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
Celibacy is unnatural because it goes against divine laws established by god
Aquinas NML-primary precept-reproduction “be fruitful and multiply”
More image bearers and god honoring communities
If 1 was to remain celibate and abstain from sex andmarriage, it would be an act against god as they can’t fulfil his command ad evangelise “go make disciples of all nations”.
From a biblical perspective, marriage is seen as the doorway for sex and if 1 remains celibate they r denied both sources to procreate.
However for celibacy going against gods divine laws
Jesus who was fully god lived a celibate life akin to a ‘eunuch’ for the sake of kingdom of heaven’
All Christian’s should follow his ways
However, if god demanded for humans to reproduce but he himself didn’t why should Christian’s epitomise his way. Certainly these 2 examples contradict each other, celibacy is unnatural as even god confuses himself
Celibacy is unnatural because it denies priests the chance to be married
Paul and catechism=singleness is a ‘grace gift’ that allows individuals to focus more fully on serving god, free from marital distractions and responsibilities.
Preiestsshould not marry and engage in sex as it deters them from their sole purpose- to serve and glorify the lord
However this is unnaturalas humans r naturally geared towards forming intimate relationshipsand families as part of their biological and social nature.
Celibacy by renouncing sexual and marital relationshipscan be seen as rejecting these natural inclinations hindering the fulfilment of human potential in these areas
Strong= s Paul suggests that religious leaders should start familiesas it nit onlygives them self control, but also 1 ant run a church without starting a family
Strengthened by empirical evidence of more priests leaving the clergy in order to start families= celibacy unnatural
The practice of celibacy is unnatural in the eyes of God’ (15)
1) goes against divine laws established by god
For
Aquinas NML, primary precept ‘be fruitful and multiply’
Create more image bearers and god honoring communities
However, If 1 was to remain a celibate and abstain from sex and marriage, it would be undermine gods divine laws to procreate and evangelise; go make disciples of all nations’.
From a biblical perspective, marriage is seen as the doorway for sex and if 1 lives a celibate life, they are denied both sources to procreate.
The practice of celibacy is unnatural in the eyes of God’ (15)
1) goes against divine laws established by god
Agaisnt
Whilst this argument can be weakened as Jesus who was fully god, lived a celibate life abstain from sex and marriage emulating a life akin to a ‘eunuch’ for the sake of entering the kingdom of heaven (Matthew) Therefore, its not unnatural as god was celibate and therefore all Christian’s should replicate His ways .
Howver, if god demanded for humans to be fruitful and multiple but he himself didn’t why should humans epitome his ways?
Certainly these 2 examples contradict each other, god confuses himself
‘The practice of celibacy is unnatural in the eyes of God’ (15)
2) denies priests the chance to get married even though marriage is presented as a natural and important part of human life
Genesis 2:18= ‘it is not good for the man to be alone’
God creates humans for relationships rather than isolation-indicating that companionship is part of gods plan
Unnatural=humans r naturally geared towards forming intimate relationships and families as part of their biological social nature.
Celibacy, by renouncing sexual and marital relationships can be seen as rejecting these natural inclinations, hindering the fulfilment of human potential in these areas.
Although -Paul and catechism of CC, preached that singleness is a ‘grace gift’ that allows individuals to focus more fully on serving god, free from the distractions of marital responsilites.
Suggests that priests should not marry and engage in sexual activity as it deters them from serving the lord- manifested thru monasteries where nuns/monks live a chaste life
Strengthens by empirical evidence that suggest that more priests r leaving the clergy to get married
