Grace Thompson
According to Catholic teaching, masturbation is considered a mortal sin, or an intrinsically and gravely disordered action. This is because it is believed to violate the God-inscribed bond between the love-giving and life-giving aspects of the marital act. It is also considered a selfish act that uses the body as a means of personal gratification, rather than an expression of love for a spouse. However, some Catholic schools teach that masturbation is a natural part of human sexuality, and that sexual feelings and desires should be brought to Christ for redemption, rather than repressed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Church's view on masturbation | The Catholic Church considers masturbation to be a sin against the Sixth Commandment and an "intrinsically and gravely disordered action". |
| Biblical references | Some scholars interpret references to the eye, hand, and foot in the Bible as warnings against lust, masturbation, and adultery. However, the Bible does not explicitly mention masturbation. |
| Sexuality | Masturbation is seen as a violation of God's design for sexual intimacy within marriage between a man and a woman. |
| Moral responsibility | The Church acknowledges that psychological factors can influence an individual's behavior, which may lessen or eliminate moral responsibility. |
| Guidance | Individuals seeking clarity on the morality of sexual activities are advised to consult a priest or a medical practitioner who aligns with Catholic values. |
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What You'll Learn
Masturbation is considered a mortal sin in Catholicism
The Church's teaching on masturbation is that it is a selfish act that perverts the meaning of sex, which is to unite two people. Sex is intended to be an expression of love between spouses and a means of procreation. Masturbation, on the other hand, is a solitary act of self-gratification that turns inward, neglecting the gift of sexuality and the powers of love and life that should be shared with another.
Some biblical scholars interpret Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount as a reference to masturbation. Jesus warns against lustful thoughts and actions, and the "stumbling with the right hand" has been interpreted by Anglican priest Andrew Angel as a reference to masturbation.
While masturbation is considered a grave sin, Catholic morality acknowledges that habits can reduce or eliminate responsibility for actions. The Lord is understood to be patient and merciful, and Catholics are encouraged to seek help from a priest to overcome sinful habits.
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It is deemed a selfish act
Views on masturbation vary among different religions and even within the same religion. For instance, while most Christians who adhere to a biblical perspective on sexuality consider masturbation to be a sin, others disagree, arguing that the Bible does not explicitly mention or condemn masturbation.
According to Catholic doctrine, masturbation is deemed "an intrinsically and gravely disordered action". This is because it is considered an act of selfishness and dishonesty, contradicting the meaning of human sexuality, which is meant to be shared between a man and a woman in marriage. In other words, masturbation is viewed as a selfish act because it involves sexual pleasure without the involvement of another person, which goes against the Catholic belief in "chastity", which means no sex before marriage.
Some commentators also interpret certain Bible passages as implicitly confirming the immorality of masturbation. For example, the word "porneia" in 2 Corinthians 7:1 is understood by some to include masturbation, while others believe it refers to sexual licentiousness and promiscuity. Similarly, while some interpret the story of Onan in the Bible as a condemnation of emitting sperm outside of the vagina, which could be applied to masturbation, others argue that the text does not explicitly state that Onan was masturbating.
Furthermore, the idea that masturbation is a selfish act is reinforced by the belief that it stems from lust, which is considered a sin. Lust is defined as a strong desire or craving without restraint, and it is often associated with sexual thoughts about someone other than one's spouse. In this context, masturbation is seen as a selfish act because it prioritizes one's own sexual pleasure over the sanctity of marriage and the commitment to one's spouse.
However, it is important to note that not all Catholics strictly adhere to the Church's teachings on masturbation. Some individuals may struggle with the Church's position and question its validity, especially in the context of modern societal changes and advancements.
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It is not considered a 'natural' act
Masturbation is considered a sin in Catholic teaching. According to the Catholic Church, masturbation is "an intrinsically and gravely disordered action". It is deemed to be morally wrong and a rejection of God's offer of life.
The Church's teaching on masturbation is that it is a sin against the Sixth Commandment as it goes against the God-inscribed bond between the love-giving and life-giving aspects of the marital act. Masturbation is seen as a selfish act that uses the body for personal gratification, rather than an act of self-giving to another. It is argued that masturbation divorces the physical behaviour from shaping one's self-identity, failing to recognise that our bodies are essential to who we are and how we express ourselves.
Catholics believe that sex is intended to be an expression of love for one's spouse and a means of procreation. Sex is reserved for marriage, and it is within this context that sexual activity is considered proper. Masturbation is seen as denying this promise of sex and the vows made between husband and wife.
While some may argue that masturbation is natural as it is something that humans do, the Catholic Church defines "natural" as "according to the nature of the creature". It is argued that humans do not always act in accordance with their nature, and that is what constitutes a sin. Thus, even though masturbation may occur naturally, it is not considered natural in the sense that it goes against the laws of nature.
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It is believed to pervert the sacredness of the marital act
The Catholic Church considers masturbation to be a sin that perverts the sacredness of the marital act. This view is based on the belief that sexuality transcends the purely biological sphere and is intimately linked to the innermost being of a person.
Sexual love is considered truly human only when it is an integral part of the love and commitment between a married man and woman. This self-giving is possible only in marriage, and masturbation is seen as a selfish act of self-pleasure that turns inward instead of fostering mutual self-giving. It is believed to be a disordered action that uses the body for personal gratification rather than integrating one's gift of sexuality into a sincere self-gift to another.
The Church teaches that masturbation violates the God-inscribed bond between the love-giving and life-giving aspects of the marital act. It is seen as a dualistic act that divorces physical behavior from shaping self-identity and fails to recognize the body-soul composite of human persons.
However, the Church also acknowledges that certain factors, such as adolescent immaturity, lack of psychological balance, and ingrained habits, can influence a person's behavior and may lessen or even eliminate moral responsibility. It is important for individuals with doubts about the morality of any sexual activity to seek guidance from a confessor or priest, who can provide proper guidance after considering all circumstances.
While some Catholic sources consider masturbation a grave sin, others suggest that it is not a sin at all. The determination of whether it is a mortal sin depends on it being done deliberately, with knowledge of it being against God's wishes, and without regard for those wishes.
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It is viewed as a disordered action
According to Catholic teaching, masturbation is considered a "disordered action" and a mortal sin. This means that it is viewed as an inherently wrong and immoral act that goes against God's intended purpose for sex.
The Catholic Church teaches that sex is a sacred expression of love between a husband and wife and is meant to be both unitive and procreative. Masturbation, on the other hand, is seen as a selfish act that turns inward, seeking personal gratification rather than the mutual self-giving inherent in marital sexual intimacy.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states that masturbation is "an intrinsically and gravely disordered action" (CCC 2352). This means that it is considered a serious breach of the moral order, as it violates the God-given purpose of sexuality, which is to be expressed within the marital covenant.
Some biblical scholars interpret Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount as condemning lustful thoughts and actions, including masturbation. They point to Jesus' statement that "everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28), indicating that masturbation stems from a disordered desire that contradicts God's design for human sexuality.
While recognizing masturbation as a sin, the Catholic Church also emphasizes the importance of redemption and healing. It encourages individuals struggling with masturbation or any other sinful habit to bring their disorders to Christ, allowing Him to purify their desires and granting them gradual self-control. This process of redemption involves inviting Christ into one's passions and desires, surrendering them to His redeeming power, and experiencing sexuality as a desire to give oneself away in love rather than for selfish gratification.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Catholic Church teaches that masturbation is a mortal sin. It is considered a rejection of God's offer of life and a violation of the unbreakable bond between the love-giving and life-giving aspects of the marital act.
Masturbation is considered a sin because it is an act of self-gratification that goes against the Catholic belief that sex is intended to be an expression of love within marriage and a means of procreation. It is seen as a selfish act that perverts the sacredness of the marital act and fails to integrate one's sexuality into a sincere self-gift to another.
The Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of bringing one's desires to Christ and allowing Him to purify and heal them. It is recommended to seek help from a priest or spiritual advisor and to pray for guidance and strength to overcome the habit of masturbation.
