Master of your Domain

[_bcspace]

So no one could come up with better advice on how to stop masturbating? I rest my case.

[_Yoda]

So no one could come up with better advice on how to stop masturbating? I rest my case.

Did you bother to read my advice on page 1 of this thread, BC?

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8996&p=236807#p236807

I don't think that the primary argument here has been that the advice given by the Church about how to stop is necessarily wrong. It is the approach the Church uses in giving the advice. The other major disagreement that I, and others here have, is the severity of consequence. But then again, I am simply repeating myself.

Please re-read my post and then comment before you "rest your case".

[_harmony]

So no one could come up with better advice on how to stop masturbating?

I'm still not convinced your basic premise is correct.

[_Yoda]

This one, quoted by KimberlyAnn.

KimberlyAnn wrote:
Paracelsus wrote:
bump


Ding! Ding! Ding!

Congratulations, Paracelsus! You answered the question perfectly in your very first post on the board. Awesome!

More bumping=less masturbating!

Problem solved.

KA

You're referring to your "bump"?

Let me find out. I didn't remove it. I'll see if one of the other Mods did, or if it was simply a systems glitch.

[_Kishkumen]

So no one could come up with better advice on how to stop masturbating? I rest my case.

I'm sorry you are struggling with this, bcspace. Of course, the easy answer would be just to let yourself indulge now and then, because it is part of being human. I feel for you with your ridiculously restrictive religion and all. Peace out, bro.

[_JonasS]

Hahaha do you know what it means to be the master of your domain??? Hahaa.

[_JonasS]

Oops.... I should have read more than the title before I begun chuckling. OHHHH MY GOODNESS! So when I say really loudly I am the master of my domain and my housemates can hear me (me thinking Im being sligh) they actually know what I am talking about?

[_mentalgymnast]

Okay, I think we can all agree that masturbation does not in and of itself lead to exhibitionism or homosexuality. However, counsel was given on how one might stop masturbating.

Critics, your challenge is to provide better and more realistic advice than Petersen, Packer, or your favorite LDS bogeyman on how to stop masturbating while still remaining true to LDS doctrine. If you can't, your criticism of the advice is not valid and out of context.

One, two , three.... Go!

The better question is why one should stop when all of the BS reasons are shown for what they are.

I think we have to look at masturbation in a more contextual manner. The authorities listed above are speaking of masturbation to a global audience. One size fits all. As with other commandments and/or practices and policies within the church, there will be exceptions to the rule or the ideal which is taught globally to a large group. In the context of pre-marriage sexual urges, it may well be that delaying self gratification is preferable to giving in to over powering impulsive drives. It depends on whether one considers masturbation within this context (preparing for marriage and a sharing relationship with a spouse) ending up contributing towards a lack of self-mastery/discipline and learning how to harness one's carnal desires and passions.

Within the context of marriage masturbation may be looked at with a somewhat different perspective than before marriage. Why? The context has changed. With a partner, there are the needs of the "other" to be considered. If masturbation is practiced without the knowledge and approval of a spouse/partner it seems that there are some issues of secrecy, selfishness to be considered. OTOH, if masturbation is part of a couple's open and known and mutually approved sexual preferences as they have sex together, then within that context masturbation may be acceptable and mutually pleasurable.

Anyway, as I read this thread it seemed that I was looking at some very black and white views of masturbation being taken out of any contextual view.

I think that in answer to the original post I would tend towards councilling youth and adults that anything that leads towards selfishness and secrecy in relationships with significant others ought to be looked at with a questioning mind and heart.

Some LDS church authorities have approached the subject of masturbation in a less than stellar way, granted.

I do think that if we were to let ourselves move towards or fall into practices which lead towards selfishness and secrecy (from or with significant others), especially within the sexual arena of being human beings, we are more likely than not to become less than what we can be. A "greater good" is left behind.

Selfishness and secrecy are attributes/characteristics which may also affect one's worldview towards authority and spiritual matters also, methinks.

Secrecy breeds anonymity in a sense.

Admiral Lord Nelson once remarked that “every sailor is a bachelor when beyond Gibraltar.” This was a statement about anonymity, something that was quite rare in even just a few generations ago. Nelson knew that once his sailors moved beyond the bounds of the British Empire, beyond society’s systems of morality and accountability, they underwent a transformation. Every man became a bachelor and sought only and always his own pleasure. If you have read a biography of John Newton you’ll see a vivid portrayal of a man who was able to be a gentleman at home but who was vulgar and abusive while away. All it took was a measure of anonymity and he became a whole new man.

http://www.challies.com/archives/articl ... -doors.php

Regards,
MG

[_Ray A]

Selfishness and secrecy are attributes/characteristics which may also affect one's worldview towards authority and spiritual matters also, methinks.

Secrecy breeds anonymity in a sense.

Ponder for a moment the irony of that statement. Need I say more?

[_mentalgymnast]

Selfishness and secrecy are attributes/characteristics which may also affect one's worldview towards authority and spiritual matters also, methinks.

Secrecy breeds anonymity in a sense.

Ponder for a moment the irony of that statement. Need I say more?

No. Not unless you want to comment on how masturbation needs to be discussed in a more contextual manner (rather than the way it has been discussed on this thread and many others like it) and/or how masturbation may or may not lead towards something less than a "greater good" in certain/particular contextual situations and/or environments.

As with many other issues discussed on this board and others like it, context is left far behind as a wayfarer. You take two sentences out of my post and make an "irony" point and then go on your merry way...

We all have a habit of doing that. Not a stellar thing to brag about.

For the last couple or three years now I've been a bit more open to looking at the world and also religious things (and particularly "the Mormon story") in greater context. It's made a world of difference.

Try it. Not everything can be shrink wrapped.

Regards,
MG