Post published by thatsingleindividual#K-13

There are at times when I can get pretty cynical with the sexual teachings of the Catholic church, despite having chosen to become a member of it (I've been in it for only over a year). You see, my main concern at times is that some of these sexual teachings go far back into the past, into medieval times, and further back than that, and then also, of more recent times. I get put off when I hear the church says masturbation is a "grave evil". I think, grave evil? No, no, no--Jack the Ripper is a grave evil but masturbation is something....well, and then I draw a little blank. It is definitely not a grave evil, I think at times. I get the C.S. Lewis analogy about how one becomes a prisoner inside of themselves but at other times, it seems like it is a perfectly natural activity. You hear, here and there, people, professionals, claim it is perfectly normal and masturbation actually has some health benefits to it. If they mention religion, it is cynical: "Masturbation has gotten a bad rap. The Catholic Church teaches you go to hell if you do it willingly", and at times, I sympathize with their cynicism, especially since we do have an institution that has a problem with its sexual teachings. I want to be a catholic and yet, I want to wank off and not feel bad about it. Not all day, not all the time--but, from time to time. Words, anyone?