Exactly why is masturbation considered a sin?

Question

Everyone just loves the masturbation questions.

Okay, why exactly is this considered a sin? Having been raised a Christian--but now an Atheist--I know that the reference for this is taken from the Bible story about Onan, who, while having sex with his dead brother's wife, withdrew early and "spilled his seed on the ground". The very fact that he was having intercourse with someone else says, to me at least, that this was not masturbation. If Christians are going to use this story to condemn a sexual act, wouldn't it make more sense to condemn early withdrawal? I know that sounds stupid, but not as stupid as saying that this Bible story is telling us that masturbating is a sin. Let's hear your thoughts, and hey---both hands on the keyboard!

This "I may or may not have both hands on the keyboard" question has been brought to you courtesy of Jack

Answer 1

Many Christians will disagree with this, but here goes. If you look at the Bible as a whole (OT/NT) the way I understand the Biblical legal perspective (and I believe that is what you are asking) masturbation is not a sin, not in the sense you are talking about it. Onan (or whoever it was) committed the sin of disobedience, not masturbation. Masturbation is not mentioned in the Bible, so most Biblical scholars leave it up to individual interpretation. The reference to Jesus stating that lust is the same as committing the sin is also usually taken out of context. There were more than 600 Jewish laws to keep, and the new laws Jesus introduced literally made it impossible for any human to ever come close to following the law. Jesus' standard was perfection (which is unattainable) and Jesus entire point was to show that it is impossible to follow the law and be saved by it, that He was the fulfillment of the law, the one that would deliver them from the law's slavery hold on mankind (the Lamb of God promised in the OT). Paul the lawyer would say that believers are "free" to sin (with natural consequences of course). Some Biblical scholars state it as liberty to sin, but not license (I won't even touch that legal statement here, that one drives people nuts,).

Long story short, I would argue that from the Christian perspective (which is what I believe you are asking) the same common sense rules would apply for Christians and atheists alike. But the Christian has faith in Jesus' atonement for perfection unto biblical salvation, and the atheist does not believe in biblical salvation. Sin is not an issue to either one, the same common sense rules of morality apply to both, be good to others, be good to yourself.

And I'm not going to go anywhere near the latest medical/psychological studies on masturbation and its affects on brain chemistry/personal relationships. Whether its good for you or not, I'll leave that up to the old common sense adage, everything in moderation.

Everyone masturbates Jack. We just don't go telling the whole world about it.

Answer 2

Glad you asked Jack!!!! LOL! Actually the sin committed in the scripture you are referring to was him not "finishing" as the Law at that time dictated. Long story, lol, have to read the entire chapter to understand. But disobedience, not "spilling" was the sin he committed. The reason that "masturbation is considered a sin by many is, that, usually you have to have some visual or reading material to help you along. Even if you use just memories, it all still involves porn in a certain way. Usually fantasies about other people which, according to the Bible, is a sin. So, the actual act itself isn't the real debate, it is how you "climb the mountain" to reach the apex. :) Thanks for the question, and have a great day!!!

Answer 3

I don't agree that masturbation is a sin. I think anything done out of control sexually is "lust"... but there's a limit. Who says someone must be thinking about ANOTHER person specifically when they masturbate? You're focus is on what you're feeling. Not anyone specifically.
Lust: To have an intense or obsessive desire, especially one that is sexual.
Little babies have been known to rub up against sheets and what not and it's thought that it's because of the feeling involved. Obviously they are not lusting after anyone...
I think folks jump on an old school bandwagon rather than look at issues such as these objectively.. to me it's not really an issue anyways..
There's not one verse that says it's wrong. All things in moderation and self control.
Have a great one!

Answer 4

First lets cover what a "sin" is. The original definition was an archery term for missing the mark. A mistake. An accident. Religion has taken the meaning and distorted it to subvert human beings into a behavioral conditioning to elevate a select few into positions of power while keeping the common person in control using the power of fear and guilt as the motivator. The ultimate adversary in life we have is to please a God who is supernatural and communicates to a select few people and this is a capricious God who seems to be fickle at best and fearfullly oppressive at worst. Of course my sarcasm suggests this is nonsense but people still believe this. Religion has kept people in fear by control with NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION that fits into the experience of God. Masterbation is not a sin. I could go on for hours on the questions this raises and all the arguements this will raise from every fundamentalist angle but God is not sitting "up there" watching you spank the monkey and keeping a score card for you to see when you die. This archaic interpretation of what God is must be put to rest. The question raised already shows that you are thinking and the concept of what man has made God into no longer fits. Keep asking questions. Keep seeking. Atheists dont reject God normally. They reject the God concept of Theism that man has created. Keep asking and seeking.

Answer 5

Sperm is considered Vital-Essence is why it shouldn't be spilled on the ground. It contains LIFE-Essence. Masturbation is considered a sin because you cannot do it without some kind of lustful or sexual pattern of thought. Sex happens with the body not the mind. Mind perverts the act and sometimes leads to greater perversion.

Answer 6

I don't believe masturbation is a sin. The church is just funny about what they consider lude or improper. Masturbation is perfectly natural and healthy. As long as you don't get obsessed with it, like anything else. That's my opinion! And I had both hands on the keyboard courtesy of Nellie.

Answer 7

Looking at it from a jaded, anti-religion perspective, masturbation is often viewed as a sin because it does not produce more loyal followers. The success of any religion is largely dependent on numbers. Condoms, abortions and masturbation reduce those numbers. Each church is in ways like a business, a business that relies on its followers for support, often of the monetary kind.

Masturbation does not equal babies therefore, in the eyes of the church, its a sin.

Answer 8

The whole comes down to controlling people.

If you impose upon their important developmental stages, like the phase when we transition into adults then you can influence those persons for the rest of their lives, in the theory behind all this.

So if I am the priest, and I tell you that you are not allowed to keep anything private from me, I am practicing religious abuse, and specifically a form of emotional incest.

In other words, your masturbation habits should be between you and your doctor. But if I want to control your life, then I will tell you that 'God is watching' you masturbate, and you better confess this to me OR BURN IN HELL!!!

By interfering with your sexual development and injecting all kinds of guilt and shame into your fragile psyche, I can influence as your religious leader to associate guilt with pleasure. In other words, if it's forbidden, then it must be good.

I know as your priest that your human nature will drive you to masturbate. You will feel guilty and come to me for absolution.

Once you are absolved, I will suggest a donation to the church. Consequently, I am taxing your masturbatory habits.

So think of the church as the masturbation I.R.S., and remember, sex is better if you were taught to believe it was wrong, right?

Healthy people develop personal boundaries, and this means they tell their nosey mothers and nosey priests to get the heck out of their bedrooms, hopefully . . .

Answer 9

Well first off, congratulations on becoming an Athiest. Anyays... Masturbation is a mortal sin. The heart of evil lust makes this a sin. Lust is one of the 7 deadlist sins.

Answer 10

The Catholic way is that you are supposed to use the little feller to make babies only. They also say it's a sin to have sex without marriage, so if you are a single person who has not had the great fortune of finding your soulmate/best friend, you had better keep Little Man tucked savely away from your girl friend or even yourself (unless you have to go pee-pee)!

Now excuse me - I have to go free up my hands! LOL