Last updated on October 9, 2020
Question:
Hello,
I was wondering if it is a sin to masturbate to animated characters since they aren’t real or look real.
Answer:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (I Thessalonians 4:3-5).
What makes something wrong is not the accuracy of the depiction, but whether it is promoting ideas that are not appropriate for a Christian to have. The main goal is that we are to live a life dedicated to God (sanctified). Because of that, no Christian should be involved in fornication. But it is not just the act that is wrong, we have to maintain self-control, and getting sexually aroused over things designed to stimulate sexual desire is not going to help us stay away from fornication.
Pornography’s draw is in its ability to shock the viewer. Shock raises a person’s blood pressure and causes the person to tense, making erections easier. But consider that animation is typically seen as appealing to children and then using that medium to present themes to stimulate sexual feelings and you wind up with something shocking.
Real or not, you are still using the illustrations to increase your desire for sex outside of marriage and that makes it wrong.
Response:
Thank you so much!