In Christanity, is masterbation a sin? Why or why not?

Question

Please include scriptures if you know of any.

Answer 1

They say it is a sin because of impure thoughts. It is used by Christians to guilt trip kids.

Answer 2

Many scholars think that the JudeoChristian/Islamic prohibition against masturbation comes from a misinterpretation of Genesis 38:9, where Onan "spilled (his seed) on the ground."

Hence the archaic term "Onanism" (which means diddling your digit, and not in Dallas).

But it's a misinterpretation. What Onan actually did was coitus interruptus, while he was having sex with his sister-in-law. (She was a really friendly girl.)

I don't think any serious Christian would consider masturbation a sin. But it is a distraction if you're doing it on the crosstown bus.

Answer 3

The only scripture reference I can think of is to Onan, who "spilled out his seed on the ground" because he did not want to fulfill his duty under the law, to impregnate his widowed sister in law. This was his obligation under the law, to give his deceased brother an heir and his widowed sister in law a means of support in her old age. This is sometimes taken as a prohibition against masturbation, in fact, an old word for masturbation is Onany, however it makes more sense to consider it as renaginig on family duties.

In traditional Catholicism masturbation is considered a serious sin, as are all sexual expressions outside of marriage. This is because traditional Catholicism regards sex as belonging totally within marriage, and unmarried people of all ages are supposed to be totally asexual. This is unrealisitc in view of modern understanding of human sexuality, but Catholic beliefs are based on primative traditions, not necessarily on science or scripture.

There are a few scriptures in Paul where he lists "abusers of themselves" with other sinners who don't get into heaven, and so Catholics use the term "self abuse" as a euphemism for masturbation. In fact, in the old tradition, if a devout Catholic has mastrubated they must tell it in confession before they can receive any other sacraments, and "self abuse" is the code word one usually uses to confess this. But if one were unfamiliar with that term, it would not connote masturbation, it would connote over indulgence in any pleasure to the point of self harm, or perhaps fetishization of pain.

Answer 4

Check out the dictionary for what masturbation is...you will be amazed with the definition. I was. It's self-abuse. It's also sexual sin and lustful thoughts.

One of the fruits of the spirit that is talked about in Gal. 22 is self-control.

Answer 5

No, it particularly is no longer a sin. "Sin" is a concept in basic terms from the perspective of a often non secular perspective. The exploration of ones very own physique is a private and private element it is carefully organic.

Answer 6

Yes: but more because of what you're thinking at that time. In the Holy Bible, Matthew 5:28 said "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

Answer 7

1) There is no a clear Bible reference that states whether masturbation is a sin or not.

2) In this (similar) case, the motive of the asker is as much important as the answer.

3) And in this case, If you have a strong desire to be devoted follower of Jesus Christ, there is a great chance (subconsciously or consciously) for you to be biased in your judgments toward being anti-masturbation and vice versa.

4) I fall in the former category, so don’t regard me reasoning unbiased:

•We cannot see (have intimate relationship with) Jesus Christ without holiness (Heb.12:14).

•Jesus Christ will reveal Himself to us only if we obey His commandments (John 14:21).

•Jesus Christ did not commanded us to not masturbate, but he did commanded us to not lust after woman whom we are not married to (Matt 5:28).

•Jesus Christ had commanded us to tear out our right eye or cut our right hand (right refers to something that is significant/important to us) if it will cause as to sin (Matt. 5:29,30 – note that these commandments are right after the above commandment).

•Even if masturbation is not sin by itself, but just because it usually leads us to lust after woman (man) whom we are not married to, we should cut it out (stop practicing it).

•If you are a serious Christian, you won’t mind if I add this one, too: “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8).

Answer 8

It probably falls under the broad "sexual immorality" category.

Answer 9

No , it is not a sin. It is a natural instinct.

Answer 10

Nah, I am a christian and I don't think it is....you gotta jerk the gherkin ever once in a while...