Religions praise virginity as a virtue especially in women. In Islam martyrs are reward with 72 virgins; in Christianity the 144,000 in Revelations are specially chosen men are virgins "who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins."
What is the religious significance of virginity? Why are the 144,000 men praised for it? Why is so important to Catholics that Mary was a virgin? If Mary had sex would she be less pure or less important?
What if Jesus was married and had children: would that make Jesus less "holy" in the eyes of Christians?
@vivifysaid Religions praise virginity as a virtue especially in women. In Islam martyrs are reward with 72 virgins; in Christianity the 144,000 in Revelations are specially chosen men are virgins "who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins."
What is the religious significance of virginity? Why are the 144,000 men praised for it? Why is so important to Cat ...[text shortened]... if Jesus was married and had children: would that make Jesus less "holy" in the eyes of Christians?
Too many childish questions, except for the importance of virginity. Sex outside out of marriage leads to unwanted pregnancies and often abortions. If the unwanted pregnancy is not aborted, then a child comes into the world, often into a broken home with one parent. Single parent homes have proven to be the cause of poor family life, social problems, crime, poverty, promiscuity ... and the cycle continues into the next generation.
Gods plan was for sex to be part of a marriage or a committed relationship where the offspring is taken care of by both parents in a stable family environment.
@rajk999said Too many childish questions, except for the importance of virginity. Sex outside out of marriage leads to unwanted pregnancies and often abortions. If the unwanted pregnancy is not aborted, then a child comes into the world, often into a broken home with one parent. Single parent homes have proven to be the cause of poor family life, social problems, crime, poverty, promisc ...[text shortened]... ed relationship where the offspring is taken care of by both parents in a stable family environment.
That doesn't address the question, which is why virginity itself holds such high esteem by religions.
See the "Virgin Mary" or the 144,000 in Revelation as examples. The virginity itself is a virtue. There were ancient religions that were said to sacrifice virgins to the gods.
Why is this? This is more than just about having sex outside of marriage. Virginity itself seems to be something holy in religion. Paul wished that all men were like himself, able to obtain from sex.
If a couple that have both waited until marriage have sex are they no longer pure? Even if they're devoted Christians, can they no longer be sanctified?
@vivifysaid If a couple that have both waited until marriage have sex are they no longer pure? Even if they're devoted Christians, can they no longer be sanctified?
It’s a spiritual ideal expressed in terms of sexual restraint.
@vivifysaid If a couple that have both waited until marriage have sex are they no longer pure? Even if they're devoted Christians, can they no longer be sanctified?
No idea. But you asked “What is the religious significance of virginity?”
When I was younger and less worldly, I once asked my uncle about the difference between virgin and extra virgin. He gave me a succinct explanation. He said: a virgin is pure at heart, while an extra virgin is also pure in mind. I was taken aback and asked, "What?" His response: Let's simplify it this way, a virgin has never done it, and an extra virgin has never even considered doing it.
If God commanded (as he did ) that man be fruitful, then clearly having sec with one’s spouse is in obedience to God. This sex is sinful and dirty stuff comes out of the Catholic reading on original sin which in itself is flawed and incorrect.
@bigdoggsaid He also allegedly put someone to death for failing to impregnate his (dead) brother's wife. The guy pulled out before the grand finale.
Talk about a stupid reason to kill someone!
Not quite.
There was a law that if a man died without children the brother would impregnate that man's wife and have children on the deceased's behalf. The brother, Onan, knew the kids wouldn't be considered his and pulled out so his brother wouldn't have children.
That was what the Bible says was wicked; the refusal to honor his deceased brother by having children for him that would carry on his lineage.
Virginity
19 Jan '24 13:24
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