Christian views about celibacy and marriage

• What is celibacy?


  Abstaining from sexual activity. In Christianity, this is also choosing to live as a single person in order to fully devote their lives to God
• What does the Bible say about celibacy?

  Early Christians believed that the end of the world was coming in the immediate future. This meant they should prepare for that, rather than have children. Paul says that 'if they cannot control themselves, they should marry' (1 Corinthians 7:9). Since sex outside marriage is a sin, those who cannot control their sexual urges should marry. Matthew also references celibacy in scripture
• What is the early church's position on celibacy?

  Monastic tradition saw total devotion of one's life to God, meaning that celibacy was seen as a higher calling than family life. For many women, the celibate life of a convent provided an intellectual environment in which they could flourish, freed from male domination and domestic responsibilities
• What is the Church's position today on celibacy?

  Celibacy is widely practised by monks and nuns and by clergy in the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Church.
• Why is there a shortage of clergy and priests in the Catholic Church?

  There is some pressure in the Roman Catholic Church to end the rule of clergy celibacy, as there is a shortage of people offering themselves for ordination and many priests leave the ministry to marry.
• How does the Protestant view on celibacy differ?

  The Protestant evangelical churches prefer their clergy to be married with a family, as advised in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7
• Is celibacy something to celebrate? Yes!

  - Bible teaching from Paul

  - Monastic history

  - Roman Catholic priesthood is about a relationship with God
• Is celibacy something to celebrate? No!

  - Paul's message is for a specific time and place

  - Sex is a natural human activity and should be enjoyed and not something to be made to feel guilty about

  - the Catholic Church is outdated and needs to change its practices or face a future with fewer priests
• What does the Bible say about marriage?

  In the early church the two acceptable life options were celibacy or marriage. St Paul suggested that marriage is something of a concession to those who cannot remain celibate. However, by the time of the letter to Timothy, it was clear that marriage and taking care of a family demonstrated one's ability to lead the local Christian congregation.
• What were the early church's position on marriage?

  Marriage became a sacrament, a means of receiving God's grace. Promoting family life showed links with the Jewish communities from which many early Christians came. Within Catholicism, marriage remained a sacrament but was seen as inferior to a celibate life.
• Why and how did attitudes change towards marriage?

  With the reformation, the balance shifted towards marriage. A family was seen as God's blessing upon the union of husband and wife.
• How do Roman Catholics view marriage?

  As a sacrament. A physical act which causes a profound change to the souls of the people involved. Two individuals become one flesh, so divorce is not possible. If a couple are unhappy they may live apart but cannot remarry. In certain circumstances, a marriage may be annulled if there is evidence that the marriage was not properly sacramental from the start. They may remarry if this is the case
• How do Protestants churches view marriage?

  They do not see marriage as a sacrament. Therefore a marriage can be dissolved, but most Protestants would argue that this shows that a couple have failed to live up to God's high standards for personal life. Jesus appears to allow divorce only as a result of marital unfaithfulness
• How does the Methodist church view marriage?

  In 2019 the Methodist Church became the largest religious denomination in the UK to allow same-sex marriages.
• Should marriage be celebrated? Yes!

  - it is biblical

  - The early Church promoted marriage

  - It is a sacrament for Roman Catholics

  - Marriage is foundation for family life and raising of children rather than the modern idea of personal satisfaction
• Should marriage be celebrated? No!

  - The Bible can be interpreted differently

  - The Roman Catholic view is outdated

  - Families can be secure and raised outside of formal Christian ideal of marriage

  - Liberal voices are changing the classical Christian image and bringing the church forward to rethink marriage