[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 05 Dec 2001 13:04:12: Embarrassment.
As an answer to: Tackling embarrassment written by Richard at 05 Dec 2001 11:30:06:
> 3) I suppose in some parts of religious America, masturbation is still considered sinful and this can be a problem.
I'm glad you put that as "religious" America and not "Christian". The Bible does not mention masturbation (well, actually, it does, but in a very oblique manner indeed - it literally says in regard to the Jews that in addition to being circumcised, they had to wash afterward (masturbation or sex as it appears) and could not attend the Temple until the next evening came), Jesus certainly did not mention it at all, and leading teachers such as James Dobson whilst not encouraging it, allow that it is but one of the many concerns which (young) people have to face.
The defining principle is in Matthew 5:28 (though the following verses need to be read carefully in context!).
> A huge proportion of people (more than 90%) masturbates. If so, we're all damned to hell.
Cute way of putting it, though only the Roman Catholic "religion" teaches any such melodramatic concept.
> Well, you can join a monastery, but that's not for all of us.
That's probably even more perverse! (;-)