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Ecclesiastic condemnation of masturbation is largely based on the mistaken, pre-scientific belief that each sperm contains an entire human being "in miniature" and that it is murder to "spill seed" anywhere other than the fertile earth of a woman's womb. In antiquity, the womb was conceived as having no intrinsic generative power, but simply served as "the ground" in which sperm/seed - complete within itself - grew.
The church also argues against masturbation on grounds that self-gratification leads to egotistical vice and consequent viciousness. There may be some measure of moral hazard in this practice, particularly beyond certain thresholds. However, the portrayal of self-gratification as reason for absolute behavioral restraint never got much traction with ice cream, sizzled bacon or Coke-guzzling on torrid days.
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"Why The Church Fathers Were So Negative About Sex"
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2013/03/why-church-fathers-were-so-negative.html
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"Why The Church Fathers Were So Negative About Sex"
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2013/03/why-church-fathers-were-so-negative.html
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUspLVStPbk
"Every Sperm Is Sacred" set against a Harry Potter collage. (The entire 9 minute sequence.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGm83VbjshM
"Every Sperm Is Sacred" in Italian. (The entire 9 minute sequence.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEoJJpkW8Ng
"Every Sperm Is Sacred" performed by The Seattle Men's Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAu1AsQ9lZs