In short,no. Celibacy is the personal choice that a sexual person makes not to engage in sexual activity. Asexuality is not a choice, it is an orientation and identification. What does it mean to be asexual and Christian? Being asexual and Christian is difficult to navigate.
Is celibacy and asexuality the same thing?
No, not at all. Celibacy and asexuality are two different concepts. Celibacy means someone doesn’t have sex. Asexuality means someone doesn’t have sexual attraction. I still don’t see how those are any different. They both mean that person isn’t getting any.
What does the Bible say about celibacy?
Rather than engage in immorality, believers are to be married. Sex within marriage between one man and one woman or celibate singleness—these are the only two options for Christians. Although the Bible does speak of celibacy as a gift, it is not listed with the spiritual gifts ( 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12 ).
What does the Bible say about asexuality?
Asexuals are people who say they have no desire to have sex. They claim it is a sexual preference or orientation just like heterosexuality or homosexuality. Most liberal Christians view asexuality as okay. After all, doesn’t Jesus condone celibacy ( Matt 19:12 )? And doesn’t Paul speak of a “gift of singleness” ( 1 Cor 7:7 )?
Should asexuality be allowed in the church?
On the surface, it seems that asexuality should work very well with Christian practice. Since many churches advocate for abstinence, being asexual would make that easy. However, the Christian church and culture is often very heteronormative — it assumes that people are heterosexual and heteroromantic.
Clarifications from Jill
Below is are some excerpts from follow up emails I received from Jill after she read my first article responding to her concerns.
Is Asexuality In And Of Itself A Sin?
No Jill, asexuality itself is not a sin. In fact asexuality can be part, and I stress part, of the gift of celibacy that God gives to some people. But if a Christian is asexual, they should not automatically equate this to having the gift of celibacy.
Genophobia Is Not a Reason God Allows For Celibacy
You said in one of your emails that “I have experienced NO trauma in my life whatsoever, sexual or otherwise” but you previously admitted that you “have anxiety over male doctors” . Now it is possible that both statements could be absolutely true.
Asexuality Is Not A Valid Reason For Celibacy
After what I just said you might say – “Ok then I will leave it all and forgo even seeking to adopt a child later in life” . But you still have a problem.
Careers And The Celibate Life
In another email to me, you asked about fields outside of teaching, nursing and medicine for women and you alluded to many other fields women might work in:
Conclusion
Asexuality in and of itself is not a sin but being asexual does not automatically mean you are called to a life of celibacy. Asexuality which is based in the fear of sex or fear of having to follow gender roles in marriage is not a proper basis for a Christian to seek a celibate life.
What is an allosexual?
Allosexual broadly refers to anyone who is not asexual. This term is used by asexuals because it has been noted there are unhelpful associations when using a more loaded term like “sexual” to refer to non-asexuals. Between asexual and allosexual are many other descriptors.
What is an aromantic asexual?
Many asexuals also identify their romantic attraction, or the desire for ways of connecting such as cuddling, kissing, holding hands, etc. Aromantic refers to someone who does not experience romantic attraction to others. Romantic orientations can include signifiers just as any sexual orientation can. For example bi-, hetero-, homo-, pan-, are all …
What happens when the church is unable to imagine other ways of Christian life?
If the church is unable to imagine other ways of Christian faith and life, it excludes anyone who does not fit in a traditional and heteronormative box.
What is romantic orientation?
Romantic orientations can include signifiers just as any sexual orientation can. For example bi-, hetero-, homo-, pan-, are all terms that can be added to -romantic to describe who someone is romantically attracted to. Given each of these distinctions, there are many possible ways to identify as an asexual, for example: …
Is asexuality a spectrum?
A person who is asexual does not experience sexual attraction. Many people often refer to asexuality existing on a spectrum, with sex-repulsion on one end and sexually open on the other end. Allosexual may also be included on this spectrum. Allosexual broadly refers to anyone who is not asexual.
Is asexuality a Christian practice?
On the surface, it seems that asexuality should work very well with Christian practice. Since many churches advocate for abstinence, being asexual would make that easy. However, the Christian church and culture is often very heteronormative — it assumes that people are heterosexual and heteroromantic.
Is asexuality a disease?
Asexuality is not a disease, and it is not something that can be “cured.”. There is no appropriate pill or form of therapy to “fix” an asexual. An asexual person is not broken or sick. So you never have sex at all? Some asexuals choose to never have sex.
Friendly
I’m a virgin asexual whose policy on religion is Respect All, Follow None.
bedbug
There is a term we use on board ship " Cherry Boy ". This normally is applied to young male seafarers who have never had sexual intercourse "YET"….
Raven17
There is no contradiction in being asexual and Christian, nor in being sexual and Christian. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!!
Cerberus
Why be scared about being an asexual Christian? Okay, asexuals aren’t well understood and the extremists of the religious war (born-agains (both Christian and atheist)) have been turning up the flame war a couple of degrees, but, no need to be shamed about your identity.
Islander9
While I wont get into the Christian thannnggg (I truly hate all religions) I am an asexual virgin – obviously celibate! My natural inclinations are towards Tao/Polynesian paganism – as an attitude for life, as a prompt for our animal reality when that becomes confused with speciesisim, and a hope for what our wee flawed H.
summerbreeze
I am also a celibate, virgin, asexual and I take all of that as a defining part of me that I will never compromise (even if I could and I don’t think I could). God loves all those who love God and do good so don’t think that you are being unethical. It would be unethical to use sex as most of the species has.
Nyarlathotep
Haha, I’m a virgin, celibate, and fairly sure I’m aesexual (I’m still questioning, but the more I see of college life the more I’m sure I must be XD ). I’m not a christian, but I’ve done extensive studies of the religion and I can see where you might be freaked out a little.
What is the gift of singleness?
Singleness is a gift that God gives everyone, at least temporarily. For some, the gift of singleness is permanent; for others, God takes that gift away and gives the gift of marriage in its place. The Bible encourages those who are celibate in Christian service that they are an important part of God’s family. Return to:
What does Jesus say about the gift of celibacy?
Regardless of what we call the gift, Jesus teaches that most people do not naturally desire to remain single and celibate for a lifetime.
Is singleness a gift in the Bible?
Sex within marriage between one man and one woman or celibate singleness—these are the only two options for Christians. Although the Bible does speak of celibacy as a gift, it is not listed with the spiritual gifts ( 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12 ). Singleness is a gift that God gives everyone, at least temporarily.
Does marriage keep you from sin?
In fact, marriage can keep us from sin: “Since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband” ( 1 Corinthians 7:2 ). Rather than engage in immorality, believers are to be married. Sex within marriage between one man and one woman or celibate singleness—these are the only two options for Christians. …
Is the ability to stay single and serve God apart from marriage a gift?
The ability to stay single and serve God apart from marriage is a gift. Paul and some others had this gift, but not everyone. As we see, the Bible does not explicitly call this “the gift of celibacy,” but it does express that the ability to remain unmarried to serve God more fully is a gift.
Why do asexuals use their orientation?
Yet asexuals use their “orientation” as an excuse to disobey God. Asexuality is as unnatural as homosexuality, for even the majority of the unsaved by nature have the decency and the desire to marry and have children. The asexual agenda is a secular movement, not one dedicated to furthering the kingdom of heaven.
What is the asexual agenda?
Asexuals are people who say they have no desire to have sex. They claim it is a sexual preference or orientation just like heterosexuality or homosexuality.
What does "eunuchs" mean in Deut 23:1?
These are real eunuchs, men who have been castrated. It is important to remember that “he that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord” ( Deut 23:1 ). 3) Those “which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.”.
What to do if you are born with a condition that prevents you from reproducing?
If you have been born with a condition that prevents you from reproducing or having sex, or if you have been castrated or sustained an injury to your manhood, that’s too bad; you’d better pray for a miracle or something. Otherwise.
What does the Bible say about cleaving to wife?
Right at the outset of the Bible, God makes it clear that a man shall “leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” ( Gen 2:24 ). Men ought to marry and, once married, cleave to their wives and become one flesh with them — in other words, have sex.
Why is it important for women to not shirk their duty to bear children?
It is especially important that a woman not shirk her duty to bear sons, for “she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety” ( 1 Tim 2:15 ). All women should strive to be like Rachel, who said to her husband Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die” ( Gen 30:1 ).
Is asexuality a secular movement?
The asexual agenda is a secular movement, not one dedicated to furthering the kingdom of heaven. The Mary-worshipping, ring-kissing papists have been endorsing asexuality for centuries. They think it’s okay for their nuns, monks and priests not to marry.
What does it mean to be an asexual?
by Lisa Petriello. According to The Asexual Visibility and Education Network, “ [a]n asexual person is a person who does not experience sexual attraction. ”. We Christians should note that the Bible does not condemn such people, and neither have any Popes or other prominent Christian leaders, and of course there are some asexual Christians.
Is asexuality scientifically proven?
Asexuality has been found to exist scientifically. For example in 1994, when a research team in the United Kingdom carried out a comprehensive survey of 18,876 British residents, the survey included a question on sexual attraction, to which 1.05% of the respondents replied that they had “never felt sexually attracted to anyone at all”. As well, Canadian sexuality researcher Anthony Bogaert in 2004 did research that indicated that 1% of the British population did not experience sexual attraction.
Should Christians be asexual?
Therefore, all Christians should accept asexuals, by making it clear that being asexual (and refusing to have sex, be in romantic relationships, and/or marry, as many though not all asexuals do) are not sins and that proud asexuals are welcome in our churches and communities.
Do asexual people exist?
Asexual people do not exist. Sexuality is a gift from God and thus a fundamental part of our human identity. Those who repress their sexuality are not living as God created them to be: fully alive and well. As such, they’re most likely unhappy people with which to live.”.
Is free speech free?
Free Speech is Free, but the cost to publish Free Speech is not. The assault on honest, Christian Journalism and Media has taken a devastating toll during this past year. Many Christian media outlets have not survived.
Can God’s command to be fruitful and multiply apply to everyone?
In regard to God’s command to be fruitful and multiply, one may note that cannot possibly apply to everyone since some people are naturally infertile. Nor do I think it can apply to everyone who is not naturally infertile, as some people are clearly unfit to be parents.
Wayland Cybersmith
I have had an idea for a Christian Asexual/Celibate symbol. I am new to this, still learning about asexual culture.
Cakey
The best symbol for asexuality that I have ever seen, is the one below, it could give you some more ideas. Sorry, I am not sure who designed it though?
Guest member25959
The best symbol for asexuality that I have ever seen, is the one below, it could give you some more ideas. Sorry, I am not sure who designed it though?
Cakey
The best symbol for asexuality that I have ever seen, is the one below, it could give you some more ideas. Sorry, I am not sure who designed it though?
Batman’s Ace
I’d probably be a little more comfortable with just a cross in front of the asexual colors–the Christian flag has never been particularly well accepted, and I’m used to seeing it as a bit of a joke, so the reference here might not be taken very seriously. That said, it’s certainly pretty!
Wayland Cybersmith
Thanks for your encouragement and advice, everyone. Batman’s Ace, the design of the symbol is that the left represents asexuals, and the right celibates. I was not intending to echo a Christian/St George’s flag.