What about Onan?

"Many people are under the impression that the Bible specifically forbids masturbation. In reality, the Bible does not even mention masturbation. The story of Onan (Genesis 38:7-10) is always cited as an example of how God will punish masturbators; this is where we get the term “Onanism,” which refers to masturbation. However, the story of Onan has absolutely nothing to do with masturbating. After his brother died, Onan was commanded by God to impregnate his brother’s wife. Onan had sex with her, but defied God by pulling out before he ejaculated so she wouldn’t get pregnant. His seed spilled on the ground – due to coitus interruptus, not masturbation – but this detail became equated with masturbation by those who apparently had their own agenda."

What are your thoughts on what is arguably God's best gift to us?

Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
What are your thoughts on what is arguably God's best gift to us?

Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
"Many people are under the impression that the Bible specifically forbids masturbation. In reality, the Bible does not even mention masturbation. The story of Onan (Genesis 38:7-10) is always cited as an example of how God will punish masturbators; this is where we get the term “Onanism,” which refers to masturbation. However, the story of Onan has ...[text shortened]... their own agenda."

What are your thoughts on what is arguably God's best gift to us?

Originally posted by FabianFnas
We have reason to believe that man first walked upright to free his hands for masturbation.
(Lily Tomlin)

The impetus behind homo erectus?

Onan spilled his seed. When you masturbate, where does it go? If it is not into your brother's wife, you best stay out of the storm.

Originally posted by FabianFnas
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love.
(Annie Hall)

We have reason to believe that man first walked upright to free his hands for masturbation.
(Lily Tomlin)

Masturbation: Shaking hands with the unemployed.
(George Carlin)

What if my brother doesn't have a wife? Where is the best place to spill my seed?

im forgeful of the original but i think it was because he disobeyed god that was behind the story. but one thing it does show that god has no problem with sex, but with our fornification of it, ie adultry

Originally posted by stoker
im forgeful of the original but i think it was because he disobeyed god that was behind the story. but one thing it does show that god has no problem with sex, but with our fornification of it, ie adultry

Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Onan had sex with her, but defied God by pulling out before he ejaculated so she wouldn’t get pregnant. His seed spilled on the ground – due to coitus interruptus, not masturbation – but this detail became equated with masturbation by those who apparently had their own agenda."

Originally posted by stoker
but one thing it does show that god has no problem with sex, but with our fornification of it, ie adultry

Originally posted by twhitehead
Surely his crime was that he disobeyed God in not getting the woman pregnant? How he went about not getting her pregnant surely is irrelevant.
The real question is what the moral implications are of God telling someone to sleep with his brothers wife, and why anyone would want to follow the commands of such a God anyway - unless perhaps he is dishing out licences for adultery to the rest of us too?

Originally posted by SwissGambit
The brother was dead. He was sleeping with his brother's widow. It wasn't adultery.

Onan was supposed to 'raise up an heir' for his brother.

Originally posted by twhitehead
I see. It makes more sense now. It was still sex outside marriage, but not so bad I suppose.