Kiera Jefferson
The sin of self-pollution is a term used to describe masturbation, and it was popularized by the pamphlet Onania: or, the Heinous Sin of Self-Pollution, and All Its Frightful Consequences, in Both Sexes, Considered. Published in London around 1712-1716, with copies printed in London in 1723, the pamphlet warned against the practice of masturbation, claiming that it would result in diseases and physical abnormalities. The author of the pamphlet is unknown, but it has been attributed to the English surgeon John Marten and to a Dr. Bekkers. The pamphlet became an international bestseller, being translated into Dutch and German, and by 1730, around 15,000 copies had been printed. Prior to the publication of Onania, self-pleasuring was generally considered a relatively inconsequential habit in Europe, with some doctors arguing that it was a natural part of human sexuality.
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What You'll Learn
The pamphlet 'Onania'
The pamphlet Onania: or, The Heinous Sin of Self-Pollution, and All Its Frightful Consequences, in Both Sexes, Considered, was first published anonymously around 1712-1716 in London. It was printed by P. Varenne and distributed across the city's coffee houses. The pamphlet was written by John Marten, a self-educated surgeon and medical huckster, though it was attributed to a "Dr. Bekkers", possibly the Dutch theologian Dr. Balthazar Bekker.
Onania was an anti-masturbation pamphlet that argued the act of self-pleasuring was a sin and a public health threat. It claimed that masturbation caused a range of illnesses, from headaches to rheumatism, short-sightedness, bowel disorders, gonorrhea, and even death. The pamphlet also warned that masturbation would lead to a degradation of sperm and cause impotence, as well as result in the birth of weak and sickly children.
The author of Onania drew on existing religious beliefs that masturbation was sinful and encouraged readers to buy remedies to treat the localised areas affected by the act. These included a "Strengthening Tincture" and a "Prolific Powder", which were sold at a premium by the publisher.
Onania was a commercial success, with over 60 editions published and translations into several languages. It tapped into 18th-century fears about the dangers of an unbridled imagination, especially in children, and the potential for self-pleasure to become a destructive force. The pamphlet was influential, with pirated editions making their way to America as early as 1724 and a copy found in Thomas Jefferson's personal library.
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Self-pollution as a sin in the Bible
The term "self-pollution" refers to masturbation, and it was considered a sin in the Bible and by religious people in the 18th century. An anonymous pamphlet called "Onania; or, The Heinous Sin of Self-Pollution" was published in London around 1712 and became an international bestseller. The pamphlet warned against the practice of masturbation, claiming that it was a sin and would result in various physical and mental health issues, including epilepsy, hysteria, and impotence. The author of the pamphlet is unknown, but it has been attributed to an English surgeon named John Marten or a "Dr. Bekkers."
The pamphlet "Onania" argued that masturbation was a heinous sin that would lead to frightful consequences for both sexes. It was considered worse than polluting others because it was seen as a breach of the Order of Love. The author of "Onania" also addressed the belief that a voluntary emission of the semen was not sinful if it was not accompanied by impure thoughts or desires. They disagreed with this notion, stating that such an act was still dangerous and could lead to a heightened sexual desire that might result in carnal relations with someone of the same sex.
The pamphlet reaffirmed contemporary religious beliefs that masturbation was sinful and that one should abstain from it. It also argued that masturbation would lead to physical abnormalities and diseases. While the ideas presented in "Onania" were not new, the pamphlet's popularity helped spread these beliefs across Europe, where self-pleasuring had previously been considered a relatively inconsequential habit. By 1730, there had been fifteen revised editions of the pamphlet, with tens of thousands of copies printed and sold.
The Bible does not specifically mention masturbation or self-pollution, but the author of "Onania" interpreted certain passages in the Old and New Testaments as condemning "Uncleanness, the Lusts of the Flesh, or the Abominations of Sodom," which they believed hinted at the sin of self-pollution. They argued that self-pollution "destroys conjugal Affection, perverts natural Inclination, and tends to extinguish the Hopes of Posterity." The pamphlet also included a letter from a lady concerning the use and abuse of the marriage bed, to which the author responded with their views on sexual relations within marriage.
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The consequences of self-pollution
The pamphlet Onania; or, The Heinous Sin of Self-Pollution, and All Its Frightful Consequences, in Both Sexes, was published anonymously in London in 1723, with 15,000 copies printed by 1730. The pamphlet was a bestseller, experiencing international popularity and being translated into Dutch and German. It is often referred to by its shortened title: Onania: or, the heinous sin of self-pollution, or simply Onania.
The pamphlet's central argument is that masturbation is a sinful act, reaffirming contemporary religious beliefs. The author of Onania argues that masturbation will result in diseases and physical abnormalities such as epilepsy, hysteria, and weak jaws. The pamphlet also warns that masturbation will lead to the degradation of the human race, with masturbation causing a degradation of sperm and resulting in impotence.
Onania also discusses the spiritual consequences of self-pollution, arguing that it is a sin that offends God and pollutes one's spirit. The pamphlet encourages those who have engaged in self-pollution to seek spiritual advice and to abstain from the practice.
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Masturbation as a sin
The act of masturbation has been a topic of debate for centuries, with some considering it a sinful act while others disagree. The pamphlet "Onania: or, the Heinous Sin of Self-Pollution, and All Its Frightful Consequences, in Both Sexes, Considered, With Spiritual and Physical Advice for Those Who Have Already Injured Themselves by This Abominable Practice", published around 1712-1716, is one of the earliest known works condemning masturbation as a sin. The author of the pamphlet, believed to be either the English surgeon John Marten or "Dr. Bekkers", reaffirms the contemporary religious belief that masturbation is a sin and that one should abstain from it.
The pamphlet argues that masturbation results in various diseases and physical abnormalities, such as epilepsy, hysteria, and weak jaws. It also associates masturbation with the degradation of sperm, causing impotence and the birth of weak and sickly children. However, it is important to note that these ideas were already existing notions at the time, and the pamphlet did not invent them.
In the Christian community, the topic of masturbation remains controversial. While the Bible does not directly mention masturbation or explicitly state that it is a sin, some passages are often associated with the discussion of masturbation. For example, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 says, "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God." Here, the emphasis is on avoiding sexual immorality and controlling one's passions. Similarly, Proverbs 25:28 states, "A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls," highlighting the importance of self-control.
Additionally, the story of Judah's son Onan in Genesis 38 is sometimes interpreted as condemning the "spilling of seed" or the squandering of semen as a sin. However, it is important to note that God punished Onan not for masturbation but for his rebellion and failure to fulfill his duty to provide an heir for his deceased brother.
While the act of masturbation itself may not be directly addressed in the Bible, some Christians believe that the lustful thoughts, sexual fantasies, and inappropriate means of sexual arousal that often accompany masturbation are sinful. They argue that masturbation involves entertaining lustful thoughts, seeking inappropriate sexual arousal, and viewing pornography, all of which are considered sins.
On the other hand, some people argue that masturbation is not a sin. They point to nocturnal emissions as evidence that the body requires sexual release, and that masturbation is morally and ethically neutral, comparable to urinating. Additionally, some Christian singles choose masturbation to alleviate sexual tension and believe it is acceptable because the Bible does not specifically prohibit it.
In conclusion, the debate around masturbation as a sin is complex and multifaceted. While some religious texts and beliefs consider it a sinful act, others argue that it is morally neutral or even acceptable within certain boundaries. Ultimately, the interpretation of masturbation as a sin may vary depending on individual beliefs and the specific religious context.
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Self-pollution as murder
The term "self-pollution" refers to masturbation and was popularised by the pamphlet "Onania: or, the Heinous Sin of Self-Pollution, and All Its Frightful Consequences, in Both Sexes, Considered, With Spiritual and Physical Advice for Those Who Have Already Injured Themselves by This Abominable Practice". The pamphlet, which was published in London around 1712-1716, became an international bestseller, selling tens of thousands of copies and being translated into Dutch and German. It argued that masturbation was a sinful and depraved act that would result in various diseases and physical abnormalities. The author of the pamphlet is unknown but has been attributed to the English surgeon John Marten and to a "Dr. Bekkers".
The act of self-pollution was not only considered a sin but also akin to murder. The pamphlet "Onania" and other contemporary religious beliefs argued that masturbation was a form of self-defilement and pollution of the spirit, which was akin to murder. The argument was that just as one should not defile or pollute their neighbour because one is supposed to love their neighbour's chastity, one should also not defile or pollute oneself as self-love is important. This idea of self-pollution as murder is further reinforced by the belief that masturbation would result in physical harm and even death. The pamphlet listed various consequences of the act, including epilepsy, pallor, hysteria, feeble legs, and weak jaws. It also warned that masturbation would lead to the birth of weak and sickly children, further perpetuating the idea that self-pollution was a form of destruction and murder.
The act of self-pollution was seen as a violation of the natural order and a destruction of the self, which was considered a grave sin. The author of "Onania" argued that masturbation "destroys conjugal affection, perverts natural inclination, and tends to extinguish the hopes of posterity". The idea that self-pollution was a form of self-murder was also present in the belief that those who indulged in such acts were tempting themselves with wicked thoughts and defiling their spirits. The pamphlet was aimed at providing spiritual and physical advice to those who had already engaged in self-pollution, urging them to consider the consequences of their actions and abstain from the practice.
The notion of self-pollution as murder was not a new concept. Casuists, or scholars of moral theology, had previously argued that lusts of uncleanliness were first committed with oneself and that self-murder was worse than the murder of others. They believed that the sin that broke the order of love the most was the worst, and self-love was essential. However, some disagreed with this argument, stating that the difference between the murder of oneself and another ceases when the murder of another necessarily includes the murder of oneself.
The idea that self-pollution was a form of murder and a heinous sin had a significant impact on societal views of masturbation. What was once considered a relatively inconsequential habit became Europe's most depraved public health threat. The pamphlet "Onania" played a significant role in shaping these views, and its warnings against the dangers of self-pollution were taken seriously by many.
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Frequently asked questions
The sin of self-pollution is the act of masturbation, which was considered a heinous sin in the early eighteenth century due to religious beliefs and perceived health consequences.
The term "self-pollution" originates from the pamphlet "Onania" or "Onania: or, the Heinous Sin of Self-Pollution", published in London around 1712-1716 and reprinted in Boston in 1724.
The author of "Onania" argued that masturbation would result in diseases and physical abnormalities such as epilepsy, hysteria, weak jaws, and impotence. It was also believed to cause a degradation of sperm and lead to the birth of weak and sickly children.
