Thanks to the reader who pointed out something I’d missed. Earth-based religious faiths do not condemn masturbation. In fact, they form a rather strong consensus in favor of it.

Sorry if this horrifies the most demure of you. But here’s a long passage on Wiccans and self-stimulation:

Rather than viewing human sexuality as separate and often antagonistic to religion, many Wiccans integrate sexuality, faith, and practice. The Council of American Witches issued a statement about their religion during their Spring Witchmeet of 1974, held in Minneapolis, MN. It says, in part:

“We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practices and religious worship.”

They regard human sexuality as a gift of the Goddess and God. It is an activity to be enjoyed responsibly in accordance with the Wiccan Rede. One form of the Rede is:

“Do what you wish, as long as it harms no one, including yourself.”

Neopagans carefully consider any act in advance, and avoid those that are harmful to themselves or others. Masturbation is no exception. It is not harmful to other people, because (by definition) it is performed while one is alone. Most Wiccans agree with the best medical information indicates that it is not harmful to the individual either, but rather offers many benefits.

The “Charge of the Goddess” is an instruction of unknown antiquity that is recognized by many Neopagans. One part of it reads: “All acts of pleasure are my rituals.” We have communicated with one Wiccan coven which has modified the Charge to read “All responsible acts of pleasure are my rituals.” Responsible, in this case, would mean a sexual act that is free of any negative outcomes like pregnancy or disease. And it would also need to be non-manipulative, non-dominating, non-controlling, non-coercive, and consensual. Some Wiccans engage in the Great Rite which includes sexual intercourse in private between a committed couple as part of a circle religious ritual. We suspect that masturbation by solitary practitioners also forms part of some solitary Wiccan rituals.