Hi Robert-I,

Something else occurs to me, so I suppose I'll throw it into the mix:

There is a common Christian teaching that, when two people have sex, a "soul tie" is formed that is supposed to bind them together (for life). Therefore, sex outside of marriage is wrong because, when the two (presumably uncommitted) people eventually break up, their souls will be damaged by the "ripping apart" they experience.

I just Googled the term and came up with the following. It's literally the first link I clicked on, and I haven't read much of it, so I'm not saying I necessarily agree with their stance. But it does provide some details, so here it is:

http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/soulties.php

I am not sure whether or not the concept of "soul ties" is Biblical, but I can accept the idea, at least in principal. It seems very appropriate that God would have designed sex as a means of "binding" two people together.

So, that being said -- to get to the "point" -- if masturbation has a similar effect, then maybe it could be said that masturbating as a spiritual experience (in God's presence, in a prayerful attitude, with freedom and thankfulness) could serve to strengthen the "bond" we have with God (at least as far as our own commitment to the relationship). And, if that is true, I would consider that to be a good thing. After all, our relationship with God should be the most long-term (forever!) relationship we will ever have. A marriage may fail, but God never will.

[On the other hand, masturbating to some unholy fantasy would serve to "bind" us to the subject of those fantasies, also. And that would be bad. That's not to say that all fantasies are necessarily unholy, but I think it's up to each person (with the Holy Spirit) to make such decisions for themselves. I don't have fantasies myself, so I can't really comment much here.]

Thoughts?

I am interested, also, in the views of others out there. What do you think? Is this view completely crazy, or do you find yourself in agreement?

Blessings,
Rainboy