Celibacy and why?

brinny said:

Thus my own curiosity.

Thus my question.

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The poster answered, they are curious as to why.

brinny said:

That's what came to mind in reading this thread:

If it's a "problem" or a "concern" that some define themselves as "celibate"?

Yes, that question came to mind.

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Why would it be a problem if some folks define themselves as being celibate? I see nothing in this thread stating it is evil, or a problem, for certain people to be celibate.

I see a lot of Christians making this decision, but then tying it to Christianity somehow. I don't get it, as I don't see anywhere in the bible where celibacy is called for. In fact, God says from the beginning that it's not good to be alone, the marriage bed is pure, and that marriage is a good thing.

I think, over the years and centuries, certain churches have made celibacy into this pure and holy thing, while sex (or even desiring or thinking about sex) is dirty and sinful. I just don't see it in a biblical context.

Saucy said:

I see a lot of Christians making this decision, but then tying it to Christianity somehow. I don't get it, as I don't see anywhere in the bible where celibacy is called for. In fact, God says from the beginning that it's not good to be alone, the marriage bed is pure, and that marriage is a good thing.

I think, over the years and centuries, certain churches have made celibacy into this pure and holy thing, while sex (or even desiring or thinking about sex) is dirty and sinful. I just don't see it in a biblical context.

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Doesn't that depend on whether someone is married or not?

I'm completely lost on this thread. Sorry if I contributed to any kind of confusion.

Fr James Martin, in his book The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything has a chapter on celibacy. He basically argues that celibacy frees one to have platonic love relationships with more people, makes them free to move where they can do the most good, provides some security to others that they can open up without fearing sexual tension, and allows the celibate person to have a deeper love for God.

Solomons Porch said:

Definition of celibacy

1. 1: the state of not being married
   
   
2. 2a : abstention from sexual intercourse
   
   
3. b : abstention by vow from marriage

This is Websters definition of celibacy. I have noticed a lot lately that persons profile status is one of celibacy. So I have a few questions:

1. What brought you to the point of celibacy?
2. Is it a religious reason or due to life situations or personal convictions?
3. When you choose celibacy is it for life or is it temporary?
4. How do you handle the intimate issues that you feel when they arise if any?
5. IF married, does your partner do the same OR is celibacy NOT included in a marriage? Was there an agreement made?
6. Is celibacy in the bible and if so could you share the scriptures?
7. What has being celibate done for you in a positive way or negative way?
8. If you believe being celibate is not Godly or scriptural pertaining to marriage can you share scripture and why?


Mods if I posted in the wrong forum please feel free to move to proper location thank you and God bless

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1-4: I chose celibacy because I believe that it preserves one's self spiritually, and physically. This goes for masturbation also: staying away from it. I don't mean to be crude or rude; I am just giving the full perspective. For me, it will be a life long choice until I find the person that is actually the other half of my "soul." If I dont, I am fine with it: sex isn't that big of a deal to me. In fact, I realized that I am physically attracted to someone only if I love them. (Of course, if an attractive person is around I won't lie and say that I wouldnt be physically responsive to that, but I have realized the fundamentals of such an attraction, and ultimately work to change that thinking.)

It is both spiritual and a lifestyle choice for me. If I want to, I can go pure asexual. That is sort of where I am now. Besides, when I was of age to have sex, there were new silver bullet and drug resistant STDs out there, and every other few years there is a new STI to get, or another one that has become silver bullet resistant. That helped a lot with any "obsession," or longing for sex.

6-7: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35


Celibacy, not singleness, is an alleged gift, according to Paul. Less distractions. If I am being honest, being celibate does exactly what the above verses said they would do. I was able to focus on my work and make serious connections between mathematics and God, His word, and generally what He wants for me.

I am more celibate now, because of choice. When I was foolish, I thought it was a forced situation of Providence - until I saw (and studied) how sex in this generation could harm much more than its feeling.

Also, the "[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]," as it were, is a phenomenon with serious spiritual and physical implications. In the time I was agnostic, I had the luxury of studying the affects of "the [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]" on the human brain, physiology, and outward relationships (regulation of the evolution into an addiction.) Of course, we understand that the O can be addictive, and usually is. It also depletes the body of resources. Men lose 1/3 of their zinc daily value in [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] (it goes down scaled exponentially.) Once you get the "O 'hit'," you can become a fiend. I am not a fan of things controlling my mind, so that was another huge factor in my decision.

EpiscipalMe said:

Fr James Martin, in his book The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything has a chapter on celibacy. He basically argues that celibacy frees one to have platonic love relationships with more people, makes them free to move where they can do the most good, provides some security to others that they can open up without fearing sexual tension, and allows the celibate person to have a deeper love for God.

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Interesting.

hengesthorsa said:

I'm completely lost on this thread. Sorry if I contributed to any kind of confusion.

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You have not contributed to confusion.

For me it was just hard to get any action so I was like ya know what I'm going to be celibate and here I am. Happier than ever

EpiscipalMe said:

Fr James Martin, in his book The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything has a chapter on celibacy. He basically argues that celibacy frees one to have platonic love relationships with more people, makes them free to move where they can do the most good, provides some security to others that they can open up without fearing sexual tension, and allows the celibate person to have a deeper love for God.

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Cool. If that works for someone, go for it.

Ygrene Imref said:

1-4: I chose celibacy because I believe that it preserves one's self spiritually, and physically. This goes for masturbation also: staying away from it. I don't mean to be crude or rude; I am just giving the full perspective. For me, it will be a life long choice until I find the person that is actually the other half of my "soul." If I dont, I am fine with it: sex isn't that big of a deal to me. In fact, I realized that I am physically attracted to someone only if I love them. (Of course, if an attractive person is around I won't lie and say that I wouldnt be physically responsive to that, but I have realized the fundamentals of such an attraction, and ultimately work to change that thinking.)

It is both spiritual and a lifestyle choice for me. If I want to, I can go pure asexual. That is sort of where I am now. Besides, when I was of age to have sex, there were new silver bullet and drug resistant STDs out there, and every other few years there is a new STI to get, or another one that has become silver bullet resistant. That helped a lot with any "obsession," or longing for sex.

6-7: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.​

Celibacy, not singleness, is an alleged gift, according to Paul. Less distractions. If I am being honest, being celibate does exactly what the above verses said they would do. I was able to focus on my work and make serious connections between mathematics and God, His word, and generally what He wants for me.

I am more celibate now, because of choice. When I was foolish, I thought it was a forced situation of Providence - until I saw (and studied) how sex in this generation could harm much more than its feeling.

Also, the "[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]," as it were, is a phenomenon with serious spiritual and physical implications. In the time I was agnostic, I had the luxury of studying the affects of "the [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]" on the human brain, physiology, and outward relationships (regulation of the evolution into an addiction.) Of course, we understand that the O can be addictive, and usually is. It also depletes the body of resources. Men lose 1/3 of their zinc daily value in [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] (it goes down scaled exponentially.) Once you get the "O 'hit'," you can become a fiend. I am not a fan of things controlling my mind, so that was another huge factor in my decision.

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I agree that it is a "gift".

Thank you for your very informative post.

ImAllLikeOkWaitWhat said:

For me it was just hard to get any action so I was like ya know what I'm going to be celibate and here I am. Happier than ever

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LOL! You don't thinks that "celibacy" is a "dirty" word?

brinny said:

LOL! You don't thinks that "celibacy" is a "dirty" word?

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Why would it be?

brinny said:

LOL! You don't thinks that "celibacy" is a "dirty" word?

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Dirty is as dirty does

bhsmte said:

Why would it be?

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LOL! I'm soooo confused.....i thought i asked the other member

.

ImAllLikeOkWaitWhat said:

Dirty is as dirty does

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LOL! What in da world does that mean?

Some seem to think that the word "celibacy" is offensive.