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Celibacy

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
Inspired by the thread about Jesus not being married and Essenes and whatnot, I wondered why some faiths teach celibacy as a good thing. Paul of Christianity wishes everyone were virgins as he was apparently; certain forms of Buddhism teach that abstaining from sexual relations is good, as well as does Jainism. I can't think of a decent reason to deny oneself this forever. Sure, one can abstain for certain amounts of time, as with food, certain activities, etc., but one would hardly abstain from food, for example, forever. I wonder what makes some people choose celibacy and why certain creeds teach it.

@Amanaki @metis
 
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Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Inspired by the thread about Jesus not being married and Essenes and whatnot, I wondered why some faiths teach celibacy as a good thing. Paul of Christianity wishes everyone were virgins as he was apparently, certain forms of Buddhism teach that abstaining from sexual relations is good, as well as does Jainism. I can't think of a decent reason to deny oneself this forever. Sure, one can abstain for certain amounts of time, as with food, certain activities, etc., but one would hardly abstain from food, for example, forever. I wonder what makes some people choose celibacy and why certain creeds teach it.

@Amanaki @metis
I can not answer for other people, so this is only how I see it :)
Sex is meant as a way of getting children to continue the family into the future, but as of today, I see no need to bring new life into a world that is rapidly declining. And I found that it is easier to focus on the spiritual life when not being active in sexual activity.
As you guys know I do live in a relationship with a female and, she is probably not able to have a child because of her handicap, so she is ok to be in a celibacy relationship.
I will not say we never going to try to have children, So what will happen in future I do not know :) Time will tell. But until then we will live in celibacy. (if we decide to try to have kids in the future I will not be selfish and say, sorry honey no sex on you :oops: )
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
I've been voluntarily celibate for years now, and continue it because I'm immensely happier being celibate than I ever was when I was married. Separating love from sex has been quite useful in my inward psychological examinations, and I have come to realize that stress is a large part of the sexual drive. (Science backs this up: in species that can reproduce both sexually and asexually, asexual reproduction is chosen during times of non-stress, whereas sexual reproduction is chosen during times of stress.)
 

leov

Well-Known Member
Inspired by the thread about Jesus not being married and Essenes and whatnot, I wondered why some faiths teach celibacy as a good thing. Paul of Christianity wishes everyone were virgins as he was apparently, certain forms of Buddhism teach that abstaining from sexual relations is good, as well as does Jainism. I can't think of a decent reason to deny oneself this forever. Sure, one can abstain for certain amounts of time, as with food, certain activities, etc., but one would hardly abstain from food, for example, forever. I wonder what makes some people choose celibacy and why certain creeds teach it.

@Amanaki @metis
Asceticism - Wikipedia
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
In Buddhism, monks and nuns practice celebacy as part of their practice is to become disenchanted by sensual passions.

One line from Buddha from the Water Snake Simile:

For a person to indulge in sensual pleasures without sensual passion, without sensual perception, without sensual thinking: That isn't possible. [4]
 

Guitar's Cry

Disciple of Pan
Inspired by the thread about Jesus not being married and Essenes and whatnot, I wondered why some faiths teach celibacy as a good thing. Paul of Christianity wishes everyone were virgins as he was apparently, certain forms of Buddhism teach that abstaining from sexual relations is good, as well as does Jainism. I can't think of a decent reason to deny oneself this forever. Sure, one can abstain for certain amounts of time, as with food, certain activities, etc., but one would hardly abstain from food, for example, forever. I wonder what makes some people choose celibacy and why certain creeds teach it.

@Amanaki @metis


I think this comes from a separation of "Divinity" and "Nature." There occurs a kind of feeling of disconnect and anything that affects emotions in profound ways or feels animalistic or even destroys some of those boundaries between Self and Not Self (which sex all does) makes one feel unworthy of divinity.
 

Terry Sampson

Well-Known Member
  • Sexual desire is subject to variation (a) in an individual over time, starting sooner or later in unemancipated minors or adults, and (b) in societies. Not every one enjoys "the spice of life" equally or views the purpose and function of sexual interaction the same.
  • If, like Paul, you think the world could end in minutes, days, weeks, or months, intentionally engaging in an act that could yield offspring might seem short-sighted. Engaging in the same act but without the intention of producing offspring is typically NOT time spent in standard prayer (Exclamations such as "O God!" or "Thank you, Jesus!" made during sexual contact are not generally considered in the category of "standard prayer" where I come from.)
  • No sexual activity within a monogamous relationship is a challenge unless both partners are equally disinterested in it at the same time during the same time periods.
    • Both don't want in harmony while in a monogamous relationship? Great!
    • Both want for the same reason in harmony while in a monogamous relationship? Great!
    • Any variation from those two, IMO, has the potential of evoking a headache, rejection, pouting, sulking, and a host of other negative/undesirable consequences.
  • In voluntary celibacy, only one person is affected by the choice. No sexual activity in a monogamous had better be by mutual agreement, or somebody's going to either be miserable or go sampling wares outside of the relationship, or both.
 

Guitar's Cry

Disciple of Pan
I think this comes from a separation of "Divinity" and "Nature." There occurs a kind of feeling of disconnect and anything that affects emotions in profound ways or feels animalistic or even destroys some of those boundaries between Self and Not Self (which sex all does) makes one feel unworthy of divinity.


I should note that this doesn't count for those who are celibate for other reasons than what I mention. For some, there is a kind of spiritual connection that comes with redirecting sexual energy.
 

1213

Well-Known Member
...Paul of Christianity wishes everyone were virgins ...

Paul says that it is good because:

But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you.… …But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife. There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world-how she may please her husband.
1 Cor. 7:28,32-34
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
In Hinduism celibacy is not taught for 99.9% of folks, except for before marriage. As the youth reaches adulthood, usually they learn about the two paths ... that of the renunciate, and that of the householder. For the renunciate monk or nun, celibacy is a must, but for the householder it's seen as a natural outcome of marriage, one of the pleasures of life, (kama) and although it's not to overdone (everythng in moderation) neither is it considered some weird sin.

These days very very few souls choose the renunciate path, but it does still happen, and those who do join the brotherhood of sannyasins.

So it's really clear who it's intended for. Householders (some) do take occasional temporal vows of celibacy like if they undertake a walking pilgrimage. Then it's seen in a similar way as to fasting. But that's temporary. For sannyasins it's lifetime. Sannyasins who break their lifetimes, to quote Rodney Dangerfield, get no respect.
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
New Inspired by the thread about Jesus not being married and Essenes
I would ask Jesus why/if I should be celibate or not
He has the power and widom to give me the right answer
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
Sannyasins who break their lifetimes, to quote Rodney Dangerfield, get no respect.
I am curious. No respect from:
1) God
2) Other Sannyasins who did not break
3) Other Sannyasins who did also break
4) Those who never practised celibacy

I know that with fasting, 1 day a week has lots of benefits for body, mind. Common sense tells me celibacy is similar.

Some are better in fasting than others. Those with wisdom know this and will not say "break lifetime celibacy get no respect" IMO. At least they did their best. Everything has it's own time (I like that one).
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
I am curious. No respect from:
1) God
2) Other Sannyasins who did not break
3) Other Sannyasins who did also break
4) Those who never practised celibacy

I know that with fasting, 1 day a week has lots of benefits for body, mind. Common sense tells me celibacy is similar.

Some are better in fasting than others. Those with wisdom know this and will not say "break lifetime celibacy get no respect" IMO. At least they did their best. Everything has it's own time (I like that one).

It was exaggeration for effect. The sannyasin vow is seen as serious as the marriage vow. So when somebody commits adultery and that leads to divorce, there is LESS respect from others because it was adharma. So it's not that you totally disrespect that person, it's just that you don't hold them to the same esteem you may have at one time.

Still, sometimes these things can be seen as merely correcting a wrong. For some young men, the idea of sannyas seems esoteric, and they sign up for the program without fully thinking it through, or knowing what may lay ahead. True sannyas in strict orders is no small deal. Marriage too, These days some sign up on lust alone, and then when the tough stuff comes along, they can't handle it. I just hope children aren't involved, although it can work out all right too.
 
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lostwanderingsoul

Well-Known Member
God invented the idea of FAMILY. Adam and Eve were told to be fruitful. Sex was for use within the idea of family. Those who decided not to marry and have a family should not use sex for pleasure or other purposes. Get married and have all the sex you want.
 

icehorse

......unaffiliated...... anti-dogmatist
Premium Member
I think there is some modern wellness science that indicates that celibacy isn't the healthiest way to go - if you consider only the physical and don't factor in the emotional.
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
God invented the idea of FAMILY. Adam and Eve were told to be fruitful. Sex was for use within the idea of family. Those who decided not to marry and have a family should not use sex for pleasure or other purposes. Get married and have all the sex you want.
I get the feeling you belong to the married group

If so, then better not judge what others should or should not do IMO (also according to quite a few Bible verses).
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
I think there is some modern wellness science that indicates that celibacy isn't the healthiest way to go - if you consider only the physical and don't factor in the emotional.
And there is some science that celibacy is healthier way to go for some (also physical, if you can handle it emotionally; as they are connected)

Seems all can pick the choice that's best for them (backed up by science and or Scripture)
 

icehorse

......unaffiliated...... anti-dogmatist
Premium Member
And there is some science that celibacy is healthier way to go for some (also physical, if you can handle it emotionally; as they are connected)

Seems all can pick the choice that's best for them (backed up by science and or Scripture)

So maybe it gets down to defining "celibacy" more precisely?
 
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