The Catholic Church Will End Priestly Celibacy, or Priestly Celibacy Will End the Catholic Church

[The Damned]

There is no way around it. And if you think that this isn't political, think again!

The Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church has its hands in the governments of more than half the countries of the world, be they majority-Catholic or not. If this 2,000-year-old institution collapses, the chaos will be immeasurable!

But hey, that's just my opinion! After all, when has religion ever played a role in global conflict?

[zorahopkins]

1. It Is Difficult

Celibacy does sort of prevent reproduction.

I thought the Catholic Church actually encourage reproduction.

??

[Oregone]

2. Uh, what does celibacy have to do with sick fucks touching pre-pubescent boys?

Republicans aren't celibant....explain their problems.

[Goblinmonger]

3. If you mean because they need to increase the number of priests

then I agree with you. There is a shortage of priests and letting priests be married would help with those numbers.

If you are saying they need to do this because of the pedophile problems, I would disagree with you. They don't become pedophiles because they are celibate. That's just silly and I don't think you can back that up with anything other than your claim. The pedophiles are drawn to the job just like they are drawn to being a sports coach or a scout leader. It puts them in a position of power over the young. The problem the church has is not that they produce pedophiles, but that they don't do anything when they find out there is one that is a priest.

[The Damned]

4. Madonna

One message that comes loud and clear through her music is that the WORST thing you can do with human sexuality is try to repress it! It's a primal force in humans that WILL manifest itself!

[Goblinmonger]

7. So want to give me some other source than Madonna

that taking a vow of celibacy will turn you into a pedophile because as much as she is a pioneer in music, her thoughts on this really don't mean anything.

[rug]

14. That's the best argument for celibacy yet.

[Dorian Gray]

16. I agree with you mainly about this

though I do think that the idea of living a life in which they are perceived to be celibate while freely associating with children does appeal to those who have pedophiliac leanings. (Sort of your point, though the priesthood provides them with an added layer of cover.)

The Church, whether they decide priests need to stay celibate or not, need to have extensive psychological testing of those who are put in a position of power, and anybody who may have psychological leanings toward pedophilia needs to be kept out of the priesthood.

I also don't agree that pedophilia is a gay problem, as some in the power structure seem to believe. (including Bill Donohue, leader of the Catholic League.) So that argument is a bunch of bunk. (I say that because the church might try to prevent homosexual priests from taking vows.)

[golddigger]

5. What I think is the problem is...

that they all have read "The Secret Gospel of Mark," and figured if it was okay for Jesus to do it, they could also.

[ieoeja]

6. Celibacy does not make you desire children.

I'd imagine there are a whole lot of women out there who would be seriously turned on by the thought of f'ing a priest.

And then there are those who'd "do a priest a favor" out of admiration for the office. They might even get a spirtual, closer-to-god high out of it.

You know, the more I think about it, the more appealing priesthood begins to sound. "Hey, babe, ever wonder what's under these robes?" :evilgrin:


If it was about normal sexual urges, they should have no difficulty getting laid.


If priests are committing pedophilia at a larger rate than the laity entrusted with children (particulary in absolutist matters meaning absolute trust), then it probably says more about the people becoming priests than what priesthood does to the people.


Feel guilty about your sexual desires? Embrace God! Becoming a priest may just help you fight those feelings. And if you fail then you can at least take solace in doing God's work to help atone for your sins.

Perfectly happy with your sexual desires and want a way to fulfill them? Everybody trusts a priest!

[TexasProgresive]

9. They are called "chalice chippers." n/t

[Withywindle]

10. HAHAHAH!

So, so true. I'm not even Catholic and the kink of it still appeals to me.

And the larger point is true. Celibacy has not one damn thing to do with molesting children. Some people are celibate for non-religious reasons and never took any religious vows; they just don't have sex. Some people take religious vows of celibacy and actually keep them. Some people break their vows, but with consenting adult partners.

Sexual abuse of children is a crime of power and opportunity. Lots and lots of people who do it in the secular world are married or have regular partners. It's not just a matter of repression and horniness, that's a very oversimplified and kind of ignorant view of what makes true predators tick.

[ieoeja]

11. I am celibate because my wife divorced me, and I have not remarried.

I am chaste because I'm honest ("why, yes, that dress does look stu... hey! I didn't buy you that drink so you could throw it in my face! Where are you going?").


All priests are required to take a vow of celibacy. Not all take a vow of chastity.

So they aren't even violating a vow when they get laid. Sinning, sure. But it's not a particularly major sin. So say a handful of Our Father's (but stay away from the Hail Mary's awhile) and all is forgiven.

[Withywindle]

15. I am celibate at the moment because I haven't met a partner who trips my wire.

I'm not even Christian. It's not religious - I'm Pagan and my religion values acts of love and pleasure for their own sake.

I've been "celibate" (for a certain value of it, I mean, no partner) for the past year because I'm waiting for the right good partner for me to come along. I can wait. I have an imagination and a hand.

In my faith, mutually pleasurable (or solitary) sexual enjoyment is no sin, but using someone else IS.

[Toasterlad]

8. I Vote For Choice #2.

[Lagomorph]

12. I've seen a lot of predictions....

...but somehow those institutions keep muttering along.

[struggle4progress]

13. The . Catholic . Church has its hands in the governments of . half . the world?

What bizarre conspiracy theory is this?

[Old Troop]

17. What's interesting is that celibacy actually means not married

chastity is not having sex. Hmmm