Masturbation

[Priscilla]

Without getting into any sordid details I wanted to a question:

Do Catholics think masturbation is OK?

If so, do Catholics consider masturbation to be a lesser sin than contraception?

I am assuming that they do, because if a couple have to abstain so as not to use contraception, and the man gets frustrated then I guess it's going to happen (even if not self-indulgently, then accidentally).

My own view is that both are wrong, and should be kept under control where possible.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

The Catholic Church is equally (100%) against both contraception and masturbation.

I also don't believe that every man is going to masturbate even accidentally at some point.

[homeschoolmom]

:nono:

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote]By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure. "Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action." "The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose." For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of "the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved."

To form an equitable judgment about the subjects' moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability. -Catechism of the Catholic Church 2352

2396 Among the sins gravely contrary to chastity are masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices. -Catechism of the Catholic Church 2396[/quote]

[Guest Eremite]

^^^^^^

What homeschoolmom said.

[God Conquers]

uh... no, not ok. Also not less bad than contraception.


How can you "accidentally" masturbate? This seems a contradiction in terms.

[Priscilla]

[quote name='God Conquers' date='Apr 18 2005, 09:17 AM'] uh... no, not ok. Also not less bad than contraception.


How can you "accidentally" masturbate? This seems a contradiction in terms. [/quote]
I meant the difference between deliberately indulging in it, and when say men have a dream or something and they can't help it.

but maybe this subject should be stoped as people don't seem so happy about it.

i was just curious.

[God Conquers]

Having a nocturnal emmission is not masturbation, as it is involuntary.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='God Conquers' date='Apr 18 2005, 10:26 AM'] Having a nocturnal emmission is not masturbation, as it is involuntary. [/quote]
Yes.

Wet dreams are not voluntary and therefore, not sinful. As a scrupulant, I'm very familiar with this issue.

[Brother Adam]

Men can overcome masturbation. For those that become addicted to it, it is difficult, equally as much as coming off of some illegal drugs, but very possible.

[Melchisedec]

This is a no brainer.

[God Conquers]

Also, your post presumes a couple of things which are not true:

1) Abstinence automatically means frustration.

Abstinence might at times be difficult, might at times be frustrating, but not in all cases and not all the time. Not having sex for a week (or less) will not hurt anyone.

And very closely related to the first

2) Men have to "get it on" when they want to. Whether with a partner or without.

Men are perfectly capable of abstinence. They don't have to have sex or masturbate 24-7 or whenever they want to or whenever they get frustrated. Some things you just don't do. Sexual moral action is determined by man, not from outside forces acting upon him/her.

[Priscilla]

Thanks for all that - that's helped me to understand the Catholics position more.

It's just that I read somewhere recently that around 90% of the male population do it so I wondered how it was dealt with.

It is never ever discussed in prot churches - it's kinda swept under the carpet, but I think people would like guidance on it and to know that generally it is wrong.

Thanks everyone: sorry its not a very nice subject, but these forums are great for touching on difficult issues like this whereas you wouldn't dare mention it in your own circles as its way too embarrassing!!!

[Brother Adam]

I know what you mean about it being swept under the rug. Actually many prot churches see nothing wrong with it at all and encourage it in young boys as a means of 'letting off steam'. It's how I ended up with an addiction way back when. Funny thing is, even though they told me it was okay, I still always felt like carp.

I would guess you are right on the 90% number, though I think 90% is the number of men who have, as opposed to who do on a regular basis.

[infinitelord1]

this has definitely been my hardest sin to give up. i never felt wrong for it, but i know it is wrong......however, everytime i do it i feel like there is more that should be included in a sexual act (love).