Chastity
Chastity is sexual behavior of a man or woman that is acceptable to the moral standards and guidelines of their
culture, civilization or religion. In the Western world, the term has become closely associated
(and is often used interchangeably) with sexual abstinence, especially before marriage.[1]
Etymology
The words "chaste" and
"chastity" stem from the Latin adjective castus meaning
"pure". The words entered the English language around the middle of
the 13th century; at that time they meant slightly different things.
"Chaste" meant "virtuous or pure from unlawful sexual
intercourse" (referring to extramarital sex),[2][3]
while "chastity" meant "virginity".[3][4]
It was not until the late 16th century that the two words came to have the same
basic meaning as a related adjective and noun.[2][3]
In
religions
In Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and
Baha'i beliefs, acts of sexual nature are restricted to marriage. For unmarried
persons, chastity is identified with sexual abstinence. Sexual acts outside or apart from marriage, such as adultery,
fornication
and prostitution, are considered sinful.
In
Christianity
"Vow of chastity" redirects here. For vows of
Catholic Religious, see Evangelical counsels. For vows of chastity in other Christian Churches, see Religious vows.
In the Christian
tradition, chastity is synonymous with sexual purity. Chastity means not having
any sexual relations before marriage. It also means fidelity to husband or wife
during marriage. In Catholic morality, chastity is placed opposite the deadly sin
of lust,
and is classified as one of seven virtues.
The moderation of sexual desires is required to be virtuous. Reason, will and
desire can harmoniously work together to do what is good.
In marriage,
the spouses commit to a lifelong relationship which excludes sexual intimacy
with other persons. Within marriage, various Abrahamic religions consider
several practices to be considered unchaste, such as sexual intimacy during or
shortly after menstruation or childbirth.[5]
After marriage, a third form of chastity, often called "vidual
chastity", is expected of a woman while she is in mourning for her late
husband. For example, Jeremy Taylor
defined 5 rules in Holy Living (1650), including abstaining from marrying
"so long as she is with child by her former husband" and "within
the year of mourning".[6]
The particular ethical system may
not prescribe each of these. For example, Roman Catholics view sex within
marriage as chaste, but prohibit the use of artificial contraception as an
offense against chastity, seeing contraception as unnatural, contrary to God's
will and design of human sexuality. Many Anglican
communities allow for artificial contraception, seeing the restriction of
family size as possibly not contrary to God's will. A stricter view is held by
the Shakers,
who prohibit marriage (and sexual intercourse under any circumstances) as a violation of chastity. The Catholic Church
has set up various rules regarding clerical celibacy, while most Protestant communities allow clergy to marry.
Celibacy is required of monastics—monks,
nuns and friars—even in a rare system of double cloisters, in which husbands could enter the (men's) monastery while
their wives entered a (women's) sister monastery. Required celibacy among the
clergy is a relatively recent practice: it became Church policy at the Second Lateran Council in 1139. It was not uniformly enforced among the clergy
until 200 years later.[7]
Certain Latin-Rite Catholic priests may receive a dispensation to be married
before ordination, and all Eastern Catholic priests outside the United States
are also permitted to be married, provided they are so before ordination.
Vows of chastity can also be taken by laypersons, either as part of an
organised religious life (such as Roman Catholic Beguines and Beghards) or on an individual basis: as a voluntary act of devotion,
or as part of an ascetic lifestyle (often devoted to contemplation),
or both. The voluntary aspect has led it to being included among the counsels of perfection. Chastity is a central and pivotal concept in Christian praxis. Chastity's importance in traditional Christian teaching
stems from the fact that it is regarded as essential in maintaining and
cultivating the unity of body with spirit and thus the integrity of the human
being.[8]
It is also regarded as fundamental to the practise of the Christian life
because it involves an apprenticeship in self-mastery.[9]
By attaining mastery over one's passions, reason, will and desire can
harmoniously work together to do what is good.
In
Eastern religions
Hinduism
Hinduism's view on premarital sex is rooted in its concept of the
stages of life.
The first of these stages, known as Brahmacharya, roughly translates as chastity.
Celibacy is considered the appropriate behavior for both male and female students
during this stage, which precedes the stage of the married householder. Many Sadhus (Hindu monks) are also celibate as
part of their ascetic discipline.
Jainism
Although the Digambara
followers of Jainism are celibate monks, most Jains belong to the Shvetambara
sect, which allows spouses and children. The general Jain code of ethics requires that one do no harm to any
living being in thought, action, or word. Adultery is clearly a violation of a
moral agreement with one's spouse, and therefore forbidden, and fornication too
is seen as a violation of the state of chastity.
Buddhism
The teachings of Buddhism
include the Noble Eightfold Path, comprising a division called right action. Under the Five Precepts
ethical code, Upāsaka and Upāsikā lay followers should abstain from sexual misconduct, while Bhikkhu
and Bhikkhuni
monastics should practice strict chastity.
Daoism
The Five Precepts of the Daoist religion include No Sexual Misconduct, which is interpreted
as prohibiting extramarital sex for lay practitioners and marriage or sexual
intercourse for monks and nuns.
The entire wiki link can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chastity
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