The bible says
The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
2006-06-14 21:00:43 · 15 answers · asked by spenderalla34 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In St. Paul's Letter to the Corinthians, he gives his opinion on whether people should marry. This is by no means binding, but it serves as a basis for the vow of celibacy. Celibacy does not just mean "no sex or marriage." Celibacy is a higher form of love and is a gift from God. It is how we love God through the love of others.
2006-06-14 21:36:05 · answer #1 · answered by papadon60 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First, Judeo-Christian tradition has always held that single people be celibate. This is taught by Judaism and Christianity from before the Scriptures were written down.
The question should be: Why can't popes, priests, and religious brothers and sisters marry?
This idea came from the Jews, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul.
The Jews. The Talmud argues that a person whose “soul is bound up with the Torah and is constantly occupied with it” may remain celibate (Maimonides, Laws of Marriage 15.3). This argument could certainly have been based on the biblical example of Jeremiah, a celibate prophet who was ordered by Yahweh not to marry (Jeremiah 16:1-4). Moreover, the Essenes was a group that was active in Jesus’ time that practiced celibacy and thought by most scholars to be the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
John the Baptist and Jesus are both believed to have been celibate for their entire lives. Some scholars believe that either or both Jesus and John the Baptist were influenced in their celibacy by the example of the Essenes.
The Apostle Paul is explicit about his celibacy (see 1 Cor. 7). There is also evidence in the gospel of Matthew for the practice of celibacy among at least some early Christians, in the famous passage about becoming “eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12).
The concept took many twists and turns over the years and will probably take a few more before Christ returns in glory.
With love in Christ.
2006-06-16 01:49:22 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Priests were allowed to marry for the first 1, 500 years of the Catholic church. A certain Pope changed all that about 500 years ago. I'm glad to be a Bible believing Protestant.
2006-06-15 04:04:02 · answer #3 · answered by :Phil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all Priests and Nuns don't get married. Anglican Priests and Nuns do get married. In one of his letters Paul writes that if you're not married you can spend all your time and energy on God. This makes sense if you take how much time and commitment it takes to be in full time ministry. Some people just want to completely commit themselves to God without having to juggle kids and partners. I believe it's a calling because it's a long and lonely road. Not getting married is not unBiblical it's just a different type of ministry and commitment.
2006-06-15 04:07:23 · answer #4 · answered by SweetyPie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way that I understand it, it is because those roles mean that you are married to God. As anyone knows if you are in a relationship with someone that you put alot of effort and energy into it, so if you don't have those kind of relationships you can focus all of your affection and devotion to God. It states in the Bible that God is to always be number 1 in your life no matter what. Plus it is suppose to be a sign of sacrifice before God.
2006-06-15 04:06:04 · answer #5 · answered by jazzie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are certain people in this world that will not get married and do Gods work, but when you talk about popes, nuns and Priests that is the Catholic faith and a man made law by catholics.
2006-06-15 04:06:18 · answer #6 · answered by desoriana 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once women know they've had a vow of celibacy, it gets difficult for them to even get a date. Plus, to add a final nail to the coffin, they go round dressed in drag all the time smelling of incense which I've been told is even worse than old Old Spice.
And you got to admit it, they don't come across as fun guys! When they try, they just come across as sad, kind of "Dad Dancing" turned in to a full lifestyle.
2006-06-15 04:10:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not allowed to give into earthly bounds. Or into the ways of the flesh. Lust in considered a sin so they must not even come near such close boundaries with it. Plus by giving themselves to God's House, His ways of life, and teaching them to others, it is like they are married to Christ and only him. It's like a sacrifice for stopping there family genes at them to be able to get into the Heavens. As long as they are willing to fully accept Him in their life and no one else they are accepted into His House.
2006-06-15 04:12:41 · answer #8 · answered by faerie queen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because this is stupid, marriage is a beautiful thing, God created us to make the world prosperous, by many ways, including multiplying.
2006-06-15 04:06:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the Catholic church does not like to will property to the family of their clergy when they die.
They used to allow marriage and the christian Orthodox Church still does.
2006-06-15 04:05:47 · answer #10 · answered by happyharrytick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋