Is it ok to have ejaculated without masturbation?

An honest question–and one that many men are embarrassed to ask, since it is a sensitive subject. Let’s recall that any time we are speaking about our sexuality, we are speaking about something holy. Reverence when speaking about our sexuality is key and will help us to grow in chastity!

To your question, the answer depends on the situation. If you are referring to a situation, for instance, where you have a sexual dream and this leads to a nocturnal emission (ejaculting in one’s sleep), that is not a mortal sin. One condition for serious sin is full consent (meaning that the person made a conscious, willing decision); since a dream is beyond your control and you do not have full control of your bodily functions, a nocturnal emission is not a sin. Many men are relieved to know this; again, it is a sensitive and rather embarrassing topic, and not one that is spoken about often.

If, on the other hand, you are referring to situations where you are doing something that sexually arouses you (like being physically intimate with a woman or looking at something inappropriate), and that leads to ejaculation, then the situation is more complex. As much as the situation was beyond your control, then there is no sin–for instance, if you were put into a situation where you did not want to be sexually aroused, or if your body responded in a manner beyond your control. However, if you were intentionally doing something which you knew would sexually arouse you, even if no masturbation was involved, then you are not really guarding your chastity, and that would be a sin. Like I mentioned in the beginning, our sexuality is something holy and something that we should treat with reverence and dignity! We are called to guard our chastity. However, we are not accountable for things which are beyond our control, because sin requires a choice, just as virtue requires a choice.