You wrote:
"Let's face it, all masturbation does is make you postpone the need to get a spouse, to start having kids with. That's why religion was against it, or anything that did not help increase the flock."
No. Religion opposed masturbation because it was sinful. Also, you seem to think that the sin of masturbation is limited to only those who are unmarried. I guess you've never read anything at all in a newspaper or magazine or book about the rise of sexual addiction, internet porn, etc.? If Christians were only interested in increasing the flock then traditionally minded Christians would see no problem with artificial insemination!
Ok, let's go around in the circle. Why was it sinful? The fact is, ancient cultures developed religious laws that gave them differential survival over co-existing groups that did not have these rules. Of course, if you believe that it was sinful "because God said so", then you'll need to tell me why it's OK to eat bacon, slurp oysters, or wear shirts that are made of fabric blends.
I guess you've never read anything at all in a newspaper or magazine or book about the rise of sexual addiction, internet porn, etc.?
I've read a lot about alcohol addiction, too, and I can differentiate between being a drunk, and responsibly enjoying a few beers at home with a baseball game. Not everyone who masturbates becomes a child molester, or neglects their spouse's needs. While I'm on that subject, a lot of people use masturbation to fill the gap between their needs, and their spouse's lesser need. That's probably a lot better than getting a divorce, especially with children involved, to find someone you're more compatible with (which you might possibly have had an inkling of knowing if you had established a sexual relationship with them before getting married.)
If Christians were only interested in increasing the flock then traditionally minded Christians would see no problem with artificial insemination!
I've read the rationale behind that opinion. It seems that the only way to get the semen for artificial insemination is either to masturbate, or collect it in a condom. So, it's not the AI that these "traditionally minded" religions have a problem with, its the means of accomplishing it.
How is it a sin? That's ridiculous.