Religious Views on "Solo Sex"

Every religion takes a stand on sex, but what specifically is their stand of solo sex? I'm talking about good old-fashioned, self-pleasuring masturbation. What do the various churches have to say about this "sinful" (like eating still warm chocolate cake with a scoop of home-churned vanilla ice cream on top) occupation? I guess we know my view on the subject via my sublime food reference!

Traditionally, Conservative Christians have looked down upon masturbation as a mortal sin; one that can cause the abuser to burn in hell for all eternity. More moderate and progressive Christians, although they won't speak of it out loud, are more accepting of it based on medical indications that it can possibly help prevent prostate cancer later in life for men, and that it can relieve menstrual cramps for young women. The funny thing is that many of the Christian faiths condemn masturbation because they say it's "in the Bible" as a sin.

Unfortunately, everywhere masturbation is mentioned as a sin cannot be trusted because of extremely faulty interpretation of a lost language to modern day English. Scholars can't agree on the translations of the words that were assigned as indicating "masturbation". However, the term stuck and was widely read as such during the time of the Great Reformation by Martin Luther of Germany. He is the founder of the Protestant church and his teachings were a major influence on King Henry VIII, who at first adopted the Protestant faith, breaking from Rome, before he founded his own church, The Church of England.

In the book of Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus equated masturbation with sexual fantasy which he said was like adultery. Everyone is aware that adultery is forbidden in the Ten Commandments. But how can sexual fantasy by a single person about another single person be considered adultery? Wish I could ask the master! After all, for quite some time, and possibly even today in certain sects of particular religions, sex with one's own husband or wife is considered sinful if it's done for any other reason besides procreation. Early Christians also referred to it as an unnatural act simply because it isn't "natural" to have sex alone.

I say this is madness! If God didn't want people to have sex, then why did he make it feel so good alone and with a partner? Ponder that.

On the opposite end of the scale, Pagans, generally a naturist religion, believe sex to be completely natural and many incorporate sex into their rights and rituals. The approach is that all sex must be of a consensual and responsible nature. No arguments there.

Early Mormons (and perhaps a few modern Mormons, too) referred to masturbation as "the problem"! One high ranking Mormon, Mark E. Peterson, even wrote a widely distributed essay on it titled "Steps to Overcoming Masturbation". I wonder if it's a 12 step program? Does it end with apologizing to yourself for "beating" yourself?

The essay recommends wearing pajamas that are difficult to open, reducing fluid intake in the evening, reducing spices (because we know how sexually stimulating spices are), avoiding being alone, and yelling "STOP!" when tempted. I guess telling yourself "NO" really means "no".

Buddhism's take on masturbation is not a divine mandate, but a personal choice by those on the path to enlightenment. A person on the path to enlightenment would adhere to the 5 Precepts and the Eightfold Path by acknowledging the second Noble Truth which describes the craving of sensual pleasure as a cause for suffering and an attachment. For Buddhist Monks, refraining from all forms of sex is one of many vows taken so that complete focus can be put into following the path of the Buddha. For everyone else (all non-Monks), it is a matter of personal choice.

Hindus view masturbation and all sexual activity as a squandering of energy. Meditation is practiced to redirect this energy, maintaining purity through complete abstinence, to reach a state of Brahmacharya ( a pure state similar to a true state of enlightenment practiced by Buddhists).

In case you aren't keeping score, it's Pagans and Buddhists for, and conservative Christians and Mormons against the practice of self-lovin'.

In Islam, the Quran doesn't really refer to or forbid masturbation, but it is heavily frowned upon and condemned by Islamic scholars. The only tolerance for it seems to be in extenuating circumstances (Oh my!) where the person who is overcome by lust for someone outside of his/her marriage might prevent a greater sin of adultery by committing the minor sin of masturbation; but only at night, as performing this act during daylight hours is a major no-no and would require serious ablutions.

The Shi'A Muslim view on masturbation is that it's strictly forbidden. The translation of the transgression is that "it is like killing Allah eighty times" and that's if it's done right!

The Jewish faith puts a whole new spin on this subject! While it's considered sinful for a male Jew to masturbate (Oy, the guilt!) because it's an unnecessary spilling of good semen (Please donate to the Save the semen Foundation!), it's okay for a man to masturbate his wife, and a wife to masturbate her husband! Hmmmmnnn...am considering going Kosher.

I look at it this way. Sexual release of any kind is a great stress reducer as it causes the release of natural, painkilling endorphins in the body. Only God can say what is and isn't sinful and since religion is so widely interpreted, there is no definitive answer from the Almighty on the subject. What we do know is God created man in his own image, and that image includes sexual attraction and sexual desire. What a person does to and with his/herself is between that person, their conscience, and God depending on how he or she believes.

As long as it doesn't become an addictive behavior (Seriously, you can't stay home and masturbate all day!), I don't see the harm. And it prevents the spread of STD's and unplanned pregnancies. In today's world, how can one argue with that?

If you have any questions or comments or have a subject you would like me to cover, feel free to email me at megwynn@msn.com.

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Partial information provided by Religious Tolerance.org