[BLASTER 14]

The Pope states that, "celibacy...is a great gift to the church."

In what way is celibacy a "great gift"? To this Protestant, celibacy seems as unnatural as homosexualism.

[choirboy]

In what way is celibacy a "great gift"? To this Protestant, celibacy seems as unnatural as homosexualism.

The Word of the Lord came to me: "You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons or daughters in this place." (Jer 16:1-2)

Was God telling Jeremiah to do something unnatural?

[Publius6961]

To this Protestant, celibacy seems as unnatural as homosexualism.

Only a pervert would make a self-serving statement like that.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

To this Protestant, celibacy seems as unnatural as homosexualism.

So all unmarried people are unnatural to you?

[MEGoody]

Some people are called to celibacy. Some are not. (I'd venture to guess that most aren't, but there's nothing biblical in that - just an observation.) It's not 'weird', and certainly not like homosexuality. It's just something that some people are called to and willingly embrace.

[Aliska]

In Rome, a Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Ciro Benedettini, said: "The pope has spoken to this. He has said celibacy remains, it is a great gift to the church. He has spoken clearly in favor of celibacy."

St. Paul was celibate. In the New Testament it talks as if it is a gift from God . . . don't ask for Chapter and verse . ..

That being said, I have read the pope's statement before and it doesn't make sense. Gift to the church? Church??? Or gift from God??? Or both???

Sorry, I don't know how to explain it. If God chooses priests (which I no longer believe), wouldn't He give them the gift of celibacy since it is a requirement of the church.

Maybe someone can put it into words better than I.

That being said, I fail to understand while a protestant can have a problem with celibacy. Protestants didn't used to have a problem with it. Anyone who was single used to be expected to be celibate or marry. My how things have changed.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

To this Protestant, celibacy seems as unnatural as homosexualism.

See Matthew 19:12 and 1 Corinthians 7:32-33.

Were Melchesidech, Elias, John the Baptist, Paul and Jesus unnatural?

[antaresequity]

In what way is celibacy a "great gift"?

I have heard that by swearing celabacy, and abstaining from other mortal pleasures, the priest can minister the word better...and that he is not corrupted by the trivial pursuits of mortal men...

I think its a stupid policy...but I am not religious, and think sex is great...go figure