Glenda's post is one of the best expositions of the subject that I have seen. It should be required reading for young people to avoid all the guilt that comes from misinformation about masturbation.

There are on going studies that suggest that regular sexual release, by whatever means, masturbation, oral sex, intercourse, or even prostate massage is definitely beneficial. It seems to tune the immune system (probably because of those good endorphins released) and apparently reduces the incidence of prostate enlargement as we age. It has been suggested that the prostate be emptied of semen as soon is it fills which is every 48 to 72 hours for most healthy men. Seems about right, some kind of sex at least 3 times a week.

Sexual influences most dominate the lives of those who pretend to shun the pleasure of sex. This includes: celibates, religious fanatics and guilt-projecting preachers, indeed their very acts of avoiding or attacking sexual pleasure makes them the kings of masturbation.

Take Jesus as an example, could we really stretch out imagination and watch him masturbating in our minds eye and how does that make us feel?

The only guilt I feel is masturbating alone.

Without the guilt masturbation would become the social- norm in all civilizations, a real threat to the guilt driven systems of control.

This is a good thread. My response is not a reply to anyone's post, rather it is a general declaration.

Here are eleven words about religion: It's a choice. I'll respect your choice if you respect mine. Jema the Wolf

Interesting post. I think the idea of "wanted to expand" doesn't really make sense, because why wouldn't priests be allowed to marry and have children? I'll throw in my 2 cents.

Several religions, (jainism?) believe that even killing bugs or small creatures by stepping on them can effect your afterlife, so it's possible that they thought masturbation would as well. Another possibility is that lack of medical knowledge led to the idea of a finite amount of seed.

Finally, there's the idea of no pleasure. Remember the guy who whipped himself in the da vinci code? That was probably a lot more frequent back in the day. So if hurting yourself (including fasting) was purifying, then was is masturbation? The ultimate selfishness? It usually also comes with lust, one of the seven deadly sins.

"Council of Carthage (390)

It pleases us all that bishop, priest and deacon, guardians of purity, abstain from conjugal intercourse with their wives, so that those who serve at the altar may keep a perfect chastity." [1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerical_c ... _Church%29)]

So chastity meant purity, even if you were married. So sex, although necessary, is impure. Where would that leave unnecessary masturbation?

We are human beings, from Christ to the Pope to the President to the average worker in the fields.

I really do not give (nor wish to give) any thought to ordinary human beings doing ordinary bodily functions such as breathing, coughing, sneezing, picking the nose, taking a crap, wiping one's butt or masturbating. These things we do to take care of the body's needs as they have evolved through nature.

How we otherwise manage our lives so that we are of benefit to ourselves and to others is what really counts. Sometimes if the best we can do is to neither harm ourselves or harm others, then that is a good thing. But if we can actually help ourselves and/or others, that is a better thing.

The creation of the concept of "sin" is akin to angels, the easter bunny, santa claus, the tooth fairy, and the other fables. Christ was real enough, but his reality has been bastardized into a fantasy that millions believe in. These and other fantasies are used at will by those who wish to deceive and control us. Children enjoy fantasies because their minds are not yet ready for reality, but they should at least be taught that they are for fun and these fantasy creations are not actually real any more than Superman or any of the other comic features. They are make believe, pretend; enjoy playing with them but don't get deceived into believing that they are real.

I sure hope everyone here is eating their corn flakes!!! Well maybe not. So what do I care? That M-thing does get your blood pumping in the morning a lot of times so as to where I can get up. I've never ever had many wet climaxes in my life. I just rub up against the sheets is all. And I never fall back to sleep instead I feel more invigorated but anyway here's a little article I found:

psychcentral.com/.../do-kelloggs-corn-flakes-help-control-masturbation/

In the early part of this century, John Harvey Kellogg gained a reputation both as a nutritionist and a sexual advisor. The foods that JHK created (including the now-famous corn flakes) were designed to promote health and decrease interest in sex.

Mr. Kellogg thought sex was the ultimate abomination and remained celibate even in marriage. Masturbation was the worst sin imaginable to him. He believed it led to leprosy, tuberculosis, heart disease, epilepsy, dimness of vision, insanity, idiocy, and death. He also preached that masturbation led to bashfulness in some people, unnatural boldness in others, a fondness for spicy foods, round shoulders, and acne. That’s quite a list!

As we all know now, there are most definitely foods that promote health, but none in particular that decrease interest in sex or masturbation. So, you can eat all the corn flakes you want, and have good, safe sex!

gordon..j (imported) wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:55 pm Sexual influences most dominate the lives of those who pretend to shun the pleasure of sex. This includes: celibates, religious fanatics and guilt-projecting preachers, indeed their very acts of avoiding or attacking sexual pleasure makes them the kings of masturbation.

Take Jesus as an example, could we really stretch out imagination and watch him masturbating in our minds eye and how does that make us feel?

The only guilt I feel is masturbating alone.

Without the guilt masturbation would become the social- norm in all civilizations, a real threat to the guilt driven systems of control.

Back in the '50s relationships between teenage lovers became so much less tense once the girl found out that the boy would be satisfied with a hand job or a blow job and she didn't have to go "all the way". Also, I once heard it quoted, although I do not remember to whom it was credited, that , "...Eighty percent of the sex going on in the world at any time is some form of masturbation."

Screw the guilt! Enjoy!

ALL,

I am very glad that this article apparently was appreciated.

I am still flored at the guilt kids can pick up regarding masturbation.

I loved the comment that a eunuch cannot "waste his seed upon the ground."

Thanks all and keep up the good cause.

Regards, Glenda

I personally adhere to your belief that there's nothing wrong with masturbation as a social act. It can even be practised by straight guys. It's a very positive social outlet.

I also take a bit of exception to Glenda's conclusion that masturbation should be done in private. This only intensifies the guilt often associated with this very positive sexual outlet.

gordon..j (imported) wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:55 pm Sexual influences most dominate the lives of those who pretend to shun the pleasure of sex. This includes: celibates, religious fanatics and guilt-projecting preachers, indeed their very acts of avoiding or attacking sexual pleasure makes them the kings of masturbation.....The only guilt I feel is masturbating alone.......Without the guilt masturbation would become the social- norm in all civilizations, a real threat to the guilt driven systems of control.

Sin? The definition of sin is an offense given to God. So the sinfulness or lack thereof depends on ones sense of God or the particular faith base one adheres to. If no religion or God worship is a part of a person's life then one must ask where the guilt comes from?

Nearly, but not all, religions discourage or ban masturbation.

If no religion applies then one must ask if ones society (spelled with a small s) disapproves of self-gratification. Families, tribes, and close individuals can create a sense of guilt around masturbation or it can be self-inflicted.

The only caution I would offer for moderating masturbation is that performed from an early age and continued well into adulthood it can produce a certain psycho-sexual selfishness that can spell disaster for relationships. This of course depends on the individual. No one person reacts the same.

M

"I know nothing about sex because I was always married" ~ Zsa Zsa Gabor