Masturbation in the Bible
The term "Masturbation" comes from the name of the hero of the old Testament myth of Onan. His older brother Ira was commanded by the Lord to marry Tamar, but he died soon after, and prevent offspring. The wife was inherited by the Onan. The young man had to continue the race brother. That is, the first male child born of Onan, was considered the son of the deceased Ira. The prospect of Onan is not impressed, and on the wedding night, he "poured out the seed on the ground" to prevent conception. However, most likely, we are not talking about Masturbation, and interrupted intercourse.
Probably, in those days, Masturbation and ways of protection from unwanted pregnancy was identical concepts because I did not bring the desired result – children. The Lord was very angry, because he promised that this kind of should be the Messiah. As punishment, he struck the unfortunate lightning. Anywhere else neither in the old nor in the New Testament about this lesson says nothing. From which we can conclude that in the entire history of mankind was punished just one punter and only for the fact that his seed was not where we needed God.
Masturbation in the middle Ages
The Christian Church, nurtured on the Foundation of the old Testament, revered myths of the Jewish people and have adopted many of their customs of worship and righteous living. Long-time masturbators no one has touched before them, no one did not care. But to replace the relatively tolerant early Christianity came medieval clergy, who in all respects was suffering from perfectionism. Masturbation, petting, oral sex, protection from pregnancy and even spontaneous pollutions were considered wicked, and those who were engaged in them were punished. Dealt with "masturbators", are most often denounced by detractors, God-fearing family, friends and even parents.
Teenagers, for the first time caught masturbating, beaten on the hands with a stick, imposes penance and released. However, if this didn't help, and young people continued to enjoy themselves, responsible relatives through the priests passed with all the zeal to take more drastic measures. In the historical memoirs of the medieval life described cases when during Masturbation, the boys cut off the head of the penis, and the girls were stamped out or pulled out with forceps Clit. Of course, these actions were accompanied by the reading of Psalms and prayers for such delicate cases. About the future of these crippled children did not say a word, but you can put that Masturbation is not interested in them anymore.
Masturbation in the modern religious world
A widespread misconception is that Masturbation is a crime against nature, is often used by reactionaries and religious fanatics. And yet, Masturbation is a very common phenomenon in the animal Kingdom, which suggests that it is inherent in the living beings of nature.
The Orthodox Church condemns sex before marriage, as well as acts of self-gratification and mental lust. Catholic and Protestant priests, for the most part, look for this condescending, if we are not talking about compulsive Masturbation. In addition, most of the Orthodox and Catholic priests do not condemn marital mutual Masturbation, as an act of foreplay prior to intercourse, preferring not to intervene in this private sphere of the flock, if it is not in line with spiritual and universal moral norms.
In the Eastern teachings to Masturbation fit philosophically. Some branches of Buddhism even recommend lessons Masturbation to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Many Eastern cultures for centuries have built a foreplay and sex in cult, and here mutual Masturbation, and self-satisfaction played a very important role.
In the twenty-first century consensus about Masturbation, there is only the personal attitude of the individual of the clergy for her. Some consider sinful and lustful thoughts and Masturbation, the latter equating to sexual perversions, while others rely on the absence of direct instructions in the Scriptures and the commandments, argue that Masturbation is not considered a sin.
