Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Dean Anderson · 12-12-2003, 06:43 AM

The story of Onan is often cited by Christians as a demonstration of the evils of masturbation.

Indeed, 'Onanism' is often used as a word for masturbation.

However, looking at the text in Gen 38:1-10...

Quote:

38:1 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
38:2 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. And he took her, and went in unto her.
38:3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.
38:4 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.
38:5 And she yet again bare a son, and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.
38:6 And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, and her name was Tamar.
38:7 And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of Jehovah. And Jehovah slew him.
38:8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
38:9 And Onan knew that the seed would 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 he should give seed to his brother.
38:10 And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of Jehovah: and he slew him also.

It would appear that rather than masturbating, the thing Onan did that annoyed Jehovah was practising the 'withdrawal method' of contraception (ironically, the only method that the Catholic Church endorses).

Has this passage lost (or gained) something in translation? Does the Hebrew refer to masturbation rather than contraception?

Or is the 'anti-masturbation' story like the allegedly 'anti-homosexual' story in Genesis 18-19. I.e. not actually about what Christians claim it is about...

CX · 12-12-2003, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pervy Hobbit Fancier
The story of Onan is often cited by Christians as a demonstration of the evils of masturbation.

The story has nothing to do with prohibiting masturbation. It is an indictment of Onan's disobedience to god for refusing to follow jewish law and impregnate his deceased brother's wife. Xians are apparently preoccupied with sex and so find demonstrations of the evils of it even where there are none.

Theophage · 12-12-2003, 08:58 AM

From what I understand, the link between traditional onanism and the actions of Onan in the Bible are the "spilling seed" on the ground.

Sure it's a stretch, and the passage clearly indicates that Onan was struck dead for disobeying, not necessarily spilling, but you can see where such spilling would be associated with disobeying and there you are.

"Every sperm is sacred, every sperm is great / If a sperm is wasted, god gets quite irate..."

Hazel-rah · 12-12-2003, 09:03 AM

Quote:

the 'withdrawal method' of contraception (ironically, the only method that the Catholic Church endorses).

Actually, you're thinking of the rhythm method, which is only having sex during the 8.6 seconds during the month that a woman is not fertile. Catholics do not advocate withdrawal.

conkermaniac · 12-13-2003, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hazel-rah
Actually, you're thinking of the rhythm method, which is only having sex during the 8.6 seconds during the month that a woman is not fertile. Catholics do not advocate withdrawal.

Are you sure you don't mean 8.6 days?

Doctor X · 12-13-2003, 02:21 AM

No . . . you are only allowed to have sex for 8.6 seconds.

More constitutes "pleasure."

--J.D.

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12-12-2003, 08:58 AM	#3
Theophage Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 966	From what I understand, the link between traditional onanism and the actions of Onan in the Bible are the "spilling seed" on the ground. Sure it's a stretch, and the passage clearly indicates that Onan was struck dead for disobeying, not necessarily spilling, but you can see where such spilling would be associated with disobeying and there you are. "Every sperm is sacred, every sperm is great / If a sperm is wasted, god gets quite irate..."

12-13-2003, 02:21 AM	#6
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	No . . . you are only allowed to have sex for 8.6 seconds. More constitutes "pleasure." --J.D.

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