Religious views on masturbation

Among the world's religions, views on masturbation vary widely. Some religions view it as a spiritually detrimental practice, while others either do not or take a situational view. Among these latter religions, some view masturbation as allowable if used as a means unto sexual self-control, or as part of healthy self-exploration or sexual therapy, but disallow it if it is done with wrong motives or as an addiction.

Christianity

Roman Catholicism

The position of the Roman Catholic Church on masturbation is more nuanced than is commonly understood.

First, the Church does not have a specific moral law regarding masturbation but its teaching on the matter is a consequence of its overall understanding of human sexuality. According to the natural law, the physical makeup of the human body, male and female, is such that men's and women's sexual functioning is oriented not only toward the opposite sex, but specifically toward procreation. Specifically, male ejaculate has no meaning or purpose apart from its potential to fertilize an ovum. It is the nature of male sexual function to be oriented toward a female and vice versa. The Church views sexual expression between a man and a woman in the context of marriage to be a sacred, even sacramental act. Consequently, all other sexual activity including masturbation, homosexual acts, acts of sodomy and sex outside of marriage and the use of artificial contraception as morally disordered as they frustrate the intention of God "written" in the design of the human body. Pope John Paul II in his book, Theology of the Body, coined the expression, "the nuptial meaning of the body" to describe this divine intention physically expressed in the body. His elucidation of human sexuality is that to fulfill its sacred character, sexual expression must be a complete act of mutual self-giving only possible between a married couple open to the conception of a new child.

The Church judgement on the matter of masturbation is summarized in section 2352 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in two paragraphs.

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.

The first paragraph explains from a natural law perspective why masturbation is not a proper use of human sexuality, and therefore a matter of grave sin. However, the second paragraph provides important pastoral guidance for a number of circumstances in which the culpability for the act of masturbation is reduced sometimes almost completely:

"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."

When all of these factors are taken into account, one can see that in some cases the culpability of the act is diminished. In cases of absence of full consent the action remains moral matter for the sacrament of confession (grave venial sin) but the sinner need not necessarily refrain from receiving other sacraments such as the Eucharist without benefits of sacramental confession. That is, following an act of masturbation, the persons to whom the absence (lack) of full consent to the act certainly applies, may receive the Eucharist without going to confession first when one lacks emotional maturity (early adolescence), when one is striving to overcome a habit but without complete success, when one is under extreme stress or anxiety among other situations. However as full consent to the act by an adult or youth in the capacity of correctly using reason constitutes the matter for a definitive, mortal sin, the Roman Catholic Church's teachings warn those sinners who are fully guilty of the grave sin of masturbation, that these must refrain from receiving Holy Communion to avoid compounding "a serious sin by committing another serious sin by receiving our Lord unworthily." In case of uncertainty, one is also - in each case - obliged to first go to confession before receiving communion. One may not in every case presume one's own innocence or a reduced responsibility of the grave sin, as Catholic moral theology and the Church's official teaching, clarified in the declaration Persona Humana, say.

Protestantism

Protestantism has no uniform position on the issue of masturbation. Many Protestants disapprove of the practice. However, theologians toward the middle of the 20th century began revising previous teachings, and some today even take pro-masturbation viewpoints. By conservative denominations, it is often viewed as an act of self-indulgence and a sin of the flesh. Protestants often view it as within the range of normal sexual behavior. Some who encourage the practice do so as a guard against adultery, pre-marital sex, or other forms of non-allowable sexual behavior.

James Dobson considers it part of normal adolescent exploration and strongly urges parents not to shame their children over the act lest they have marital difficulties later because of shame over their sexuality. At the same time, he realizes it becomes an addiction and an escape from intimacy for some and of course argues against it in that case. Richard Dobbins Teaching Your Children the Truth About Sex takes a similar approach. His overall approach is one of "neither condemn nor condone" the act. He looks at it multifactorally to determine its ethics. He gives a lot of advice to parents in the matter. Herbert J. Miles in Sexual Understanding Before Marriage also takes a similar approach. He views the act as a controlled tool of sexual self-control for single males and advises them in that way, while also pointing males to nocturnal emissions. His view toward single females in the matter is different per their biology and lack of semen buildup, and he urges young women to wait to experience their first orgasm with their husband, while not making it a sin if they masturbate. Both Dobbins and Miles go so far as to discuss what they feel is Biblically permissible for people to imagine while masturbating. Dobbins says fathers should urge their sons, if they masturbate, to imagine their future wife, and never some girl they may know. Miles suggests single males pray before masturbating, thanking God for the gift of their sexuality and keeping Him in mind while achieving self-release.

Evangelical based therapeutic approaches to masturbation addiction suggest counselors place counselees on a schedule, e.g., they may masturbate 3 times per week at set times in private but no go beyond that. Over and above a prohibitionist position, this is viewed as part of a Biblical, realistic, and effective approach to facilitating counselees to overcome a masturbatory addiction.

In general, most evangelicals assert that the Bible could have but did not specifically condemn that act, and so make it a Romans 14 issue, i.e., a matter of conscience for individual believers: that the believer should not violate his or her conscience, but also realizing the conscience is fallible and may be either rightly or wrongly trained. All condemn the act if done in lust, to pornography, or if it becomes an addiction or an escape from intimacy. Most view it as at least having the potential to be a tool of sexual self-control, not only for singles but married persons when they may be separated from their spouse. The Marriage Bed concludes "that a loving God designed masturbation as a 'stop gap' measure for those who do not have a spouse"[1].

Other sects

Founder of the Seventh-Day Adventist, Ellen G. White in the mid-1800's claimed to have spirtual visions from God that guided her on how one would go through life as a perfect Christian. She warned against overly stimulating foods, fashion, sex, and masturbation of which she referred to as " solitary vice." She warned her followers of her visions of disfigured humans and the consequences of masturbation not only destroying one's life, but preventing access to Heaven in the afterlife. She made claims that masturbation was the cause of many sicknesses in adults from cancer to lung disease. White even stated that masturbation claimed many sinners' lives pre-maturely. She believed that one's diet had a direct correlation with one's urge to masturbate. She claimed that a bland diet consisting of vegtables, wheat breads, and water would lead to a diminished urge to masturbate and thus would lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life. To ultimatley produce a guide for future generations and to spread her teachings she claimed solitary vice was the causes of hereditary insanity, cancer, and other deadly diseases; clearly appealing to parents to protect their children by not engaging in solitary vice.

Mormonism teaches that "masturbation is a sinful habit that robs one of the Spirit and creates guilt and emotional stress." Spencer W. Kimball, the twelfth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints urged Mormons to abandon the habit before going on a mission, receiving the holy priesthood, or going into the temple for blessings. He taught that masturbation indicated "slavery to the flesh, not that mastery of it and the growth toward godhood which is the object of our mortal life".

Mormons mostly discuss masturbation in the context of male masturbation, while female masturbation is considered by context of "impure thoughts". Some Mormons disagree with the prevailing opinion against masturbation in Mormonism. They teach that masturbation is normal, healthy, developmentally appropriate and leads primarily to healthy marriage bonds.

Islam

Main article: Islam and masturbation

Istimna (استمناء) is the Arabic term for masturbation. In general, masturbation may only be done in fear of committing adultery, nor is it preferred (either getting married or fasting are preferred alternatives suggested in hadith).

Scholars of Islam do not generally approve of masturbation, except in extenuating circumstances. There is a statement in Quran "And those who guard their chastity, Except from their wives (or the slaves that their right hands possess),- for then, they are free from blame; But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are transgressors. (23:5-7)

In Islam, sexual engagement outside of marriage (and outside of slaves the right-hand possesses) is a major sin, which cause the doer to be punished in this life and the Qiyama. Yet if one's desire is so overwhelming one might perform a greater wrong by having sex outside marriage, masturbation becomes permissible as a necessity but in that case it will be like eating the flesh of pig when no other food is available. So Quran says "And those who are not married should try to live in chastity, until God enriches them with His Grace" (Qur'an, 24:33)

Masturbation, like any form of sex in which seminal or vaginal fluids have been released, breaks one's fast if performed during the daylight hours and requires a major ablution if any seminal or vaginal fluids were released.

According to Sheikh Hamed Al-Ali: "Masturbation during the daytime of Ramadan breaks the fast, based on the Hadith that a fasting Muslim gives up eating, drinking, and sexual desire for the sake of Allah. Since masturbation is a kind of sexual desire, a fasting Muslim must avoid it. Therefore, masturbation invalidates the fast as does food and as it is one of the sins that if someone does it he or she would be violating the sanctity of this month."

Sunni view

The four Sunni schools of jurisprudence (known as Madhaahib - the Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki and Hambali schools of Fiqh) have differing stances on the issue. Some consider it forbidden in all cases. Some see it forbidden in certain cases but obligatory in others. Another view is that it is Makruh but not expressly forbidden.

Shi'a view

Masturbation is totally forbidden in the Shi'a sect.

Buddhism

Like all religions, Buddhism takes a strong ethical stand in human affairs and sexual behavior in particular. The most common formulation of Buddhist ethics are the Five Precepts and the Eightfold Path, one should neither be attached to nor crave sensual pleasure. These precepts take the form of voluntary, personal undertakings. They are not commandments; there is no god in Buddhism, so none to issue any. The third of the Five Precepts is "To refrain from committing sexual misconduct". For Buddhist laypeople, masturbation is not "sexual misconduct".

However, the craving for sensual pleasure is described in the Second Noble Truth as the cause of suffering, as they are attachments. Masturbation can be a distraction or means of avoidance of spiritual practice or development. To provide a complete focus onto spiritual practice, fully ordained Buddhist monks may, depending on their tradition, be bound by hundreds of further detailed rules or vows that may include a ban on sexual relations, including masturbation. Most laypeople may consider excessive focus on sexual pleasure to be an attachment, and not following the middle path.

Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism, on the other hand, teaches that masturbation can actively be used to approach higher spiritual development.

There is an aspect of sex in Highest Yoga Tantra practice that is both symbolic as well as descriptive of the practice of using sexual intercourse to transform one's sexual energy into a blissful consciousness directed towards achieving enlightenment. This controlling and directing of one's sexual energies towards the greater goal of enlightenment is one of the central features of Vajrayana.

Hinduism

Sculpture from a temple at Khajuraho

Masturbation is not specifically mentioned in any of the religious scriptures; however, many conservative Hindus see it as impure and addictive, while seeing it as a distraction from prayer and the pursuit of their vocations. Brahmacharya, and grihastya being two of four successive phases of man's developmental pattern.

Alternative liberal schools of thought, such as the Tantric branches of Hinduism, are markedly less reserved, teaching that enlightenment can be approached through divine sex. Divine sex is one path whereby one can approach Moksha (Nirvana), a oneness with a higher spiritual level. As such, the Tantric practices, through writings such as the Kama Sutra seek not to repress sexuality, but to perfect it.

Both the ascetic branches, and tantric branches of Hinduism concur that the practices are about the ego (Ahamkara) controlling sex, rather than sex controlling the ego. The tantric branches go into great depths on methodology of that control, teaching detail of how to control sex when engaged, as well as practices for when abstaining, the focus of the ascetics. The Hindu Tantric practices crossed geographical boundaries, and merged with the practices of Buddhism, and gave rise to Tantric Buddhism, Vajrayana, which has a similar approach to sexuality, in general, viewing it as normal, natural and essential for obtaining enlightenment.

In the fine arts

By perfecting the act of divine sex, including masturbation, as seen depicted at the 10th century Hindu temple of Khajuraho, one clears the mind of earthly desires, leaving the soul on a higher level devoid of such worries, filled with bliss, and relaxed.

Judaism

Orthodox Judaism

Masturbation is not explicitly prohibited in the Hebrew Bible. The Talmud, however, forbids male masturbation, as it leads to unnecessary spilling of semen, or the impure thoughts of women other than the man's lawful wife. This prohibition is derived from the Biblical narrative of Onan (Talmud Niddah 13a). The Talmud (ibid) likens the act to murder and idolatry. The wrath displayed by God toward Onan was invoked not through the act of spilling semen, but through disobedience to God's command for Onan to impregnate his brother's widow. Others consider the death sentence excessive for failure to properly follow the laws of Levirate marriage - the Biblical punishment for refusing a Levirate marriage was to be spit on, in public, by the woman who was refused. Because Onan's punishment was so much more severe, they argue that the spilling of semen was the relevant offense.

According to the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, "It is forbidden to discharge semen in vain. This is a graver sin than any other in the Torah" . However, Beis Shmuel expounds that this is not literal, but rather serves to frighten man into avoiding the sin.

There is disagreement among the poskim, decisors of Jewish law, whether masturbation is an acceptable way of procuring semen for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation, as well as prevention of adultery.

Judaism in general neither prohibits nor discourages female masturbation, although some Orthodox Jews consider female masturbation as "impure thoughts".

Other sects

Rabbis from less orthodox sects of Judaism such as Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist, have come to the conclusion that masturbation is a natural, healthy act. According to Rabbi Alexis Roberts masturbation is "harmless, natural and healthy. It may provide release and pleasure, as well as self-knowledge that is useful for pleasurable sex with a partner. It may make it easier for young people to have sexual release in the years when they are too young for a mature, committed, loving relationship."

Taoism

Some teachers and practitioners of Traditional Chinese medicine, Taoist meditative and martial arts say that masturbation can cause a lowered energy level in men. They say that ejaculation in this way reduces "origin qi" from dantian, the energy center located in the lower abdomen. Some maintain that sex with a partner does not do this because the partners replenish each other's qi. Some practitioners therefore say that males should not practice martial arts for at least 48 hours after masturbation while others prescribe up to six months, because the loss of Origin Qi does not allow new qi to be created for this kind of time.

Taoists strongly discouraged female masturbation. Women were encouraged to practice massaging techniques upon themselves, but were also instructed to avoid thinking sexual thoughts if experiencing a feeling of pleasure. Otherwise, the woman's "labia will open wide and the sexual secretions will flow." If this happened, the woman would lose part of her life force, and this could bring illness and shortened life.

Wicca

In the Gardnerian and Alexandrian forms of Wicca, "The Great Rite" is a way of expressing love through sexuality. The ritual is not an excuse to have sex with someone, nor is any sexual activity in a properly consecrated circle a Great Rite. Any sexual acts dealing with Wicca, whether literal or symbolic, is encouraged to take place between two consenting adults, even more so with two involved lovers.

The Charge of the Goddess, says in the words of the Goddess, "all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals".

The Wiccan attitude about sexuality as wholly natural, and goes on from there to seek a fuller understanding of masculine-feminine polarity and of how to make constructive use of it — both psychologically and magically. Sexuality freed from the shackles of obligatory breeding is what makes us specifically human.

Wicca, like other religious philosophies has a spectrum of adherents including those with conservative views to liberal views. However nothing in Wiccan philosophy prohibits sexual intercourse outside of marriage or relationships between members of the same sex. On the contrary, the Wiccan Rede "An it harm none, do as thou wilt" is interpreted by many to allow and endorse responsible sexual relationships of all varieties.

Secular humanism

A portion of the Secular humanism's Manifesto II states: We reject all religious, ideological, or moral codes that denigrate the individual, suppress freedom, dull intellect, dehumanize personality. We believe in maximum individual autonomy consonant with social responsibility. Short of harming others or compelling them to do likewise, individuals should be permitted to express their sexual proclivities and pursue their lifestyles as they desire.

Most secular humanists believe that, in the overwhelming majority of cases, masturbation does no harm in this world. Secular humanism therefore considers masturbation, when done in private or in the company of consenting adults, morally irrelevant and up to the individual.

Bibliography

• Wile, Douglas. The Art of the Bedchamber: The Chinese Sexual Yoga Classics including Women’s Solo Meditation Texts. Albany: State University of New York, 1992.

Numbers, Ronald L, "Sex, Science, and Salvation: The Sexual Advice of Ellen G. White and John Harvey Kellogg," in Right Living: An Anglo-American Tradition of Self-Help Medicine and Hygiene ed. Charles Rosenberg, 2003.