I was reading a student paper a couple of days ago on the ethics of the erotic and it occurred to me that I've never read anything about the value of celibacy to society. Lots of sex education programs stress abstinence but it is usually based on a temporary abstinence until marriage.

I'm curious as to what people think of the value of celibacy. I can certainly understand celibacy as an outlet for homsexuality in a society where heterosexuality is the norm, but in a society in which all forms of consensual sex are acceptable, what would be the value of celibacy? It's even hard for me to understand the theological value of celibacy unless sexuality is interpreted as inherently sinful as a result of the fall of humanity.

I can see how dualists could use celibacy as a method of trying to affirm the supremacy of spirit over matter, but is this its only value? Can it serve any purpose in non-dualist philosophies which affirm the goodness of the body? I can't recall anybody on this board being celibate. If there is a celibate, how do you understand your practice?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
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1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
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1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
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