Masturbation is a topic that has always been a contentious issue for those following Christianity, regardless of denomination. While some Christian denominations have deemed masturbation as an acceptable practice, others have remained vehemently against any form of self-pleasure. It is difficult to definitively answer the question of whether or not masturbation is wrong in Christianity. Many would argue that this is a personal decision, and Christianity does not provide a concrete answer.
In Leviticus 20:15 of the Bible, it states that anyone who has sex with themselves is to be put to death; however, most experts are in agreement that this part of the Bible is not to be applied directly to current times, as societal norms have changed drastically. Furthermore, the ancient beliefs of Leviticus 20:15 were rooted in the idea that all occurrences of pleasure were sinful acts, and this was not just limited to masturbation. In discussing the Bible’s attitude towards sexuality, renowned theologian Dr John C Boswell highlights the distinction between moral and immoral behavior in the book of Romans, yet is also clear that masturbation is ultimately neither legal nor illegal in the eyes of the bible, but ultimately a personal decision. On the other hand, many individuals have argued that when God created Adam and Eve he gave them the gift of sexual pleasure, thus suggesting that the practice of self-pleasure would not contradict Biblical teachings.
At the Vatican, the Catholic Church states that masturbation is a sin, and a particularly serious one at that; yet the reasoning behind their view is rarely explored or discussed. At the heart of this debate is the idea of whether or not pornography can be considered an ‘unnatural’ practice. The Church believes that engaging in pornography would lead to the devaluation of sex into a casual act, preventing individuals from being able to sustain a meaningful, committed relationship and thus lead to sexual dissatisfaction.
Given the lack of concrete evidence in the Bible surrounding masturbation, many have drawn parallels to masturbation and eating, using the Catholic Church’s attitude towards gluttony to support their view that self-pleasure is not a sin, but simply a choice. While gluttony is frowned for, individuals must ultimately be given the freedom of choice. In the same vein, many have argued that masturbation is more beneficial than it is harmful, with the practice being reported to improve overall mental health, reduce cases of depression and even allow individuals to better understand themselves and their sexuality, which can only be a good thing when looking to appreciate one another in a committed relationship.
To conclude, there is an ongoing discussion surrounding the morality of masturbation within the Christian community, with proponents highlighting the potential benefits, while those against argue it is intrinsically sinful. Ultimately, while there are clear views presented by both those that argue for and against the practice, there is no definitive answer to this question. At the heart of it is the idea that masturbation is a personal matter, and should ultimately make individuals accountable to their own moral code.
The Influence of Society
The morality of masturbation has been influenced by society far more than by any religious scripture. The discussion of masturbation in the Bible is sparse, yet the issue has remained controversial for centuries, leading to judgements and criticism from family and friends, even those within the same faith. In recent decades, there has been a clear shift in attitudes towards the issue, with many around the world now viewing the practice as a healthy and normal practice. With increased access to knowledge and a more open attitude towards sex, people have been given the opportunity to develop their own opinion and make decisions both for or against within the confines of their faith.
While there has been a shift in attitudes towards masturbation, many individuals remain concerned with the ethical implications of engaging in the practice, and this is especially true in terms of Christians. For many, the moral implications are a major deterrent and they are still guided by the idea that pleasure is a sin. Furthermore, those against would argue that self-pleasure leads to a further objectification of the individual, furthering an individual’s sense of improper stewardship over their own body.
It is important to acknowledge that the debate does have a practical side, especially for those who live in highly conservative societies, where people are often judged on a moral basis for indulging in any activity deemed inappropriate. For example, in some countries, such as Nigeria and Kenya, the practice is criminalized. Within such countries, it is important to be aware of the culture and societal expectations before engaging in open discussion about self-pleasure.
Given the influence of society, it has become increasingly difficult for individuals to form an opinion about the morality of masturbation within their particular faith. Many have found themselves stuck between two sides of an argument, unable to determine if the practice is wrong or right. Ultimately, it is clear that this is an area in need of further exploration, and would benefit from dialogue between those within the faith and those with differing opinions.
The Physiological Benefits of Masturbation
Over the years, the physiological benefits of masturbation have been explored in greater detail, and now it is known that there are many tangible benefits associated with solo-play. For example, self-pleasure can be used as a way to comfort oneself when feeling lonely, as it may helps to bring about an additional sense of comfort. Furthermore, research has revealed that self-pleasure is beneficial for physical health, particularly for women, who have reported increased energy levels, an improved sensation of well-being, and an increase in lubrication in the vaginal area. Moreover, for men and women, it can provide a release of muscle tension and can also improve blood circulation.
Additionally, this practice has been known to reduce stress levels and therefore lead to better sleep. It has been suggested that the hormones released during the act of self-pleasure, including serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine, can help to create a feeling of contentment, and can even help to reduce pain and discomfort. In terms of mental health specifically, individuals have reported an improved sense of self-esteem and a greater sense of confidence.
In addition to this, solo-play has been widely known to have an impact on libido, with research suggesting that individuals, specifically men, who engage in self-pleasure regularly have an increased libido and an improved capacity for sexual pleasure. On the other hand, some people have reported that over-indulging in self-pleasure can have a reverse effect, causing individuals to become desensitized and less aroused by their partner. This has caused further debate within the Christian community, who view this as a form of unrighteousness.
Overall, it is clear that there are both positive and negative implications associated with masturbation, and that it can have an effect physically, mentally and even emotionally. Ultimately, it is important to take into consideration the moral implications, both on one’s faith and personal wellbeing, before engaging in self-pleasure.
The Spiritual Implications of Masturbation
While there is no definitive answer to the question of whether or not masturbation is a sin from a Christian perspective, it is important to consider the spiritual implications of the practice. Some individuals have linked the notion of masturbation being sinful to the idea that it is ultimately a form of egoism and self-serving behavior. By giving into self-pleasure, some think that one is indulging in selfish behavior, sacrificing the soul and degrading their relationship with God. Furthermore, others have argued that it can take away from the sanctity of a marital relationship, by providing an alternative source of pleasure and distract from the intention of marrying in the first place.
On the other hand, many individuals have emphasised the connection between self-pleasure and spiritual growth. Masturbation can act as a form of self-development and self-awareness. It can also help one gain better understanding of their body, something that many Christians can struggle with. In this sense, it can be seen as a way to develop one’s spiritual awareness and as an essential part of gaining greater insight into one’s own sexuality.
The idea of self-pleasure as a form of spiritual practice or ‘ego-death’, is believed to have originated from the ancient Hindu traditions of Tantra. This is a form of yoga which seeks to connect one’s spiritual and physical selves, and masturbation is a key part of the practice. This connection betweenspirituality and self-pleasure is also a fundamental part of a number of other ancient traditions, such as Native American, Aztec and Mayan cultures.
That being said, the use of self-pleasure for spiritual growth can still be a source of much contention. Ultimately, individuals must decide for themselves their own relationship with the act, whether they choose to view it as a sin, or as a means to spiritual and psychological growth.
Perception of Masturbation Changing In Youngsters
In recent years, there has been a growing acceptance and openness when discussing the topic of masturbation with both young adults and adults alike. While the conversation still needs to go further when considering religious communities, there is clearly a shift in the way that the practice has been viewed and discussed.
Given the changing societal attitudes, it is expected that there will be an increase in acceptance from within the religious community, especially when it comes to the younger generations. For instance, more and more young people are beginning to view masturbation as a positive act, which can be used as a tool for self-discovery, rather than as a simple source of pleasure. This type of outlook has been supported by influential Christian figures who have championed the mental and emotional benefits of practicing self-love.
It has also been argued that the discussion about the morality of masturbation has been perpetuated by those within the church, who may have potentially have felt threatened by the idea of a person engaging in a pleasurable act that has no religious or moral foundation. This is because many religions view pleasure as a sin and thus feel that any practice associated with pleasure would be detrimental to a person’s spiritual path. The younger generation however, is much less likely to be impacted by such outlooks and is more likely to be accepting of any and all sexual practices.
In addition to this, many young adults are beginning to realize that masturbation can be a part of a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle, free of the restraints of moral or religious obligation. It is clear that the conversation and attitude surrounding the morality of masturbation is changing, and this can only be a positive for those individuals who have found themselves stuck between two sides of an argument, unable to determine if the practice is wrong or right.
Final Thoughts
At the heart of this debate is not one of morality, but one of choice; and while there are clear views presented by both those that argue for and against the practice, there is no definitive answer to this question. It is important to consider the spiritual implications of the practice, and also to acknowledge the growing acceptance and openness when discussing the topic of masturbation. Ultimately, individuals must decide for themselves their own relationship with the act and be accountable for their own decisions.
