I mean correct me if I am wrong but it does say in the Bible that SOMETIMES it is good for a man not to marry. Why should a man or woman not be allowed to marry and follow Christ?
Lets look at some great leaders in the Bible who Married, Moses, King David... well the list is too long. It says that a man should leave his mother and his father and be joined with his wife does it not?
By the way I am a Christian
2007-10-29 22:54:01 · 15 answers · asked by ? 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is Catholic Dogma..St Paul even stated that it would be better to marry than burn. If you can live in abstinance and remain married Only to Christ that is fine too...that is fine...
It was in the middle of the persecutions that Paul was watching families torn apart literally in the Lions dens burned and otherwise slaughtered in Rome. He was not saying that you could not teach the Gospel as a married person. He was merely saying it was safer and left people free to teach the Gospel. Somehow it was translated to mean that if you were married and having sex you could not function...it's the Madonna whore/syndrome thing
2007-10-29 23:08:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is true, but when two people are married, they are unable to completely dedicate their lives to Christ, because Marriage is a full time job, and it is never perfected (doesn't make it any less beautiful).
Many of those great leaders also corrupted the gift of marriage, and they had several wives.
Sometimes I feel like nobody realizes that marriage is a joke to the majority of society...The hippies ruined LOVE, not the Church.
I have several disagreements with Catholicism, but that doesn't make them the enemy. You have to realize that about 85% of the population call themselves "Christians," and most spend all their time pointing fingers at other "Christians."
I am getting married to the woman of my dreams, and there are no words that can describe this.
What fundamentalist Bible thumpers call "Mary Worship" is actually a wonderful Devotion. She was Jesus' earthly Mother, not Creator. It is a shame that people act like it is bad to respect the woman God chose to give birth to your Savior's mom, out of every woman who has ever lived..
2007-10-30 06:38:00 · answer #2 · answered by erh723 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The question is wrong. Priests and nuns are NOT forbidden to marry. They knowingly and voluntarily take the vow not to marry, since it is a requisite to this way of life. If you are not inclined towards it, you are not forced to it. Priesthood or sisterhood is a special way of life. For most of us, marriage is a destiny. But, as your Bible says, there are some who renounce the universal calling to marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Biblical figures who married is truly long; you might be surprised to know there's also a long , though not equal, list of those who weren't. it should be that way, for to be a eunuch for the sake of the kingdom is a grace reserved only for a few.
2007-10-30 06:20:56 · answer #3 · answered by mjlocad 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Prophet Samuel, Apostle Paul, John the Beloved have no records of being married.
The bible did say that sometimes it is good for a man not to marry...it also means it is also equally good for them to do so.
I guess the whole theology on celibacy is focused on total commitment to Christ and His mission. I'm a non-Roman Catholic and I am married - but also a pastor of church. As far as I am concern I am committed to Christ. But then again I cannot judge Roman Catholic priests and nun and the whole other religious celibates for not marrying because their actions are based on their conviction on how well they could serve God.
2007-10-30 06:02:44 · answer #4 · answered by paulyaranon007 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Clerical celibacy finds no support in the Scriptures. The faithful men of old who are mentioned in the Scriptures married. The Levite priests had to marry to keep the line of priests intact. As for the prophets, only Jeremiah was commanded not to marry.—Lev. 21:1, 7, 13, 14; Jer. 16:2.
Coming down to the time of Christ, it appears that marriage was general among the apostles, for Paul wrote: “We have authority to lead about a sister as a wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas, do we not?” He also stated that overseers and ministerial assistants should be, not persons bound by vows of celibacy, but monogamists, “husbands of one wife.” In fact, Roman Catholic authorities are agreed that the law of compulsory clerical celibacy is a Church law, not a Scriptural law.
The Catholic Encyclopedia (Vol. III, p. 481, edition of 1908) acknowledges:
“We do not find in the New Testament any indication of celibacy being made compulsory either upon the Apostles or those whom they ordained.”
Compulsory clerical celibacy finds support only in asceticism, which is of pagan origin. Weighed in the balances of reason, the facts and the Scriptures, compulsory clerical celibacy is found to be sadly wanting, bringing forth only bitter fruits. It clearly comes under the prophetic condemnation: “The inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, . . . forbidding to marry.” 1 Tim. 4:1-3.
2007-10-30 06:12:09 · answer #5 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Catholics are not stopping Priests and Nuns from marrying.
How did you arrive at this absurd Question ? Why don't you do some research on Catholicism before posting ridiculous questions.
2007-10-30 06:33:17 · answer #6 · answered by ROBERT P 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The idea is that having a wife and children takes time, resources and money. A priests first devotion should be to the lord and doing so is very hard when you have bills to pay, children to school and a family to feed. The point is to have someone in society who is devoted to faith, but is as little burden on his congregation as possible. (Its hard to convince a community to support a family because the father is their pastor).
Not only should a priest devote his life to the lord, she should live as humbly as possible, as not to be a burden. Ideally they should not live as comfortable life as the rest of us, and to not want those pleasures, such as a family.
Nuns make similar sacrifices. Devoting themselves to God rather than the children they could possibly have.
2007-10-30 06:24:02 · answer #7 · answered by Sam T 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Celibacy is in harmony with the priesthood because it is the generous choice of the personal way of life of Christ on earth; a way which allows a man to give himself to all while being devoted to God alone.
"But there are others who have given up the possibility of marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. He who can accept this should accept it." - Matthew 19,12b
Choosing chastity "for the kingdom of God" is not a way of gaining time and freedom for apostolic work: it is taking a direction that opens to the love of God with new possibilities. Paul defends this choice he himself had made.
"I think this is good (referring to celibacy) in these hard times in which we live. It is good for a man to remain as he is." - 1 Corinthians 7,26
"I would like you to be free from anxieties. He who is not married is concerned with the things of the Lord and how to please the Lord. While he who is married is taken up with the things of the world and how to please his wife, and he is divided in his interests." - 1 Corinthians 7,32-33
2007-10-30 07:10:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They take a pledge to be married to Christ. God if you will. I believe it is actually because if one has love for another human being, they may become sidetracked to their devotions to their faith. Although of course the teaching is to love others as you love yourself. But I am guessing just as monks may take vowels of silence and such, it is to prevent distraction from the task at hand.
2007-10-30 06:07:46 · answer #9 · answered by demurewoman2001 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
becuase putting Christ and the love of God over sex is a great celebration of faith. what greater gift then giving up of yourself to Christ.
you comment on those that married - guess what many didn't marry either.
I am celibate - i have not married -- is there something wrong with that - it is my choice. taking your line of thought - i'm not following scriptures. i guess i'm just not following the scriptures you deem fit.
PS - there was a nut who insinuated that homosexuality equals pedophilia - i hope that person stops spreading outright lies and filth. there is NO CORRELATION.
2007-10-30 06:06:57 · answer #10 · answered by Marysia 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋