As some of the Anam Cara Community are aware, I write, speak and teach on the topic of sexuality and spirituality. It’s a great gift to be able to do this—our sexuality is a vital part of who we are and what it means to be fully human, and our spirituality is deeply connected to it. I love the conversations, giggles and healing I’ve been a part of as I’ve brought God’s hope to this part of ourselves.
Today, I’m over at Rachel Held Evans blog talking about the topic of Christians and masturbation, where I was one of seven perspectives on the subject. Here’s a small excerpt.
Like many of the questions surrounding sexuality, I don’t think we can find simple answers—or any answers that hold together in real life situations—outside of the context of relationship. For me, sexuality is broader than mere genital expression (intercourse, foreplay, masturbation, etc.), and encompasses all of the embodied ways that we desire connection with the world, with one another, and with God—as well as all of the ways we go about expressing that desire. While that definition can be taken to extremes, taking a broader view of sexuality allows us to see the ways that sexuality impels us to connection with one another. Taken in this context, masturbation and whether or not it is a healthy expression of sexuality for a particular individual become questions of whether or not the acts of masturbation at a particular season of life are drawing you deeper into isolation from others and from God, or into deeper connection and intimacy.
If you come back later in the week, I’ll give you more than just a few paragraphs on the subject. If you have questions, please post them in the comments. I’ll do my best to answer them.