Why is masturbation not focused on in the mass media or in science?

[Rau]

The old “slippery slope” argument

The slippery slope argument gives the impression one must move along the slope. That’s not my intent here, but rather to understand how the poster discriminates right from wrong.

 

[migueltojose]

The slippery slope argument gives the impression one must move along the slope. That’s not my intent here, but rather to understand how the poster discriminates right from wrong.

What has that got to do with the OP’s question?

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understand how the poster discriminates right from wrong… ???***

 

[Rau]

What has that got to do with the OP’s question?

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understand how the poster discriminates right from wrong… ???***

I was in dialogue with Burdock, not the OP. Burdock states that there is “nothing at all immoral about masturbation”. I suspect he takes that view in light of the high likelihood that young persons masturbate, and an understandable desire to want to avoid unnecessary or excessive criticism of the persons concerned.

I invited him to consider other scenarios - eg. 2 people masturbating together, etc. touching each other, etc. and asked him are these revised scenarios still perfectly fine. I would have thought that the line gets drawn (in his mind), at some point, between perfectly fine and not fine. The question then is: exactly what is the immoral element? Is it the presence of 2 persons in the room? Is it the touch of another? Or is it that the initial behaviour is in fact not entirely fine, and the modified scenarios merely assist one to see that.

 

[Burdock]

I was in dialogue with Burdock, not the OP. Burdock states that there is “nothing at all immoral about masturbation”. I suspect he takes that view in light of the high likelihood that young persons masturbate, and an understandable desire to want to avoid unnecessary or excessive criticism of the persons concerned.

I invited him to consider other scenarios - eg. 2 people masturbating together, etc. touching each other, etc. and asked him are these revised scenarios still perfectly fine. I would have thought that the line gets drawn (in his mind), at some point, between perfectly fine and not fine. The question then is: exactly what is the immoral element? Is it the presence of 2 persons in the room? Is it the touch of another? Or is it that the initial behaviour is in fact not entirely fine, and the modified scenarios merely assist one to see that.

I am a female.

 

[ringil]

Well if I had a son, I have adult daughters, I would tell them not to worry about it, as long as they were not completely obsessed with it.

THis is an interesting thought and approach.

I would tell my kids that masturbation is wrong but that God loves us and is all forgiving. I would encourage them to resist the urge to masturbate but to be kind to themselves as well.

I sincerely believe that the Devil uses unhealthy guilt over masturbation to drive men into despair of God and of the laws of His Church.

I have had orthodox priests echo this sentiment. Sins of impurity are no more grave than sins of a non-sexual nature. Due to human nature especial attention is paid to sins of this type.

Yes, masturbation is wrong, but, because of it’s nature, is very difficult to overcome- thus God is patient with us and wants us to cling to him in times of temptation and realize his love and forgiveness when we fret over this sin.

I also believe that there are many conditions which lessen the full culpability of this sin.

 

[christofirst]

THis is an interesting thought and approach.

I would tell my kids that masturbation is wrong but that God loves us and is all forgiving. I would encourage them to resist the urge to masturbate but to be kind to themselves as well.

I sincerely believe that the Devil uses unhealthy guilt over masturbation to drive men into despair of God and of the laws of His Church.

I have had orthodox priests echo this sentiment. Sins of impurity are no more grave than sins of a non-sexual nature. Due to human nature especial attention is paid to sins of this type.

Yes, masturbation is wrong, but, because of it’s nature, is very difficult to overcome- thus God is patient with us and wants us to cling to him in times of temptation and realize his love and forgiveness when we fret over this sin.

I also believe that there are many conditions which lessen the full culpability of this sin.

If I ever come to admit that I need a licensed mental health practitioner, I choose you. Those are some good observations.

 

[Rau]

THis is an interesting thought and approach.

I would tell my kids that masturbation is wrong but that God loves us and is all forgiving. I would encourage them to resist the urge to masturbate but to be kind to themselves as well.

I sincerely believe that the Devil uses unhealthy guilt over masturbation to drive men into despair of God and of the laws of His Church.

I have had orthodox priests echo this sentiment. Sins of impurity are no more grave than sins of a non-sexual nature. Due to human nature especial attention is paid to sins of this type.

Yes, masturbation is wrong, but, because of it’s nature, is very difficult to overcome- thus God is patient with us and wants us to cling to him in times of temptation and realize his love and forgiveness when we fret over this sin.

I also believe that there are many conditions which lessen the full culpability of this sin.

 

[Galnextdoor]

I realise not everyone may feel the urge to masterbate but what I am saying is that it is not wrong and shouldnt be taught by the church s being sinful or evil

You can say that masturbation is not wrong, but that doesn’t make it so. I was married to a man who was 30 years old and had masturbated since he was 11. He discovered after we were married that he preferred masturbation to sex. He is quite proud of the fact that he doesn’t need anyone to satisfy himself sexually. He sees masturbation as quick, clean, easy and likes the fact that he doesn’t have to be concerned about another person. He says that there are other people out there who feel the same way.

I would think that you would see that this is the ultimate hedonistic act. It damages a persons ability to physically and emotionally connect with another human being in the marital embrace. Masturbation is a sexual act that is about nothing, but self-centered pleasure. We were not created to be alone. Masturbation is just another way of encouraging the breakdown of the family structure.

 

[bigblu]

You can say that masturbation is not wrong, but that doesn’t make it so. I was married to a man who was 30 years old and had masturbated since he was 11. He discovered after we were married that he preferred masturbation to sex. He is quite proud of the fact that he doesn’t need anyone to satisfy himself sexually. He sees masturbation as quick, clean, easy and likes the fact that he doesn’t have to be concerned about another person. He says that there are other people out there who feel the same way.

I would think that you would see that this is the ultimate hedonistic act. It damages a persons ability to physically and emotionally connect with another human being in the marital embrace. Masturbation is a sexual act that is about nothing, but self-centered pleasure. We were not created to be alone. Masturbation is just another way of encouraging the breakdown of the family structure.

Just because you were married to someone with issues doesnt mean it affects everyone that way. As a non catholic I know masturbation is harmless. Most everyone does it at one time or another just some of us know it is a normal part of life. I taught my children that it is a normal but private part of growing uo. I was taught the same and have a lovely marriage. My wife thinks it is normal as well and our sex life is quite rich. We both have masturbated and are not embarrassed or guilty about it at all and jist love and enjoy each other. We believe that you Catholics are the ones who habe the sick and perverted outlook on human sexuality.

 

[Rau]

Just because you were married to someone with issues doesnt mean it affects everyone that way. As a non catholic I know masturbation is harmless. Most everyone does it at one time or another just some of us know it is a normal part of life. I taught my children that it is a normal but private part of growing uo. I was taught the same and have a lovely marriage. My wife thinks it is normal as well and our sex life is quite rich. We both have masturbated and are not embarrassed or guilty about it at all and jist love and enjoy each other. We believe that you Catholics are the ones who habe the sick and perverted outlook on human sexuality.

How do you feel about premarital sex?

 

[bigblu]

How do you feel about premarital sex?

One of my children is a product of it. But I am married to his mother and have been for many years. I encourage my kids to wait for marriage as I and my wife have both been through the negative affects of premarital sexual relationships and are thankful to God that we foumd eachother when we did. We like monogamy as it is much more loving than casual hookups.

 

[Rau]

One of my children is a product of it. But I am married to his mother and have been for many years. I encourage my kids to wait for marriage as I and my wife have both been through the negative affects of premarital sexual relationships and are thankful to God that we foumd eachother when we did. We like monogamy as it is much more loving than casual hookups.

But is premarital sex morally wrong?

 

[bigblu]

But is premarital sex morally wrong?

Yes, I beleive premarital sex with another is morally wrong if they don’t stay with that person. But people make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. But I don’t share the catholic concept of mortal and venial sin.

 

[Rau]

Yes, I beleive premarital sex with another is morally wrong if they don’t stay with that person. But people make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. But I don’t share the catholic concept of mortal and venial sin.

So having premarital sex is wrong, or not wrong, according to whether or not they later break up?

And I guess masturbation “not in private” would be OK too for those 2 persons, on the same basis?

Are these conclusions reasoned by you independently, or do they derive from a particular interpretation of Scripture or teachings of another Church?

 

[Burdock]

You can say that masturbation is not wrong, but that doesn’t make it so. I was married to a man who was 30 years old and had masturbated since he was 11. He discovered after we were married that he preferred masturbation to sex. He is quite proud of the fact that he doesn’t need anyone to satisfy himself sexually. He sees masturbation as quick, clean, easy and likes the fact that he doesn’t have to be concerned about another person. He says that there are other people out there who feel the same way.

I would think that you would see that this is the ultimate hedonistic act. It damages a persons ability to physically and emotionally connect with another human being in the marital embrace. Masturbation is a sexual act that is about nothing, but self-centered pleasure. We were not created to be alone. Masturbation is just another way of encouraging the breakdown of the family structure.

Im sorry that this is the case for you but your situation is quite unusual. For most people masturbation is a normal harmless part of growing up.

 

[Burdock]

Just because you were married to someone with issues doesnt mean it affects everyone that way. As a non catholic I know masturbation is harmless. Most everyone does it at one time or another just some of us know it is a normal part of life. I taught my children that it is a normal but private part of growing uo. I was taught the same and have a lovely marriage. My wife thinks it is normal as well and our sex life is quite rich. We both have masturbated and are not embarrassed or guilty about it at all and jist love and enjoy each other. We believe that you Catholics are the ones who habe the sick and perverted outlook on human sexuality.

I agree, it does seem that catholics are the ones with hangups about masturbation and seen to demonise it. It is a normal part of growing up. I think catholic teaching on this could be psychologically harmful to adolescents.

 

[bigblu]

So having premarital sex is wrong, or not wrong, according to whether or not they later break up?

And I guess masturbation “not in private” would be OK too for those 2 persons, on the same basis?

Are these conclusions reasoned by you independently, or do they derive from a particular interpretation of Scripture or teachings of another Church?

You seem to have a real legalistic outlook on things. I take things very simple. Faith in Jesus as lord and savior and try to follow the 10 commandments. I don’t have a problem with mutual masturbation in the context of a marriage.

 

[bigblu]

I agree, it does seem that catholics are the ones with hangups about masturbation and seen to demonise it. It is a normal part of growing up. I think catholic teaching on this could be psychologically harmful to adolescents.

My thoughts exactly. I don’t want my children growing up thinking there is something wrong with them or feeling ashamed over regular sexual feelings.

 

[Rau]

You seem to have a real legalistic outlook on things. I take things very simple. Faith in Jesus as lord and savior and try to follow the 10 commandments. I don’t have a problem with mutual masturbation in the context of a marriage.

If by legalistic you mean I apply reason, so be it.

 

[bigblu]

If by legalistic you mean I apply reason, so be it.

I have not found your posts I read to be reason. Just following an arbitrary set of rules made by man supposed ly in the name of God.