Celibacy Flashcards
(7 cards)
Celibacy definition
Abstaining from sex and marriage
1 Corinthians: “but if they do not have self-control, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn w passion”
He is making a concession to human nature; since sex outside marriage is a sin, those who cannot control sexual desires should marry. It is better to control sexual urges than to live a celibate life
Jesus taught: “there r those who choose to live like eunuchs ( some1 that has been castrated) for the sake of the kingdom of heaven”
Celibacy was seen as a deliberate religious choice, which provides a 1 way ticket to eternal glory
Why is celibacy good for women from the 4th century
There was an increasingly negative view on women, celibacy grew in importance for women, because it provided them with an intellectual environment and one that isn’t constraint by male dominance
How does celibacy restrict priests and bishops
In Orthodox Church, priests may be married when they r ordained but they cannot marry after their ordination.
Bishops may not be married, so bishops r selected from those priests who remain celibate.
Jesus and Paul teaches that singleness is a “grace gift” that allows individuals to fully focus on god, free from distractions of marital responsibilities
Criticise= there is a severe shortage of people offering themselves for ordination, and many priests leave ministry to get married
Why is celibacy unnatural in relation to natural moral law
1) primary purpose of human sexuality is reproduction. Since celibacy involves abstaining from sexual activity, some natural law theorist that it contradicts the natural end (telos) of sex, which is to bring new life into the world. It suppresses this natural desire
2) importance of marriage and family life for flourishing, humans are naturally geared to form intimate relationships and have families. Celibacy renounces sexual and marital relationships, hindering the fulfilment of human potential in these areas
Criticism of celibacy involves relations to Jesus
Jesus who was fully god lived a celibate life, abstain from sex and marriage and prioritisng a life akin to a ‘eunuch’ for the sake of kingdom of heaven’ . If god demanded human to ‘be fruitful and multiply’ in order to ‘make disciples of all nations’, but he himself didn’t do these things, then why should Christian’s epitomise his ways. Certainly these 2 examples contradict each other, as even god himself confuses himself, causing chaos and unnatural
