And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto they brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore He slew him also.
That's it. The Book of Leviticus says a few vague things about "discharges" and being "unclean," but being unclean and being "wicked" are very different. Leviticus mentions many things you could do to be "wicked," but masturbating is not one of them.
So is the story of Onan the way God lays down the law about masturbation? Seems like a stretch to me. As one JackinForum participant this week eloquently put it, when religion is "viewed through the eyes of human beings, mistakes and prejudices will occur." For instance, understand that one of a religion's best tools for self-replication is procreation. After all, if you can get everyone in your faith to have ten children who inherit that faith, in just 25 years your religion has grown ten-fold. This is one reason why Catholicism has been so successful, and why the Shaker sect — which espouses absolute chastity in all members for life — is nearly dead. Could calling masturbation a sin encourage people to have more intercourse, and therefore have more children? Could be. Try to keep these things in mind if you're wrestling with your faith.]
I am a Christian who believes every word of the Bible, and none of those words says anything against masturbation. Therefore, my beliefs assure me it is a normal part of what God intends for mankind. Christians who believe otherwise are following men's rules, not God's laws.
- age 45, Louisiana
I am not a part of any organized religion, and my parents don't condemn masturbation (as far as I know), but I have heard that many religions condemn masturbation, which I find extremely odd. If people could let out their sexual urges only via sex, wouldn't that significantly increase teen pregnancy and STDs among teenagers? It just makes no sense to me how a 16-year-old girl or guy will be more "heavenly" with two kids, chlamydia, and herpes rather than be ostracized from the church for masturbating every night? Explain this to me, please!
- age 14, California
I am a Christian. The Bible refers to masturbation in Leviticus, but remember, that was the old laws of Moses, which were fulfilled by Jesus in the New Testament. Love your neighbor as you love yourself and God above all. I honestly do. Masturbation never, ever, changed anything in that regard, and I consider myself a very active Christian and Apostolic. I come from a very traditional Church, but masturbation is not condemned, as long as it does not interfere with your Christian duties.
- age 23, South Africa
Having been raised a Catholic, I was warned that "self-abuse" was a mortal sin and could result in you being condemned to eternal damnation in the fires of Hell. Each incidence had to be confessed to the Parish Priest, who I feared could recognize my voice, before you went to Communion. If you went to Communion without going to Confession you would be guilty of a terrible sin called a sacrilege. It's my opinion this constituted psychological terrorism, and I vehemently resent what I endured. I made sure my son was never subjected to this, and assured him masturbation was not only normal but beneficial. I believe a parent should be more concerned if their adolescent is *not* masturbating and should investigate what is the reason — physical or psychological — and take corrective action.
- age 59, Colorado
I am now atheist, but when I was younger, I figured there was a God but wasn't sure. Then I heard about the Bible supposedly saying masturbation was wrong. So I thought masturbation was bad and I should feel guilty when I do it. As I thought further, I realized that if God didn't want us to masturbate, why wouldn't He come right out and say masturbation is wrong? And when I say "come right out and say it," I mean not hide meaning in something else He says. Now that I'm atheist, it doesn't bother me anymore. I can masturbate guilt-free.
- age 16, Missouri
I am Catholic. Even though Catholics (and probably other forms of Christianity) believe masturbation is a sin (because you're "spilling your seed" instead of using it for procreation), I do not pay much attention to that. In 7 years of masturbating many times a day, I have not felt at all guilty. Also, I have not felt the "wrath of God's eyes" on me as I engage in this normal and healthy activity. I am engaging in one of the two forms of 100% safe sex (the other being complete and total abstinence). The fact I am not getting anyone pregnant or contracting any STDs is pressure off my back. Sometimes, one has to make *modern* decisions instead of *moral* ones.
- age 21, California
I'm a Methodist, and they don't say much about it at all. They pretty much believe in a personal interpretation of faith, and they refrain from telling people what to believe about *anything* most of the time. I've never even heard it mentioned in a religious context at my church.
- age 18, California
I was raised in the Church of Christ, a very conservative group (think Southern Baptist without instrumental music). Because of what I was told in church, I felt quite guilty about masturbating, not to mention about being gay. I still did it, but I always felt like I was doing something I shouldn't have. The fantasies I used to masturbate to made me feel even guiltier than masturbation itself. Yet the urge to masturbate and have orgasms overpowered my guilt. Now I realize masturbation is healthy, normal, and wholesome, and I do it without any compunction. And I feel that anyone who discourages people from masturbating or tries to make them feel guilty for it should be ashamed.
- age 42, Tennessee
I am a Christian. Whenever I masturbate I don't really care what my current status is in religion or whatever. But afterwards, I feel as though I have sinned, and then I won't masturbate for a long time. I tell myself it is just a way to gain satisfaction, but I still get that insecure feeling of guilt. I wish the Lord had said something about masturbation in the Bible — then I wouldn't feel so guilty if it is an okay thing to do.
- age 14, New York
I'm Catholic, so obviously I masturbate *a lot!* My wife is also Catholic, so I do it even more. Seriously, I think masturbation is now my religion. God knows I have had some holy experiences!
- age 29, New Hampshire
I'm Jewish, and I'm not very religious. According to what I know, Judaism doesn't say a heck of a lot about the subject, anyway. That said, I don't think religion would stop me from masturbating, whether Judaism condoned or prohibited it. If God gave us the gift of masturbation, wouldn't it seem a little ungrateful not to use it?
- age 21, Michigan
I am a Roman Catholic and very happy to be. The general Church's teaching is that any sexual act should include the possibility of conceiving a child. Under that logic masturbation is considered sinful. But overall, being Catholic has had a positive affect on my masturbation views. Properly understood, the Church encourages its members to understand why it teaches what it teaches and to evaluate it according to one's own conscience. Therefore I can disagree, having studied the issue and prayed for guidance. Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) is the Church's built-in escape valve for relieving guilt.
- age 28, South Dakota
My religion is "May The Force Be With You," and it usually is when I masturbate. God, what a force!
- age 18, Texas
My religion is Catholic. I don't think it had any influence on my views, because I am still masturbating — and if it had influenced me, I would not be masturbating anymore.
- age 22, Louisiana
I am a Hindu. What I like is that there are really no morals set in this tone. I think we are the type of people who do not talk about sex and such. To us it is just something done in the privacy of the home. I love that about my religion!
- age 15, New Jersey
I am ex-Catholic. Religion had no influence. However, my college roommate was very Catholic. He never masturbated in his life and would not even consider doing so. I could see from his pajamas he had wet dreams. He would never say what he dreamed about, other than stating "dreams are beyond my control." He was a virgin until he married at 26. It would be a shame if God did not appreciate the sacrifice.
- age 29, New Jersey
Lately I've gotten involved in the religion of Wicca, more commonly known as Witchcraft. Despite its reputation as being evil, it's actually very peaceful. The belief structure is very non-repressive, and a major part of that is that things like masturbation are no big deal. In the eyes of the religion, there are far worse things you could do. So my thoughts on masturbation are basically the same — I don't have any bad feelings about it at all.
- age 15, Massachusetts
I grew up in a very strict, Southern Methodist situation with the preacher giving young men hell about their "self-abuse." All it did was make me feel guilty while I continued to masturbate several times a day. As I got older, I realized this was just one person's opinion, and others had different, more relaxed opinions. They were much happier people. Of course I chose to reject my strict upbringing and go with what was more in keeping with my constant "hands-on" learning. Thank God I learned to relax and enjoy myself without all the guilt and hang-ups that went with the strict religious teachings.
- age 63, Texas
I am a Baptist minister's son, and I masturbate as much as anyone else I know. I don't think there's anything wrong about it. It's just to make you feel good, you know? There are much worse things I could be doing than masturbating.
- age 17, Texas
Catholic — I always wonder why it is wrong in the eyes of the church. No sex before marriage, no masturbation, no birth control...life is tough!
- age 28, Ohio
My parents raised me in a very liberal way, meaning they allowed me to grow and decide what religion I believed instead of making me go to church and telling me what to think. Given my freedom to mature the way I felt appropriate, I grew up believing masturbation was just a beautiful way of making love to your own body, and that nothing was wrong with pleasuring yourself. While I'm not saying I'm against religion, I do think I was able to grow and mature with a clear mind instead of worrying about the religious aspects of everything.
- age 17, Connecticut
I am a Catholic. My religion teaches that masturbation is an impure and morally wrong act. I have learned throughout my life that being a free thinker is the most important thing. I follow my religion, but I think one should believe what they want to believe. I want to be taught the doctrine of the church and take from it what I need. I don't like to be told what to believe. So I am a Catholic who masturbates.
- age 16, New York
I'm a Unitarian Universalist. I think it has helped me, because there's no such thing as sin.
- age 16, Pennsylvania
I grew up a Lutheran, but as I got older my parents stopped making me go. When I went to college I started to see how much the Bible and actual scientific data differ. This had a direct influence on my masturbation frequency. Before when I was going to church and Bible study, I maybe did it four times a year. Now I am up to about 8 a week. Disbelief in the Bible has allowed me to have more fun in life. I just hope my parents don't find out!
- age 19, Wyoming
Catholic. Religion influences my attitude. Else why have a religion? I do masturbate and generally feel guilty about it. I don't apologize for that. I do enjoy the pleasure of masturbation, but I still believe my religious teaching is correct. I don't condemn my religion for teaching me the truth as my faith sees it. I refuse to ridicule Catholicism for holding up the ideal. Let's pray for each other that we will better understand our faith and religious beliefs.
- age 24, Indiana
As a child I was taught that it was bad to masturbate or even to touch yourself. After the first climax I had I just had to keep going back for more. After I climaxed each time, I felt very guilty, and I would tell God I was sorry and it would not happen again. That became my daily prayer. Somehow, I just never quit, and I finally figured out that God gave us climaxes so we could understand the pleasures He created.
- age 59, Colorado
I consider myself a somewhat liberal Christian, and when I started masturbating, I felt I was sinning. After thinking about this for a long while, I came to realize masturbation is simply a way for me to preserve my mental health through stress relief. In my opinion (and the opinion of many others, I'm sure), God wishes for all of His children to live a healthy life. As my masturbation hurts no one around me and gives me a way to stay mentally healthy, I am doing nothing at all wrong in God's eyes as long as I refrain from lustful thoughts (which is a sin, as far as I am concerned).
- age 16, Washington
I worship orgasms. Really! JackinWorld is the Bible.
- age 16, Colorado
I am a Christian, and I have thought masturbation is a sin. However, men still continue to masturbate, some for many reasons. I have always masturbated and will continue to do so. It keeps you from having nocturnal emissions. My Lord and Savior Jesus may not have done this, but He was able to overcome His human will by praying for strength from the Heavenly Father — so He was probably able to resist, knowing that masturbation can be a sin if it is an obsession. Anything can be harmful if done in excess.
- age 24, Oklahoma
I'm Roman Catholic, and I used to be somewhat religious, but lately I've lost a lot of affinity for it. I think the Catholic Church's restrictions on sex and sexual activity were conceived as a method of controlling the church's population — that is, convincing the people that abstaining made them better Catholics and that only good Catholics made it to heaven. It's worked brilliantly so far — I would never mention my habit in church!
- age 17, New Jersey
I am an atheist. This distresses my parents, who were traditional Black Southern Baptists but are now Born-Again Christians. My dad did have "the talk" with me when I was 11, but I already knew all about it when I was 9 because I was rather bookish and read several books on puberty and anatomy. Neither parent ever mentioned the "M" word, so I don't know their feelings on the topic. I have never felt guilty about masturbation.
- age 32, Texas
I am a very active Christian. I also enjoy masturbation and strongly feel it is a gift from God. I don't use fantasy or pornography, though; I just enjoy what I am doing. When I am finished I have no guilt whatsoever. I usually masturbate about once a day, and sometimes I even do it right after church! Sex was God's idea in the first place, so why not enjoy it?
- age 17, Tennessee
I'm a Roman Catholic, and as such I am not supposed to masturbate. I didn't know it was a sin when I started masturbating in 6th grade, but a while after I found out, I started my as-yet-unproductive 5-year journey to stop. I think I might be successful now, since I just went to confession a few days ago and confessed to it. The priest said it was a natural thing and not as serious in his opinion as many make it out to be, but that I should still try to stop. This really got to me. But for you masturbators out there, I don't condemn you or even necessarily think you should stop. Just do what's right for you.
- age 16, Texas
I was Mormon, but they're always 50 years behind social trends, and I find their whole society despicable. My group pushed the guilt thing. Didn't stop me, though — just made me hate Mormonism.
- age 15, California
I have no defined religion in terms of gods, but I do believe in a supreme being or beings. This has had little effect on my habits. The way I see it, someone put us here to enjoy ourselves and each other. So therefore why should it affect anything? I don't think less of people who don't masturbate, and I don't think less of people who do (being one of those people of course).
- age 15, Louisiana
I am Lutheran. It was never really addressed by the church during confirmation classes I took in junior high. Once I asked the pastor if premarital sex was right or wrong for Lutherans. He told me I was too young and should wait until marriage for sex. Then he suggested masturbating to relieve my urges. That was all I needed to hear — I've been at it ever since.
- age 26, Illinois
I am secular, that is to say, atheist. I gave up religion when I was 11, and it has never had anything to do with my masturbation views. A good friend of mine is deeply religious, works as a lay preacher in his spare time, and is a great fan of masturbation. So I see no links. Both masturbation and religion are personal choices.
- age 41, United Kingdom
I'm Catholic, and throughout my church-school classes I was told masturbation is a sin. They would tell us masturbation goes against God's orders and that we would go to hell. Oh well!
- age 17, New York
I am a Muslim. Masturbation is a completely harmless and innocent practice of self-relief. Men need to ejaculate; it's a fact of life. My religion has not placed any negative influences on my masturbation habits.
- age 18, Saudi Arabia
I don't belong to any particular religion, so obviously that hasn't affected my views, but I am thinking about starting one that *requires* masturbation. At least the services wouldn't be boring!
- age 15, Washington
I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon). The church teaches that masturbation is a sin. I started masturbating when I was 10 or 11; I always felt guilty about it, and every time I swore it was the last time, it never was. I even quit for 3 years while I served as a missionary for the Church. I tried to quit again for a short while when I was engaged to get married (it didn't work out). Now I kind of feel like God blessed us with the ability to have this kind of pleasure, and why should I deny myself just because I haven't been lucky enough to find a life-partner? I did confess to masturbating in my yearly interviews, and the Church leader just encouraged me to stop. I didn't feel like it was even a hand slap. If that is all the church does for such a "sin," then it can't be that bad a sin after all.
- age 34, California
I am not in any way religious, so I have made my own religion: Masturbanity. These are the two commandments:
- Worship one god and one god only — your penis;
- Masturbate at least three times daily.
- age 15, United Kingdom
Beats me. All I know is masturbation is fun!
- age 14, Colorado