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''"Masturbation refers to the erotic stimulation especially of one's own genital organs commonly resulting in orgasm and achieved by manual or other bodily contact exclusive of sexual intercourse, by instrumental manipulation, occasionally by sexual fantasies, or by various combinations of these agencies"'' (''"Masturbation"'' in Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition, Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003).
Nikodemos the Hagiorite says, ''"masturbation is a sin so abhorrent to God that on account of it He put to death Onan, the Son of Judah, the Son of Jacob…"'' (Genesis 38:10). St. Paul in his epistle to the Romans speaks clearly about the sinfulness of masturbation. He says God allowed men to be overtaken by the lusts of their hearts brining forth the dishonoring of their own bodies (Romans 1:26). ''"This autoerotic activity is an improper expression of human sexuality because sex as an interpersonal relationship of many dimensions is impaired by it"'' (Stanly [[Stanley S. Harakas]], ''Living the Faith''. Minnesota: Light and Life. 1992. p. 131).
Society however, has completely the opposite opinion of masturbation. P. J. O'Rourke said once, ''"Sophisticated persons masturbate without compunction. They do it for reasons of health, privacy, thrift and because of the remarkable perfection of invisible partners."'' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_references_to_masturbation#Celebrities]
In 1994, Dr. Jocelyn Elders, the first woman appointed to the position of U.S. Surgeon General, lost her job as Surgeon General because she dared to say that masturbation should be taught in schools. Society portrays hedonistic lifestyles even in videos games, by allowing characters to have the power to masturbate while riding in vehicles (Grand Theft Auto 2). Sexual perversion has also infiltrated into the cartoon entertainment of children. Characters such as Homer Simpson confess openly to masturbation.
== Orthodoxy Today ==
