What is the value of celibacy?

[GGG]

In many societies holy men, priests, monks, etc, are celibate and have to remain this way. I know this is true in Christianity, Buddism, and other religions. What is the reason for this? Is it just because the bible says so or is there some spiritual or other reason for this?

[PenguinPablo]

@GGG there’s reasons to be sure. You must for yourself evaluate the drawbacks of it and eventually you realize it’s not that great. 

 

[hamedsf]

"STUPIDITY" is the most valuable thing that you can receive from celibacy 

[Spiral]

The idea is to focus on their spiritual practice and not be distracted by such things.  You don't need sex to find god or reach enlightenment so for them, it's a waste of time.

[outlandish]

In ideal circumstances it's what @Spiral said, but in practice it usually operates as a religion's control mechanism over it's clergy by setting up this expectation, and then guilt over not being able to comply. This often backfires and you end up with ugly forms of sexuality squishing out through the cracks in the form of child abuse, sleazy teachers, unhealthy sexual practices.

Don't trust a spiritual movement or religion that pressures it's clergy into abstinence. If individuals come to it on their own accord, then all the power to them.

Quote

Abstinence Makes the Church Grow Fondlers.

 

[Forestluv]

@GGG I would make a distinction between forced celibacy and voluntary celibacy. You seem to be referring to forced celibacy within religions. A religion might view sex as a mortal pleasure that is impure, sinful and unholy. Thus, a clergyman that is celibate may be viewed as more pure and holy. It can also be a way for a religion to exert control. For example, if we want to control the sex activities of the community, we can say that sex out of wedlock is immoral. Then we can point to the clergyman as an example and say "Look at this is a holy man of god that doesn't have sex". Those that are having casual sex can now be judged and shamed. At least that's how it worked in the Catholic church I grew up in. . . 

[Bill W]

10 hours ago, hamedsf said:

"STUPIDITY" is the most valuable thing that you can receive from celibacy 

Why, has that happened to you? Did you end up off the scale stupid?

I haven't tried it on purpose but I would imagine it can help remove distractions and allow for a more uninterrupted deeper self exploration possibly. 

For us it might seem crazy to be celibate but for those practising it, maybe we are the crazy one's for not being celibate ?

[ajasatya]

@GGG Celibacy can turn your attention away from the craving for sex. Of course you can't just abandon your sexuality. It has to be done under the vigilance of a very sharp and focused mind.

Celibacy has shown me that there's MUCH MORE than the endless urge for sex. It opened my eyes to a world that I wouldn't be able to see otherwise.

[CreamCat]

On 26/11/2019 at 11:28 PM, ajasatya said:

Celibacy has shown me that there's MUCH MORE than the endless urge for sex. It opened my eyes to a world that I wouldn't be able to see otherwise.

Were you a sex monkey that cannot stop masturbating till death?

[ajasatya]

9 hours ago, CreamCat said:

Were you a sex monkey that cannot stop masturbating till death?

Yes. I also had a porn addiction.

[GreenWoods]

Sexual energy transmutation can be powerful.

Here are some good books:

Here a yogi:

(Though I wouldn't take everything too literally what he says)

[Cocolove]

I don't agree with everything in this video but I found it very interesting. Addresses celibacy a good bit.

[Parththakkar12]

Here's the situation : Rape is a serious crime/violation which 'good people' aren't supposed to do. Also, before birth control, having sex meant that you had children, which is why it had to be regulated and casual sex was hard to come by. The huge stigma around sex was to make rape a bad thing and to make casual sex a bad thing. When that happens, the people who can repress sex the best are considered the best people morally, i.e. they'll be valued in society. In such a situation, the people who choose celibacy will be promoted in the religious ranks!