Does God punish masturbation? - Page 6

March 11, 2008, 3:37 AM

Now that I read Jule's post and think about it, why is Lust a sin, exactly? I haven't actually taken the time to find the reasoning behind all the stuff in the Bible.

March 11, 2008, 4:07 AM

because you are giving in to temptation, like eve did in the garden of eden, and what jesus didnt do in the desert.

bit stupid though, that we as mortals should be expected to live up to jesus(christian jesus btw)

March 11, 2008, 4:38 PM

It's better to say that lust is bad because it prevents you from picking the woman/man of your dreams.

I'd think that reason makes more sense.

March 11, 2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelus-Mortis

It's better to say that lust is bad because it prevents you from picking the woman/man of your dreams.

I'd think that reason makes more sense.

And that reason is just silly

People are naturally going to have someone completely perfect in their dreams, and that only leads to disaster when they get in relationships that aren't perfect.

The reason lust is bad (at least from the Bible's perspective) is that a man is supposed to be faithful to his wife (or vice versa), and lust is committing adultery. Yes, according to the Bible it's possible to commit mental adultery. But wait! It gets even crazier. This even applies to before you get married, because you're committing adultery with your future partner. Kind of stupid because there's no guarantee that you will ever marry in the first place.

Also, according to Jesus even thinking about killing someone is breaking the sixth commandment (thou shalt not murder). So yeah, Christianity is all about mental restriction and the utterly impossible.

March 12, 2008, 3:20 PM

I only suggested that as a means of picking a relationship carefully, rather than making out with just about anyone. It's better at least to have a relationship you agree with and had some thought over than to go into a relationship with just about anyone, regardless of what they're like.

March 13, 2008, 1:15 AM

Religiously, Lust is a sin because, like all of the Seven Deadly Sins, it cuts you off from God. Lusting after somebody pulls you away from God, because you are objectifying His creation, and you are doing it to the point where it distracts you from worshipping Him.

Now, coming from the sacreligious point of view, Lust is an even greater sin (or so I believe, anyways).

When you Lust after somebody, you are objectifying that person; hell, you can lust after a creature or a concept. I know many people who take their anime loves way too far. However, you are objectifying something, and allowing your distinctive sexual desires to take over your sense. Lust often results in involuntary sex, not unusually rape. That is lust in a nutshell, when speaking biologically; the physical urge to propagate.

Humans are a promiscuous race, being polygynandrous, regardless of belief. In this case, I don't think that we can argue that humans are monogamous, or naturally only want one mate. Humans, as seen by continuous reports of rape, cheating on husbands/wives, and other such things, are polygynandrous. We have sex with who we want, when we want.

We have long since attempted to suppress this; people think that it is unhealthy, and I quite agree. We now bring forth the concept of Lust as a sin, something that is physically detrimental. This is supported by the fact that men and women are sexually aroused when they see someone who is 'hot' or 'cute' or something similar. Modern culture has somewhat fogged our ideas on our instincts; when you get a boner, buddy, it's because you want to plant yourself in there. You may not realize it, but it is an instinct, something in our subconscious (no, I am not going Freud here).

Now, my stance on masturbation.

Personally, I think that, if you believe in YHWH, you will likely get penalized in the afterlife for masturbation. Why? Because you are wasting life that He wants you to give, you are wasting the opportunity to do as He bid Adam and Eve to do when they were banished. He did say to go forth and multiply. This is also why contraception will earn you penalty in heaven. By masturbating, you are defying His will.

Whether you go by Old Testament or New Testament, the point YHWH makes throughout is obedience (though it is much more peaceful in the New Testament). You obey God, you will be rewarded. You disobey God, you will be punished.

Personally, as an atheist, I think it's up to you. I don't masturbate, but that's my choice. I think that you should decide what's right. Whether it's based on cultural beliefs is regardless; it is you who makes the final decision and must accept any and all consequences.

And that's my two cents for the day.

March 13, 2008, 4:58 AM

It should be interesting to note that other species have males that aren't picky and give away sperm easily--it's like the store with a discount because they want to get rid of EVERYTHING. The females in most species are completely opposite--they won't even interact with you unless you have particular features she finds attracting. And it's understandable because eggs are expensive to make, and sperm comes cheap.

If we were ever like that without society, I'll never know.

March 13, 2008, 5:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelus-Mortis

It should be interesting to note that other species have males that aren't picky and give away sperm easily--it's like the store with a discount because they want to get rid of EVERYTHING. The females in most species are completely opposite--they won't even interact with you unless you have particular features she finds attracting. And it's understandable because eggs are expensive to make, and sperm comes cheap.

If we were ever like that without society, I'll never know.

Tbh i dont think comparing humans to animals (i know humans are animals) really works in this case, because they are so different, to the best of my knowledge, animals are only physically attracted to each other, for humans there is more than that to it.
And there is more to just that to it, its about god and our interpretation of wether masturbation would be seen as a sin in the eyes of the particular deity we believe in.
As an atheist, i dont see that there is anything wrong/sinfull about masturbation, and if i were religious i would most likely believe the same

March 13, 2008, 4:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Placebo

Tbh i dont think comparing humans to animals (i know humans are animals) really works in this case, because they are so different, to the best of my knowledge, animals are only physically attracted to each other, for humans there is more than that to it.

I beg to differ. Humans are nothing but animals who survive differently than others do. Humans don't 'love.' This is simply a concept designed, or so I postulate, during older times when it was first forbidden for man to have more than one wife. Everybody here gets aroused when they see somebody attracted, it's human biological nature. And then, of course, there's the viagra

You may have more attraction to your spouse/partner than other people at certain times, but the only reason that I find (personal observation, in other words) this happens is because you are loyal to what you find ethically right. Ethics and Morality are things designed by humans so that they can function better in a society. As a matter of fact, all creatures that live in a 'society' have their own ethics; for example, wolves travel in packs, and the alpha male is the boss. You follow his rules, or you're out of the clan. It is similar with fish and penguins and other such animals. Societies and rules are not exclusive to humans.

That being said, we have a different ethical view than other animals. We view it as ethically appropriate to have only one spouse. However, we are aroused by other people as well, contributing to the idea that humans are polygynandrous. I remained loyal to my ex for a reason: she loved me, and I cared for her feelings above all else. I was attracted by others; to deny that would deny my very physiology, but I remained loyal through concern. Eventually, the relationship didn't work out, and we had to split.

Another piece of evidence to support the claim that humans are polygynandrous animals is the idea of serial raping. The presence and popularity of rape is cold hard truth that we are little more than animals that succumb to our sexual desires. There are those among us that are not so primitive, such as Ghandi, Jesus, Buddha, and others, but they were unique.

There are women rapists as well, not just men (hence my claim for polygynandry). You'll also note that the divorce rate is higher than ever before, because it is now allowed. However, infidelity, according to research by Linda McCloud (and many others who i could cite, but won't), is one of the top reasons for divorce (Top Reasons People Divorce, http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...e_divorce.html), and is not uncommon anymore. I am forever hearing cries of people being cheated on, boyfriends having other girlfriends, wives spending 'quality time' with other men, commonlaw partners being promiscuous. I could go on and on, but I'd like to see those three points debated first.

But, getting back to topic...

Quote:

And there is more to just that to it, its about god and our interpretation of wether masturbation would be seen as a sin in the eyes of the particular deity we believe in.

Very true. It is all in the belief.

Quote:

As an atheist, i dont see that there is anything wrong/sinfull about masturbation, and if i were religious i would most likely believe the same

I don't see anything sinful about it either, I just don't want to partake in it. Why bother, it's not the real deal.

However, it would depend on the religion you joined. Even if you kept that belief, you would likely be shunned by a lot of religious sects, not the least of which would be Christianity. Not all religions are kind with the concept of masturbation.