Is masturbation ALWAYS a mortal sin?

iaskquestions · #1 May 29, '08, 5:16 pm

I want to know the Catholic position on this.

Last week, I did my confession and received the Eucharist on Sunday. However, today I fell into the sin of masturbation. I have been addicted to masturbation since many years. This time, after confession, I made it a point to resist all evil thoughts as long as I could and I was quite successful, given the fact that I normally used to masturbate once in 2 or 3 days.

But today, it was as though by body (not my mind) was unable to restrain itself from the act. I tried telling myself that it was wrong, but since I have formed this habit of masturbating twice or thrice a week, it felt as though my body could "no longer hold it".

The physical urge (not the mental) was so much that I finally thought that I will have to masturbate because my body has become "accustomed" to it. I felt like a drug addict whose body was demanding that drug after abstaining from it for quite a reasonable time.

Given this background, I want to know whether this sin that I have commited is mortal or not. May I receive the Eucharist this Sunday?

Mystic of God · #2 May 29, '08, 5:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by iaskquestions

I want to know the Catholic position on this.

Last week, I did my confession and received the Eucharist on Sunday. However, today I fell into the sin of masturbation. I have been addicted to masturbation since many years. This time, after confession, I made it a point to resist all evil thoughts as long as I could and I was quite successful, given the fact that I normally used to masturbate once in 2 or 3 days.

But today, it was as though by body (not my mind) was unable to restrain itself from the act. I tried telling myself that it was wrong, but since I have formed this habit of masturbating twice or thrice a week, it felt as though my body could "no longer hold it".

The physical urge (not the mental) was so much that I finally thought that I will have to masturbate because my body has become "accustomed" to it. I felt like a drug addict whose body was demanding that drug after abstaining from it for quite a reasonable time.

Given this background, I want to know whether this sin that I have commited is mortal or not. May I receive the Eucharist this Sunday?

Don't ask here. Ask your confessor. Or one of the apologists. I would guess that you could receive communion, but that it's kind of a tight squeeze. Habit is mentioned in the Catechism as something that could decrease culpability. What I would do is say an act of contrition, go to communion, and get to confession as soon as possible. But that is me, and what I would do (assuming it really is habit) and I can't know the circumstances. Anyways, the prudent thing to do is say an act of contrition, not recieve communion, and go to confession.

Caesar517 · #3 May 29, '08, 5:36 pm

There are three conditions for a sin to me a mortal sin:

1) The object must constitute grave matter

2) Full knowledge that the act is sinful

3) Committed with deliberate consent of the will

It sounds to me like you have committed a mortal sin. You should refrain from recieving the Eucharist untill you have been to confession.

Being addicted to masturbation is very much like being addicted to drugs. It can be very difficult to break this habit. Your body doesn't actually need to masturbate as a "release."

I know this can be difficult from personal experience. I was addicted to masturbation and pornography for five years.

For me, the urges generally went away after a month without it. Saying the rosary daily really helped me. Mary can really help.

teachccd · #4 May 29, '08, 7:47 pm

The Catechism is very clear that while masturbation is grave matter it is not always a mortal sin. There are some mitigating circumstances that reduce culpability and the compulsion that you describe could be one of them. No one here on this forum can say whether or not you committed a mortal sin. Only you and your confessor can discern this in the confessional. If you are uncertain if you comitted a mortal sin (chances are that you may not have) but it would be my advice to withhold the Eucharist until you see a priest in the confessional. Those times when I do not receive for the same reasons make me REALLY realize how much I love the Eucharist and would do anything to keep me from missing it again. BUT we are human, we are weak, and we fail at times. Do not get discouraged. This is a VERY difficult habit and it is not overcome overnight. Just move in the right direction with prayer, reconciliation and the Eucharist. After many years I still am not perfect in this area but I have come a long way from where I was. God knows your heart and there is no one on this earth powerful enough to have God stop loving them. He made you and He died for you.................God Bless.........teachccd

Flopfoot · #5 May 30, '08, 6:04 am

Quote:

The Catechism is very clear that while masturbation is grave matter it is not always a mortal sin. There are some mitigating circumstances that reduce culpability and the compulsion that you describe could be one of them. No one here on this forum can say whether or not you committed a mortal sin. Only you and your confessor can discern this in the confessional. If you are uncertain if you comitted a mortal sin (chances are that you may not have) but it would be my advice to withhold the Eucharist until you see a priest in the confessional.

^ Second this. Very good and straightforward explanation. God bless.

Aquinas74 · #6 May 30, '08, 4:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by iaskquestions

I want to know the Catholic position on this.

Last week, I did my confession and received the Eucharist on Sunday. However, today I fell into the sin of masturbation. I have been addicted to masturbation since many years. This time, after confession, I made it a point to resist all evil thoughts as long as I could and I was quite successful, given the fact that I normally used to masturbate once in 2 or 3 days.

But today, it was as though by body (not my mind) was unable to restrain itself from the act. I tried telling myself that it was wrong, but since I have formed this habit of masturbating twice or thrice a week, it felt as though my body could "no longer hold it".

The physical urge (not the mental) was so much that I finally thought that I will have to masturbate because my body has become "accustomed" to it. I felt like a drug addict whose body was demanding that drug after abstaining from it for quite a reasonable time.

Given this background, I want to know whether this sin that I have commited is mortal or not. May I receive the Eucharist this Sunday?

First off may God Bless you in your fight against impurity. This is a war that many of us I imagine have waged. One thing that has always helped me is recitation of the Three Hail Mary;s in the morning and at night. You consecrate yourself, body and senses to the Blessed Mother and the Holy Trinity. It works, I have noticed that lust has diminished and I have custody of mine eyes while I have been under the protection of our blessed mother. Also when you are undergoing these temptations, call on the name of St. Michael and of course our Lord. Never forget that Christ is with you always my friend. I will offer up my mass intention for you tomorrow.

Here is a website with the three Hail Mary's

http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/2983/3HailMary.html

teachccd · #7 May 30, '08, 6:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flopfoot

^ Second this. Very good and straightforward explanation. God bless.

Thank you....

Traddy · #8 May 30, '08, 7:12 pm

I read Surrender and Arms of Love by Carmen Marcoux.

I stopped.

Right there.

It was over after years of doing it.

It's amazing.

PePPaR · #9 May 31, '08, 7:16 am

How can masturbation possibly be a mortal sin...

Harmony1988 · #10 May 31, '08, 7:29 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PePPaR

How can masturbation possibly be a mortal sin...

Well, it depends.

It's not always one, it has to be understood to be a grave matter by the individual and also to fully consent to doing it whilst knowing it's a grave matter.

It's a sin in general because masturbation reduces sex into something purely self-gratifiying. Sex is meant to be a union of a man and a woman who give themselves to each other completely and be open to life through sex.

Usually, masturbation is in line with lust. Jesus talked about lust and how it is committing adultery.

christcnection1 · #11 May 31, '08, 7:47 am

I'm glad our Lord didn't say...

"and if your (blank) causes you to sin, cut it off."

May God's grace and mercy in be with you in fighting this off! Lust of this kind is very difficult to defeat, but if you keep getting back up after you fall, and refuse to get discouraged, your chances of success are much better.

The longer you go without doing it, the easier it will eventually become. The physical urge will not be as strong, and mentally, it will become normal to not dwell about inordinate sexual acts.

Someone mentioned the Rosary. That's a great weapon. You have many at your disposal.

It's probably a good exercise to determine what things trigger the urges, and what things you can do to resist the temptation. In addition to having a Confessor and going to Confession, it's probably good to confide in brothers in Christ who can help keep you accountable.

This is generally every man's battle. Eternity is at stake!

When you are free from this, you are free indeed!

Blessings,

JB

butterfly_kisse · #12 Jun 2, '08, 1:55 pm

I have never understood why masturbation is a sin. I would think masturbation would be better than being promiscuous. I read an article about this on another site about youth and sexual temptation. It said as long as there are no impure thoughts or pornography that it wasn't wrong....Also, I read someone's post about how the male's body doesn't have to have this "release." I am a nursing major, and actually it gets quite painful for males if they don't. Don't mean to be too blunt, but I am speaking of fact on this one....

christcnection1 · #13 Jun 2, '08, 9:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly_kisse

I have never understood why masturbation is a sin. I would think masturbation would be better than being promiscuous. I read an article about this on another site about youth and sexual temptation. It said as long as there are no impure thoughts or pornography that it wasn't wrong....Also, I read someone's post about how the male's body doesn't have to have this "release." I am a nursing major, and actually it gets quite painful for males if they don't. Don't mean to be too blunt, but I am speaking of fact on this one....

It's nearly impossible for a man to "masturbate" without thinking lustfully.

Just like any part of the body, if you do not exercise it (both the mind and the muscle), it will become a weaker force.

Let me also be a little blunt for you. These things were once a huge problem for me - far worse than my drug addictions. It was a painful fight, but over time, God granted me the grace to overcome this. Today my mind and body does not struggle with this, and I am living in true freedom and victory.

Depending on the circumstances, masturbation may or may not be mortal sin. But without a doubt it's sin and it's displeasing to the Lord. If you believe otherwise, unfortunately you have been giving false information on the topic. Now you know.

If the body needs to release, it can do it while at rest without having any thoughts of sex. This is natural and there is no sin attached.

wjp984 · #14 Jun 3, '08, 2:39 pm

I personally do not think you have to stop receiving communion for this sin if it is habitual as long as you plan on confessing it some time in the future. However, I also think that not receiving communion is probably one of the hardest things to do. I mean everyone probably wonders what this person did which is causing him not to receive communion. I mean, although it's not like I obsess over it but I wonder myself when I see that situation so I know others probaby wonder about the same thing so it's very embarrassing. If you have enough will power to not let that bother you then that is a wonderful thing.

Aquinas74 · #15 Jun 3, '08, 3:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjp984

I personally do not think you have to stop receiving communion for this sin if it is habitual as long as you plan on confessing it some time in the future. However, I also think that not receiving communion is probably one of the hardest things to do. I mean everyone probably wonders what this person did which is causing him not to receive communion. I mean, although it's not like I obsess over it but I wonder myself when I see that situation so I know others probaby wonder about the same thing so it's very embarrassing. If you have enough will power to not let that bother you then that is a wonderful thing.

If you are in a state of Mortal Sin and receiving Communion then you are profaning the Sacred Body and blood of Christ. Masturbation with full knowledge of it is a grave and mortal sin. This is not something to be done lightly. You should consult your confessor and take it up with him. Don't worry what other people may think, what is most important is not injuring your relationship with Christ. I say all these things with charity and wish you peace.