If a person decides on a path of celibacy, even though he has never actually had a girlfriend before, what would be your opinion of him?

He should try it first he might like it ;)

Sorry but I can't seem to vote. There's some type of problem with the Java Scripting and I get an error message.

For me it would depend on whether or not the individual has or is putting an effort towards finding a partner. If someone tries to make themself look all high and mighty by saying that they are celibate, yet deep down they know that if they had a chance they would have sex, then i would have no respect for them.

PERSONALLY, I think it is wrong for someone (male or female) to refrain from having a family, especially when invoking God's name in doing so. I was raised in a Latter-Day Saint household (yes aka Mormon) and was taught that it is "God's will" for his children (us) to MARRY and have children of our own. And NO that doesn't mean multiple wives as well, that practice was eradicated before the 1900's, and anyone still practicing that has absolutely nothing to do with the LDS Church today.

Again this is my opinion and I want to add that I respect other people's right to hold there own on this subject.

In the days of HIV and other STD's (and pregnant 11 year olds) hes better off not going down that road until he/she is ready. If EVER!!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Well I voted that he is free to choose his own path of course, but at the same time he is MAD! MAD I tell ya!

And Earthdog - there are ways of preventing transmission of disease and pregnancy ;) readily available in all pharmacies and grocery stores (trying to keep it suitable for the youngsters on the forum here, doing my best folks, but it had to be said).

Instead of having opinions about such a person, it would perhaps be a better thing to find out why he thinks and does what he thinks and does. Perhaps he might consider parenting too much of a responsibility for him (and it is a huge responsibility indeed, involving no less than bringing up a human being). Or alternatively he might find it too much of a curtailment on his personal freedom to be tied down with a gal, and in time a family. Or perhaps he might (also?) consider the contemporary world to be in such a sorry state that it would be almost criminal to let another soul enter this world in view of what it (this world) is likely to have in store for him/her.

And I have to confess that all the above actually do apply to me to some extent. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 05-26-2002, 07:10 AM: Message edited by: K T Ong ]

I would say that's his own choice.
It depends on whether he intends to remain celibate for all his life or until marriage. In the latter case: fine, if that's his choice. In the former: I would wonder if there's some traumatic experience that brought this belief about, and think that maybe he should try and come to terms with whatever events happened to him. In any case, who am I to say how other people should live their lives?

"Perhaps he might consider parenting too much of a responsibility for him (and it is a huge responsibility indeed, involving no less than bringing up a human being). Or alternatively he might find it too much of a curtailment on his personal freedom to be tied down with a gal, and in time a family."

Some flaws in that. There are 2 forms of birth control for men and like 15? for women. As for personal freedom you dont have to be tied down to someone you have sex with....you dont even have to know their name ;)

Well they are only so effective as far as birth control goes. As for preventing STDs, the male must keep certain parts from contact or they are no use. Any MD will tell ya that. Sorry, Im trying to keep it clean here but it needs to be said. Young uns thinking that "protection" is fool proof are serioulsy being mislead.

ABSTAIN its the best form of protection.

Well, you are right that even going 'double dutch' :rolleyes: i.e. pill and condom isn't one hundred percent safe, but I would say the risk is neglicible. I mean, if you go by risks like those, you can't drive a car, life in a house, you can't do anything for fear of risks.
Oh, and I don't know what you're trying to allude to in your post, but most sexual activities can be performed with protection against STDs.

It doesn't matter why someone chooses celebacy.

I would respect that option. It is much harder to do than the alternatives. Unlike most, I do not think everyone is cut out to have a partner or should have one. Then again, I have friends who are Buddhist monks.

What you choose is what you choose. Nothing more.

EDIT oops!

Anyways I agree. Let the peeps have their choice... I mean if that's waht they want to then do it... they should know what sacrifices they have to take and endure [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 05-26-2002, 11:51 AM: Message edited by: Bahamut ]

yeah, i know I DID! (liked it i mean)

Thank you Melusine. I could walk out in front of a bus tomorrow and be dead. Condoms are pretty good protection against STDs and pregnancy and have a fairly low failure rate.

Earthdog - It's no good telling the young'uns (which I'm not by the way, I'm 31 and have never been pregnant or caught an STD) to abstain from sex, because that's not (or rarely) gonna happen. Instead make sure they are educated about birth control and health.

[ 05-26-2002, 01:22 PM: Message edited by: Epona ]

Hmmmm... the poll is not about focusing on the abstainment from sex, but the decision to not take a life partner. Yes, no sex is also part of the deal, but it is not the main point.

I have been ragged upon when people find out about my chosen path( yes, it is me in question, as if you did not know that already ;) ), and I was curious to know whether everybody thinks I am crazy.

And even if I am really crazy, I will still stick to what I have decided to do a long time ago, because I have my reasons. Just curious.

Well all I can say is what I said before: who am I to judge about what another person does with his/her life?
Personally I think you'll be missing out on a LOT, both intense grief and intense joy, that enrich your life and grant you life experience and wisdom (being optimistic now ;) - for most people it does anyway). But hey, that's your decision to live with [img]smile.gif[/img]

Edit: in addition, I don't think you always have a choice, or that never allowing yourself to be with someone really is a choice. It would seem to me that sooner or later, you're going to find yourself in a situation where you cannot but choose for love - but of course I cannot say for sure because I don't know you well enough.

[ 05-26-2002, 01:48 PM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

Melusine is right, I don't think it is possible for a person to say that he/she will never be with someone or choose not to do so. Sooner or later its gonna happen.

Well, this is purely individual choice. I can't imagine living that way, but that's not to say it isn't possible or even preferable [img]smile.gif[/img]

FWIW, I voted before seeing this post, Dundee, and my vote was that you/the person should follow your own path.

I was celibate for many years and decided that might just be my lot in life for many reasons. It happens that I've met someone, fallen in love and we're engaged now but I can't say that I would change anything I've done in my life regarding the choices I made before we met. You must do what is right for YOU and not what anyone else says is right.

I have a lot of respect for you and your decision. It's not an easy one but if you think it is what you should do, nobody else knows you better than you do! And it took courage to post this. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Well I find this to be very interesting indeed. Sorry Dundee, but I can't help but be extremely curious as to what your reasons are.

Sex is a very special bond between two people that are in love. But more to the point, you seem to be suggesting that you choose a life not only without sex, but without a partner. To me, this seems to be a very lonely path to CHOOSE! But then again, that is only my opinion.

Aviendha.

Heh, depends on how you define lonely. I am after all, not friendless. As for my reasons, as the cliche goes, personal.

Although now I live in paranoia over which 3 people think I am gay. Nah, just kidding. ;)

Thanks to all who responded. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Thank you Melusine. I could walk out in front of a bus tomorrow and be dead. Condoms are pretty good protection against STDs and pregnancy and have a fairly low failure rate.

Earthdog - It's no good telling the young'uns (which I'm not by the way, I'm 31 and have never been pregnant or caught an STD) to abstain from sex, because that's not (or rarely) gonna happen. Instead make sure they are educated about birth control and health.</font>[/QUOTE]Sorry about the double quote thing here but in this case I need them both.

Epona I wasnt saying you were a teen, that was more directed at the creator of the topic. I assumed the he/she was a teen because most people in their 30s arent celebate.

My mother worked for the University of Texas Health Science Center ar Dallas, also known as Southwestern Medical School. Or Parkland Hospital which is where they took JFK when he was assassinated. Ive gone into the Med school library and read the latest on HIV.

Remember a few years ago when the surgeon generals report came out and the big concern was Breast Implants causing cancer??? What you didnt hear about were the 70 odd pages about HIV and AIDS. Condoms are good for preventing certain STDs; however, HIV isnt one of them. In order for a male to not get HIV from a female carrier he must wear a condom, only use half of it and make sure that ANY area not covered does NOT get wet. If it does hes in big trouble.

Doctors tried to recommend a design for condoms that would cover the entire hip area and thus prevent contact on areas that are not traditionally covered by condoms. No manufacturer was interested in creating such a product. Not cost effective.

Something else that was in this section was a list of over 200 insects that can carry and transmit HIV and AIDS. Mosquitos, ticks, spiders, and cockroaches are just a few.

Also without confirmation by blood test the only outward symptom of an individual having AIDS is CHRONIC diarrhea. Meaning diarrhea for 30 days strait or more.

Condoms and the pill are great in conjunction when it comees to birth control. That, however, has no bearing whatsoever, when it comes to HIV OR AIDS.

Stay celebate and save yourself alot of hassles. If you choose to end the celebacy I suggest blood tests for you and your partner. Ya need to be sure.

[ 05-27-2002, 03:20 AM: Message edited by: Earthdog ]

"Doctors tried to recommend a design for condoms that would cover the entire hip area and thus prevent contact on areas that are not traditionally covered by condoms. No manufacturer was interested in creating such a product. Not cost effective."

Thats what the handy saran wrap and condom combo are for ;)

CALEB!!!! ROFLMFAO! Oh shit, I'm never gonna be able to look at saran wrap again after that! You git [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I suggest you watch the comedy Booty Call starring Jamie Fox, Vivica A. Fox, and Tommy Davidson. Good saran wrap tutorial in there ;)

In all honesty Dundee, I think it is possible to get a littlt *too* paranoid about HIV. It is a virus, and as such is pretty fragile. It is much less contagious and hardy than the common cold, and cannot survive for long outside of the body. It does not readily absorb through the skin - the main danger is directly from blood or other body fluids.

I would think that the chances of becoming infected in the manner you describe are infinitesimally small, one in a million chance at worst - the biggest risk is of the condom breaking. You are probably more likely to pick up HIV at the dentists.

That's not to say you should be complacent about it, but there is a difference between healthy caution and protection, and what seems, IMO at least, to be verging on hysteria (that comment not aimed at you, but at the lack of education some people seem to have about HIV, no offense intended).

[ 05-27-2002, 06:12 AM: Message edited by: Epona ]

That movie was classic. Pretty much covered it.. er, uh, you know what I mean durnit [img]smile.gif[/img]

Dundee whats your definition of celibate? Do you consider someone that..uhh..Self services celibate? [img]smile.gif[/img] You never know. Some girls consider themselves virgins because they do not have vaginal sex with a guy.

[ 05-27-2002, 06:22 AM: Message edited by: caleb ]

That isnt entirely accurate. If a female carrier gets vaginal fluid on male body parts its the same thing as the male not having protection on at all. Like I said, Ive done the reasearch and not just what I heard on the news. I went to a med school library and read the information first hand, not blindly accepted what the media has tried to give me. The female has much less to worry about if the male is the carrier and is wearing protection.

The reason most people dont know this is because of all the women that have breast implants. They took precedence over HIV. So the report on HIV barely got glossed over if at all by the media. If everyone in the world knew how many insects could carry and transmit HIV and AIDS there would be a world wide panic. Hard to find a place that doesnt have mosquitos spiders or cockroaches. and the list goes on.......