How many Christians on here waited-or are waiting until marriage before having sex? And do you feel that, in light of the fact that back in the days the Bible was written, people were marrying around the age of 14 or 15, it is reasonable to expect people to wait today? (Considering average people marry now between 25 & 35 years old? 10-20 years later than people of old.) And *if* so, do you think it is reasonable to also forbid masturbation? I'm just curious about the varying opinions on this subject.
2007-06-28 12:46:44 · 19 answers · asked by Jess H 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
(Just for the record, I've been married for 7 years. This subject came up in a conversation I had recently with a friend, so I just wanted to get some more opinions.)
2007-06-28 13:06:38 · update #1
I waited til I married as did my husband. I was 21 he was 23. I don't think its unreasonable to wait. I think its something special to be only intimate to one person.
I think masturbation (in moderation!) can be beneficial in learning about your body. I think not to touch one part of your body is silly.
2007-06-28 13:28:31 · answer #1 · answered by fishcan'tseewater 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sex should be within marriage --- it should be "Free" (no strings attached), "Total", "Faithful", and "Open to Children."
The RC Church's official position on sexual consent is 16 years of age. In today's society, "Steroids" injected into cows is causing earlier and earlier "Menstruation" cycles in girls. We're seeing menstruation starting in some as early as 8 years old. Just because the "tools" have arrived does not mean that the girl has developed physically, spiritually, or mentally enough to handle important issues like sex. Nor does it mean that we will re-consider changing the "Driving License" laws just because cow's milk make her enter womanhood 4 years earlier.
We do this because to develop a society, we need a bar to elevate our members above. Abstinence is a way to straighten a child's spiritual and emotional condition before letting her go solo; or leave the nest. I'm against birth control (it blocks the Holy Sprit); but when an 8 year old has her period, do you teach her how to medicate her sexuality??? IDK, very touchy issue 4 sure.
While the physical urges might be there a loving family will teach the girl how to deal with these and mature to where she can use them. Same as the loving family would get a "Permit" and teach the child to drive - Making sense? So what the parents are teaching their children (boys & girls) is "Self-Worth" and "How to treat others." Since sex isn't like driving, we can only hope that there are those who will help our young men and women learn about their sexuality in a healthy, self-dignafied way.
Waiting to marry until 25-35 is a CHOICE. I believe with this choice, they need to be responsible with their sexuality. They can also choose to not masterbate, and not fornicate. It's asking lots, but they can also choose to marry younger if sex is that important to them. Life is choices. You give up something for another. In our case, you can give up sex for a career or you can give up living single and marry someone. Religiously speaking, it's our "Free-Will" that chooses to live as God wants us to or against God's plan.
I've been the "Prodigal Daughter" and now I choose God's plan because I'm sick of being burnt here on Earth in my body incarnate. I can't imagine what hell fire would be, but I plan to take steps to avoid as much pain as possible from here on out!!!
2007-06-28 13:01:31 · answer #2 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It has nothing to do with what age people in the Bible married. It is following God's advice to you as a Christian. I was 21 when I got married and was a virgin. God says nothing about masturbation in the Bible. I didn't but I a female and men have different needs. I have been divorced for 19 year and have not been with anyone since either. I am very strong when it comes to sexual desires not everyone else can be the same. God obviously keeps me close to him and I rely on him everyday.
2007-06-28 12:54:46 · answer #3 · answered by jadeynoctobre@att.net 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Terrific question.
I do think God designed us to marry at age 13-16 or so.
That's when our bodies go through the changes that prepare us for marriage. But, our society today is not set up the way it was in Biblical times..so marriage must be delayed..
The Bible says "its better to marry than to burn," meaning burn with passion,.
But , that's no excuse. Sin is sin. Masturbation is sin at 21 just as much as it is at 12.
God does not grade by a curve. lol
Btw, I didn't make it until I was married, but my wife did,
2007-06-28 12:49:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
i managed to wait until i was 20...i bought into the fantasy of one woman..get married experience life together etc....but that ain't reality for some of us....and not everyone was getting married at 14 or 15...usually around 17 or 18 was the norm....i think it is reasonable for people to wait...should we expect that? nope....but considering the STD's available today i'd say waiting is a good option. and forbid masterbation? yeah good luck with that....
2007-06-28 12:51:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Abstinence is a great exercise in self-control. Many of the truly great people in the world were chaste. Mother Teresa, Ghandi, the Dhali Lama. It's certainly nothing to be ashamed of. If people wait until they are married I think that is a sign of great character.
2007-06-28 12:55:35 · answer #6 · answered by akschafer1 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The common misunderstanding is... sexual pleasure is sin and God is killjoy.
There are guidelines in the Bible regarding sex and its intention is to PREVENT emotional and physical harm due to mis used of sexual activity.
Any sexual activity outside of marriage brings only emotional and physical harm in our body.
Regarding masturbation I think its a waste of bodily fluids that should been enjoyed by a couple.
There are opinions says that frequent masturbation in men results to early pre ejuculation which can be frustrating to his partner.
Sexual pleasure is God's gift to couple who commit themselves to the responsibility of raising another human being,
2007-06-28 13:19:35 · answer #7 · answered by Esteban 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I didn't wait. I also started masturbating when I was 12. I also hate people, lie, drink, and am often consumed by vengeful rage. You're not supposed to have sex before marriage, but we're obviously not perfect. If we were, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
2007-06-28 12:54:00 · answer #8 · answered by Dudeguy 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I am abstaining from sex until marriage. I am 17 and live in a hell-hole where most males my age have had sex before because they were raised no different. I feel that it is reasonable to ask people to abstain from sex for 25 to 35 years, sin is sin no matter at what age.
In Jesus Name
2007-06-28 12:51:58 · answer #9 · answered by Joel 2 5 · 7⤊ 1⤋
As someone who took that position seriously in his day, let me say to you that 1) it is absurd to expect people to wait until 25 for sex. This causes all sorts of emotional damage it'll take you until you're 35, if ever, to overcome. People are designed to have sex much earlier than that and suppressing it will screw you up. And 2) There's nothing wrong with masturbation, no matter what anybody says. Masturbation is sex with someone you love and anyone who has a problem with it hates themselves. Don't take their advice.
2007-06-28 12:53:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋