Is the main requirement to be a holy person, denying and repressing ones sexual impulses?

Question

...or at least appear as though one is denying their sexual impulses? Because I’m not sure whether or not people actually can deny and repress their sexual impulses and still remain sane. I mean, religions, especially religions in the educated west, seem hell bent on denying their animalistic heritage, so much so that they actually have the nerve to deny proven scientific evidence. Denying that we are animals with animalistic impulses seems like just another of the many denials necessary to maintain the delusion that we are not animals. And is the best way to appear as though one is in control of their sexual impulses to harangue those who appear as though they aren’t in control?

Answer 1

Many religions allow their preachers to get married and have kids. It does seem that the ones that demand celibacy have done themselves more harm than good...

Answer 2

Denying, repressing and controlling are three different but related human emotions that apply when someone is attempting to remain celibate. First one can not deny the fact that temptation is a human emotion that is external to one's desires when celebacy has been vowed. Repressing any emotion is yet another human tactic which helps one deal with matters that otherwise cut across one's grain -- in this case to remain celebate. Finally controlling human emotions is really rather simple when one has the will and determination to remain celebate. Some humans can do it and some can not. None of these implies that we are "denying" our animalistic behavior as you put it. It just means that clergy and even lay people have powerful control over their emotions to the point of being focus on service to God and religion so much so that anything else is external and therefore an obstacle that must be overcome through prayer and deep meditation.

Answer 3

You ask: Is the main requirement to be a holy person denying and repressing ones sexual impulses?

Goodness no, remaining celibate is not the main requirement in order to become a holy person. You can become a holy person without remaining celibate. I say this as a Roman Catholic who knows many, many wonderful people who are not "denying their sexual impulses". Everyone has the chance to become holy, whether they're single and abstaining or married with twelve children. Celibacy is encouraged if you are unmarried or entering into the life of the clergy, true, but you must understand that it is not because it is believed that sexual impulses are somehow evil. Let's look at clergymen. When they make the choice to remain celibate, they do so because they feel called to make a great sacrifice for the honor of their vocation. Since it is natural for a human person to desire sex, such a sacrifice is serious indeed, but they do so because they too are serious--about their vocation. They love God and want to give Him everything, even to the point of denying one of the most natural parts of themselves for love of Him.

I must add that religions like my Roman Catholicism do not consider us as animals, but something above animals since we have reason which enables us to control our impulses.

I hope this helps. :-)

Answer 4

It's not about denying sexual impulses, as it is about providing spiritual guidance and serving as a model of propriety. What the holy person-- and by that I assume you mean a member of the clergy-- does when he or she is not on the pulpit before a congregation, is basically the same as you or anyone else does. There is no law that says a spiritual leader has to deny his or her sexual impulses, anymore than denying hunger, thirst or fatigue. Those are normal impulses. What that person does about them, is another matter. A minister of the Gospel has to be circumspect in order to serve as a leader and guide. That is not to say that he can't be romantic or even sexual with his wife if he's married, or with a romantic interest if he's not. Of course with a Catholic priest, there are restrictions required by the Church that a priest cannot be married. But that still doesn't mean that he doesn't experience sexual impulses or thoughts as long as he doesn't publicly carry them out. We are of a higher intelligence, which separates us from the animal kingdom. Animals have no knowledge of the spiritual or of God. To compare humans to them is prejudicial and presumptuous, and lacks any merit whatsoever. God created within us, sexual impulse for the primary purpose of propagating the human race. And ministers, rabbis and priests are not exempt from those impulses. That does not make them unholy or in denial. It merely is incumbent upon them to act in a manner that is in keeping with their relationship with God, their faith, and with their congregation.

Answer 5

1st of all, f*ck these know nothing guys calling you a s7ut. Being holy is not about repressing any desires you have, but accepting(and doing good for ) everyone else for who they are not matter what choices they make or have made in the past. Just look out for yourself and don't run around sleeping w/ anyone who seems fit. If you're a sexual person, that's just how it is and screw anyone who judges you for that, just choose wisely. Oh yeah, how old are you? If you're under 18 you shouldn't be having sex anyway b/c, trust me, those will all soon be mistakes. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Belief in Gd (seconding the first poster) and faith in whatever the religion teaches, that it´s the best path. The whole sexual urges thing...that isn´t about being holy per se, but being holy withing certain religions, like most of Christianity. Not all religions subscribe to the belief that that is part of being holy.

Can´t think of any offhand, but I´m sure many religions hold sexuality and animalistic impulses as the *highest* form of spirituality. They certainly did in prehistoric times.

Answer 7

NO.

The main requiremnt is :

Deut 6:4-6
5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
NIV

Matt 22:37-40

37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
NIV

Sexual sins are just result of NOT being a holy person. If you obeyed the two listed above, you wouldn't have as much of a problem with "sexual impulses".

Answer 8

Not at all. There are several paths that see sex as an expression of spirituality (look up about Tantric sex, for example). Holiness is different things to different religions, cultures, etc. For Buddhist, it is Nirvana, a life free from physical cravings and materialism such as anger, greed, and regret. It is a perfect state of peace.

For Christians, it is leading a life like their Christ.

For Pagans and several other non-Abrahamic belief systems, the Earth is holy and everything in it is holy. To treat it with disrespect or apathy is pretty much one of the worst sins imaginable.

If you don't feel that Christianity is true to your belief and understanding of holiness, then find a faith that is. A good place to start is at www.sacred-texts.com. They have religious texts for many, many different faiths.

Good journeys :)

Asha

Answer 9

No faith in God, I think repressing sexual impulses is hypocritical though because sexual impulses lead to reproduction and that is the only natural way to continue human life which is necessary.

Answer 10

why? sex is a gift from the creator - no matter what name you use.

for example: why would a parent give a child a gift and then say 'you can't use that'?

the oath of celibacy (i think that is what you are referring to?) is for catholic priests, nuns, monks, ect. has more to do with property than sex.

if you think about it - if priests get married, they most likely would have children, and a family to care for. this became a problem in the early days of the church when sons of wealthy landowners would join the priesthood - the church wanted to see the new priests inheritance stay with the church.

Answer 11

You have a lot of misinformation, don't you! There are some sects that choose to abstain from sex. It is their way of saying, I am serious (it can be a downfall, but, that isn't your question). Man is classified (by science) as a mammal, because they share attributes with them. Pedophiles, murderers, and rapists, share attributes with you. Does that make you one of them? We are taught the "theory of evolution" in schools. You must not understand what a theory is. If you want to understand why all scientists don't ascribe to the theory, you need to go back and educate yourself about Darwin, and his claims. More than once in his younger life he was caught trying to perpetrate a hoax concerning the connection between man and beast.