Is celibacy good for you?

Question

I read an article on celibacy recently. It was extolling the spiritual benefits of celibacy.

But is celibacy good for you? Aren't we naturally inclined towards sex? Is there anything wrong with a good healthy sex life?

I'd like to hear all of your opinions on this. Both the critics and supporters and even practioners. What health and spiritual benefits can be had from being (or not being) a celibate?

By the way, the definition of celibacy I am using here is the total lack of sex. Not just being unmarried as some religions seem to define it.

Answer 1

Yes... for some reason I am celibate for the time being. I haven't had sex in over a year and a half for reasons I do not know. Ofcourse there are urges and I could get it whenever I want but I am held back. And I am still alive!!! So, yes it just depends on the person but for me right now it's healthy because I am not getting my feelings/emotions or health in a bind.

Answer 2

As long as I could still masturbate, I think I could manage being celibate for a long amount of time. I can live without sex, but refuse to live without having an orgasm.

But I can't really speak for others. Perhaps some people are happy being totally celibate, masturbation included. They probably have a lot of hobbies. In most cases though, I wouldn't think celibacy would be healthy. I don't think most people have enough will power to really adhere to it. If they do adhere, those sexual desires and energy just don't disappear. And those repressed urges may resurface at a later time in more dysfunctional or perverted ways, perhaps as is the case in rampant catholic priest child molesting. I say that sex is natural part of human nature that should be expressed, and that more responsible use of protection would do a lot more good than people being celibate.

Answer 3

Well the dr. akapoko has one piece of advice and that's 'moderation in all things'.. too much sex can bring on a whole set of problems..not enough the same thing.. the true question is are you asking about quantity or quality...if you're including spirituality in your equation..then it's definetly quality and therefore should be with someone you dig, like a soulmate.. therefore afterwards there's that bonding moment ..take it from the dr. celibacy for short period of time, o.k... for the long haul..don't do it.

Answer 4

Celibacy's nuts! (1) If sex is on tap or whatever it takes it needs to be part of a basic health regiment.

On the bad side remaining unwound takes time out of the day. But better that then spending the whole day wigging.

Everybody knows what I'm talking about. Some of you may be that person. Get ya some booty call and let it go. Or at least go to a sex shop and get something to fire your world in some way. Plus it gives you a free cardio workout. And if you exercise afterward, it's wonderful because you're relaxed anyways and you won't pull anything.

Don't get addicted though or go insane you may pull something.

Answer 5

Not so much as it being good for you, but is it right? A good sex life is what God wants for everyone, with love, affection, compassion what comes along with it. To have sex just to have it is purely a human element, physical. Satisfaction? Not really to the spirit/soul, maybe mind after one thinks of it later. There has to be a connection, not just and only physical.
The human element is to create, the urge is definitely there, again given by God. Physical, it is good, but to just have sex with everyone/anyone without the love connection, all there is is emptiness.

Answer 6

Actually I saw a great program on the discovery channel about how humans are actually wired moreso for monogamy because it is an advantage to our survival. They base this on the fact that humans tend to be emotionally connected on a sexual level and that finding a person we want to have a child with takes so much effort that its more benefitual to our species to stick to one mate we trust to have offspring with continually. It said the sexual drive was just as satisfied in monogomous couples and even moreso in many cases because we find it more satisfying as a species to have relations with people we are familiar with.

Celibacy as in a total lack of sex is completely against what our natural desires direct us twds. It is unnatural for humans to not ever have sex. Celibacy on a religious level is very rare. Are there anyone besides priests and nuns that take that vow? They are doing it because they believe their dedication should be completely on that of christ and that it is a sacrifice they are making to prove their devotion. If someone believes they are sacrificing a great deal for their religion then it would naturally give them a spiritual boost, or lead to an incredible resentment, lol.

I think sex should be after marriage, but I dont think its natural for humans to go without it.

Answer 7

Yes, of course, definitely, a 100 % yes. Celibacy means total abstinence from sex and sexual intercourse. Few reasons.
You don't get any disease.
You don't get yourself into moral trouble.
You focus on what is more important in life than just sex.
You don't get any psychiatric problems.
You got the time to plan your life.
You get to enjoy sex with the one you truely love for the rest of your life without any regrets.

Answer 8

I choose celibacy simply because I'm a middle aged single woman. I have found that relationships are not clouded by emotion without sex, which works for me. If I were to be in a healthy, loving, committed realtionship I would probably be having and enjoying sex (please try not to barf into your breakfast).

Answer 9

The point of celibacy isn't to not have sex, its to love everyone equally. Since its impossible to have a real loving sexual experience with everyone, so the alternative is no sex with anyone.

But loving everyone equally is an impossible goal. Its all idealistic dreaming out of control. No one is so imperfect as the person who strives for perfection.

Answer 10

My opinion on the concept of celibacy is simple and brief: sex is one of the basic needs of the human body and does not result in any harm to the body in question or anyone else. It is an expression of a biological need, like hunger and sleep. To deny it will achieve nothing but frustration and a small possibility of crime (child molestation, rape etc.). A person observing celibacy is lying to their own mind and body. There is no logic in abstaining from something which your body requires.