What is the difference between abstinence and celibacy?

Question

They are both a choice.

Is abstinence a choice out of fear of hell?

Celibacy is a choice because we are not in a relationship with someone that we want to make love with.

Does that makes sense?

I disagree twinsma.

Answer 1

To me, "celibacy" speaks of long term commitment due to conviction and "abstinence" is more of a discipline,waiting for a possible and eventual release(no pun intended)..well yes,yes use the pun.

Answer 2

Abstinence: 1. forbearance from any indulgence of appetite, esp. from the use of alcoholic beverages: total abstinence. 2. any self-restraint, self-denial, or forbearance. 3. Economics. the conserving of current income in order to build up capital or savings. 4. the state of being without a drug, as alcohol or heroin, on which one is dependent. Celibacy: 1. abstention from sexual relations. 2. abstention by vow from marriage: the celibacy of priests. 3. the state of being unmarried. So, regarding sex, nothing. And "the state of being unmarried" is old fashioned, from the days when babies born out of wedlock were actually called bastards. These days celibacy/abstinence have nothing to do with religion or marriage. It's just sex. Bob

Answer 3

While both abstinence and celibacy refer to practices of refraining from having sex, the difference lies in the reasoning for doing so. Celibacy is most commonly practiced by priests, monks, or other members of religious groups who do not allow the members of their group to engage in sex. Celibacy forbids penile-vaginal sex and may even forbid masturbation. Abstinence, on the other hand, is simply a choice that a person makes not to engage in sex until marriage or some other specified time. This decision could be based on religious values, since many religions do promote abstinence, but it could simply be a personal choice to abstain from sex for a while- or forever. People who practice abstinence may refrain from all forms of sex (penile-vaginal, oral, and anal) or they may simply choose not to engage in penile-vaginal sex. Basically, abstinence is commonly a personal choice that someone makes to himself or herself, while celibacy is a choice made for religious reasons.

Answer 4

I think ate abstinence is not having sex before marriage. The celibacy is not having sex at all.

Answer 5

Abstinence means to not do a thing, which could include, but is not limited to, sexual activity.
Celibacy is abstaining from sex.
There are many reasons to not have sex, none of which are anyone else's business.

Answer 6

How many raped boys could be avoided it the celibaty that wasn`t required in the bible were removed

2 Timothy 4:1 "However, the inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons, 2 by the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, marked in their conscience as with a branding iron; 3 forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth.


" forbidding to marry" verse 3

Answer 7

abstinence is to abstain from sex, from one point to another.
celibacy is to abstain from sex from one point on.

celibacy is a life time choice.
while abstinence is for a time period.

Answer 8

abstinence is a choice for the reason you chose

celibacy is not a choice you just don't have anyone in your life

Answer 9

abstinance is when you want to do it but you force yourself not to.
celibacy is what you say you are doing when no one will do it with you and you cannot face that reality.