>>764848
What you heard about Aquinas is a common falsehood. He never said masturbation is worse than rape, he said that there are different categories of sin, and within a category one lesser sin may be greater than another sin. Here’s his words
>In each kind of thing the worst corruption is the corruption of the principle on which other things depend. Now the principles of reason are the things in accord in nature… and therefore, to act against what is determined by nature, is most serious and base. Therefore since in the sins against nature man transgress what is determined by nature in regard to sex, the sin in this matter is the gravest kind of sin. After this is incest… while by the other species of lust one transgresses only that which is determined according to right reason, but presupposing the natural principles. But it is more contrary to reason to have sex not only contrary to the good of the offspring to be born, but also with injury to another. And therefore simple fornication, which is committed without injury to another person, is the least kind of lust.
Effectively, within the category of sexual sins, simple fornication without meaning to procreate is the “best” or “least sinful” type. He never outright mentions rape or homosexuality, but people extrapolate from his words to determine that basically, forced sex with a lady is better than consensual sex with a man or masturbating alone. All he says is
>within sexual sins, “sins against the nature of the act” (possibly homosexuality and masturbation) are the worst kinds
>incest is the next worst
>simple fornication is sinful, but also the least sinful compared to the others
Right? Now here’s the problem with the mainstream interpretation
>1: rape is not a mere sexual sin
Rape is a sexual sin, that much is so. However, it’s also a violent sin and a sin against charity. It’s not just sex
>2: sins fall in multiple categories
Aquinas is talking of single categories of sin and how they compare to one another with that category. Basically, rape might possibly be a lesser sin within the category of sexual sins, but it is possibly one of the worst within the category of violent sins (masturbation wouldn’t even make that list). Let me put it another way using an analogy: ice cream is a great dessert but a poor dinner. Steak is a great dinner but a poor dessert. Within the category of “desserts,” ice cream is the better food, but that doesn’t mean we should constantly eat ice cream and eschew other (healthier) foods, as that would be disregarding the categories these foods fall in. In the same way, we can’t look at sin-rankings by categories and then disregard these categories altogether. You’re looking at the category “sexual sins,” but not looking at the category of “violent sins” or “sins against charity,” as those categories would contradict your views
>3: atheists are liars
Christianity is the truth, therefore atheists are liars. That doesn’t mean they are always in a constant state of lying about everything, but it does mean they have to lie about religion in order to appear to have the moral high-ground. This idea that Saint Thomas Aquinas (and/or the Christian faith) believes rape worse than masturbation comes from atheists seeking to discredit Christianity. Always look into what they say about religion, you’ll find the lie eventually