[impimp]

I think it is because Jesus and Paul believed in it. Paul also said it was BETTER to be celibate - if you can take it.

[Las Vegas Ron]

I thought scripture said it was better for a man to marry then it was to lust?

I learned a while back not to get involved in these conversations here, they’re too volatile.

It was stupid of me to get involved in this thread so I will gracefully leave before it get’s ugly.

God Bless all FReepers.

[Aliska]

It's based on Jesus words/teaching when asked by a widow which of her seven dead husbands would be her husband in heaven. Jesus answered her that she knew not (more words), those that are counted worthy of that life neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the angels in heaven."

The calling to be celibate and chaste (assumed but not always observed) evidently is a higher calling. It is a tradition in both the east and west. In NT times bishops were required to have only one wife. So clergy were allowed to marry. Forcing celibacy in order to be a priest hasn't seemed to work very well in our times. In eastern orthodoxy priests can be married when they enter but not after, I think. And to be elevated to bishop, one cannot be married.

[stanne]

Oh my.

the level of discussion here has deteriorated.

Look up the Bible verse to which you are referring and put it into context.

And get the speaker correct.

[Joshua]

I think it is because Jesus and Paul believed in it. Paul also said it was BETTER to be celibate - if you can take it.
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Luckily not everyone followed this. The Church would have been wiped out by 100 AD