Does the bible forbid masturbating?

[the_j0k3r]

I was reading the GFY bash thread in order to fill the void in my pathetic life (in other words i am at work experience and bored) and I saw the post where there is a disagreement is there about the bible's view on masturbation. I am in the mood to get flamed seperately by every member of the planet mofo team, so i thought i would start this thread.

I was a christian for the last several years (not anymore), and i am inclined to disagree with a_meteorite on this one. The bible does not strictly say anything about it, but it does have view about the impure thoughts that go hand in hand with it. I am sure i have heard in sermen's, etc that masturbation is actually quite a bad sin because of respect for women, the lust involved, etc. any thoughts? flames? rampid insults?
Can't wait for the replies.

p.s sorry to burst your oh-so-pleasurable bubble, met. I'm sure it wont stop you anyway :P

[H0ley]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/deadcatowner/bible.jpg

[QuantumBeep]

Ironically, the Bible doesn't expressly forbid it... BUT...

The Book of Genesis records that a person by the name of Onan was executed by God himself for "spilling his seed on the ground", giving his name to the sin of onanism.

Genesis 38:9-10 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled [it] on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.

I'm not sure whether this passage is referring to masturbation or early withdrawal, but either way, God does watch what you do with your whanger, and if he's displeased, he might just slay you. CEILING CAT IS WATCHING YOU MASTURBATE.

[Win]

I'd have to say no.

Mainly 'cause god doesn't exist.

[chillin]

I'm not sure whether this passage is referring to masturbation or early withdrawal, but either way, God does watch what you do with your whanger, and if he's displeased, he might just slay you

Methinks this passage is more clear: "Then Judah said to Onan, “Lie with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother.” But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so he put him to death also."

I don't think this has anything to do with masturbation, considering that he was sleeping with a woman and not wanking. It's referring to not "fulfilling duty" (in that culture, apparently) - Onan was supposed to keep his brother's line going, but chose not to. Though, I don't see why the offspring wouldn't be his, unless his semen magically transformed into his brother's. And, if he married his sister-in-law, it'd be completely his seed with him and his wife. Either way, it's weird.

Soo, God considered Onan's reasoning/actions wicked, for unclear/many/debatable reasons, and smote him. Not much else to it, apart from the aforementioned ambiguous reasons.