Christainiry and masturbation

I wanted to get a diversity of perspectives in response to this question, so I contacted several folks whose opinion on matters related to sexuality I respect, and asked them this question:. I hope you learn as much from them as I did! Abigail Rine teaches literature and gender studies at George Fox University. Find her at Mama Unabridged or on Twitter.

Among the world's religions, views on masturbation vary widely. Some religions view it as a spiritually detrimental practice, some see it as not spiritually detrimental and others take a situational view. Among these latter religions, some view masturbation as allowable if used as a means towards sexual self-control , or as part of healthy self-exploration, but disallow it if it is done with wrong motives or as an addiction. Masturbation was now valued as an adult, non-pathological, pleasurable activity. Due to this cultural change across the spectrum, even theological reassessments of masturbation as a positive sexual practice were possible — though, admittedly, rare. A Psychology Today article stated that the more religious people are, the more likely they are to restrict their sexual fantasies, have fewer sex partners, use less pornography and express stronger disapproval of the use of sex toys.

Because my job is to talk to women about sex, there are few questions that I haven't heard and haven't answered. However, there is one common question that I don't like to answer. It involves the "M" word—masturbation. One of the reasons I dread this question is because there is no clear answer.

What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Must you become a better person so that God will accept you?