(June 20, 2015 at 3:31 pm)Neimenovic Wrote: Ok, that was very in depth. Thanks.
(June 20, 2015 at 2:48 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: Now, I fully understand that you are not a Catholic, not a Christian and not even a theist. However, what I have just shown is that Catholic thought on the subject of celibacy is consistent with with the Bible which Catholics believe to be the inspired Word of God. Consequently, the discipline of celibacy is consistent with the teachings of scripture. Is it your opinion that the Catholic Church is being inconsistent in any way?
If not, are there any other objections you have to priestly celibacy freely accepted as a gift by those to whom it is given?
I didn't mean it was contradicting the scripture, but thanks for clarifying that.
The problems I see with celibacy:
~it's unhealthy
I am certainly not denying there are people who would gladly be celibate and feel no ill effects of it. But overall, to many it may be damaging.
Those who abstain (wilfully, might I add) from sex have a death rate twice as high as those who don't. Having sex reduces risk if heart disease, depression and improves the immune system.
Repression of sexual urges, even wilful, leads to higher risk of aggression and crime. There is a link between it and insensitivity.
You can add that frequent ejaculation (three to five times a week) reduces the risk of prostate cancer by one third. That's not insignificant. http://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/mast...-every-day Why would a benevolent god encourages behavior that puts a man's health at risk?
I find it particularly interesting because it is such an about face from the OT which strongly encourages sex and being fruitful and multiplying.
If there is a god, I want to believe that there is a god. If there is not a god, I want to believe that there is no god.