Question
Suppose a person masturbates even though he fully knows that it is regarded by the Church as a grave matter of sin. Is it still a mortal sin if he were unaware as to the reason why masturbation is a sin? Would it be reduced to a venial sin?
Response
First, the definition of what constitutes “full consent” must be drawn out.
Second, culpability can never omit the subjective elements that impede free consent.
Fully understanding an act implies that (1) the person knows what he is doing, (2) he knows from moral authority that the action is right or wrong and (3) that he appreciates in conscience the moral or immoral nature of the act.
Free consent can be damaged by coercive factors like vice (bad habit), passion, external enticement or manipulation, emotional states, immaturity, fear, etc.
We can know from just moral authority (like the Church) or from divine positive law (Scripture) or from philosophical reflection (Natural Law) that certain activities are good and that others are bad. However, there is a difference between knowing something is wrong from a stark precept (as we often render to children) and from a truth that is explained and accepted in detail.
Your question seems to be asking the following: are we fully culpable for a sin if we do not understand WHY it is wrong?
We are obliged as believers to follow just authority, both civil and religious. This is a basic given of Catholic social teaching. A child may not know why he or she is obliged to do some things and to avoid others, but the obligation or duty remains. Our obedience honors parents and it honors God. The backdrop to all this is that the parents and God are legitimately communicating what is good and true. No parent or teacher can demand that a child do an immoral act. They would forfeit their overall authority. The danger here is that a child may be innocent and not know what is right or wrong apart from the parent. Similarly, religious people can be deceived by their clergy about the rightness or wrongness of acts. That is why the Catholic Church maintains exclusive claims since we feel that the Holy Spirit has preserved the Church in the truth. Other churches or ecclesial communities do not have such protection. This is also why the Church is often counter-cultural and argues that truth is objective and lasting, not capricious and vulnerable to the fads of the day and/or the accompanying legislation of politicians and rulings from the courts.
Returning to the immediacy of your question, full knowledge would also imply for adults a certain awareness of why masturbation is wrong. As to the gravity of the sin, that can only be known in conscience and between the person and almighty God. Mortal sin implies a lack of love or giving God and his Church their due— not just the benefit of a doubt but that of belief. If it stands to reason that God is right, even if we do not fully understand, then we are still obliged to obey. This is under pain of mortal sin. As we mature, our appreciation of our faith and values should also expand. This is what best fits the human condition.
Why is masturbation regarded as wrong and as a sin? Here is what the universal catechism says about the sin:
[CCC 2352] 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 can lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.
Intentional sexual self-gratification (sometimes termed as self-pollution) is contrary to the natural purpose for the human sexual power or act. The Church contends that sexual activity must always be in terms of congress between a man and woman within the holy covenant of matrimony. Outside of marriage— in masturbation, heterosexual fornication (according to nature) and homosexual acts (contrary to nature)— the activity is wrong and sinful. Sexual expression is directed toward marital intimacy and the act of propagation (non-contraceptive vaginal intercourse). Masturbation short-circuits the whole meaning of human sexuality. Instead of expressing love and unity with another person, a narcissistic self-absorption is pursued instead. Pleasure or gratification is targeted for its own sake instead of as an enticement to be shared in furthering the fidelity and unity of spouses. In contrast to the donation of self to another, masturbation or Onanism is inherently selfish. Masturbation can become an addictive behavior, turning one increasing in on oneself and away from healthy relationships and prospects for marriage and family. This is the very opposite of what true love is about. Young people, given immaturity and the changing hormones or body chemistry, frequently fall into masturbation in their teen years. Here it is most probably a venial sin. However, if left unchecked it can become habitual and/or mortal. What the body does has an effect upon the soul. Given how it feeds selfishness and self-absorption, this wrongful activity has an intrinsic gravity toward mortal sin. The heart becomes hardened. What should be good and wholesome becomes something bad and sordid. It can become a sickness of the soul.
Masturbation and sexual addiction has often been compared to alcoholism. It becomes difficult to stop. There is a sense of being evacuated of grace. The person will frequently feel a terrible weight of shame. This profound sense of guilt will either bring one to the sacrament of Penance (so that the work of healing can begin) or there will be a further turning away from virtue toward vice. The man or woman will rationalize actions and seek to justify his or her immoral and sexual license. The person denies to himself that he is doing anything wrong. This leads to the handmaid of masturbation, the use of pornography to fuel lustful fantasies. Our society has made this jump very easy and the media has attempted to make pornography mainstream on television and the internet. The high of sexual gratification in masturbation and pornography can poison relationships and create seeds for destruction in subsequent marriages. Not only is the sin of coveting another’s spouse violated, but pornography and sexual fantasies encourage virtual adultery. The bodies of others, most often those of women, are dehumanized and treated as meat for hungry dogs. There is a general loss of respect for persons and their bodies. Some have even noted correlations to physical and sexual abuse of others. Every man and woman is someone’s son or daughter. We are all children of God— not nameless flesh to appease the beast.
Finally, the marital act (the use of the sexual faculties in marriage) is rightly directed to the unity in the sacrament. Both fidelity of the spouses and the generation of new human life are at the heart of this wonderful gift of sexuality given by God to men and women. Masturbation by comparison is not life-giving. This should be the clearest natural indication that there is something wrong with it. As spiritual-corporeal composites, we are our bodies. The human body was never intended as a plaything. Indeed, it is so precious that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity took to himself a full human nature and body in order to redeem us. As Catholics and Christians, we should never overlook this fact that with the incarnation our humanity is raised to a higher dignity. We should always honor this truth by how we treat our bodies and those of others.
Chastity is real and possible, both within and outside marriage. Modesty and purity should again be encouraged for teens and adults, men and women alike. It is no wonder that at a time when marriage as an institution is in trouble, that both virginity and celibacy find themselves ridiculed. If we are to reclaim our culture for Christ then we must not neglect the issue of human sexuality. We must also address the sense of alienation that growing numbers of modern men and women feel. Many fall prey to the sin discussed here because of loneliness. But like drinking, you cannot appease your thirst by drinking polluted water. We need the clean and refreshing water that Jesus offers from beside the well. If any should struggle with such sins, please do not despair. Invite God’s mercy and grace into your lives through frequent Confession and the reception of the Eucharist.
Filed under: Questions, Uncategorized |
Blogger Priest 
Father Joe,
I’m struggling with the sin of masturbation. I attend the Mass every Sunday to receive the Eucharist, pray daily the Rosary and read the Scriptures. My confessor told me to avoid triggers like social media which I did. However, almost every few weeks after confession I get the urges again and again. I’m doing my best to stop it sometimes in the middle of the act itself I would pray and it will go away. But oftentimes I fail to the temptation. I’m sorry for my habitual sin and I don’t want to offend God. It has been like this for every two weeks after making confession. Its becoming a cycle that I am beginning to get frustrated with myself. What should I do? Pray for me Father.
Hello I’m writing because I have a problem with masturbation I started masturbating at a very young age but I’m older now and I still get the urge to do it I try my best to overcome it will just willpower but I still feel guilt for having lustful thoughts. I keep trying my best not to do it but I keep getting aroused by my thoughts or I get triggered when I look at women. Do you have any advice I’m trying my best to maintain discipline but the temptation gets harder the more I don’t do it.
Honorable Mr. Joe article is CORRECT in stating that masturbation is a MORTAL SIN.
Those who seek to argue with Honorable Mr. Joe prove the point of the Holy Spirit when “HE SPEAKS” expressly to the church saying “in latter times MANY will depart from the faith, giving need to seducing spirits and doctrines of devil’s”…
It’s a doctrine of a devil that says “you can have illegal sex with yourself without dying in your sins”
YEE FOOLS, haven’t you read the WARNING God gave Adam and Eve. “The DAY you sin you will SURELY DIE”
The Apostle Paul preached that once sin is committed, it brings forth DEATH.
As a preacher of the Gospel I speak from experience BEFORE I accepted the calling to preach God showed me that masturbation and sexual fantasies can damn to HELL in the lake of fire.
I repented for 4 days crying and tormented for my sins and sought many christians to pray over me to NO AVAIL.
God allowed me MY SOUL to feel like I was DAMNED to the LAKE OF FIRE for 4 agonizing days and nights. I was Soo terrified that I had to leave home and sleep on my parents couch across town.
I cried when Jesus told me that “my case was before God’s throne and that God decided to forgive me FOR HIS OWN SAKE.
From that scare, I have NEVER struggled with lust or masturbation since.
The real reason you STRUGGLE with sexual sin is this: YOU ARE NOT AWARE THAT YOUR SOUL IS ALREADY DAMNED TO THE ETERNAL LAKE OF FIRE.
If you honestly knew that your already damned, you would STOP IMMEDIATELY and beg Jesus to forgive you.
Jesus warned that God (not the devil), God the Father destroys the SOUL and the BODY in HELL.
Repent NOW TODAY of violation of God’s Holy Laws concerning your body
And if you are divorced and remarried (LEAVE THE ADULTERY IMMEDIATELY) Jesus DOES NOT recognize remarried couples as married. 1 Corinthians 7 10 and 11 speaks about this.
In closing I want to pray for you: “Father God, thank you for the truth you gave Honorable Mr. Joe, bless all those who read this article to REPENT from ALL SEXUAL SINS and be forgiven just as you forgave me and passed me from condemnation to eternal life through the washing of my sins by the blood of Jesus. I praise and honor you God and I will serve you for the rest of my life. Amen and Amen
For more than 40 years I have struggled with sexual fantasies. Have confessed repeatedly and asked for guidance. Was told by one priest the fantasies and masturbation were not mortal sins. Was told by another to just do something else. I can’t stop the invading thoughts. How can I stop and am I committing a mortal sin if this is compulsive.
Father,
Thank you for this excellent piece on why masturbation is wrong and evil. This offered a great deal of clarity.
This on the surface, harmless sin, has proven to be devastating to my personal life, tarnished my soul, hurt my loved ones through my neglect and self-absorption and lead me into greater sin.
It’s just taken me years to see how the devil uses it to ensnare us into mortal sin. Masturbation lead me into greater sin including cheating on my wife with prostitutes, neglecting her by becoming self-absorbed and ultimately hardening my heart, fathering a child out of wedlock with a married woman, and seeking solace in pornography and alcohol instead of fostering a relationship with the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
It was the gateway which lead me into great despair. I hated looking at myself in the mirror.
I’ve started praying the Rosary in hopes of purifying my heart and seeking intercession for pardon of my sins. It seems to be working minimizing the temptation and not making masturbation a relief when it really is just an express ticket into hell.
Thank you again Father.
Thank you Father.
From your answer, I have learned a lot about why masturbation is wrong. I knew it wasn’t right but didn’t know exactly why. This new knowledge will help me to not do it anymore.
Eternal torment in fire awaits you priest
Disgusting [expletive deleted]
Father Joe
Please, I beg you, I need you ok…I am too shy and afraid to talk to my local priest at my Parish, yes I did try to shock you but I’m genuinely looking for answers
I honestly felt rejected by you when you didn’t post my last comment…
Father Joe
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question
I’m not going to lie to you or to myself, as I freely admit that my masturbation has become an addiction of sorts. My telling you that I’m.not prepared to give it up is more from an acknowledgment that I know that I can’t give it up, rather than a defiant or stubborn will. I’ve tried many times in the past and I always go back to it.
But here’s my dilemma, I know that I’m not the only one who does it, and according to stats, 95% of all males masturbate so that means we’re all going to hell? That seems quite harsh to me and it leads me to despair
I have 1 final question to ask you once you’ve got back to me on this one, as I don’t want to overwhelm you
Edited for polite sensibilities…
Very interesting exchange between you two. When aroused I cannot help but seek out the most explicit pornography for masturbation. I do this approximately four times a week. Have I committed a sin? Would I need to give it up? “And I know this sounds weird, but what will happen to me if I told you, that I will never give it up because it feels too good?”
kryptonian51 states:
As expected you are too much of a gutless coward, reeking of biblical ineptitude, and intellectual dishonesty to allow my last comment to be allowed on this discussion. This says more about you than about me. I bested you Father Joe, and I bested you good.
kryptonian51 argues:
The bible defines its own terms and it defines lust as to COVET, see Romans 7:7. Coveting is NOT the desire or attraction to something, or to want something; to covet is to take what belongs to someone else. The bible is very specific about that. The sin of covetousness is and always has been the desire to take something that belongs to someone else… wanting and desiring a 4,000 4K smart TV is not coveting or lusting, but wanting your neighbor’s 4,000 4K smart T.V is.
Father Joe responds:
You seem to be missing the point. Lust is not a victimless sin. Not only is one harmed as the sinner, but the person who is objectified is wrongly devalued. Our Lord emphasized evangelical poverty because he was well aware of the thin line between wanting things and wanting what another has. God would have us love in the proper way and to want or to desire what is beneficial or holy in his sight.
Coveting is not immediately to take what belongs to another. Rather, it is to want what belongs to another. The Decalogue makes such a distinction between two commandments. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife and you shall not commit adultery. Coveting is a desire or attraction, either of persons or things (belonging to another). The lust that manifests itself in masturbation is immediately connected to desiring unlawful acts with a person or persons that does not belong to you as spouse. While I would not regard lust and covet as absolute synonyms there are cases when they seem to be connected, as in the citation from Matthew and in 1 Corinthians 10:6. Masturbation is often connected with a lust that covets others, leading to fornication, adultery or to an addiction with pornography. It is a proverbial “slippery slope” into the depths of sexual sin. Adultery in the heart, as with imaging someone’s spouse through sexual fantasies is a sin. How can you argue otherwise? One would be tempted to say that only moral reprobates would make such a case as to legitimate a practice that leaves one impure. Anything that compromises the will makes one more susceptible to ever greater sins.
CONCLUSION TO DISCUSSION WITH KRYPTONIAN51
kryptonian51 argues:
It’s not a sin to be aroused by a woman’s beauty, and it is not “lusting” to want to have sex with her. What Jesus is driving at here is it becomes sin if you have the INTENTION to do an act, not merely the desire to do that act. It has to involve INTENTION because adultery is always defined in the bible as taking another man’s property.
Any attempt to semantically nitpick the word “lust” ultimately falls apart, for e.g., can therefore a blind man masturbate? What about the single? Single men can’t commit adultery, so what about them, are they exempt?
To try and connect an incorrect definition of the word lust with masturbation will always lead to error because the foundation is wrong. Can women masturbate? They don’t need visual stimuli so therefore Matthew 5 could never apply to them? Do you see how ridiculous this gets when you try to force the scriptures to address something it was never intended for?
kryptonian51 argues:
You will say to me, that, it is impossible to masturbate without lust, so therefore, since lust is a sin and accompanies masturbation, it therefore follows logically that masturbation must be a sin! Hang on a bit, before we get too far ahead of ourselves and think that you’ve got me; let me correct a fatal misunderstanding of the word lust. You have taken to mean, it’s sexual arousal and desire; but that’s NOT what then word lust means. What if I told you that Jesus Christ LUSTED? Blasphemy you say! No, check out Luke 22:15, “And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.” Do you see those two words there, “desire” and earnestly desired”? They are the EXACT same words found in Matthew 5. It is ἐπιθυμία in Greek which in English is translated as follows, “With LUST, I have LUSTED to eat this passover with you” Now did Jesus sin by lusting? Of course not, as it can be seen from this context here. Lust is NOT necessarily sexual in nature and lust is NOT always sinful, otherwise we are admitting that the Savior sinned.
Father Joe responds:
We are talking about the close association of lust, masturbation and pornography. The precise definition of lust as sin is the one we are using, not more obscure secondary meanings. As for your translation of our Lord from Luke’s Gospel, what approved translation are you using? I doubt any credible translator would ascribe a secondary or alternative definition of this sort as an approved bible translation.
How is the biblical definition of lust different from the modern day?
Jesus’ desire was good and lawful. The word used in Luke 22:15 can be rendered as “eagerly desired.” This is not the sin of lust. It is no more lust than is the lawful passion between a husband and wife. Lust is differentiated in the Bible as a strong NEGATIVE or FORBIDDEN desire. Your inference that Jesus could have such would indeed be blasphemy. The Old Testament often associates it with idolatry. The New Testament connects it with obstinate sinners who are enslaved by their lustful desires (i.e. Ephesians 2:3; 4:22; Colossians 3:5; Titus 2:12; etc.).
As for ἐπιθυμία it is a word defined by context. Find me even one Bible translation that uses the word LUST in the citation from Matthew. You do understand that words can be multivalent, right? Here in reference to Jesus it would be defined as an “eager desire” or as a “passionate longing.” Lust as a disordered desire or passion is inherently immoral.
Lust as we understand it here reflects a desire to go beyond the boundaries. I am not denying that there might be archaic expressions like “lust for life” that points to living with “gusto.” However, that is not how the word is being used in reference to sexual sin.
kryptonian51 argues:
You reference Matthew 5:27-28… This actually is a very common text to try and prove that masturbation is a sin, but it fails as well! Let us put aside for a moment that the biblical definition of the word lust is different from our modern day definition. (I will get back to that one in a moment.) But, did you notice that the word “masturbation” is not spoken of in Matthew 5, either directly or indirectly? In order to prove that masturbation is a sin you have to have a verse that specifically mentions it, and you haven’t been able to so far.
Father Joe responds:
What part of adultery in the heart in “lusting” over a woman did you not understand in the quote from Matthew’s Gospel?
Certainly, reasonable people can delineate between those who are self-absorbed and addicted hedonists and the young person who is going through puberty and has yet to integrate his or her sexual identity with a changing body. Youth are fascinated by changing bodies, their own and those of the opposite sex. The transition from child to adult means self-discovery, missteps and changes in how one understands himself (or herself) in the world. Young men and women may even stumble, not out of malice but out of ignorance and anticipation. Young men might ruminate about the joys that await them as husbands and fathers. Young women might fantasize about the intimacies of married life and motherhood. This is as it should be.
You have impugned my character and motivation in this discussion. I do not know you but given the bad fruits from such tactics I would remind you of 2 Peter 2:2: “Many will follow their licentious ways, and because of them the way of truth will be reviled.”
I really do not want to get into a word game argument. Such apologists would insist that unless the word is directly mentioned, or at least translated into KJV English, then the topic is irrelevant and cannot be discussed. Such a posture is silly. Notable members of cults use this strategy to discount many topics of importance for Christians: the pope and the papacy, the Eucharist and the Mass, the Trinity, the word Catholic, purgatory, etc. Unlike such apologists, you apply the word game to sexual morality. Indeed, you even attempt a justification for lust in your convoluted arguments. Since the word “masturbation” does not appear in Scripture, according to you, even a graphically-described instance cannot be associated with a banning of the practice. I suppose you would use the same distorted discrimination in regards to the word “pornography.” If it does not appear (in English) then you seem to promote an “anything goes” mentality.
The devil has perverted hearts and minds. While there can be no denying of the lust behind pornography, the latter is also immediately associated with masturbation. All together, they become the doorway to other sexual transgressions.
It may be that you offer an argument on behalf of the sin of masturbation for more than academic reasons. If you are a slave to such sin, do not despair, but invoke divine help in combatting this addictive bondage.
1. Catholics are asked to take the sin to the sacrament of penance. However, given that you do not share our faith, there should still be a confession of your sin to our loving and forgiving God.
2. Catholics express a genuine sorrow for sin, receive absolution and the graces of the sacrament. Outside this context, you can still beseech God to make you brand new and to give you his mind and heart. Ask him to forgive you and to make you clean.
3. It is not enough to ask for washing or cleansing. The devil loves a vacuum. Find a pure love that delights to fill the space where lust once reigned. Many couples find this in holy matrimony. Others live out a celibate love that prizes the dignity of persons. Both mandate breaking the cage of self-absorption so that we can look outside ourselves in service and charity.
4. Even as you appreciate human weakness and the struggle, surrender your body in to the Lord. You were made for God. As a temple of the Holy Spirit, the baptized believer is made holy as God is holy. God shares his life with us so that we might be ever transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ.
5. Instead of resisting the moral exhortations from Scripture and the Church, end the word games and any deliberate incongruity that would allow sin to be redefined and permitted. Seek the high ground. Allow no openings in your mind (rationalizations) or actions that would compromise the truth. This would also include practical elements to help exclude pornography from the home.
6. Bring this matter to prayer, not merely alone, but with the guidance and support of prayer partners. God answers prayer. God will give his spirit to all those who call upon him and humbly want to walk with him.
kryptonian51 argues:
Even if we allow for the preposterous argument that spilling his seed on the ground is a reference to masturbation, when it clearly is not, you will have to deal with the fact that it is NOT a capital offence deserving death….The bible is very specific here, seminal emissions, at the very most make oneself ceremonially unclean for 12 hours, but it was NEVER classified as a sin needing a sacrifice, all it required was awash in water… see Leviticus 15:16. I hope you can see that I have completely demolished your argument from Genesis 38.
Father Joe responds:
I would not want to associate the death sentence with masturbation any more than I would with deviant sexual acts. However, the Old Testament often portrays great severity on such issues.
Onan is not liable for the death sentence under the disciplinary laws of his own people. However, it is not his people who execute him but God directly. God does so as a sign in the very first book of the Bible that none should seek to evade or circumvent their participation with him in the act of creation. The human sexual organs were not fashioned for cheap entertainment, but for the fidelity of spouses and the generation of new human beings. Anything else is an affront to God as the Creator. Thus the traditional view that this passage condemns both masturbation and contraception still applies.
I am sorry to hurt your sense of personal pride and accomplishment, but not only have you failed to overthrow traditional Christian morality, you have made no really tenable argument at all.
kryptonian51 argues:
Let us proceed with your first reference in Genesis 38 with the case of Onan. I cannot believe you would even attempt to use that verse as a proof text against masturbation. First off, the sin of Onan was he didn’t want to raise seed to his brother, when the LAW specifically made certain that if a husband died and the widow is childless, the husband’s brother has the right to go in unto her to bare seed. Onan’s sin was that of fraud because he knew the seed wouldn’t belong to him. To be quite honest it is intellectual dishonesty and biblical ignorance to try and use Genesis 38 to refute masturbation, when it’s got nothing to do with masturbation at all. You can try and con your flock with such an argument, but those who know their bible like me, will not fall for such chicanery.
Father Joe responds:
While certain Scripture exegetes assert that Onan was executed by God, not for spilling his seed but for his refusal to raise-up a child for his dead brother, this explanation strikes me as too simplistic. I am unfamiliar with any scholarly exegetes who would argue as you do that the sin was one of fraud. The more ridiculous among them posit the crime as a lack of hospitality. But all renderings until the present day associated the crime with the spilling of his seed and the corollary sins of masturbation and contraception.
The traditional Catholic and Jewish estimation would be that Onan was punished for placing his lust over the need to propagate the human race. He misused the sexual organs that God had given him. But the punishment seems overly severe, on a par with the death penalty once commanded for homosexual acts. Note, however, we are referencing the book of Genesis which emphasizes creation and the command to go out and to multiply. Onan’s “wasting the seed” is spelled out while Scripture usually resorts to euphemisms to target sexual acts. This in itself signals God’s judgment upon the physical act. Onan’s act is viewed as sterile and in conflict with the divine mandate of creation and man’s stewardship. Onan disobeys God, spurns the rights of his brother and disrespects Tamar with his unnatural sex act. God would strike him dead for his obstinacy and self-absorption.
While you can charge me with ignorance, your insinuation of duplicity and intellectual dishonesty are personal attacks that I do not take well. Failing in your argument, you attack the person instead. If such is your attitude then you are welcome to keep your opinions to yourself and need not comment here. I suspect that your general belligerency is a major reason why many Catholic sites would not respond to you.
kryptonian51 argues:
I can make a convincing argument using reason and logic that it is sinful for a man to have sex with his wife if it’s not for procreation purposes… We of course know from scripture that it is not a sin… see 1st Corinthians 7:5. This herein lies the huge error in trying to use reason instead of scripture as our foundation.
Father Joe responds:
Here you confuse what might appear to be a logical argument with reasoned truth. The discussion was not about procreation but about celibacy and marital intimacy as lived out in the early Christian community.
Paul preferred celibacy as an eschatological sign, but rightfully would not deny the goodness of the marital act between married couples. There is evidence that many of the married presbyters or priests in the early Church would practice perfect continence. However, this was a free decision made by couples. The Scripture citation aside, the Jews and later the Christians regarded fecundity and procreation as fundamental elements of married love. It was for this reason that early converts to the faith (first few centuries) had to give up pagan contraceptive practices as promoted by sorcerers. The use of crocodile dung was one such primitive measure that Christians and Jews both repudiated as an offense to God’s providential role as the author of life. The marital act must always be that type of act that is open to the generation of new human life. However, because of age and illness, this element may not always be operative. Nevertheless, the marital act also promotes the unity and fidelity of the spouses.
Father Joe, Thank you for getting back to me… I honestly didn’t expect you to. (lol)
I notice that the entire basis on which your argument against masturbation flows is from human reasoning and not scripture specifically. It is extremely foolhardy to base our moral stance on what we perceive as reasonable a priori arguments for or against any particular moral because it is flawed, so I will not attempt to refute your “human reason” arguments.
My bible tells me in 1st John_3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the LAW: for sin is the transgression of the LAW.
Also see Rom 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no LAW is, there is no transgression
The catechism, the Magisterium, Priests, councils, edicts etc DO NOT determine what constitute sin, it is the BIBLE that defines what sin is…..so in saying that, could you show me a verse condemning masturbation in the LAW?
Never before has this verse been more true: Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.