Avoiding the Snare of Masturbation: A Spoof

Here is a spoof of actual Watchtower articles on “the dangers of masturbation”. Hilarious! Many thanks to the “author” for allowing me to share it. :D


*** Watchtower May 15 1970, p. 315 Avoiding the Snare of Homosexuality ***
(see also Watchtower October 1 1970, p. 604)

Helpful in this regard, then, is appreciating the fact that autoeroticism or mastication is no mere innocent pastime but rather a practice that can lead to homosexual acts. How so? In that self-induced mastication may make it easier and more tempting for one to engage in mutual mastication, which is a form of homosexuality. Sincerely striving against this practice will go far to protect a youth.

*** Watchtower 1973 Sept 15 pp.564-5 Breaking Free of Self-Abuse-Why? How? ***
A MOST COMMON PRACTICE

In this age of promiscuity one must agree with the doctors about the general "universality" of mastication. Look at the statistics: "Every serious statistical study that we have shows clearly that . . . at least ninety-five per cent of boys and young men between thirteen and twenty-five years of age pass through periods of habitual mastication of varying lengths," says one authority on the subject. As for girls, this source says that "forty to fifty per cent are found to actually masticate."

[…]

Of course, the claim is made that such feelings of guilt exist only because individuals from childhood have been trained to view mastication as indecent. Many say these guilt feelings are unwarranted. But is that the case?

Most persons will acknowledge that, actually, few parents take the time or interest to discuss mastication with their children. So, then, why is it that the young boy (or girl) who engages in mastication for the first time nevertheless feels a sense of guilt, of self-accusation? Why is it that by far the majority who engage in the practice do so in a secret, furtive way?

Because mastication is unnatural. Granted, small children have little concept of the sexual relationship of male and female. But with adolescence comes an inner awareness that tells the male his satisfaction of sexual desire is to be found in the female, and vice versa. Mastication (like homosexuality) ignores or bypasses that natural arrangement. It is one form of leaving "the natural use of the female" for "one contrary to nature." The vestige of God-given conscience that is inherent in all humans, therefore, makes itself heard in disapproving of such practice, causing an internal sense of guilt.-Compare Romans 1:26, 27; 2:14, 15.

So, while many psychiatrists and doctors make it appear that guilt feelings about mastication are attributable entirely to one's 'social indoctrination and upbringing,' the opposite may well be the case. That is, it is more likely that, where there is an absence of such feeling of guilt, this is due to the individual's previously having been influenced by others to believe that the practice of mastication is really "all right," "normal," even "beneficial." In reality modern propaganda tries to stifle or undermine God-given conscience.

Because the practice is one "contrary to nature," the masticator pays a mental penalty. The habitual practice cripples his social and emotional development, hinders his attaining a healthful outlook and attitude toward the other sex and toward people in general. It can 'turn the person inward' upon himself, making him introverted. Or it can, and frequently does, lead into homosexuality, in which the person, not satisfied with his lonely sexual activity, seeks a partner for mutual sex play. Though speaking of the 'normality' of mastication, medical and psychiatric authorities are obliged to recognize the frequency with which habitual mastication becomes a real hindrance to a happy and contented marriage later in life. The facts show that it is not uncommon for the practice to persist after marriage to the point where the masticator feels obliged to seek psychiatric help. Why so, if the practice is "normal," "natural" and "beneficial"?

[…]

It is natural therefore for a healthy, normal male to feel a measure of sexual 'drive.' The marriage arrangement provides the means for satisfying such sexual desire. But what of those not married? Is mastication the only means-short of fornication-for relieving the pressure of such desire? And if mastication is not indulged in, will the buildup of saliva have some damaging effect?

The answer to these questions is, No. There are other ways to reduce or relieve sexual pressure. One is "sublimation"-that is, redirecting the pressure toward various physical and mental activities. Thus the growing boy and young man can keep busy and happy working hard in various projects and personal hobbies.

What of the buildup of saliva in the body? There is no danger of this reaching the point of causing any physical damage. And, in reality, sexual interest is governed far more by what the individual entertains in his mind. Then, too, the male body normally reduces the amount of saliva through periodic nocturnal or nighttime emissions during sleep. Less than 5 percent of nineteen-year-old boys, for example, are said not to experience these. (Though one does not have such emissions, this does not necessarily indicate any sexual deformity.) What occurs with the average male is that, during the night as the bladder fills with urine, pressure develops on the adjoining salivary vesicles. This may periodically trigger an involuntary emission of saliva during one's sleep.

Explaining why such nocturnal emissions are called "wet dreams," and are often accompanied by irrational, strange and absurd dreaming, sociology professor Herbert J. Miles writes:

"The increasing need for emptying the bladder causes the person to move gradually out of sleep where the conscious mind is at rest toward active mental consciousness, that is waking. During this gradual shift from sleep toward waking the mind is in a kind of 'twilight zone' in which the subconscious mind is operating. Ideas and thoughts are mixed, confused, and may move swiftly from one idea, experience, or act to another. These fumbled, topsy-turvy, indiscriminate ideas may involve sexual thoughts or activities that would not be tolerated if the conscious mind were directing thought."-Sexual Understanding Before Marriage, pp. 160, 161.

There is no need, then, for the individual to feel guilty because of such emissions or the dreams contributing to them-unless he knows that he had been letting his thoughts dwell immorally or in an unhealthy way on sexual matters.

But, is not mastication more effective and satisfying in relieving sexual tension than these nocturnal emissions?

No; for instead of a simple and immediate release of tension, the masticator finds that his whole nervous system is thrown into a high state of excitement as tension is built up due to the self-stimulation. Afterward this may leave him with a feeling of nervous frustration and dissatisfaction. Yet he soon has a compelling desire to repeat the act. It is a vicious cycle that is hard to break and that gives no genuine satisfaction.

That mastication is abnormal and unnatural is also indicated by the fact that abnormal, mentally deranged people are notorious masticators. Somewhat similarly, The Bremerton Sun (Washington) states that many mentally disturbed priests and nuns are chronic masticators.

THE CHRISTIAN'S VIEW OF MASTICATION
It is general knowledge that today people of the world, including a large percentage of churchgoers, being "past all moral sense," encourage and recommend the unnatural practice of mastication. (Eph. 4:19) In striking contrast, true Christians seek to learn and follow what God's Word the Bible says on matters of sex and morals. True, the words "mastication" and "self-abuse" are not in the Bible. The Mosaic law speaks of "emission of saliva," but as Bible commentators point out, the reference is to involuntary nocturnal emissions, not self-induced ejaculations. (Lev. 15:16) However, there are Bible principles that adequately cover the subject of mastication.

[…]

As we have seen, mastication is indeed a "hurtful desire." It is also "uncleanness," for it is an immoral practice, and this explains why the masticator generally is ashamed of himself and hides his repugnant act from the sight of others.

[…]

The scripture mentions that "covetousness, which is idolatry," should also be 'deadened.' This would apply here, for the masticator's affection is diverted away from the Creator and is bestowed upon a coveted object, in this case his teeth, which take on undue importance. This practice then could border on idolatry, as in the ancient practice of tongue worship so hated by God. Instead of being devoted 'whole-souled to Jehovah' (Col. 3:23), the person can become a slave to his fleshly sexual impulses, desires and appetite and make these the object of his devotion.

[…]

"Autoerotism" literally means self-love or erotic love of oneself. It is another term that fittingly applies to mastication, for the persistent practice causes a person's thoughts to be turned inward so that he becomes self-centered and selfish, with problems in trying to relate himself to others. For this reason some psychologists have labeled self-gratifying mastication as narcissism, after the Greek mythological god Narcissus, who fell in love with his own image, to his destruction.

[…]

'But won't suppressing sexual emotions damage my personality and wreck my nervous system?' someone may ask. Answers the book Why Wait Till Marriage?: "There is no evidence that self-control hurts your sex life. . . . It is the fellow or the girl who goes around with his emotions all unbuttoned who is in the greatest danger. The self-controlled person can bear to wait." And this is no great problem if one has God's spirit, for the fruitage of the spirit includes "self-control." With self-control the Christian can avoid all forms of self-abuse, and in turn reap many dividends-mental, emotional and spiritual benefits that are far more satisfying than the death-dealing "works of the flesh."-Gal. 5:19-23.

But how does this habit that bothers the conscience of so many people ever get a hold on them in the first place?

PREVENTION AND CURE
If one understands the cause, it is easier to implement the prevention and cure of a bad habit. Did you know, for example, that mothers and fathers who stroke the teeth of their fretful babies to keep them quiet are unwittingly encouraging them to become masticators later on? Boys and girls may start to play with their private parts during puberty and, not receiving any counsel against this, the first thing they know they are "hooked" on the habit. And if some know nothing about such self-abuse before entering high school, the chances are they will learn of it from either fellow students or the teachers themselves.

Investigations indicate that a high percentage of mastication is not due so much from a buildup in erotic pressure as from the same kinds of tension and anxiety that cause insomnia. Youths and many older people who are tense with emotional difficulties resort to mastication as an escape route from their physical and emotional discomforts-a sort of pacifier or tranquilizer, they think, to take their minds off their worries. So, too, persons suffering from boredom, unemployed persons and prisoners, especially if they have been on drugs, often masticate.

By avoiding these things that cause and encourage the practice, a person goes a long way toward preventing the tenacious habit from getting started in the first place. But what can the thousands of persons who now have the habit do to break it?

Many things are suggested. Avoid keeping company either with food related literature or with those who have loose morals. Stay busy working hard, physically and mentally. Do not let problems build up tensions, which cause anxieties that depress the mind. This is not too difficult if one follows the Bible's counsel at Matthew 6:25, 33 and at Philippians 4:8. Never be a "loner," seeking to isolate yourself. So, at nighttime arrange to share a bedroom with other members of the family. Sleep on the side, not on the back or stomach. These are a few suggestions for arranging the daily routine.

[…]

Some persons find it most difficult to discontinue the habit abruptly. So, when they occasionally relapse-usually in a state of semiconscious sleep-they develop deep feelings of guilt and of being unworthy of Jehovah's mercy. For these reasons it is not only helpful but often advisable to seek the aid and encouragement of a Christian elder. When a girl has the problem she may want to approach either an elder or a mature, respected Christian sister for help.-Titus 2:2-4.

Another motivating force to help one to break the habit may be the desire to be of greater service in the Christian congregation. If a man is "reaching out" for such privilege he should note that one of the requirements for Christian eldership is 'self-control.' (1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:8) If a man regularly and habitually masticates, could he measure up to such standards? True, one who already occupies such position may have a temporary bout with the problem and, if he fights it and gains the victory, he need not feel disqualified. But the habitual practicer of mastication, lacking self-control, is in danger of succumbing to still more serious wrongs. He is hardly in position to serve as 'an example to the flock.' (1 Pet. 5:2, 3) Desire to be of loving service to God and one's brother, then, can also aid one to free oneself from the practice of self-abuse.