Abstract This research paper explores the claim that celibacy within the clergy results in sexual deviation. The paper begins with an elucidation of the problem within the Catholic Church and an explanation for the propagation of celibacy in Catholic theory. It then goes on to list the three main myths associated with celibacy; namely, that Catholic priests are more likely to become pedophiles than any other group of men, that the celibate state of the priesthood leads to pedophilia and that married clergy would make pedophilia and other forms of sexual misconduct cease to exist. The paper then proceeds to explore both sides of the argument of whether a relationship between celibacy and sexual deviance exists, and in doing so, the writer brings in the opinions of various experts. The paper continues by looking at the treatment of sexual deviance by the Catholic Church and concludes by deducing that there is no connection between celibacy and sexual deviance.
From the Paper "In today's society, the Catholic Church is confronted with two important issues regarding sexuality. The first is the scandal of sexual abuse of children by priests, which is a highly publicized issue that it damaging the reputation of the Catholic Church in the United States. The second is the question of whether priest should take a vow of celibacy and remain unmarried."
Abstract The proposed study describes the actual number of priests who have committed sexual crimes, reconsiders the Catholic Church's mandatory celibacy policy for priests, proves that clergy members who vow celibacy are no more likely than those who do not vow celibacy to commit acts of sexual deviation and evaluates if the Church's clerical celibacy requirement, causes sexual deviance. The meta-research analyzes the results of various surveys, sexual program evaluations, case studies, research papers and historical sources to present a thorough argument for and against the connection between sexual deviances and celibacy.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Background
Findings
Goals
Specific Aims
Methodology
Research Chronology
Significance
Conclusion
Facilities Available
From the Paper "Celibacy has been a part of the Catholic Church since the fourth century. The Church remains loyal to this policy today, holding that celibacy allows priests to be more independent and available. Celibacy is also based on the idea that priests should live out the same witness as their brothers in monastic life. However, recent scandals involving priests and sexual misconduct have put pressure on the Church to reconsider its policy of mandatory celibacy. Every time a new sexual deviance case is brought against a clergyman, the issue of celibacy rears its head. Many people believe that if priests were allowed to marry, there would be less of a problem with deviant behavior."
Abstract In this article, the writer points out that more and more the faithful are arguing in contemporary society that priests should be afforded the right to marry. The writer discusses that many are associating the failings of Catholic priests in particular in recent years with the strict doctrines of the faith that forbid marriage and promote celibacy among priests. This paper explores the origins of marriage and priesthood by specifically examining the doctrines and belief practices of the Roman Catholic faith compared with the Orthodox Christian faith. The writer concludes that lack of marriage and celibacy among priests only serves to degrade priests and results in excessive stress and loneliness among a population who has embraced their occupation as a means of giving back to their community. Further the writer maintains that to deny priests the right to marriage is to deny them their logical human nature and the gift of marriage, as it is described in the Holy Bible.
Outline:
Introduction
The Rights of Priests to Marry
Conclusions
References
From the Paper "The issue of marriage and priesthood has been hotly debated for centuries in the Christian faith. The Roman Catholic Church is among few that support the notion that priests should remain celibate for life, a symbol of their sacrifice and ability to remain pure and spiritual representatives of God. Other faiths however including the Orthodox faith support more lenient attitudes toward marriage and priesthood, supporting marriage as a basic human right outlined by the bible, something that can be engaged in within the context of a spiritual and holy lifestyle. The Orthodox faith in particular supports the notion of equality within the faith community, suggesting that the role of priests include supporting the flock or followers but not holding priests to standards that are more or less stringent than those afforded the faithful as a whole."
Abstract Discusses celibacy as a rule, not a doctrine. Claims allowing priests to marry would result in a healthier church. Provides a history of sexual abuse by clergy.
From the Paper "Would changing the rules in the Roman Catholic Church in regards to celibacy prevent brutal acts of child molestation?
Introduction
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, celibacy for the clergy of the Catholic Church is "the renunciation of marriage ..."
Abstract This paper examines some of the key changes that took place in the Catholic Church between 500 and 1500. This period begins when the church first emerged in its coherent, proto-modern form and ends with the Protestant Reformation a millennium later. In particular, the paper looks at the emphasis in different eras on the importance of celibacy. Other issues addressed by the paper include the concentration of temporal power in the hands of church leaders and elements of classical religions in Catholicism.
From the Paper "The Catholic Church is so powerful and has been such an important force for so long in human society, that it is difficult sometimes for us to remember how much the church has changed during its history. But any appearance of a monolithic church..."
This paper discusses various issue of selected sexuality which are affected by cultural values, including gender identification, contraception and government policies.
Abstract This paper explains that, although for generations women have been preforming birth control and effective ways of abortion; the practice of abortion has given rise to various social, moral, political and legal issues because abortion is the fulcrum of a much broader ideological struggle in which the very meanings of the family, the state, motherhood and young women's sexuality are contested. The author points out that, though it seems quaint, many individuals today have adopted the idea of celibacy or virginity, the natural method for achieving youth and longevity. The paper relates that rape still is prevalent because of the overcompensating benefits of male reproductive in human evolution history, which has not been eliminated by natural biological selection: women are suffering the consequence of all these atrocities.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Paid Maternity Leave and Other Job Protections for Working Parents
Use of Contraceptives
Abortion
Sex Education in Public Schools
Transvestites
Sexual Behaviors Prohibited by your Religion
Virginity or Celibacy Homosexuality
Prostitution
Date Rape or Marital Rape
From the Paper "It has been noticed that transvestites who openly reveal their longings and desire, usually have their partner to either completely reject them or to accept them completely. But more often than not, the relationship usually ends. Transvestites feel that cross-dressing does not really affect anyone in any manner. But this is not true as the thought itself is very narcissistic and the entire idea of transvestism is a self-centered behavior. A transvestite at times gets to involved in cross-dressing that the social aspects of the relationship does not really matter to them. They seem to spend a lot of time, energy and money to boost their later ego. Initially, the partner of transvestite will usually find himself derelict that ultimately leads to antipathy and problems in the relationship. It is also common fact that some transvestites actually like to indulge in sex while they are cross-dressed."
From the Paper "....I have found through other's mistakes, abstinence is the only form of ?safe sex.? Religion is one of the main reasons why adolescents choose abstinence. God created everyone as a sexual being. Through my beliefs, I have chosen not to have sex before marriage. Suddenly, virgin geek is giving way to virgin chic. The fear of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, are not the only reason for saving sex for the marriage bed. Despite the religion and social reasons to not have sex, the consequences alone are reason enough to choose abstinence. People who are sexually active say they have ?safe sex,? they always use protection. Choosing abstinence is the safest and most respected decision anyone can make..... "
Abstract An analysis of the basis for moral human conduct as taught by Buddhism. Themes covered include: 1) avoid harming or killing any living thing; (2) avoid stealing, i.e., taking what is not yours to take; (3) avoid sexual irresponsibility, which for monks and nuns means celibacy; (4) avoid hurtful speech or lying; and (5) avoid alcohol and drugs which diminish clarity of consciousness.
From the Paper "Moral conduct or sila is the principle of human behavior that promotes orderly and peaceful existence in a community. Rules of moral conduct are found within every religion and may resemble other codes of behavior to a greater or lesser extend depending on the religious system or teacher from which they originated. Codes of moral behavior usually detail various actions from which individuals should abstain and outline certain actions or values which individuals should engage in to lead a moral or whole life."
Examines the historical, religious and cultural context from which priersthood emerged and evolved and major modern issues (ecclesiastic authority, celibacy, marriage for priests, women's ordination).
3,150 words (approx. 12.6 pages), 6 sources, 1999, $ 111.95
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church. The plan of the research will be to set forth the historical, religious, and cultural background and context for the emergence of the Church's priesthood and provide a survey in general terms of the evolution of the institution from the earlier period to the present day, and then to discuss ways in which complex issue fronts facing the contemporary priesthood--notably celibacy, married priests, and women's ordination--may forecast possible lines of development.
Given the well-documented fact of the institutional religious lineage of Judaism and Christianity, one might very well think that features of the Jewish priesthood was taken up by the early Christians and adapted to the purposes of their body of priests. The biblical source for this is Jesus's empowering the ..."
This paper explains the New Testament section I Corinthians 7:1-9: Background, cultural context, sexuality, celibacy, morality, marriage and prostitution.
4,050 words (approx. 16.2 pages), 12 sources, 1991, $ 135.95
From the Paper "The Corinthians bring to a reading of 7:1-9 the entire history of the issues that Paul is answering. Thus if he appears elliptical in reference to the matters to which he is responding, this would be a problem only for those among whom the issues had not been raised. But a careful reading of Chapters 1-6 reveals that they establish the background for the argument that is developed in 7:1-9.
The background is established with repeated reference to the spiritual integrity of the cult itself. This begins in 1:10, when he beseeches the Corinthian brethren "that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you." The reasons for this request are amplified in the body of the letter, which deals with the details of how the unity of purpose will be achieved. Paul's overriding concern is the community of souls, ... "
Abstract This paper is about the letter of St. Jerome to Eustochium, a nun in the 4th century, outlining why he thinks she has chosen correctly in remaining a virgin. It discusses how Jerome was instrumental in securing that celibacy was held as the noblest state and that marriage was seen as solely for the procreation of children, hopefully virgins. Virginity was to be exalted above any other lifestyle choice. It examines how at the time, the idea of virginity dominated the entire female livelihood and was a measure of a women's religiosity. Through the letter, it outlines the ideals for a woman in early Christianity and the thinking at the time towards the body and sex.
From the Paper "Throughout the letter there are also many references that clearly show Jerome's bias in thinking that virginity was the superior and proper way for a woman to live her life. He speaks about his letter to Julian, his friend, and is overjoyed to discover that his sister has chosen this path for herself and had remained firm in her resolve (Kelly, 51). He clearly praises Eustochium for dedicating herself to this great virtue from such a young age and comments that she is much stronger than her sister, who only took the vows of chastity after her husband died."
Abstract As Mahayana shifted emphasis from Nirvana to the Bodhisattva path, there emerged sutras regarding transformation of female into male bodies as a prerequisite to reaching the later stages of Bodhisattvahood. This paper proposes that transformation of a female into a male body was an expression of the concept of emptiness and parts of the movement toward of etherealizing the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. The paper suggests that the use of female body imagery is not necessarily a reference to human bodies at all, but an imagery of changes in the manifestation of consciousness of bodies, impermanence, and emptiness, which played such an important role in the early sutras.
From the Paper "We can consider Brahmacarya as an appositional concept if we consider that in one case emptiness is used to explain brahamacara and in the other case transformation is used to explain emptiness. They appear to talk about brahmacarya because they are concerned about impediments to celibacy. Viewed in this light we can get around the problem of why women would transform into males where they would have the added difficulties of brahamacaya. The two are simply different matters."
Abstract This paper examines how Chinese thought derives its basis from an indigenous religion preexisting Confucianism and Buddhism and how its development throughout history shows influence of the Indian-derived Buddhism and the definitively Chinese Confucianism. It explores how Taoism imitated the Confucian division of scripture into four books and five classics and emphasized the patriarchs along with filial piety and also incorporated some Buddhist elements, especially in the areas of meditation and monasticism, although it maintained a separation from those other belief systems in the use of herbal lore and pairing of divine energies.
From the Paper "The second essay in the Pao-sung-p"ao-ho-chi contradicts the traditional Chinese view of a cyclical universe where even the gods undergo transformation. Here, rather than incorporating Buddhist thought, Taoism contributed to Buddhist thought and this contribution explains somewhat the development of doctrines in Buddhism relating to layers of heavens and eventual return of even the highest of beings to the lower states. But Taoism relies on the concept of the Three Purities, Five Elders and Golden Immortals and holds that immortals are not bound by the laws of yin-yang and the five agents. It also emphasizes the creation role of T"ai-shang (Lao-Tzu) in stating that he can re-create the world. And in this latter statement we see something of Shiva, and the Indian doctrines that preceded Buddhist thought."
Abstract This paper presents a positive review of an article about the most recent discoveries made at the Qumran Cemetery and the Essene community that lived there in ancient times. The paper also describes the approach that the author of the article took to shed new light on the findings at the cave and the implications these findings had for the long-held assumption that the inhabitants of the cave were members of an all-male, celibate society.
From the Paper "Therefore, the author's approach was to try to resolve some of the outstanding issues and concerns about the actual cemetery as opposed to the related discoveries of the scrolls. The intention was to present insights into the celibacy of the Essene settlement based on assertions made from the archaeological discoveries of the Qumran Cemetery. The reason there was renewed interest in the Qumran Cemetery project which was discovered in the 1950's was that some new controversy was raised based on women and children being found buried in the cemetery that was thought to be an all male celibate society. Scholars had theorized that Qumran cemetery was a part of the Essene settlement near by and they have been credited by other historians as the keepers of the Dead Sea Scrolls which not by coincidence were found near the Essene community cemetery."
Abstract This paper explains that Robert Browning's poems "My Last Duchess" and "The Bishop Ordering His Tomb at Saint Praxed's Church", both dramatic monologues that take in the 16th century, portray a large discrepancy between the outer images and the inner character. The author points out that Browning, who was interested in how people lived during the Renaissance, supposedly a period of great artistic and spiritual enlightenment saw that people in the 16th century were just as greedy, egotistical and materialistic as people in the 19th century. The paper reveals that, the dark truth behind both the paintings is, that regardless of their station in life or how good, kind or saintly they portray themselves, a beautiful object may conceal an ugly truth.
Long quotes.
From the Paper "In the first poem, My Last Duchess it is believed that Robert Browning based the Duke on a real person who was accused of killing his wife. According to critical experts, My Last Duchess" is Browning's extraordinary portrait of a Renaissance murderer who would have been astonished had anyone called his conduct criminal. In actuality, the person speaking in this poem is the Duke of Ferrara (b. 1533), who, following the death of his first wife, is now seeking the hand of the niece of the Count of Tyrol. The Duke asks his visitor to stop and look at this perfect picture of his Last Duchess, but although the picture is perfect, the Duke really believes that his Last Duchess was a less than perfect wife."
