Chastity
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For other uses, see Chastity (disambiguation).
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Allegory of chastity by Hans Memling
Chastity refers to the sexual behavior of a man or woman acceptable to the moral standards
and guidelines of a 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] However, the term
remains applicable to persons in all states, single or married, clerical or lay, and has
implications beyond sexual temperance.
Contents
1 Etymology
2 In Abrahamic religions
o
2.1 In Christianity
3 Eastern religions
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
[edit] 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]
[edit] In Abrahamic religions
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In Jewish, Christian and Islamic religious beliefs, acts of sexual nature are restricted to the
context of marriage. For unmarried persons therefore, chastity is identified with sexual
abstinence. Sexual acts outside or apart from marriage, such as adultery, fornication and
prostitution, are considered sinful.
[edit] In Christianity
In the Christian tradition, chastity is synonymous with sexual purity. Those who are chaste
are morally clean in their thoughts, words, and actions. Chastity means not having any
sexual relations before marriage. It also means complete 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 the context of marriage, the spouses commit to a lifelong relationship which excludes the
possibility of sexual intimacy with other persons. Chastity therefore requires marital
fidelity. Within marriage, various Abrahamic religions consider several practices to be
considered unchaste, such as: sexual intimacy during or shortly after menstruation or
childbirth.(see Leviticus 12:2, 15:24, 20:18)
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".[5]
The particular ethical system may not prescribe each of these. For example, within the
scope of Christian ethic, 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 indeed sexual intercourse under any circumstances) as a violation of chastity.
The Catholic Church, has set up various rules regarding clerical celibacy, while some
Protestant communities, such as Lutheran and Anglican traditions, allow clergy to marry or
even favour it.
In Christian traditions, celibacy is required of monasticsmonks, nuns and friarseven 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. Celibacy among the clergy is a
relavtively 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. [6] 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 and/or as part of an ascetic lifestyle, often devoted to contemplation. The
voluntary aspect has led it to being included among the counsels of perfection.
Chastity (the state and practise of sexual abstinence outside of marriage) 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.[7] It is also regarded as
fundamental to the practise of the Christian life because it involves an apprenticeship in
self-mastery.[8] By attaining mastery over one's passions, reason, will and desire can
harmoniously work together to do what is good. Chastity is classified as one of seven
virtues.
[edit] 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. In classical Hinduism, sexual intercourse was
seen as a sacred act of procreation- within marriage.
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. For laymen this involves abstaining from sexual misconduct,
and for monks strict chastity.
[edit] See also
Seven virtues
Chastity Belt
Seven Deadly Sins
Ten Commandments
Theology of the body
[edit] References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
^ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Chastity
^ a b Chaste at etymonline.com
^ a b c podictionary.com
^ Chastity at etymonline.com
^ Jeremy Taylor (1650). "Chapter II, Section III, Of Chastity". Holy Living.
http://www.anglicanlibrary.org/taylor/holyliving/index.htm.
6.
^ Diarmaid MacCulloch, 'Reformation', Penguin Books, 2003, pg 28
7.
^ Cathechism of the Catholic Church, 1999, Geoffrey Chapman, p.500
8.
^ ibid p.501
[edit] External links
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Chastity
Look up chastity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (III.2.I)
Early Shaker Writings Relating to Sexual Abstinence
Catholic Encyclopedia: Chastity
