Why is masturbation a sin?

[ladybug25]

Ok, so this is a weird question.
I know that the Church teaches that masturbation is a sin. But why exactly do they think so?
Some people say it leads you to egoism because you satisfy your needs. But than eating, drinking or scratching should be sinful too. Or going to massage…
Im 27 years old woman and Im a virgin. I dont have a boyfriend. But I do have these needs. Im not addicted, i masturbate 3-5x a month, usually during ovulation when my hormones are high. I dont watch porn nor do I imagine real people.
Im a new Catholic and I respect the Church etc but I also need reasons and explanation. Im not a kind of person who blindly obeys everything.
Thank you for explanation.

 

[pensmama87]

It’s true that if you don’t eat or drink, you will die. But you will not die without sexual gratification.

It’s also true that one can eat or drink in a sinful way. Gluttony is to food and drink what lust is to sex. Masturbation is sinful because it is using sex in a way it was not intended to be used, against its purpose. Sex is to be shared with a spouse, as a giving, not a taking.

 

[frobert]

Ok, so this is a weird question.
I know that the Church teaches that masturbation is a sin. But why exactly do they think so?
Some people say it leads you to egoism because you satisfy your needs. But than eating, drinking or scratching should be sinful too. Or going to massage…
Im 27 years old woman and Im a virgin. I dont have a boyfriend. But I do have these needs. Im not addicted, i masturbate 3-5x a month, usually during ovulation when my hormones are high. I dont watch porn nor do I imagine real people.
Im a new Catholic and I respect the Church etc but I also need reasons and explanation. Im not a kind of person who blindly obeys everything.
Thank you for explanation.

Short answer: If you believe it is a sin it is a sin.

Sin is defined by your faith and beliefs. Sin is not the same as morality or ethics which are not religious terms. For those of you who interpret this to mean that everyone can do what they believe is right, You are wrong.

From Ethics vs. Morals

Ethics and morals both relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct. However, ethics refer to the series of rules provided to an individual by an external source, e.g. their profession or religion. Morals refer to an individual’s own principles regarding right and wrong.

 

[ladybug25]

Well, thats roughly what I thought was the problem. I will think about this.
Im not persuaded and I still dont believe its a sin, but maybe I will try to avoid it as an exercise in obedience.

 

[PietroPaolo]

Well, thats roughly what I thought was the problem. I will think about this.
Im not persuaded and I still dont believe its a sin, but maybe I will try to avoid it as an exercise in obedience.

Read Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body for a better understanding of human sexuality. Then seriously think about the Church’s claims to authority. If she is who she says she is (i.e. the mouthpiece of God on Earth) disobeying out of pride (I’m not the type to blindly obey) is itself very sinful (in fact the mother of all sins).

 

[eightydeuce82]

Well, thats roughly what I thought was the problem. I will think about this.
Im not persuaded and I still dont believe its a sin, but maybe I will try to avoid it as an exercise in obedience.

You may not “think” its a sin but God and his church do…so if your catholic its a sin…if your not catholic its a sin. Whats the varriable here? You!

What we think something is really isnt relevant. what it is IS!

 

[frobert]

Relative to what? Your belief in sin is relative to your faith. A Buddhist would say morals are relative to knowledge. What you, not Pope Francis, refer to as “Moral relativism hogwash” is clocked in rigidity in not being able to discern that other religions and moral systems can be and are built on valid beliefs. By valid I do not necessarily mean true for everyone believes their religious, or ethical or moral beliefs are true.

 

[eightydeuce82]

Relative to what? Your belief in sin is relative to your faith. A Buddhist would say morals are relative to knowledge. What you, not Pope Francis, refer to as “Moral relativism hogwash” is clocked in rigidity in not being able to discern that other religions and moral systems can be and are built on valid beliefs. By valid I do not necessarily mean true for everyone believes their religious, or ethical or moral beliefs are true.

Were not dealing with other religions were dealing with a catholic asking and stating that masturbation isnt a sin…the church teaches it is therefor it is. If your catholic you are bound by this. We are not to sacrifice truth for ecuminism. Honestly to a catholic it doesnt matter what anyone else thinks.

 

[ladybug25]

I didnt want to argue, I just wanted an explanation. I think adult people should understand WHY something is forbidden.
Explanation “dont do it because Im your mom and I say so” is for little children.
I really dont want to be rude or something, I was just asking because i want to understand the faith more and I want to be able to defend catholic teachings when talking with others.

 

[eightydeuce82]

I didnt want to argue, I just wanted an explanation. I think adult people should understand WHY something is forbidden.
Explanation “dont do it because Im your mom and I say so” is for little children.
I really dont want to be rude or something, I was just asking because i want to understand the faith more and I want to be able to defend catholic teachings when talking with others.

Some of us get it Lady! Its a sin because thats not how our sexual instruments were intended to be used. Catholics believe very much in the natural law. For the same reason why Homosexual intercourse is wrong and a sin, not only because it violates scripture but also the natural law and the natural order…so does masturbation. Pleasure is great however sexual pleasure in nature is geared towards an end. The production of life. We are made to produce life. This can not happen in homosexual acts (disordered and un natural) and it cant happen in masturbation. Keeping the end in mind. Just like we are not living this life for this life we are living it for the next. Self pleasure has no end in mind it is selfish and turns you inward. As a married man I have relations with my wife to strengthen the marriage bond and become closer to her alway with the openness to life (no contraception). It is unselfish as it benefits both of us. If life happens because of this bond we share then thats Gods will.