"Masturbation can be a form of homosexuality" ~ Mark Driscoll

[Richard Amiel McGough]

In that case... it would be an "involuntary" act. While awake you can make a willful choice. I would not compare it to an excretion which is a necessary result from the digestive system. In that scenario, if you do not to choose to take care of your business in a timely fashion, and you are stuck on the subway due to some un-forseen event, somebody's gonna be offended.

John

Yes, of course there are significant differences between the two biological functions. But that does not mean that we should wait for the body to act without our volition. We are intelligent creatures, we should use our minds and make choices. What benefit would there be to suffer with the discomfort? And besides, if we go about with an unsatisfied natural urge constantly arising in our body we run the risk that it may incline us towards real sin, such as "going to far" with a girl who is willing but whom we don't really like, but do so anyway because our unreleased urge clouds our judgment. I can testify from my youthful indiscretions that such situations were much less likely to occur if I had released the pressure myself. It's like that scene in "Something about Mary" - you don't go on a date with a loaded gun!

[CWH]

Okay, I'll accept the implication that it is my "religion". Perhaps you or whosoever will, might try incorporating this verse into your imagination the next time you indulge in your solo sexual gratification: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:7-9). You just might find a sinful thought creeping in at some point prior to conclusion (or climax if you will).

John

Is masturbation always done out of lust? Animals such as monkeys, apes and even elephants did it also. I don't think they have the awareness of lust. Many people masturbated for the pleasure; is there anything wrong to indulge once in a while for pleasure? I remember in my teenage years, nocturnal emissions occurred usually from sexual dreams, is this call lust or sexual fantasies? And I wasn't indulged in pornography! Even if masturbation was done out of watching pornography, is this lust or sexual fantasies? We should be aware of the differences between lust, sexual fantasies and pleasure.

BTW, nocturnal emission is a natural process in boys just like menstruation is for girls. It is a natural process of getting rid of old sperms so that new ones can be produced. Even if you don't do it, nature will somehow take its course. Nocturnal emission can be embarassing if noted by own siblings and parents and I was told and I believe so, that masturbation reduces the number of nocturnal emissions.

May God Bless us.