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 Discusses celibate priests as hypocritical and as sexual predators involved in homosexual pedophilia. Cites the Sacrament of Confession as the Church's remedy for priestly imperfection and considers incorrect notions of the concept of Confession.
From the Paper "In a cultural environment where multiple perverse sex crimes against children have been laid at the feet of Catholic priests, it should hardly be surprising that anti-Catholic stereotypes have new currency and credibility. One such stereo-type is that the..."
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 examines how the articles "The Heterosexualization of the Ontario Women Teacher in the Postwar Period" by S. Cavanagh (2006) and "Rethinking Class in Lesbian Bar Culture: Living 'The Gay Life'" by S. Chenier (2006) both discuss the ways in which heterosexism and traditional gender norms had an impact on single women, both gay and straight, during the post-war twentieth century. It looks at how throughout Canadian history, many unmarried teachers in the post-war period and lesbians in the mid-twentieth century in Toronto struggled with discrimination and the challenge of securing jobs and how living outside of traditional gender norms resulted in discrimination and had negative economic impacts on both groups of women. It also discusses how in their articles, Cavanagh and Chenier explore these issues through personal interviews, tabloids, court actions and jail records.
From the Paper "Single women were preferred as teachers over married women during the early 1900's. The single woman was seen as non- sexual and morally fit. The 'celibate' woman teacher was seen as, "inducing a similar state of being upon her students" (Cavanagh 2006, 285). Cavanagh explains how married women, who were operating within traditional gender norms, were now seen as natural, with predisposition to love and care for children. The married women were thought to project a heterosexual behavior to her students, unlike the single 'celibate' women. Once the marriage bar was lifted in 1946 intolerance for homosexuality became more present, as Cavanagh states, "the single woman teacher came to be defined....sexually inverted, deviant, and queer" (2006, 284). Celibate single women teachers were no longer allowed to continue teaching. "
Abstract This paper discusses the practice of silence as part of a monastic discipline. The author describes the use of silence and meditation in Buddhism, Christianity and in Judaism, explaining how they differ in each religion, and contrasting Christian methods of meditation with Jewish ones in particular. The paper concludes with the author's personal preference for the monastics' unconditional practice of silence and separation from society, as a refreshing phenomenon in a material world.
From the Paper "In my extensive training as a Hostage Negotiator, I have learned the absolute necessity for silence. You cannot speak and to listen to someone else at the same time. Without the discipline of silence it is impossible to engage in meaningful dialogue, since this involves setting aside one's personal thoughts and endeavoring to hear what the other is saying. The art of negotiating is to hear what the hostage taker or barricaded subject is telling you without actually saying it in words."
Tags: de-energizing, conversation, celibate, frugal, sin, contemplation, Kabbalistic, Chesed
