Evolved?

August 27th, 2022| Topic: RaMbLeS | 4

Celibacy, especially religious celibacy, has puzzled social scientists for centuries.

Writes one group of scientists (from University College London, UK, and Lanzhou University, China):

Why some individuals commit to sexual abstinence is unclear.”

Well ….

I am heterosexual in orientation but celibate in practice. I call it “ecclesiological singleness”: by choice, for life, unto Christ, in community. At least to me, it is pretty clear.

But how did celibacy “evolve” is the question those scientists ask? It must have had some benefits for the community. If not, it would have died out. They say.

Regarding being single, Jesus said:

“Not all can accept this statement,
but those to whom it has been given.”
Matthew 19:11

I am pretty sure that I am gifted that way (just as others are gifted for marriage).

Each has his own gift from God,
one this way, another that way.
1 Corinthians 7:7b

Anyhow, these scientists decide to put all this to a test. They studied Amdo Tibetans (Buddhists) in a county in Gansu Province, China, who follow the traditional practice of sending younger boys into the monastery: one in seven Tibetan boys would end up celibate in the religious order. Over 500 households were interviewed—about 3,500 people, of whom about 250 were monks and 5, nuns. Genealogies were created. Analyses were conducted. And published. In the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, earlier this year: “Religious Celibacy Brings Inclusive Fitness Benefits.”

We found that: men with a monk brother have 1.75 times more children than men whose brothers are not monks. … And in this population, men with a monk brother are wealthier than men with a non-celibate brother.”

Interestingly enough, …

… men with a monk brother father more children, and grandparents with a monk son have more grandchildren.”

Wow, even grandparents benefit from celibates!

All this has probably got to do with the division of wealth among sons. One son in the monastery means one less person to divide the wealth into. So the rest of the family benefits, even to the point of having more children.

All that to say, celibacy is great news—according to scientists—for the genes of the celibates’ siblings, parents, grandparents, et al. Just not a lot of fun for the one taking it for the team.

I beg to disagree.

Here are some of the freedoms I enjoy as a celibate (taken from a chapter I contributed to a book: “Ecclesiological Singleness”):

Biological freedom releases one from the societally decreed compulsion to have sex and, instead, to live limiting one’s sexual drive in the spiritual discipline of lifelong abstinence. Provisional freedom allows the celibate to focus on God’s total provision for one’s needs. Sociological freedom relieves one from the pressures of family activities and allied interests, permitting the ecclesiologically single to focus on the ecclesia, the Body of Christ. Passional freedom gives the celibate room to suffer for Christ, without putting loved ones in danger. Emotional freedom enables the celibate to demonstrate inclusive (non-exclusive) love to the eternal family of God, the wider community of fellow-believers.”

Quoting another:

I wish that all people were as I myself am.
1 Corinthians 7:7a

“For thus says Yahweh, ‘To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths,
And choose that which pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant,
To them I will give … a name better than sons and daughters;
an everlasting name I will give them which will not be cut off.’”
Isaiah 56:3–5

SOURCE:
Big Think; Proceedings of the Royal Society B