Should priesthood be abolished?

Question

Do we really need priests, pastors, mullahs etc..? No doubt they were useful when the majority of people didn't know how to read and write and books were not available to everyone. Shouldn't the modern man/woman be personnally responsible for his spiritual progress?

Answer 1

Yes I think everyone should be responsible for their own spirituality, but no I don't believe the priesthood should be abolished. I'm not a "religious" person, but I know a lot who are, and they look to priests/ministers/etc for spiritual guidance and would be lost without them.

I do, however, believe that Catholic priests (and other clergy members of other religions who are celibate) should be allowed to get married and have families. Perhaps it would stop some of the sexual deviance that is rampant in the clergy of the church if they just abolished celibacy.

Answer 2

I suppose you might say the same thing about any professional, if you wanted. But, like any professional, I think there is a place for priesthood in the world.

Consider that most people either cannot or do not take the time and effort to devote themselves wholeheartedly to religion. There are also some who simply lack the personality or talent necessary to truly excel in such a pursuit. A good priest can serve all these people.

And in that wise I often see a good priest as being like a doctor. A healthy and strong person may never NEED to see one, except to touch bases from time to time and stay oriented. To an ill person, on the other hand, a doctor can be indispensible. There are also very few of us, however strong we may be, who can honestly and confidently say that we will not succumb to an illness or injury in the next year.

So are illnesses of spirit really any less important than illnesses of the body?

I will grant you that many priests are corrupt, institutionalized, self-absorbed, and otherwise completely unsuited to really helping others. This is true for any profession, unfortunately. Yet even so, I will defend the practice because I know that there do exist generous, understanding, and well-schooled priests out there who really CAN help those people who need their help, if only they get the chance.

Even if you ascribe to no religion yourself, don't throw the baby out with the bath water on this one!

Answer 3

Eze 22:26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

These types of priest will be done away with.

You need the Priest of Yahweh because this is what they will be teaching you.

Eze 44:23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

24 And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.

as far as you statement; Shouldn't the modern man/woman be personnally responsible for his spiritual progress?



2 Peter 2:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

You probably don't know the difference between the clean and unclean.

Mark 1:44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, SHOW THYSELF TO THE PRIEST, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Mohses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

See even the Savior taught that we will always be needing the Priest.

Exodus 19:5-8—
5 Now therefore, if you will truly obey My voice, by keeping My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.
6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the Laws that you shall speak to the children of Yisrayl (those who rule as Yahweh).

Answer 4

If the Bible were ever to become authoritative in the Catholic Church, there would certainly be no priests. The Roman Catholic Priesthood was made up but It is nowhere to be found in the Word of God. The Catholic hierarchy have put the most vile of men as mediators in the place of the true, perfect and sinless Jesus Christ.

LET NO MAN ADD OTHERS IN BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR GOD. THE PERFECT AND SINLESS CHRIST IS THE ONLY MEDIATOR.

Answer 5

I do not feel that leaders of religions people need to be abolished. Most people need a place to congregate and someone to lead them to pray and song. What would a football team look like without a captain?

Answer 6

eastern ceremony priests (and that i advise Catholic, no longer Orthodox) are regularly married adult men, and Anglican priests who grow to be Catholic are regularly married and in lots of cases re-ordained to function priests interior the Catholic church, so it form of sounds like an quite inconsistent and unfair coverage that enables it for some and denies it for others. Ha, i'm stunned somebody hasn't sued the Church under equivalent risk-free practices regulations!

Answer 7

No priesthood should stay, but i believe that the whole congregation are priests.

Everyone is a priest, not just the ones that are in church.

Answer 8

That would never happen. Especially because of the power of the Catholic Church. I personally don't believe in organized religion and therefore have no need for them. I think faith is something everyone has inside of them and don't need others to tell you whats right.

Answer 9

Most people aren't intelligent enough for their own journey. They need things explained to them. But maybe just groups of people could get together. I do not think a leader is required....

Answer 10

I believe that people need leaders (in government, in the military, and in practice of faith). These are the people who we count on to give us direction, to speak in our behalf, etc.

Not every person is mature in their faith. A person young in faith is of particular need of guidance and instruction...hence the need for the "priesthood".