Celibacy

Celibacy is defined as the lifestyle of someone who is, and is striving to abstain from all sexual activities (also known as "abstinence"), possibly remaining unmarried all his/her life. It is often incorrectly used to refer to a mixed, an involuntary, or even temporary abstinence from sexual relations – the word "celibacy", when it appears by itself, is properly defined as being a freely chosen state of practicing sexual abstinence, usually in the context of an unmarried state.

Etymology

The English word celibacy derives from the Latin [caelebs] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help), meaning "unmarried". This word derives from two Proto-Indo-European stems, *kaiwelo- "alone" and *lib(h)s- "living".

Some motivations

• Religious beliefs – Clerical celibacy, sannyasa.
• To focus energies on other matters, like one's career or social issues, sublimation.
• To cultivate a relationship according to an ideal of chastity.
• A distaste or lack of appetite for sex – asexuality or antisexualism.
• An inability to form a sexual relationship – involuntary celibacy.
• Perceived benefit of alteration of physiological factors, hormonal changes.
• As an attempt to gain a sense of self and independence from others.
• Poor health: medical celibacy.
• Avoiding risk of venereal disease.
• Avoiding being emotionally hurt.
• As a means of birth control.
• Avoiding prosecution for homosexual relations under sodomy laws.
• Punishment
• Erectile dysfunction
• Avoiding marriage

The term involuntary celibacy has recently appeared to describe a chronic, unwilling state of celibacy.

Vedic thought and practice

Celibacy termed as Brahmacharya in Vedic scripture is the fourth of the yamas and the word literally translated means "dedicated to the Divinity of Life". The word is often used in yogic practice to refer to celibacy or denying pleasure, but this is only a small part of what Brahmacharya represents. The purpose of practicing Brahmacharya is to keep you focused on your purpose in life, the things that instill a feeling of peace and contentment. In Hinduism, celibacy is usually associated with the sadhus ("holy men"), ascetics who withdraw from worldly ties.[2]

In Buddhism

The rule of celibacy in the Buddhist religion, whether Mahayana or Theravada has a long history, celibacy was advocated as an ideal rule of life for all monks and nuns by Gautama Buddha, however in Japan it is not strictly followed due to historical political developments in Japan. Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha, is very well known for his renunciation of his wife, Princess Yasodharā, and child, Rahula. In order to pursue an ascetic life, he needed to renounce aspects of the impermanent world, including his wife and child.

Christianity

Celibacy is viewed differently by the Catholic Church and the various Protestant communities. It includes clerical celibacy, voluntary lay celibacy, and celibacy outside of marriage.

In Matthew 19, Jesus taught his apostles about celibacy: "12 Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made eunuchs by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven." The Apostle Paul endorsed celibate life, writing in his letter to the Corinthian Church, 1 Corinthians 7 "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. This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction." (verses 32–35)

The Church of Rome did not require celibacy of the clergy until 1079 AD, under the guidance of Pope Gregory VII, later codified by councils of 1123 and 1139.

Celibacy as a vocation may be independent from religious vows. Traditionally though, most celibate persons have been religious and monastics (brothers/monks and sisters/nuns). In all - Catholic, Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox - traditions, bishops are required to be celibate. In the Eastern Christian traditions, priests and deacons are allowed to be married, yet have to remain celibate if they are unmarried at the time of ordination.

The Protestant Reformation initially rejected celibate life as a whole and even sexual continence for priests, though especially from the 19th century on, Protestant celibate communities have emerged, especially from Anglican and Lutheran backgrounds.

A few minor Christian sects even advocated celibacy as a better way of life for everyone. These groups included the following: the Shakers, the Harmony Society, and the Ephrata Cloister.

Celibacy not only for religious and monastics (brothers/monks and sisters/nuns) but also for bishops is upheld by the Roman Catholic Church traditions. In late 16th-century Venice, nearly 60% of all patrician women joined convents, and only a minority of these women did so voluntarily.

Catholic perspective

In the Roman Catholic Church the apostles were considered the first priests and bishops in the Church and the call to be eunuchs in Matthew 19 referred to above is considered to be a call to be sexually continent. This developed into mandatory celibacy for priests who are believed to be the successors of the apostles.

The view of the Roman Catholic Church remains that celibacy is more a reflection of life in Heaven, a source of detachment from the material world, which aids in one's relationship with God. Celibacy is designed to "consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord, they give themselves entirely to God and to men. It is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God." Catholic priests are called to be espoused to the Church itself, and espoused to God, without overwhelming, exclusive commitments interfering with the relationship. Catholics understand celibacy as the calling of some, but not of all. Celibacy was generally required of the bishop in the early church. A married man could be made bishop, but after his ordination, he was generally required to live apart from his wife. Celibacy was also practiced by many presbyters, especially in the West, but was not universally required. It became obligatory for all priests in the west in the 12th century at the First Lateran Council (1123), Second Lateran Council (1139), and the Council of Trent (1545–64).

Usually, only celibate men are ordained as priests in the Latin Rite. Married men may become deacons, and married clergy who have converted from other denominations may become Catholic priests without becoming celibate. Mandatory priestly celibacy is not a doctrine of the Church but a church rule or discipline. As such, it can change at any time. The Eastern Catholic Churches ordain both celibate and married men. All rites of the Catholic Church maintain the ancient tradition where marriage is not allowed after ordination. However many priests who resign end up marrying,and in remote areas or "missions" practising Catholic priests sometimes have de facto wives.In Ireland several priests have maintained "secret' families, the two most prominent being Bishop Eamonn Casey and Father Michael Cleary.

The Catholic view on celibacy is based on the Christ's example, on his teaching as given in Matthew 19:11–12 and on the writings of Paul, who wrote of the advantages celibacy allowed a man in serving the Lord, Celibacy was "held in high esteem" from the Church's beginnings. It is considered a kind of spiritual marriage with Christ, a concept further popularized by the early Christian theologian Origen. Clerical celibacy began to be demanded in the 4th century, including papal decretals beginning with Pope Siricius. Mandatory celibacy was typically expected of priests in the 11th century, as part of efforts to reform the medieval church, and became universal in the 12th.

Another possible explanation for the origins of obligatory celibacy revolves around more practical reason, "the need to avoid claims on church property by priests' offspring". It remains a matter of Canon Law (and oftentimes a criterion for certain religious orders, especially Franciscans) that priests do not own land and therefore cannot pass it on to legitimate or illegitimate children. The land belongs to the Church through the local diocese as administered by the Local Ordinary, or Bishop.

Universal celibacy

This characterization by Jesus Christ (in Matthew 22:30) of the future status of all persons (in heaven) is officially designated "universal celibacy" by the Roman Catholic Church : "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven."

Islamic perspective

Islam does not promote celibacy; rather it dismisses sex before marriage. In fact, according to Islam, the purpose of marriage enables one to attain the highest form of righteousness within this sacred spiritual bond. It disagrees with the concept that marriage acts as a form of distraction in attaining nearness to God. The Qur'an (57:27) states, "They devised monasticism as a means of seeking Allah’s pleasure. We did not prescribe it for them."

There have been people who have come to the prophet and explained how they love to be engaged in prayer and fasting for the sake of God. However, the Prophet Mohammed told them that despite this being good it is also a blessing to raise a family, to remain moderate and not to concentrate too much on one aspect as not only can this be unhealthy upon an individual as well as upon society, it may also take one away from God.

The fact that there is no compulsion in Islam for one to live this way simply questions the practicality of employing this on a large scale. Through good deeds one can attain as high a righteousness as that of one who is celibate.

Abstinence and celibacy

The words abstinence and celibacy are often used interchangeably, but are different. Abstinence is the absence of intercourse (even for an individual who is married), but celibacy is the avoidance of all forms of sexual activity (including, but not limited to, the state of marriage itself).

In her book The New Celibacy, Gabrielle Brown states that "abstinence is a response on the outside to what's going on, and celibacy is a response from the inside." According to this definition, celibacy (even short-term celibacy that is pursued for non-religious reasons) is much more than not having sex. It is more intentional than abstinence, and its goal is personal growth and empowerment. This perspective on celibacy is echoed by several authors including Elizabeth Abbott, Wendy Keller, and Wendy Shalit.

Many evangelicals prefer the term "abstinence" to "celibacy." Assuming everyone will marry, they focus their discussion on refraining from premarital sex and focusing on the joys of a future marriage. But some evangelicals, particularly older singles, desire a positive message of celibacy that moves beyond the "wait until marriage" message of abstinence campaigns. They seek a new understanding of celibacy that is focused on God rather than a future marriage or a life-long vow to the Catholic Church.

See also

• Antisexualism
• Brahmacharya
• Clerical celibacy
• God: Sole Satisfier
• Marriage
• Sexual abstinence
• Virgin
• Involuntary celibacy

External links

• The Biblical foundation of priestly celibacy
• The Reformation view of Celibacy
• HBO documentary film "Celibacy"