Kiera Jefferson
Self-pollution, also known as self-abuse, masturbation, onanism, manustupration, voluntary pollution, and solitary or secret vice, is a term that was first recorded in the early 1600s. It is often associated with religious texts and beliefs, considering it a heinous sin and providing spiritual and physical advice to those who engage in this practice. The term self-pollution refers to the act of masturbation and is sometimes used in a religious context to describe a sinful or immoral act. While the term has been used in a negative and shaming context, it is important to recognize that masturbation is a natural and healthy part of human sexuality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Masturbation, self-abuse, onanism, manustupration, voluntary pollution, solitary or secret vice |
| First known use | Early 1600s |
| First known use author | Nicholas Byfield, Church of England clergyman and religious writer |
| Advice | Spiritual and physical advice for those who have injured themselves by this practice |
| Target audience | Youth of both sexes, parents, guardians, masters, mistresses |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Self-pollution as a sin
The term "self-pollution" has been used historically to refer to masturbation, or "self-abuse". The earliest known use of the term dates back to the early 1600s in the writing of Nicholas Byfield, a Church of England clergyman and religious writer.
In the context of religion, particularly in the Christian tradition, self-pollution has been considered a sin, referred to as a "heinous sin" with "frightful consequences". Religious texts and teachings have warned against the practice, considering it an "abominable act" that defiles and injures those who engage in it. The act of self-pollution was believed to be punishable by God, as seen in the story of Onan in the Bible.
The perspective on self-pollution as a sin extended beyond the individual, with concerns about the impact on youth and the importance of guidance from parents, guardians, and teachers. It was believed that self-pollution was a temptation that could lead to wicked thoughts and acts of impurity. Casuists, or moral theologians, argued that lusts of uncleanliness begin with oneself and that self-pollution is a greater sin than polluting others. This reasoning stems from the idea that love is the keeping of the commandments, and polluting oneself goes against the love and chastity one should have for themselves.
The condemnation of self-pollution as a sin carried significant weight, with readers being warned to view it with horror and considered worse than other acts of uncleanness. However, some authors approached the topic with caution, avoiding explicit condemnation out of modesty or to maintain decency in their writings. Despite this, there was a recognition that the subject required more elaborate discussion to effectively convey the seriousness of the act and provide spiritual and physical advice to those struggling with the temptation or practice of self-pollution.
Motorcycle Pollution: How Much is Too Much?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Self-pollution as masturbation
The term "self-pollution" is often used as a synonym for masturbation. This term originates from the pamphlet "Onania: or, the Heinous Sin of Self-Pollution, and All Its Frightful Consequences, in Both Sexes, Considered". Attributed to either the English surgeon John Marten or "Dr. Bekkers", the pamphlet was first published around 1712-1716 and became an international bestseller, being translated into Dutch and German.
"Onania" reaffirmed contemporary religious beliefs that masturbation was a sinful act, arguing that it degraded the human race by resulting in the birth of weak and sickly children. It also claimed that masturbation caused a degradation of sperm and led to impotence. The pamphlet encouraged readers to purchase remedies to treat areas affected by masturbation and considered masturbation a less serious sin than sodomy.
The term "self-pollution" was also used by Timothy Pickering, who wrote about the dangers of "Onanism, or self-pollution". Pickering believed that masturbation caused derangement, especially in unmarried young men, and that the cure for this was regular sex within marriage or hard work. Pickering's views reflected the Federalist notion of control, which starts with the individual body and extends upwards to the body politic.
Today, the term "self-pollution" is still used by some individuals and groups to describe masturbation. For example, the Reddit community r/NoFap, a porn addiction and compulsive sexual behavior recovery peer support forum, uses the term "self-pollution" to refer to masturbation. They host challenges where participants, known as "Fapstronauts", avoid porn and sometimes masturbation for periods of 7-30 days to test their self-control.
The Global Commons: Exploited and Polluted
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$10.59 $18.95
Self-pollution as self-abuse
Self-pollution, also known as self-abuse, is a term with religious connotations that refer to masturbation. The earliest known use of the term was in the early 1600s by Nicholas Byfield, a Church of England clergyman and religious writer.
Self-pollution is often referred to as a sin, with religious texts offering spiritual and physical advice to those who have injured themselves through this abominable practice. The texts also include warnings to youth, urging them to practice chastity and avoid "Uncleanness".
The act of self-pollution is described as being worse than "polluting another", as it is a sin that breaks the "Order of Love". This is based on the belief that one should not defile themselves, as they are to love themselves.
The term self-pollution carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the act is harmful or detrimental to the individual. It is presented as something to be avoided, with warnings of frightful consequences for those who engage in it.
Self-pollution, or self-abuse, has been used interchangeably with masturbation and is often associated with shame and guilt. The term itself implies a sense of defilement or contamination, suggesting that the act is impure or unclean.
Nutrient Pollution: Understanding the Unseen Threat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Self-pollution's impact on chastity
The term "self-pollution" has been used historically to refer to masturbation, or "self-abuse", particularly in religious contexts. It was considered a ""heinous sin" with "frightful consequences", and those who engaged in the act were deemed to have "injured themselves".
The idea of self-pollution being a sin is tied to the concept of chastity. In the religious text "Onania; or, The heinous sin of self-pollution, and all its frightful consequences, in both sexes, considered", the author writes of their "hearty desire" that readers be "incited to Chastity and deterred from all manner of Uncleanness". The text is aimed at those who have already committed the act and are seeking spiritual and physical advice, as well as a warning to the youth to avoid the practice.
The author of "Onania" acknowledges that there are varying degrees of impurity, but asserts that self-pollution is a particularly egregious act, even worse than polluting another. This is based on the reasoning that the sin that breaks the order of love the most is the worst, and one must love and not defile oneself. Thus, self-pollution is considered a grave violation of chastity, a transgression against oneself and one's purity.
The text also mentions that self-pollution is ""remarkably punished in Onan by a particular Stroke from Almighty God", indicating that the act is not only a sin against chastity but also an offence against God, with divine consequences.
The impact of self-pollution on chastity, as presented in "Onania", is profound. It is seen as a defilement of the self, a breaking of the order of love, and an injury that requires spiritual and physical guidance to rectify. The text's aim is not only to deter readers from engaging in self-pollution but also to encourage them to embrace chastity as a virtuous alternative. By presenting self-pollution as a sin with dire consequences, the author emphasizes the importance of maintaining chastity and avoiding any form of uncleanness.
Solar Panels: Pollution Solution or Problem?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Self-pollution's consequences
Self-pollution, also known as self-abuse, masturbation, onanism, manustupration, voluntary pollution, and solitary or secret vice, is a term that has been used to describe masturbation, particularly in a religious context. The term "self-pollution" was first used in the early 1600s, and it gained popularity in the 1700s with the publication of the pamphlet "Onania: or, the Heinous Sin of Self-Pollution." This pamphlet described masturbation as a "'heinous sin' with 'frightful consequences'.
The consequences of self-pollution, as described in "Onania" and other religious texts, are primarily spiritual and physical. The author of "Onania" argues that self-pollution is a sin against nature, perverting and extinguishing natural inclination and destroying conjugal affection. It is considered to be an "abominable practice" that defiles the body and is offensive to God. The text also claims that self-pollution can lead to the destruction of one's kind and strike at creation itself.
In addition to the spiritual consequences, "Onania" and other religious texts suggest that self-pollution can have physical consequences. The pamphlet encourages readers to purchase remedies to treat localised areas affected by masturbation. It is also believed to destroy conjugal affection and extinguish the hopes of posterity, though the specifics of these consequences are not elaborated on.
The idea that self-pollution has negative consequences is not universally accepted. While some may view it as a sinful or unnatural act, others may consider it a natural and healthy part of human sexuality. It is important to note that the negative consequences described in "Onania" and other religious texts are based on religious and moral beliefs rather than scientific evidence.
In modern times, the term "self-pollution" is not commonly used, and the act of masturbation is generally not considered a "heinous sin" with "frightful consequences." However, it is important to respect cultural and religious beliefs, and for individuals to make their own informed decisions regarding their sexual practices.
Report Noise Pollution: Ghana's Quick Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Self-pollution is a term used to refer to masturbation.
No, the earliest known use of the term self-pollution was in the early 1600s.
In the past, self-pollution was considered a heinous sin with "frightful consequences".
Other terms for self-pollution include self-abuse, onanism, manustupration, voluntary pollution, solitary vice, and secret vice.
