And multiply?
2006-09-11 20:14:26 · 19 answers · asked by Pseudo Obscure 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The bible does not say we should even have priests. It certainly does not say we should have celibate priests. Priests came after Constantine tried to incorporate pagan religion with christianity, which he did for political stability. He brought in the pagan priests and he started to rule over people.
Having priests or pastors that rule over people is completely unscriptural. It is seen as Nicolaitian,... the thing that Christ hates in Revelations2:15 (Nike = power/over the laity) God never intended a two tier system . Christ said in Mathew 20:25 that Gentiles exercise dominion over people but it shall not be so among Christs followers Priests exisited in judaism but in Christianity, in the early church, christians came together as brothers in Christ. They were each to take turns and share something when they got together. 1 Corinthians 14:26
Jesus did say that God had made some men celibate and some men had made themselves celibate but that that was not for everyone. There is no sin in being married. Peter was married (Mathew 8:14) and was one of the founding apostles. The RC church make out that Peter was their first pope. (That is nonsence as the RC church did not exist for 400 years after Peter.) Peter would not have tolerated the pagan mixture and heresys of the RC chuch such as worshipping the queen of heaven and such. The bible totally forbids the pagan practice of worshipping the queen of heaven as the Roman Catholic's do.
2006-09-11 20:49:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no written instruction in the New Testament for Christian priests to be celibate. There are passages that suggest that being single could mean a closer relationship to God, since anyone in a relationship has to dedicate part of their lives to that person and their children. Also, I think the command to multiply was fulfilled a while ago.
People talk down about priests for being perverted, but forced celibacy and living in all male environments makes the problem worse.
In short, I don't think they should force celibacy, but if one should choose to be celibate it would be okay.
2006-09-11 20:20:54 · answer #2 · answered by marklin1972 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It does nowhere say that. Paul says he could have taken a wife as did other apostles but did not. It is not an all bad idea. A priest could easily multiply without taking a wife. Read Phelimon and see what you think that letter is really about, then tell me if Paul was multiplying. Keep your ideas to yourself though cuz this is not a scripture which causes shepards to be open minded.
2006-09-11 20:21:30 · answer #3 · answered by icheeknows 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't say that anywhere. In fact there is no mention of priests per se. Priests are an invention of the Catholic Church. It does mention that we be fruitful.
I think the church got it's idea of priesthood from the Apostle Paul who never married and was celibate. He was the last Apostle and the church was founded on many of his teachings. He was very much outspoken again fornication (premarital sex) and adultery.
so the church might have gotten the wrong idea in that way to establish priesthood from Paul's example, which isn't really necessary if you think that Christianity's roots are Jewish and Rabbi's married all the time. And in fact it was expected of them as good religious Jewish males.
2006-09-11 20:19:36 · answer #4 · answered by marajjoya 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Celibacy was never forced upon people who wanted to serve God. Those that wanted to serve Him completely had to give up something or everything for that matter but it was a choice. Either you become celibate or you don't.
Celibacy is nothing more that Roman Catholic dogma rather than biblical or spiritual truth.
I certainly don't want advise on relationships and marriage from someone who has no inkling of what it's like to have a relationship or to be married.
Peace.
2006-09-11 20:21:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't...actually in 1 Timothy 3: 1-10 it lists the qualifications for
those who desire to serve the congregation and specifies these
men to be " husband of one wife" and " presiding over his own
household in a fine manner, having children in subjection with all
seriousness (if indeed any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he tke care of God's congregation?)"
In the next chapter 1 Timothy 4: 1-4 in describing how in later
periods of time some will fall away from the faith, one of the misleading inspired utterances is the forbidding to marry.
Many of Christ's apostles were married men--the Bible
talks of how the rest of the spostles, the Lord's brothers and
Cephas (Peter) had wives ( 1 Corinthians 9: 5 ) Matthew 8: 14-17 tells how Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law of a
fever.
History tells us that the rule of celibicay in the Catholic
Church came about in order to prevent the assets of the
Church from being inherited by the children of their priests-
tho that didn't seem to hinder some the Popes, especially
the Medici's & Borgia lines. (Read The March of Folly by Tuchman)
2006-09-11 20:30:32 · answer #6 · answered by Caiman94941 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The biggest problem with answering Protestant questions with Catholic answers is that the Catholic Church recognizes as its authority Sacred Scripture and the Magesterial Sacred Tradition and both are recognized equally.
Since many questions require an answer from Sacred Tradition, most Protestants will balk and go on about Bible Alone authority and will not accept or recognize the answer or reason given.
2006-09-11 20:19:52 · answer #7 · answered by Augustine 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The celibate Priesthood is a doctrine, not a dogma.
A doctrine can be changed by the Church to suit what they think is best.
A dogma is a law that can never be changed.
Priests and Bishops are called to celibacy because the Church saw that it was best for their loyalties to not be divided between the Church and a family.
Also, the Apostle Paul highly recommended celibacy.
2006-09-11 20:20:05 · answer #8 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The closest thing that is written with regards to celibacy is in 1 Corinthians 7, and even that has a clause for those who cannot practice celibacy...
"... but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." - 1 Corinthians 7: 9
And the fact that there are many publicised reports of priests who "burn in passion," even as far as to sin in these passions, shows that celibacy is a gift for those who can accept it, not a requirement.
As far as these "priests" are concerned, it is actually written that they should be married first...
"A bishop [overseer in other translations] must be blameless, the husband of one wife... one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission and all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)..." - 1 Timothy 2, 4-5
And of those who insist on these regulations?...
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth." - 1 Timothy 4: 1-3
2006-09-11 22:04:38 · answer #9 · answered by Shepherd 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is from Paul!
If it is possible for you to be single do so but it is better to marry than to burn!
He was speaking to preachers, who at that time were away perhaps for years at a time.
Have you ever been in love, and then could not be with the love one, in side you feel a burning, for that one.
If you can, don't fall in love, but if you do marry!
It has been interpreted to mean, that a priest should not marry or they will burn in hell!
2006-09-11 23:32:29 · answer #10 · answered by Grandreal 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋