Masturbation And Sin: A Catholic Conundrum

Masturbation is a topic that has sparked debate and curiosity, especially within the Catholic Church. The act of masturbation is considered a sin by the Catholic Church, which believes that it contradicts the purpose of sexual intimacy as intended by God. The Church's teachings emphasize that sex is reserved for marriage and is meant to be an expression of love between spouses and a means of procreation. Masturbation is viewed as an abuse of natural sexual desires and a violation of the Sixth Commandment. However, it is acknowledged that many individuals struggle with masturbation due to powerful sexual appetites and the ease of gratification it provides. While some may argue that masturbation is essential for health, the Church maintains that it is a disordered action that turns individuals inward and uses the body for personal gratification rather than as a gift of self to another.

Masturbation is a sin against the Sixth Commandment

The Sixth Commandment, "You shall not commit adultery", pertains not only to sexual infidelity but encompasses the whole of human sexuality. Sexuality is an integral part of what it means to be made in the image of God. The human person is made from the beginning for love, for self-gift. This is reflected in the importance of gender, as the distinction (and equality) of the sexes is part of the divine plan. In the union of man and woman in marriage, Trinitarian love is imaged.

The Sixth Commandment is thus violated by any sexual act outside of marriage, including masturbation. Masturbation is the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure. It is an abuse of the natural sexual desires, which are made for marriage and only marriage. It is a sin because it seeks sexual pleasure in isolation from the unitive and procreative purposes of sex.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

> Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.

Masturbation is a disordered action because it seeks sexual pleasure outside of the sexual relationship that is demanded by the moral order. It is an act of self-pleasuring that is not directed toward another in love but is rather self-directed. It is also never open to new life.

Therefore, masturbation is a sin against the Sixth Commandment.

It is an abuse of natural sexual desires

The Catholic Church teaches that masturbation is an abuse of natural sexual desires. Sex is intended to be an expression of love between spouses and a means of procreation. It is a gift that should only be shared between a husband and wife, and only within the confines of marriage.

Masturbation is an attempt to satisfy a powerful sexual desire. However, it is important to note that it only provides a temporary release and never truly satisfies or satiates natural desires. It is a selfish act that focuses on personal gratification rather than the mutual self-giving inherent in marital intercourse.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines masturbation as "the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure." It further states that "the deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose." This is because sexual pleasure is meant to be sought within the context of a committed marital relationship and with an openness to procreation.

Masturbation inverts the order of sexuality by seeking isolated pleasure and turning inward, rather than expressing love and unity with another person. It is a solitary act that contradicts the God-inscribed unbreakable bond between the love-giving and life-giving aspects of the marital act.

The Church's teaching on masturbation is centered on the virtue of chastity, which gives sexuality its proper place in our lives. By abstaining from masturbation, individuals can exercise self-control and redeem their self-centered, disordered desires by bringing them to Christ for healing and transformation.

It is a selfish act

The Catholic Church teaches that masturbation is a sin. It is a violation of the Sixth Commandment, an abuse of natural sexual desires, and an act that contradicts the meaning of human sexuality. Masturbation is considered a selfish act that turns individuals inward, seeking isolated pleasure instead of expressing love for their spouse. This act is viewed as a disordered and self-indulgent use of the body for personal gratification, rather than as an integral part of a loving and committed marital relationship.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines masturbation as "the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure." It further states that masturbation is "an intrinsically and gravely disordered action." This means that the Church considers it a serious sin, regardless of the circumstances or intentions. The Church teaches that sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for its own sake, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes within marriage.

The Church's teaching on masturbation is based on the belief that sex is a sacred act meant to express love between spouses and to procreate. Masturbation is seen as a violation of this sacred purpose, as it is an act of self-gratification that does not involve the spouse. It is considered a selfish act because it prioritizes one's own pleasure over the mutual self-giving and procreative potential of marital intercourse.

Additionally, masturbation is often associated with fantasies or pornography, which can be considered a form of adultery or lust. This further reinforces the idea that masturbation is a selfish act, as it involves seeking pleasure through impure thoughts or images rather than through a committed and loving relationship with one's spouse.

While some may argue that masturbation is necessary for health or medical reasons, the Church maintains that it is not essential for well-being. Instead, it offers grace and support through sacraments, natural remedies, and the community of believers to help individuals overcome sinful sexual desires and cultivate chastity.

It is a grave sin, a mortal sin

The Catholic Church teaches that masturbation is a grave sin, a mortal sin. This is because it is an act of deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure outside of marriage. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines masturbation as:

> "The deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure."

It further states that:

> "The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose."

This means that masturbation is always wrong and is a violation of the Sixth Commandment. It is an abuse of natural sexual desires, which are meant to be expressed within marriage only.

Masturbation is a grave sin because it contradicts the God-inscribed unbreakable bond between the love-giving and life-giving aspects of the marital act. It is an act of turning selfishly inward, using the body as a means of personal gratification rather than integrating one's sexuality into a sincere self-gift to another. It is a dualistic act that divorces physical behaviour from self-identity, and fails to recognise that our bodies are essential to who we are and how we express ourselves as human persons.

Masturbation is also considered a mortal sin when it is committed with full knowledge and complete consent. This means that the person knows it is wrong, does it willingly, and does not try to resist. In such cases, the person is guilty of grave sin and should seek help from a priest who supports the Church's sexual morality.

It is not essential for health

Masturbation is not essential for health. In fact, the Catholic Church teaches that masturbation is a "grave sin" and a violation of human nature.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines masturbation as "the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure". It is considered a sin because it is an act of self-gratification that turns away from the true purpose of sexual pleasure, which is to express love for your spouse and procreate.

The Church's teaching on masturbation is centred on the virtue of chastity, which means giving sexuality its proper place in our lives. It is not about snuffing out sexuality, but rather about controlling it according to our will. This is what true freedom is.

Some people may argue that masturbation is healthy, but this is a disordered way of thinking. It is a selfish act that turns us away from God and towards ourselves. It trains our sexuality in the habit of self-indulgence, rather than self-giving, and divorces the pleasure of orgasm from union with another person.

Instead of seeking pleasure through masturbation, we should invite Christ into our passions and desires and allow Him to purify them. This is the path to true freedom and the proper expression of our sexuality.

Frequently asked questions