For starters, the amount of scandals involving priests raping children is a very, very minute number compared to he vast amount of priests. Secondly, priests are supposed to model Jesus' behavior, who did not marry.
yes, I think, Celibacy is still relevant , about me, I'm Hindu Celibate, never vowed for celibacy, nobody pushed me to follow celibacy. I become celibate by my own choice. my religion 'Sanatana' don't allow me to follow Celibacy, because, I don't have brother. In Celibacy, Tolerance is biggest factor. Ramakrishna Paramhansa said, Tolerate, Tolerate,Tolerate... big message behind that. simple example, In Boxing match, he wins who have better tolerance than his opponent.so Tolerance is strength, some Celibates lacks strength about word 'Tolerance' so, they get involved in words like scandals. as mentioned above. as a Celibate, I'm not heterosexual or any anti-women mindset. I love sex. My first meditation started from word 'sex', like any other teenager, who is curious about Sex. Sex is entertainment, not hard work. heterosexual or anti-women propaganda can be a reason, some celibates get trapped in scandals. I believe, beauty and strength of Celibacy, about that, very less people speak or explain, Celibacy taught me to do everything appropriate in life. Celibacy is the way of healthy body and healthy mind.Celibacy taught me to respect women. women is not a toy. I believe, Man-woman equality possible, if Celibacy taught by its basic Divine, Gentle and moralistic way. Nobody taught me, what is Celibacy. but, Celibates born in my country, I inspired from them, as a common man, I just tried to check truth, by walking on their way of meditation and morals. Today, I have happy, healthy and well balanced life and in future, I will try to upgrade myself more on this way. 1 thing I learned, your every question's answer is inside you, you must never give-up your question, if you don't get answer immediately. If you think your question can make your life better, keep asking question to yourself again and again, 1 day, you will get answer and that answer can make your life better than before. about fake part of Celibacy, nothing to say, such fake priests, babas, monks etc. exist in all religions.by their behavior, we can't prejudge Celibacy. If you want to know, where is bottom of sea, then you must jump into the sea. don't sit on bay and decide how much sea is deep.
I think the purpose of them being celibate is for them to focus on their mission which is teaching God's words and being one with Him as well. So do I have a problem with priests getting married? Not at all. But in order for them to do their job, they have this rule of celibacy. The church itself doesn't allow them to get married even though I don't have a problem with it. So do I have a problem with the scandals of these certain priests? Yes, absolutely. These priests should be removed immediately from their position and punished. There should be a strict reinforcement of the law even if they are priests. And a proper selecting process for future priests themselves.
Whatever rules the Catholic church had in place in the past should probably changed now because looking back they haven't had the best track record have they when it comes to being a body that people can look up to. As others have said, the celibacy rule had nothing to do with the priests commuting the crimes they did in my opinion, and if people say it did, it's as if your giving them a reason or an excuse to do what they did.
Celibacy is still very relevant. The word of God never changes. God never changes. People aren't supposed to have sex until they're married. God knows best, he knew many problems would arise from fornication. Abortion, broken homes, STD's, etc. I know godly women who have been celibate for years. It's possible when you're saved and walking with Christ.
Eh ... OK. But, as an example, polygamy was totally fine in the Old Testament. In the Mosaic Law, there are guidelines, but the practice was sanctioned. Many of the prophets of that time had multiple wives. It is not tolerated in the New Testament age though. So some change occurred.
Celibacy can also be relevant for physical and emotional health in addition to or absent of religious connotations. You don't run the risk of getting STDs if you're celibate, and you don't have to deal with the games that the opposite sex plays that wreak havoc upon the better party between them. It's not as gratifying of a lifestyle and it does sound empty by choice or by force if there is no choice, but there's still a physical and emotional need for it that I see even more than the religious one.
That's why Jesus was here wasn't it? To teach people what they were expected to do right? In the old Testament people were allowed to hate their enemies Jesus taught His disciples to love both their enemies and friends. So the Word of God certainly does change but it's only HE who can change it. It would be easier to love one's enemies because unlike in the past, there was the promise of the Holy Spirit. When you have God guiding you, you can do the impossible — you can love your enemies.
In the Catholic church I think it's really just all for show. It's the priest making everyone believe that nothing comes before God and the church in their lives, though we all know that in few cases is that ever really true. It's just another way to try to make the followers of a certain religion more devoted.
Celibacy is more relevant than any other time in history. In this era of HIV and Aids, single parenthood, the dilution of the marriage institution and other social upheavals, celibacy wins hands down. For the spiritually inclined (we have no option but to be), the facts of lack of it would frighten you beyond words.
