puberty, they often “discover” masturbation through nocturnal emission (wet dreams) or through natural exploration and curiosity of their changing bodies.

Masturbation will not: cause blindess, hair growth on palms, stunt growth, or cause brain damage.

As mentioned before, the opposite is true, in that masturbation can relieve stress, sexual frustration, and “take the edge off.”

This is how I would respond to anyone who asked my professional opinion. While I do respect the other opinions presented here, I am obligated to tell you that while you may not agree with it, you must also be willing to respect mine and the millions, perhaps billions of others who do NOT regard masturbation as sinful in any regard.

thank you for your time.

Doctor, thanks for your post. I made a similar comment earlier in this thread, that the OP’s doctor provided factual advice, as per a doctor’s responsibility. And I’ve been subject to the same blowback that you’re receiving on this thread. I’ve long since realized that if someone’s mind is made up, no scientific or medical evidence to the contrary will change their opinion - especially when one is competing against a circular argument and / or cognitive dissonance. Thanks again for your factual and charitable posts.

 

[bisco]

and please show us your scientific and medical ‘evidence’, after all, i’m not a doctor, i just play one on the 'net.

 

[Ositokc]

Doctor, thanks for your post. I made a similar comment earlier in this thread, that the OP’s doctor provided factual advice, as per a doctor’s responsibility. And I’ve been subject to the same blowback that you’re receiving on this thread. I’ve long since realized that if someone’s mind is made up, no scientific or medical evidence to the contrary will change their opinion - especially when one is competing against a circular argument and / or cognitive dissonance. Thanks again for your factual and charitable posts.

Thank you for the kind words and Happy Thanksgiving! I did not come here to disrespect anyone’s ideas or religion, but rather just to present my professional opinion. Both of my parents are Catholic and I’m actually used to a little blowback. But one thing I must respond to is this aforementioned comment above:

“The medical field’s opinion and non-religious persons’ opinions about masturbation do not make it right.”

While I do respect this, I must conversely say:

The Catholic or Religious persons’ opinions about masturbation therefore do not make it wrong.

Medicine and Science are not trying to disprove or falsify any religion, but rather discover truth and use that truth to treat the sick and keep the world healthy. In my opinion, teaching children that masturbation is a “sin” and even a disorder as it has been called, can definitely be more harmful than helpful.

 

[OurLadysServant]

What about God teaching Murder is wrong, adultery is wrong, stealing is wrong, euthanasia is wrong, abortion is wrong, bearing false witness is wrong, cursing and swearing is wrong?
So a Catholic or Religious person’s opinion about God’s Law does not mean something is wrong?
We cannot ‘pick’ the Commandments of God we agree with or don’t.
One doctor or the entire medical profession, or opinions of billions, CANNOT change a commandment as set down by God, the Bible, the Vatican, the Popes, the bishops, the church, the saints, Jesus Words, the private revelation given by God to mystics of the church. No the church has not changed it’s authoritive stance from God on masturbation. Neither has it changed on abortion, murder, adultery, euthanasia, -God’s Commandments are non-negotiable. An opinion of someone doesn’t change God’s Law.

These are not our ‘opinions’.

These are God’s Laws as set down by the Commandments.
It is God’s Law. Not our opinions. It is not our opinion. It is God’s teaching through the authority of the Popes, the bishops, the Catechism, the Vatican, the Saints, the Bible, Jesus words, the commandments, and private revelation to mystics in the church.
God is real and so are his laws.

Is it harmful to teach children the Commandments and how to avoid sin for the Eternal Salvation of their souls?

The Commandments are part of Catholic Education. They are not harmful.
Knowledge of God’s Law.

The medical profession are bringing in euthanasia, abortion, and where abortion has failed there is murder/ starvation of babies occurring in places. Clear acts of murder and evil being made okay
The bible says: ‘We ought to obey God and NOT men.’

The Commandment of God (isn’t an opinion), it’s God’s Command.
Masturbation is adultery against your own body and if deliberate in full knowledge and freedom is a mortal sin that leads to hell if unconfessed.
God’s teaching through the church, popes, bishops, saints, catechism, private revelation to mystics.

Thank you for the kind words and Happy Thanksgiving! I did not come here to disrespect anyone’s ideas or religion, but rather just to present my professional opinion. Both of my parents are Catholic and I’m actually used to a little blowback. But one thing I must respond to is this aforementioned comment above:

“The medical field’s opinion and non-religious persons’ opinions about masturbation do not make it right.”

While I do respect this, I must conversely say:

The Catholic or Religious persons’ opinions about masturbation therefore do not make it wrong.

Medicine and Science are not trying to disprove or falsify any religion, but rather discover truth and use that truth to treat the sick and keep the world healthy. In my opinion, teaching children that masturbation is a “sin” and even a disorder as it has been called, can definitely be more harmful than helpful.

 

[OurLadysServant]

Bible quote:

The way of the world is at enmity with God.

 

[bisco]

unfortunately.

 

[casslean]

I have read and respect what the various medical professionals in this thread have posted. However, I think it needs to be pointed out that a medical professional’s responsibility is to ensure their patient’s physical well-being. There may not be anything physically harmful about masturbation, and doctors are within their rights to provide that information.

However, the Church’s teachings are designed to ensure the spiritual well-being of their parishioners. Gossip isn’t physically harmful (to the gossiper); however, it is still a sin because it harms our ability to fully receive the Holy Spirit. Masturbation is contrary to the purpose for which God intended sexual activity - the emergence of new life. As such, it is intrinsically disordered and is not “good”.

My pastor does not provide medical advice; the medical community should extend the same courtesy, and stop providing spiritual advice.

 

[Tomdstone]

What about God teaching Murder is wrong,…

That is what I thought also. But on another thread, there was a case of a plane with 200 innocent people having been hijacked and about to smash into a building and thereby kill 2000 people. Roman Catholics there said that it was best to shoot down the plane and save the 2000 people in the building. But when I said that that is just murder of 200 innocent people and that murder of innocent people is not allowed, they unanimously disagreed with me. So apparently there are exceptions to the teaching that murder is wrong. A lot of God’s teachings seem to have exceptions. For example, when I mentioned in another thread that according to God’s law as written in the Bible, a woman should submit to the husband:
Ephesians 5:24
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
1 Corinthians 7:34
There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
Roman Catholics then ridiculed this and said that I must “get real” and that the teaching requiring a woman to submit to her husband was wrong.
So these teachings are not held strictly by Roman Catholics today.

 

[OurLadysServant]

Opinion on masturbation verses Catholic Church teaching under Pope John Paul II:

This quote on masturbation is published in the first published book of the Catechism 1992, bearing down on 2,000 years of church teaching, the saints, the Bible, Jesus words, Church tradition, theologians, mystics of the church, private revelation, the Popes, promulgated under the authority of Saint Pope John Paul II. No it is not outdated.

. The topic of masturbation in the catechism bearing on ALL these sources was written about for the modern world and It was promulgated in 1992 under Saint Pope John Paul II, a now canonised saint.

No. This rule of the church is NOT outdated or out of context.

Catechism, written by Catholic bishops, catholic theologians, quoting from the canonised saints and catholic writers and mystics of the church, from a current understanding of the Bible, the Commandments, and Jesus own words state:

Masturbation is grave matter, if committed freely, deliberately, and full knowledge is a mortal sin, which if you die unrepentant and without confessing, means you cannot get into Heaven.

Anyone reading this post now has full knowledge. If masturbation is committed freely deliberately -after reading this post - a mortal sin.
The Catechism does not mention exceptions for this under the grounds of full knowledge, freedom, and deliberate committing of masturbation.

If these teachings promulgated under the Authority of The Pope are not adhered to by many -that’s no excuse. It’s God’s Law and Eternal Salvation being out at stake. Many are breaking rules such as abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage, cohabitation, etc… Just because many break the Commandments does that mean it’s okay? There is no exception for grave matter under the grounds of freedom, full knowledge and deliberately committing grave matter (the commandments).

The Church is up to date on the commandments, read the 1992 Catechesis promulgated under Saint Pope John Paul II which bears the teaching of 2,000 years of saints, mystics , theologians, catholic writers. Mystics, private revelation, popes, bible, Jesus words and the Commandments -and the catholic bishops, theologians promulgated under Saint Pope John Paul II himself.

Listen to people’s opinion on masturbation, or to God’s teaching on it which bears the teaching of 2,000 years of saints, mystics , theologians, catholic writers. Mystics, private revelation, popes, bible, Jesus words and the Commandments -and the catholic bishops, theologians promulgated under Saint Pope John Paul II himself in the 1992 Catechism.

 

[GGates]

Even if masturbation were medically proven to be healthy and normal it would be sinful for the simple reason that it is a selfish act which breaks the morality that the soul needs to follow. It is very unhealthy for your soul, and ultimately what’s important is to keep thy soul in the best condition you can. So even supposing it were good for the body it would still be sinful because of the spiritual implications of the act. I could go on about other reasons why it is unhealthy but knowing that the soul is damaged and any damage to the soul should be avoided, seems to be sufficient. If you want to know more I will fill in but it should be as needed.

 

[truetofaith]

Opinion on masturbation verses Catholic Church teaching under Pope John Paul II:

This quote on masturbation is published in the first published book of the Catechism 1992, bearing down on 2,000 years of church teaching, the saints, the Bible, Jesus words, Church tradition, theologians, mystics of the church, private revelation, the Popes, promulgated under the authority of Saint Pope John Paul II. No it is not outdated.

. The topic of masturbation in the catechism bearing on ALL these sources was written about for the modern world and It was promulgated in 1992 under Saint Pope John Paul II, a now canonised saint.

No. This rule of the church is NOT outdated or out of context.

Catechism, written by Catholic bishops, catholic theologians, quoting from the canonised saints and catholic writers and mystics of the church, from a current understanding of the Bible, the Commandments, and Jesus own words state:

Masturbation is grave matter, if committed freely, deliberately, and full knowledge is a mortal sin, which if you die unrepentant and without confessing, means you cannot get into Heaven.

Anyone reading this post now has full knowledge. If masturbation is committed freely deliberately -after reading this post - a mortal sin.
The Catechism does not mention exceptions for this under the grounds of full knowledge, freedom, and deliberate committing of masturbation.

If these teachings promulgated under the Authority of The Pope are not adhered to by many -that’s no excuse. It’s God’s Law and Eternal Salvation being out at stake. Many are breaking rules such as abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage, cohabitation, etc… Just because many break the Commandments does that mean it’s okay? There is no exception for grave matter under the grounds of freedom, full knowledge and deliberately committing grave matter (the commandments).

The Church is up to date on the commandments, read the 1992 Catechesis promulgated under Saint Pope John Paul II which bears the teaching of 2,000 years of saints, mystics , theologians, catholic writers. Mystics, private revelation, popes, bible, Jesus words and the Commandments -and the catholic bishops, theologians promulgated under Saint Pope John Paul II himself.

Listen to people’s opinion on masturbation, or to God’s teaching on it which bears the teaching of 2,000 years of saints, mystics , theologians, catholic writers. Mystics, private revelation, popes, bible, Jesus words and the Commandments -and the catholic bishops, theologians promulgated under Saint Pope John Paul II himself in the 1992 Catechism.

Hopefully, this will put a cap on this Topic…I personally think the stubborn people are enjoying this subject! :banghead:

 

[bisco]

i can testify to the powerful pull of sexual desire, and the desperate lengths one will go to, to try and find a loophole in church teaching. it took me 20 years to overcome satan’s lies. thanks be to God.

 

[truetofaith]

i can testify to the powerful pull of sexual desire, and the desperate lengths one will go to, to try and find a loophole in church teaching. it took me 20 years to overcome satan’s lies. thanks be to God.

I understand what you’re saying, but I never look for loopholes on any sin, just confess it, pray for help & try to overcome it.

 

[bisco]

agreed. i hope the o/p and those who agreed with him will take your advice to heart.

 

[on_the_hill]

I’m still waiting to see the doctor’s clinical evidence that masturbation doesn’t cause hairy palms. Because I’ve got a bill from the laser hair removal clinic that says otherwise.

 

[bisco]

Doctor, thanks for your post. I made a similar comment earlier in this thread, that the OP’s doctor provided factual advice, as per a doctor’s responsibility. And I’ve been subject to the same blowback that you’re receiving on this thread. I’ve long since realized that if someone’s mind is made up, no scientific or medical evidence to the contrary will change their opinion - especially when one is competing against a circular argument and / or cognitive dissonance. Thanks again for your factual and charitable posts.

i thought you had ‘politely bowed out of this conversation’?

 

[Beircheart]

This topic falls into a laundry list of struggles I have with my faith. Typically, they all fall under the umbrella of conflict between modern scientific discovery and its impact on teaching/philosophy developed when that knowledge was unavailable to benefit.

There is no such thing as the standard human. To begin with, the average human brain is composed of roughly 86 billion neurons (Dr Suzana Herculano-Houzel et al., 2012). With such a large number, it is unrealistic to not assume extremely wide variation in layout, structure, etc. is prevalent ultimately impacting behavior. These unique structures fall under the ‘nature’ shadow of the nature vs. nurture influences all people are subject to.

Shifting to the neuroscience of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and the related Impulse Control Disorder, both of which 1) exist on a continuum from not clinically significant to life destructive, 2) have been demonstrated to have biological etymologies (both related to the basal ganglia system), and 3) manifest themselves in all individuals differing only in degree, I seriously begin to question culpability when it comes to masturbation.

Given the extreme prevalence of the activity in both human and non-human species, it undeniably is a naturally occurring behavior (physiologically, not philosophically) which, to varying degrees and based on individual neuro-structure, may be as benign as that nagging, persistent questioning, “Did I remember to lock the front door?” or mild nail biting, yet is just as beyond the conscious control of individuals who have such compulsions. In other words, many, and given the outrageously high incidence rate of the behavior I dare say most, can no more willfully not masturbate then they can willfully not breath. By way of non-behavioral analogy, they may as well try to change their eye color by force of will. In the end their biology will prevail and if it does not negatively impact other areas of life, and research suggests that in the vast majority of cases masturbation does not, it is not appropriate to deem these compulsions mental disorders.

Certainly, this situation falls into the caveat, “To form an equitable judgment about the subjects’ moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.” The absolute minimum is, of course, zero.

Given the above, and realizing they are mere scratches on the surface of human behavioral impulses, would any of this have impacted the teaching’s content? Or does the philosophic perspective out of which they were formed trump biological findings unavailable at that time? In the end the real question is, if faith and science cannot contradict each other, how do the two reconcile into one harmonious truth?