Is masturbation moral or immoral?

[Governor Scott]

This should be good.

[oakvale]

I fear this won't be a fun as we think since it's possible officepark is the only member [I don't want to get infracted] to believe this.

[Free Palestine]

It's neither.  Though I always feel disgusted with myself for doing it.

[TJ in Wisco]

I fear this won't be a fun as we think since it's possible officepark is the only member [I don't want to get infracted] to believe this.

He's not the only member. I agree with him and I'm sure there are a handful of others on here who do as well.

[Redalgo]

Neither, but the first option seems more reasonable to me than the second. :p

[oakvale]

I'd argue that since it's harmless (BREAKING!) and makes you feel good for a minute or two, it's arugably more moral than it is neutral.

I literally don't understand how anyone can think it's immoral. My brain isn't wired that way.

EDIT:

I fear this won't be a fun as we think since it's possible officepark is the only member [I don't want to get infracted] to believe this.

He's not the only member. I agree with him and I'm sure there are a handful of others on here who do as well.

I stand corrected. Why do you think it's immoral?

EDIT AGAIN: Oh yeah, I'm going to feel kind of weird for passionately defending masturbation in a few posts. Okay, I'll roll with it.

[Governor Scott]

Maybe I should've voted 'moral'... someone once told me it prevents prostate cancer.

EDIT: Though I suppose that wouldn't really have anything to do with morality.

[asexual trans victimologist]

A morally neutral, if somewhat distasteful in some ways, act.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

How is it immoral? If you don't maintain your equipment, awkward situations like this happen:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nocturnal_emission

Necessary Louie scene:

[© Tweed the Younger]

one of the most historically important Atlas threads
http://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=17290.0

[angus]

It's immoral if you're a selfish brut and are not giving your old lady the high, hard one because you're always pounding it.  Lots of middle-aged guys are like this.  They know it's immoral.

On the other hand, if you've got a little energy left over after taking care of the family, or you are out of town and not expected to stand it up at attention like a soldier on command for anyone special, then it's generally not a problem.  Just lie back naked and squeeze one off in the hotel room and let the housekeeping staff deal with the fallout.  That's what I always do.

[They Played The Wardrum Out Of Time]

It keeps from doing drugs and drinking, so yes.

[Governor Scott]

It's immoral if you're a selfish brut and are not giving your old lady the high, hard one because you're always pounding it.  Lots of middle-aged guys are like this.  They know it's immoral.

On the other hand, if you've got a little energy left over after taking care of the family, or you are out of town and not expected to stand it up at attention like a soldier on command for anyone special, then it's generally not a problem.  Just lie back naked and squeeze one off in the hotel room and let the housekeeping staff deal with the fallout.  That's what I always do.

Or if you're one of those who don't even have an old lady, of course.

[Communists For McCain]

It keeps from doing drugs and drinking, so yes.

Those are immoral?

News to me.

[opebo]

It's immoral if you're a selfish brut and are not giving your old lady the high, hard one because you're always pounding it.  Lots of middle-aged guys are like this.  They know it's immoral.

Why don't they just masturbate without finishing, and save the 'live round' for the ladies?  I should've thought that would be standard practice for any middle aged or older man.

[TJ in Wisco]

I fear this won't be a fun as we think since it's possible officepark is the only member [I don't want to get infracted] to believe this.

He's not the only member. I agree with him and I'm sure there are a handful of others on here who do as well.

I stand corrected. Why do you think it's immoral?

EDIT AGAIN: Oh yeah, I'm going to feel kind of weird for passionately defending masturbation in a few posts. Okay, I'll roll with it.
[/quote]

It's immoral because it is a sex act commited without the teleos of procreation within the bonds of a sacramental marriage. It reduces a human person to a sex act, bypassing the relationship component of sexuality in its entirety. So, it's a sin against the virtue of chastity.

Here's a gospel passage that condemns indirectly:

27 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

It doesn't mention masturbation directly (ARAIK the only place the Bible does that is in the Old Testament), but I think believing masturbation is included in this condemnation is the best interpretation. And of course the Church teaches it to be illicit as well.

Most people on here will require a tangible harm to another person before they will consider something "immoral" so I doubt I'll convince anyone of a thing, but nevertheless that is the rationale.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

I'd be interested in hearing a secular argument for the immorality of masturbation, particularly if anyone here actually finds one persuasive.

[Senator Napoleon]

Might as well quote a Dr. Seuss book, TJ.

[asexual trans victimologist]

I'd be interested in hearing a secular argument for the immorality of masturbation, particularly if anyone here actually finds one persuasive.

I can find such religious arguments that aren't Abrahamic pretty easily, but entirely secular arguments may be a bit harder to come by.

[Governor Scott]

Would anyone care to explain how masturbation is, in fact, moral but not a neutral issue?

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Would anyone care to explain how masturbation is, in fact, moral but not a neutral issue?

Hedonism: Pleasure is intrinsically good, masturbation is pleasurable, therefore masturbation is good.

[Hatman]

If would be pedophiles and rapists are jerkin' the gerkin, rather than acting out on their fantasies, masturbation makes for a very useful tool (same goes for porn). That's why I voted "moral". Regular masturbation keeps men... sane and rational. It's quite natural. If you don't release regularly, then your thoughts and dreams become more perverted, and you end up with bed accidents.

And unless you're asexual, if you're a man, it is nearly impossible to not masturbate. So, those of you who think it's immoral are hypocrites. And I hate hypocrites.

[They Played The Wardrum Out Of Time]

It keeps from doing drugs and drinking, so yes.

Those are immoral?

News to me.

At my age they're immoral

[angus]

Dr. Seuss book

I will not do it in a box,
I will not do it with a fox,
I will not cream into my socks
I just don't like to roll my rocks.

Try it, try it, you will see,
It's as easy as can be,
Spit can lube it, right on top,
Once you try it, you can't stop.

Hey, Sam I am, this is no jest,
Tossing, slapping, it's the best!
I like it since it's so much fun.
But what a mess when it's all done. 

[ChairmanSanchez]

I voted "moral" and I have to no idea why