Gourt > Society > Sexuality > Celibacy
Celibacy refers either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. A vow of celibacy is a promise not to enter into marriage or engage in sexual intercourse. Some writers use it interchangeably as a synonym for abstinence or chastity, while other writers on sexuality draw a distinction between abstinence and celibacy, stating that celibacy means refraining from any sexual activity with a partner. They argue that this can be empowering, as it still allows that person to be "sexual" (through, for example, masturbation). This would not, however, be referred to as chaste celibacy, as masturbation is not considered a chaste act.
The term involuntary celibacy refers to lack of sexual intercourse for reasons other than (voluntary) abstinence, e.g. shyness/love-shyness.
Clerical celibacy
Clerical celibacy is a requirement for priests, a church law which is maintained by the Western Catholic Church and also by the monastic orders of Hindu and Buddhist traditions in the East. In the Orthodox Church ordinary parish priests are expected to be married men with families before ordination, and they need their family's approval to become a priest. Clerical celibacy was an important point of disagreement during the Reformation. Reformers argued that requiring a vow of celibacy from a priest was contrary to biblical teaching (see 1 Tim 4:1-5, Heb 13:4 and 1 Cor 9:5), a degradation of marriage and a reason for the widespread sexual misconduct within the clergy at the time of the Reformation (e.g., discussed by Calvin in his Institutes of the Christian Religion IV,12,23-28 *). The Church did not change its position claiming to be based on . The arguments against the Reformer's interpretations were some of the following: the Church never condemned or forbade marriage but has only required celibacy of those who would enter the priesthood so they could devote themselves completely to the care of Christ's Flock (see Mathew 19:12) or who have otherwise taken vows to do so of their own free will (in response to 1 Tim 4:1-5); the Church has never dishonored marriage but has elevated its honor from its Old Testament and secular status while acknowledging Christ's elevation of celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven to an even more honorable status (in response to Heb 13:4); and the Church has not required celibacy of all ecclesiastics at all times in history (it was not required of the majority of ecclesiastics in the early Church, and in modern times certain converts are permitted to be married when receiving Holy Orders), although Christ's counsel is normally followed (in response to 1 Cor. 9:5, which lists certain ecclesiastics who had the right at the time, but apparently chose not to exercise this right for the sake of the Gospel). The Church also found that the clerics who engaged in sexual misconduct were not sincere, unreserved followers of Christ, but those who had either become ecclesiastics with the wrong intentions or had lost their fidelity to Christ. More on [ Celibacy ]
Abstinence Only :: Sex Education
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Antisexual Stronghold - This site is devoted to the antisexual way of life.
Asexuality Visibility and Education Network - A site dedicated to building a community around those who do not experience sexual attraction. Includes a definition of asexuality, tools for educating around asexuality, and an online forum.
Meta Description: [ Mambo - the dynamic portal engine and content management system ]
Celibacy - The real issue of celibacy is respecting a person's choice. However, that choice should be based on a factual understanding of the options.
Celibacy and Catholic Teaching - Father Mateo - Catholic Information Network (CIN.
Meta Description: [ Catholic Information Network (CIN) ]
Celibacy and Virginity - Intends to prove that virginity is a realistic lifestyle choice, and to show what effect it will have on one's relationship with God.
Meta Description: [ Following the path of Ambrosian and virginity will lead you to ... ]
Celibacy Is the Issue - A paper by Roman Catholic scholar Thomas Lederer on celibacy and the priesthood.
Christian Celibacy - A centre for the discussion of celibacy as a freely accepted Christian vocation.
Meta Description: [ A centre for the discussion of celibacy as a freely accepted Christian vocation ]
Election, Education, and Celibacy of the Clergy - An article on the topic of bishops voting on celibacy in the clergy as it applies to the Christian Church.
Meta Description: [ The introduction of bishops voting, and celibacy in the clergy. ]
Epigee Birth Control Guide - Abstinence - A discussion about abstinence as birth control. Includes a conscientious guide to contraception and sexuality.
Meta Description: [ What it means to practice abstinence, why some people may choose to abstain and issues individuals deal with when they choose to abstain. ]
Involuntary Celibacy - Resources and support for people who are shy about dating, have never had a boyfriend/girlfriend, or celibate within a marriage.
Meta Description: [ Resources and support for people who are shy about dating, have never had a boyfriend/girlfriend, or are celibate within a marriage ]
Involuntary Celibacy - Resources and support for people who are shy about dating, have never had a boyfriend/girlfriend, or are celibate within a marriage.
Meta Description: [ Resources and support for people who are shy about dating, have never had a boyfriend/girlfriend, or are celibate within a marriage ]
It's Great To Wait - Information on sexual abstinence for parents and teens from the Florida Department of Health.
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The Celibate FAQ - A mostly light-hearted guide to issues connected to sexual abstinence.
Meta Description: [ A mostly light-hearted guide to issues connected to sexual abstinence, maintained by Martin Poulter and posted regularly to alt.politics.sex, alt.answers and news.answers ]
The Virgin Club - Created by 5 high school seniors who decided to save sex for marriage. Includes pages for guys, secondary virginity, FAQs, and STD's.
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