LDS Church Under Fire Again by Gay and Lesbian Groups . . .

[PaulDupre]

The Mormon condemnation of the gift of celibacy is not a dispute with us, but with Jesus Himself:

For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

• Matthew 19:12 (NIV)

I’ll stick with Jesus, thanks.

 

[dianaiad]

Definition of CELIBACY (from MW on-line)
1: the state of not being married
2a : abstention from sexual intercourse b :** abstention by vow from marriage**

So when someone chooses celibacy they are choosing the state of not being married, which is the same as eschewing marriage in order to live a celibate (unmarried, chaste is another issue) life.

The above quotes say that choosing celibacy (the state of not being married) is never a good one, and is always wrong, or as I asked in my question to GaryTaylor “that it is a bad choice always???” A question addressed to a Catholic who seemed to be favoring LDS teaching over Catholic teaching.

The problem with the perception here is this: you seem to be saying that we teach that celibacy is a bad idea.

It’s not.

It’s expected. It’s not special. It’s not something ‘extra.’ It’s not a vow. It’s the standard expectation of those who do not, or cannot, marry.

In our view, deliberatly choosing not to marry because one thinks that marriage is a lesser way to serve God is absolutely wrong. A single celibate life is always the second choice…the ‘fall back’ position, not the prefered one.

 

[zaffiroborant]

The problem with the perception here is this: you seem to be saying that we teach that celibacy is a bad idea.

It’s not.

It’s expected. It’s not special. It’s not something ‘extra.’ It’s not a vow. It’s the standard expectation of those who do not, or cannot, marry.

In our view, deliberatly choosing not to marry because one thinks that marriage is a lesser way to serve God is absolutely wrong. A single celibate life is always the second choice…the ‘fall back’ position, not the prefered one.

No the problem is you are equating celibacy with no sex and like my quote from MW that is not the only or even first definition of celibacy. You don’t seem to show any interest in understanding or respecting our view on this.
Celibacy is a particular way to serve God, it is an extra-ordinary way to serve. It takes a special gift or calling to serve God in this way, those who choose it are not choosing the lesser or the better but they are choosing an extra-ordinary way of serving. Extra-ordinary being a way to serve that the majority of people would not choose for themselves, something outside of the ordinary and a valid choice.

*which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. *

and some choose not to marry[e] for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.”