practicing celibacy?

Question

Priests, brother's, and celibate men practicing celibacy physiologically and biologically produce "sperm" which needs to be released or discharged periodically. Is there an optional alternative other than sexual intercourse, masturbation, or having wet dreams for this biological release? For me it is extremely difficult if not impossible to overcome this biological control. Thank you.

Answer 1

You should post this question in the Men's Health Section.

I sense, however, the undertones of your question so I will explain the rationale behind the Church practice of celibacy.

The celibate priesthood is a rule of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. As a rule, rather than dogma, it could be changed. Such a change is unlikely in the foreseeable future, even with a shortage of vocations in Europe and North America, as numerous vocations are coming from Africa and Asia. It may be that those countries who once provided foreign missionaries will be on the receiving end from the countries which they evangelized.

The rule of celibacy is based on the example set by Jesus and on the teachings of Saints Matthew and Paul: "For there are some eunuches, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuches which were made eunuches of men: and there be eunuches which have made themselves eunuches for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." (Matthew 19:12, KJV)

"It is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband . . . I wish that all men were as I am [celibate]. But each man has his own gift from God: one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion . . . I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife--and his interests are divided." (1 Corinthians 7:1-2,7-9,32-34, NIV)

There are those who say "It is not natural for a priest not to be married." To them I would reply "You are quite correct; it is not natural -- it is supernatural. It takes a supernatural grace to live the celibate life. A grace that only God can give."

As to those clergy from other denominations who convert and choose the Catholic priesthood as their vocation, each case is reviewed individually by the Holy See in Rome before and an exception to the rule is granted. This exception allows them, although married, to receive priestly ordination in the Latin Rite but if their wife dies, they must then live a celibate life.

Answer 2

If you are a semi adult young male or adult, then you will notice that you have had wet-dreams this is one natural way the body rids itself of this matter, and it is not a sin to have such a emission, only a nuisance.

The other way you may have experienced without noticing. When going to the bathroom for #2, when having gone for some time without having had a discharge, the body when expelling the #2 causes the semen to discharge naturally from these internal pressures.

In this manner, no control is necessary.

My question to you is, if you have this need, why not marry if you are old enough? The Bible encourages marriage for the sake of avoiding falling into sin!

Some people have been gifted as natural 'eunuchs,' but most of us haven't; thus marriage is necessary for most however troublesome and undesirable it becomes over the years.

Answer 3

Even the Buddha concedes it's not easy to lead the celibate life "totally perfect, totally pure like a polished conch shell", whilst still in the laylife.

Those in the cloister have the benefit of mutual support & working together towards common goals.

There are procedures for rehabilitation, until abstinence becomes second nature.

One is free to leave, at any time.

Have managed several months on end - but so far, have always come down. :-)

I do think it's a fairly Noble enterprise, though.

Good Luck, friend, and keep up the good work.

Best Wishes,

Arjuna

Answer 4

When you find out let me know.

I do know that all illicit desire starts in the mind. Whether of biological (flesh) influence or unclean spiritual influence or the influence of the pride of life the germ of sin begins with the idea of it being desirable and acceptable. It is a war of many battles both won and lost. In Christ the victories are remembered and the defeats are washed away through genuine repentance.

I think the best definition of true Christianity is summed up by the phrase "honest effort".

Christ said try hard to do what is right. He will always provide a way out. Many times all we can and need to do is simply turn. Turn to Him.

This starts at the gates of the mind and we as the gatekeepers have this duty. This requires constant vigilance. If the ideas are not let in through the gates of your mind they cannot germinate.

www.shepherdschapel.com

Answer 5

This is a problem because celibacy is so utterly unnatural. After all, "god" created men with this biological need, and then the Catholics demanded that priests live in this untenable way (the tab for this is now at over $800 million in settlements). No loving "god" would condone, or demand such an idiotic policy.

Answer 6

Well try getting involved in some sort of recreation such as reading, jogging, lifting weights, basketball, video games, cooking, or learning a new language or instrument. This always seems to help me out a lot. There is an old saying that goes "an idle mind is the devils workshop" , meaning in your case you have to keep your mind off sexual activities. Good luck!

Answer 7

Celibacy does not exist. You cannot prevent the urge for sex in you. If one cannot have a legal outlet self abuse will be the result or violation of social norms. The creator has earmarked certain functions for each organ. The sex ecstasy is as tempting as a delicious food. You have referred some professionals who live on meat, wheat and wine and to expect of them to practice celibacy is a sin committed by the ecclesiastic hierarchy. Religion and mean faith blind even the elite. A warning to the laity! Please do not allow your children and others likely to be targeted in your family to freely mingle with robed orders denied of marriage. Spirituality exits when it is a question of sexual urge.

Answer 8

Pray and keep close to Jesus; let Him be in control of every part of your life. Focus on Jesus and not this problem. Have no intention of sinning at all. God knows our motives. If your motives have nothing to do with sin or perversion, then don't worry about it. Masturbation is sinful. I would think of it like a filling cup; once full the overflow will naturally spill over the edge.

Answer 9

Since celibacy is the abstinence from sexual intercourse, self pleasuring would probably not change your status. The bigger situation seems to be the "stupidity" of the father. I think the two of you need to resolve the future of the baby, possibly with the mediation of a mutually acceptable outsider. If left unresolved, he may disappear on you or beat you stupid. Good luck and happy parenthood.

Answer 10

Well, I was going to take a stab at answering this question, but then I saw a response that changed my mind. That was, "please ask at www.ewtn.com---they can tell you there---This forum cannot give you an answer that isn't insulting to the Lord." And, since I wouldn't want to insult the Lord by having an intelligent discussion about a dilemma 'he' "created," I will just wish you good luck in your search for the truth. Shall we praise the Lord for ‘creating’ a special website where it’s OK to insult ‘him?’