Is being celibate more healthy?
Well, if you’re celibate, you’re not going to get STDs. That’s the obvious health benefit, physically speaking. And despite all the talk about “pent-up” sexual urges that simply must be released in some manner or the consequences are dire, the fact is that a period of celibacy — short-term or longer — does no physical harm. God may have created sex, but that doesn’t mean everybody MUST be sexually active. Not everybody is, in fact. Involuntary celibacy can occur for many reasons including physical inability to perform the act, inavailability of a partner, chronic illness, etc. As for choosing celibacy, the Apostle Paul did so. “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.” He did continue by saying that if you can’t control yourself it’s better to marry than to “burn”. Those who are voluntarily celibate know the value of controlling their desires, and it’s not as horribly depriving as people who know nothing about it make it out to be. It
Being celibate has it’s pros and cons. Pro: If you aren’t having sex, then you can’t get STI’s and you can’t get pregnant. Con: You are denying a completely natural urge which can be bad for you. Having a responsible sex life on the other hand. Pro: By practicing safe sex, the chance of catching an STI or getting pregnant is virtually zero. Con: Virtually. Pro: You are doing what comes naturally. You don’t have to deny your natural urges. Pro: Studies in males have shown that failing to ejaculate at all for long periods of time can increase the risks of prostate cancer. (I’ve seen some fundamentalists that suggest that celibate also means no masturbation) I honestly believe that the best cure is to have safe and responsible sex with a safe responsible partner.
