Celibacy isn't natural?

Question

I know a few people who are celibate and I really admire them for it, because that's got to take a lot of commitment to something to do such a thing.

I'm reading a psychologist book now and its saying that sexual desires are as natural as drinking and eating. Basically it's saying that sex is a must, whether you're getting it from yourself or someone else.

I'm pretty sure that I could live without sex, not that I'd want to. But by depriving yourself of these natural feelings, well that can't be natural.

Answer 1

Someone who wants to be celibate may be showing a deeper emotional issue that needs to be dealt with. Celibacy may be more of a disease than a blessing - we are not created to be celibate. Only someone quite immature would want to exclude one of the most powerful ways of sharing loving intimacy. If someone chooses celibacy it may be due to lack of self-esteem, performance anxiety, or religious false teachings based on shame based, sex negative tradition rather than true scriptural sexuality. Many women say the biggest mistake they made was not having much more sexual experience and variety before marriage.
The real issue about celibacy is respecting a persons choice. However, that choice should also be based on a factual understanding of the options. For too many Celibacy is based on guilt founded in false religious teachings that were developed to control people such as with Catholics. Clearly there is no biblical basis for celibacy whether married or single. And too often someone who seeks celibacy is hiding deeper fears of intimacy. Celibacy is physically unnatural and can result in physical problems, especially in men unless they masturbate so the body is used as it was intended. Prostate blockage and painful wet dreams are often the bodies reaction to the unnatural act of celibacy. This is what I experienced as a teen and young adult, believing the lies of the fundamentalists that totally twisted the bible to make me feel sex was somehow wrong before marriage. Likewise in women, there are healthy benefits of sexual release- physical as well as emotional. However, if someone for whatever reason, whether logical or not to others, chooses celibacy, that choice should be respected. But that person should know the disadvantages of their choice.

Answer 2

Activities that represent a person's passionate beliefs, I believe, are as fulfilling. It need not be only the gym, as a physical outlet.

There is a scene in the film, 'Keeping the Faith', where Ed Norton plays a priest answering that question from a female friend. I'm not a priest, myself, but have realized in my experiences that I am not a slave to those needs. My passions I enjoy are pursuing mature friendships, expressing thoughtfulness, yet I would acknowledge the allure of another.

Answer 3

Celibacy is one of the acts of self-discipline. One who lives in celibacy is by choice, or due to respect of the person's vocation. Its not deprivation but a decision to oneself. Natural in a sense that is occurring in conformity with the ordinary course of nature, not marvelous or supernatural act.

Answer 4

that's the main point of having the vow of celibacy... basically to deprive ourselves from doing, experiencing and enjoying that very natural thing that human are instinctively made to do so. On the contrary it's not really that so abnormal... in all sense, that the main point of it is to sacrifice your very own happiness for God, for Somebody whom you have that conviction...

Answer 5

it does not really matter

there are too many people on earth so celibacy does help