Christian beliefs about Dildos

[EstoyLoca]

Have name changed for this, but long term MN.

Am Christian and have been for most of my life. Am interested in other Christian thoughts on the use of Dildos for personal use alone.

What does the Bible say and where do you, as a Christian, stand on the use of them?

I am generally interested as there is such a grey area with respects to self pleasure. I have had advice from elder women who have said as long as no one else is getting hurt/ damaged/ penalised etc then it is ok, also providing that you do not lust after someone else.

But am still open to more scriptural based theology from Christians.

I Have a free evangelical church background if that helps.

A rabbit potentially could be beastiality which is definitely a sin so stick to ones without ears

Dump Christianity OP. There is obviously still religious suppression, control, programming, conditioning and guilt shaming if you have sexual feelings.

I'm a practicing Christian. As a couple, we use sex toys and don't think - or believe - we are committing any sin. Our branch of Christianity rejects the assertion that marital sex is the 'original' sin, Adam and Eve were married and told to procreate.

Ok I'm a pastor (progressive church, obviously, since I'm a woman) and you sound quite confused.
The Bible says nothing about dildos but Song of Songs is a book of erotic love poetry that does promote female pleasure. Remember too that the Bible was written in a context that was ruled by men and men's issues so even if you believe it is the direct word of God you need to look at it in that context.
The Catholic church describes masturbation as a sin. Many evangelical churches would too. Someone upthread described the view of more moderate churches - that self pleasure is ok but if you are objectifying someone else (eg porn) or getting addicted to it it's not. (Incidentally if you believe the Bible is literal it does a fair bit of objectifying women which is due to the time and context of writing).
I am concerned that your church is talking to you about dieting and things like that? Do you mean general teaching to all, or specifically supporting members who have asked for help? If the former that is a big red flag for me.

@SchrodingersUnicorn I think the OP meant 'society in general' talks a lot about dieting etc, not her church.

Surely if your god forgives murderers and rapists he'll turn a blind eye to wankers

In most Christian denominations a dildo is allowed when “he’s not home” and we’re even called that in 17th c. Europe.

It is masturbation so not allowed outside marriage or in place of sex if your husband is available.

But if your husband is away, it is permitted as a way to prevent adultery.

This was encouraged for women married to sailors/soldiers/explorers who would often be away for years at a time. Or women with husbands that have ED. Basically, it falls under a necessary minor transgression to prevent a cardinal sin- which adultery is one. You can get absolution weekly for using a dildo as a married woman with an absent husband or incapacitated husband, but if you commit adultery your soul is in danger of going to hell.

Our branch of Christianity rejects the assertion that marital sex is the 'original' sin, Adam and Eve were married and told to procreate.

That’s not what the original sin was. Original sin refers to Eve disobeying God and eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge and then tricking Adam into eating it too. They were having sex before and after this. It’s why women’s punishment for original sin is that God made childbirth painful when before it had not been painful at all.

I'm beyond words at PP's

Saint Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th century nun, wrote down the first known description of the female orgasm. She must have found out about it somehow, presumably without the help of a young swain.

I think if Hildegard can get away with a bit of naughty pleasure, so can you!

The idea that God doesn't want us to experience pleasure is not true at all. He invented the orgasm after all - and you only have to read Song of Songs to see that He intended sex to be enjoyed.

Problems with sex only come when we make sex out to be more important than it is. When we objectify others for our pleasure, we put them at risk or we make sex or another person our idol. The sexual morality 'rules' are there to protect us from the harm these things cause, not to be a killjoy. And of course we have free will to decide we don't want to follow those rules - but as Christians we should try to. That's my take on it.

@Whatsnewpussyhat

Does any religion give a shit about female sexual pleasure?

Judaism.

It's written in the marriage contract that the husband has to give his wife pleasure. Plus it's a "mitzvah" (sort of like a good deed) to have sex on the Sabbath.

Loads here for judaism www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.myjewishlearning.com/article/traditional-sources-on-sexual-pleasure/amp/

Your body was made for to feel. You can only feel with a physical body - and its for such a short time.

BUT if it makes you feel bad - then don't do it.

God is loving and merciful and kind and he gets it - especially if you are single and still a sexual being. Do not allow antiquated religiosity prevent you from being in touch with some of the greatest gifts God gave to you - which is your physicality and your sexuality.

The caviats to this are if you are hurting yourself or someone else - and then its not good.

From my understanding as a Christian but not Catholic, like most sexual acts it's fine in marriage but not really outside of it. As pp have said sex is a gift from God and is intended to be pleasurable but in the context of marriage.