Masturbation

[IceMobster]

What is your opinion on masturbation? Elaborate. Do you consider it a sin/healthy/etc.etc.
Also, mention if you have done it, to avoid talking about something you haven't any experience in.

[Nessa]

What is your opinion on masturbation? Elaborate. Do you consider it a sin/healthy/etc.etc.
Also, mention if you have done it, to avoid talking about something you haven't any experience in.

Since you are asking others for this kind of openess and honesty, shouldnt you be telling us what you think and also specifing if you have had any previous or current experience in this particular activity

[IceMobster]

What is your opinion on masturbation? Elaborate. Do you consider it a sin/healthy/etc.etc.
Also, mention if you have done it, to avoid talking about something you haven't any experience in.

Since you are asking others for this kind of openess and honesty, shouldnt you be telling us what you think and also specifing if you have had any previous or current experience in this particular activity

I believe it to be a vital part of someone's adolescence. Of course, having it as an obsession/addiction or being prohibited of doing it by someone else is of no good.

I would compare it to a story I've experienced. So, this guy (~15 y/o) asked me if it is correct to pray(and he usually doesn't do it) to God to get him a TV (since his family is kinda poor). I told him that God is not a vendor machine where you insert a coin(prayer) and God gives you what you had ordered, but praying is good (because you are establishing a relationship with God) so I told him to do it even though he doesn't usually do it and even though the goal of it is not incorrect.

From the story above I would conclude masturbation is not a sin because it is a part of someone's life (another story comes to mind where I swore at God for not getting something, but that was a long time ago and when I look back at it, it was really dumb).

I've done it and I do it every now and then when I feel the desire to do so(I guess once or twice a week, but it is a crude estimation since I don't have a set plan of doing it, lol). Also, I disagree that it anyhow stops my spiritual development.

I would also argue that openess and honesty is not as relevant as it would be in real life.

[Nessa]

What is your opinion on masturbation? Elaborate. Do you consider it a sin/healthy/etc.etc.
Also, mention if you have done it, to avoid talking about something you haven't any experience in.

Since you are asking others for this kind of openess and honesty, shouldnt you be telling us what you think and also specifing if you have had any previous or current experience in this particular activity

I believe it to be a vital part of someone's adolescence. Of course, having it as an obsession/addiction or being prohibited of doing it by someone else is of no good.

I would compare it to a story I've experienced. So, this guy (~15 y/o) asked me if it is correct to pray(and he usually doesn't do it) to God to get him a TV (since his family is kinda poor). I told him that God is not a vendor machine where you insert a coin(prayer) and God gives you what you had ordered, but praying is good (because you are establishing a relationship with God) so I told him to do it even though he doesn't usually do it and even though the goal of it is not incorrect.

From the story above I would conclude masturbation is not a sin because it is a part of someone's life (another story comes to mind where I swore at God for not getting something, but that was a long time ago and when I look back at it, it was really dumb).

I've done it and I do it every now and then when I feel the desire to do so(I guess once or twice a week, but it is a crude estimation since I don't have a set plan of doing it, lol). Also, I disagree that it anyhow stops my spiritual development.

I would also argue that openess and honesty is not as relevant as it would be in real life.

If openess and honesty are not as relevant then why pose a question where you are expecting the truth?

[IceMobster]

No, I meant that nobody knows who I am and likewise I have no idea who you are (excluding geographical location or sex) so openess shouldn't be much of a problem, right? At least, that is how I see it.
I just realized I said honesty is not relevant either (hahhaahhaha) and that is a mistake. Ignore that.
Tell me what you think etc etc.

[melanie]

I may be wrong but I think Nessa's response was a little tounge in cheek, but thanks for your candour
It is a normal part of adolescence and also the human experience. Sometimes what is 'normal' can become addictive, obsessive and destructive. But that can be said for many things in life, I went through a time about 4 years ago when a very healthy pass time become obsessive and destructive. It started out as wanting to get healthy and go to the gym but it ended up consuming me. I was there twice a day, if I couldn't go I felt extreme anxiety. My family commitments fell to the way side, it was an obsession. This is not the only experience I've had as someone with an addictive personality.

Masturbation is no different. What is normal can turn destructive, but otherwise i don't see it as a sin, nor spiritually hampering.
Part of our humanity is our sexuality.
I think if people were really open and honest vast majority of people would admit to partaking in it at some point in their lives or more often.
I don't see it as an issue, an issue arises not so much with the action but the motivation.

[Storyteller]

I am genuinely undecided on this.

(Oh, and yes, I have and do masturbate)

Is it a sin? Well, I can argue for both sides on this, I think.

Yes.
It is a selfish act, about experiencing pleasure alone, sexual pleasure. It focuses the mind on the self rather than God.
Found this, quite thought provoking... http://www.gotquestions.org/masturbation-sin.html

No.
It`s a natural desire, a need? I wouldn`t say masturbation is wrong for adolescents, it`s a voyage of discovery. Eventually, we all want to be in a healthy, loving, sexual relationship, if we know our own bodies then it can help lead to a fulfilling sexual relationship.

[Nessa]

What is your opinion on masturbation? Elaborate. Do you consider it a sin/healthy/etc.etc.
Also, mention if you have done it, to avoid talking about something you haven't any experience in.

I'm sure all people except the odd one or two have um explored in this area

Is it a sin? I don't know.
But it is a bit disconcerting when you read in the bible God sees everything

[Philip]

If you'd like to join a discussion forum set up very much like G&S is, designed to discuss sexuality from a Christian perspective, I'd HIGHLY recommend themarriagebed.com. It has threads on EVERY aspect of sexuality, from highly detailed discussions of practices, techniques, challenges, pornography addiction, learning how to increase emotional, sexual/physical pleasure, refused spouses, fun ideas, positions - really, virtually everything any married person would like to know, learn, get better at, whatever. There are sections on discussions of what might be considered sinful, bad ideas, or perfectly fine if agreeable to both / causes no harm. The site is totally anonymous and VERY sex-positive, and from a Godly and Scriptural point of view. You'll be stunned at the wealth of info and how celebrated our God-given sexuality can and should be. Anyone thinking Christians are all sexual prudes sure haven't spent time on themarriagebed.com!

Begin to register here: http://www.boards.themarriagebed.com/uc ... e=register

An enormous number of threads and posts on masturbation can be found here: http://www.boards.themarriagebed.com/viewforum.php?f=41

[IceMobster]

What is your opinion on masturbation? Elaborate. Do you consider it a sin/healthy/etc.etc.
Also, mention if you have done it, to avoid talking about something you haven't any experience in.

I'm sure all people except the odd one or two have um explored in this area

Is it a sin? I don't know.
But it is a bit disconcerting when you read in the bible God sees everything

Well, if He wants, He can see you or any of us naked all the time. Not to mention that we were created without clothes, lol.
What about the time during sex, eh?

[Nessa]

What is your opinion on masturbation? Elaborate. Do you consider it a sin/healthy/etc.etc.
Also, mention if you have done it, to avoid talking about something you haven't any experience in.

I'm sure all people except the odd one or two have um explored in this area

Is it a sin? I don't know.
But it is a bit disconcerting when you read in the bible God sees everything

Well, if He wants, He can see you or any of us naked all the time. Not to mention that we were created without clothes, lol.
What about the time during sex, eh?

I have no problem with God seeing me starkers at all.

Or having sex with my husband

Though if I was masturbating... I'd kinda of prefer him to look the other way

[Nessa]

Actually kerry and I met at Youthline. We answered the phone when teens/young adults would ring up wanting someone to talk too. Some would just want to talk bout their masturbation habits to get their rocks off. Shoulda deepened my voice

[IceMobster]

What is your opinion on masturbation? Elaborate. Do you consider it a sin/healthy/etc.etc.
Also, mention if you have done it, to avoid talking about something you haven't any experience in.

I'm sure all people except the odd one or two have um explored in this area

Is it a sin? I don't know.
But it is a bit disconcerting when you read in the bible God sees everything

Well, if He wants, He can see you or any of us naked all the time. Not to mention that we were created without clothes, lol.
What about the time during sex, eh?

Though if I was masturbating... I'd kinda of prefer him to look the other way

Why?

[Nessa]

What is your opinion on masturbation? Elaborate. Do you consider it a sin/healthy/etc.etc.
Also, mention if you have done it, to avoid talking about something you haven't any experience in.

I'm sure all people except the odd one or two have um explored in this area

Is it a sin? I don't know.
But it is a bit disconcerting when you read in the bible God sees everything

Well, if He wants, He can see you or any of us naked all the time. Not to mention that we were created without clothes, lol.
What about the time during sex, eh?

Though if I was masturbating... I'd kinda of prefer him to look the other way

Why?

Why wouldn't I want that?
Who would want God to watch them if they chose too?

[Nessa]

I mean not many people really mind saying they had sex last night with their spouse, right?
But how many would freely say they masturbated?

Theres a stigma often associated with masturbation.
Who really wants God to see them masturbate if they chose to do it?