Elective sterilization

[KingsGambit]

This is a split from a shoutbox conversation on whether elective sterilization is inherently morally wrong. The example I was thinking of is not somebody looking to do so for birth control (as I don't want this to go into a debate about that), but somebody who has improper sexual urges such as being a pedophile and wants to reduce their temptation as much as possible. Would this be wrong? I couldn't help but think of Jesus's statement about cutting one's hand off to prevent sin, which while hyperbolical, still seems possible to apply here.

[Thersites]

I'll repeat my question, then:

To what examples in Church history can you point with respect to someone taking this hyperbolic advice literally? It doesn't have to be about sterilization, specifically- just self-mutilation in order to avoid temptation.

According to the gossip of the day (which may in fact have been baseless slander, but is nonetheless one of the reasons he is not generally known as a saint), the early Christian theologian Origen castrated himself.
Even if this story were true, there are still innumerable examples of Christians living chastely without engaging in this form of self-mutilation.

[Carrikature]

This is a split from a shoutbox conversation on whether elective sterilization is inherently morally wrong. The example I was thinking of is not somebody looking to do so for birth control (as I don't want this to go into a debate about that), but somebody who has improper sexual urges such as being a pedophile and wants to reduce their temptation as much as possible. Would this be wrong? I couldn't help but think of Jesus's statement about cutting one's hand off to prevent sin, which while hyperbolical, still seems possible to apply here.

How is this going to help? If you could establish that elective sterilization would effect the desired change, you might have a starting point. As it is, this seems to be a stretch.

I'll repeat my question, then:

To what examples in Church history can you point with respect to someone taking this hyperbolic advice literally? It doesn't have to be about sterilization, specifically- just self-mutilation in order to avoid temptation.

According to the gossip of the day (which may in fact have been baseless slander, but is nonetheless one of the reasons he is not generally known as a saint), the early Christian theologian Origen castrated himself.
Even if this story were true, there are still innumerable examples of Christians living chastely without engaging in this form of self-mutilation.

Indeed. If we're going to take it literally, at least pluck out your eye...

[KingsGambit]

I'll repeat my question, then:

To what examples in Church history can you point with respect to someone taking this hyperbolic advice literally? It doesn't have to be about sterilization, specifically- just self-mutilation in order to avoid temptation.

According to the gossip of the day (which may in fact have been baseless slander, but is nonetheless one of the reasons he is not generally known as a saint), the early Christian theologian Origen castrated himself.
Even if this story were true, there are still innumerable examples of Christians living chastely without engaging in this form of self-mutilation.

Origen was the example I was going to bring up, but admittedly as the only example I know of. However, I still maintain that this doesn't necessarily matter - Jesus's advice on ethics is applicable regardless of how others have interpreted it. It would seem strange if an example he provided, even as a hyperbole or a metaphor, would be expressly immoral to follow, especially in the absence of clear biblical teaching otherwise.

[KingsGambit]

How is this going to help? If you could establish that elective sterilization would effect the desired change, you might have a starting point. As it is, this seems to be a stretch.

Though castration and sterilization are admittedly not quite the same thing, one study did show that castrated sex offenders had a 2.3% recidivism rate as opposed to 80% in offenders who were not castrated. http://www.brainphysics.com/research...radford99.html

[yxboom]

This is a split from a shoutbox conversation on whether elective sterilization is inherently morally wrong. The example I was thinking of is not somebody looking to do so for birth control (as I don't want this to go into a debate about that), but somebody who has improper sexual urges such as being a pedophile and wants to reduce their temptation as much as possible. Would this be wrong? I couldn't help but think of Jesus's statement about cutting one's hand off to prevent sin, which while hyperbolical, still seems possible to apply here.

I sympathize with someone in such a difficult position, but sterilization seems to me to be a bandaid solution to a deep wound. Granted dismembering oneself would be a vast improvement (especially in such a situation as pedophilia) over allowing their desires to overwhelm them and facing the consequences that would result if acted upon. However, in my opinion, medicating a person's inner demons is not going to build the character that God wants to restore in us, but I am also assuming this person is even concerned with what God desires for them. I am sure there are times when such a procedure would be deemed necessary but if it is being elected then I would suggest the model that the apostles and subsequently the early church set, by surrounding themselves with accountability partners and getting counseling while prayerfully considering Jesus' and Peter's words.

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

1 Peter 2:21

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

I wasn't intending this to come off like a Dear Abby response but it seems to have taken a life all its own.

[Hamster]

If a person thought that was the ONLY way they could avoid doing something bad, then I don't see a problem with it from a moral point of view... It's hard to "flee temptation" when it's connected to your nervous system. And being a good person / serving God is more important than being a physically whole person. Only problem is something like that is not reversible and could create a whole new system of temptations, vices, and emotional problems.