Why is chastity considered moral or a virtue?

Question

All religions welcome.

Answer 1

Well, because everyone likes sex. That's the short answer.

Long answer:

Everyone likes sex. Most people will pursue sexual activities. Religions need to control people. They say that sex is bad, and that the only way to get rid of such "sin" is through their specific church. Bingo. They've got guilt-based control.

Answer 2

Chastity is considered moral, and a virtue because when you love someone SO much that you will give yourself (or save yourself) only for them, then that becomes a bond on this earth that is stronger than almost anything else you can ever feel. It means that when you go to the person you've given your chastity to, they will be your island. Your fortress. Your friend. Because they've seen you at your most humble. Your most vulnerable. Your truest self. If a person has high regard for the other, that how deeply valued they will both know that they are. What can stand against the power of that kind of love?

If we choose to give away our chastity to whomever we please without a commitment of heart to love that person, we do ourselves and them such a huge disservice. Because the love relationship is designed to echo the relationship God wants us to have with Him: 1) respect 2) honor 3) humility 4) willingness to absolutely hold the other person up in highest regard to cover their humility and their vulnerability 5) to treasure the most personal gift they have given you and shelter that knowledge from the rest of the world. In other words, you've been given the honor of knowing the person so intimately that you know them on a level that even their immediate family will never know. That's why chastity is so highly valued.

I've been on both sides of the fence on this issue. Before I became a christian, I thought that doing whatever a person wanted until they found the right person made the most sense. But now I know that if you do wait until you've found the love of your life, the love will be so deep it will shock you. Sure you can give your heart to someone this fully even if you didn't keep your chastity. But believe me, you will find that you regret that you shared that intimacy with someone else.

Answer 3

I feel that abstinence and safe, consensual sex with contraceptives, like condoms, are both "moral", since no one else is affected aside from those participating. In my opinion, it is wrong, whether you are male or female, to have children that you don't expect to be willing or able to care for, and this is where many religions are coming from when they want people to abstain from sex before marriage. Keep in mind that contraceptives were much more primitive when many of today's religions began, so if a man were to sleep around, he could father many children he could not raise, and likewise, a woman who slept around would get pregnant without a man to help her out.

Answer 4

I'm Pagan, and I don't find it particularly virtuous. Don't get me wrong--I only believe in consensual sex, and I think the self-restraint and knowledge it takes to avoid a potentially hurtful sexual situation (like a one-night stand without protection) are great things. But growing up in the Assemblies of God church, "chastity" was a club used to keep young women ashamed of our bodies and most of us feeling guilty.

Answer 5

Actually this has nothing to do with religion. And for some reason I can't remember the guys name but it arose at a time where sex was very much open in public and ..(ii'll call him joe) decided that he would rise up and make it where being pure was loked upon with respect, instead of vice versa.

I mean this was at a time where people where having sex with each other in the streets and countries were competing against each other.

Answer 6

It represents an extreme discipline in resisting physical pleasure. It is simply one way of demonstrating a person's devotion to their faith/ideals. Chastity is hard, so we respect the chaste.

Answer 7

God wants willing people to choose what is best.

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD, right? Having a temptation available and choosing not to fall into it makes you a better person than not having the temptation at all.

It is through trials, adversity, and the overcoming of evil that God can truly be seen as good and perfect.

Answer 8

Because the men that wrote the "sacred texts" thought it would be good idea...either to control disease or people in general, or some other reason
T

Answer 9

it's not a virtue in my religion.... call me