It goes against all the natural inclination of the human race, which was created in the image of God...
Sex is normal in a coveted relationship...
Oh' please spare me the RCC theological reasoning...
I already know it and think it's legalism at best, possible evil at worst...
“It goes against all the natural inclination of the human race, which was created in the image of God...”
MAN is made in the Image of God. His fallen state is the condition the Image operates in and is the thing we are meant to rise above. Celibacy is The Spirit rising above and dominating animal impulses.
Then again, not copulating with every attractive female that crosses his line of sight goes against the natural inclinations of man. Not wreaking vengeance, eating oneself sick and stealing shiny objects also goes against the tendencies of mankind. Obviously marital acts within a marriage are not sinful, unlike the above-mentioned activities, but Jesus was of course celibate Himself, which certainly counts for something.
Yes it is, and the religious do fall as the humans they are. However, this story primarily deals homosexual sex which is NOT normal.
Confession and contrition are the answers to the problem.
I'm sure there will be much discussion about the this unusual story, yet the story is not unusual. There is an example of this behavior in Revelations.
In the 1st part of Revelations (chapters 2 &3) John writes to the 7 churches of Asia and singles them out first with praise and then some constructive criticisms about how they could do better. To the church at Thyatira he was particularly harsh.
Apparently there was a woman among them who claimed the title of prophet and maybe even had a position of some authority (an assumption on my part) who was essentially teaching a new meaning to the commandment of “love your neighbor”. I have read commentary that suggest she was teaching that the way to heaven could be found in her bed.
John's curse to her and all who followed her ( and refused to repent)was dark indeed.
Notice how this woman for all her evil was given multiple chances to repent and be reconciled. I'm sure the Nun in this story also was allowed to be reconciled to the church, though that would not sell as many books.
It also goes against the command to be fruitful and multiply, that they use to excuse overpopulation.
“The RCC teaching on celibacy is one I can never understand...”
It prevents dynastic priest families. It is the reason Catholicism and Aristocracy were able to coexist.
[ The RCC teaching on celibacy is one I can never understand...
It goes against all the natural inclination of the human race, which was created in the image of God...
Sex is normal in a coveted relationship...
Oh’ please spare me the RCC theological reasoning...
I already know it and think it’s legalism at best, possible evil at worst... ]
AND it has the unfortunate side effect of attracting homosexuals to become priests and nuns because they can on the outside appear like they are serving god and make their families that are expecting them to marry happy, but they can either be celebate, or they end up having sex with fellow priests and nuns.
There is a REASON it is called a “Rectory”... Just sayin...
Celibacy is a powerful tool for spiritual development for those that can channel the extra energy into spiritual discipline. Otherwise it creates destruction. I believe there’s a scriptural quote that says it’s for those that can handle it. Simply being a priest is not, IMHO, indicative of the capacity to properly handle celibacy, and I think history bears that out. It’s a special dispensation that’s gotten a bad rap from misuse.
You don’t understand it.
But you don’t want to hear about it.
And you reject it.
But you can’t stop commenting on it.
And, of course, you ignore the lives of HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of happy, holy religious and priests, many of whom have been saints who healed the sick and raised the dead.
No. No. It’s all “legalism.”
As you know, sex is a double edged sword - one edge, pro-creation, is good and the other edge temptation, causes a lot of people a lot of damage.
Joe kept telling Mary that; but look at the SUFFERING she put THAT poor man through!!
The biblical pattern is that celibacy, dedicated singlehood, can be chosen for the sake of ministering. There are pros and cons to being single in such a situation and sometimes the pros win. Sometimes singlehood is forced by circumstance upon a minister (as in the tragic loss of a wife) and I have seen that happen in an evangelical church and the minister’s ministry greatly improve. But nobody would be wishing to kill ministers’ wives for the sake of the gospel.
To push that to an assertion that all ministers must be celibate goes beyond the biblical advice.
And yet, at least in modern days, ministerial marriage is no panacea against sin. Sheer sad statistics of ministerial misconduct bear that out. It is only one facet of which must be an organized fortification against sin and for righteousness.