Woman Between Islam and Western Society
1. A Survey
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meant to prove to him that the ultimate reality was
beyond his physical needs, so that he in turn might
demonstrate to others that fulfillment may be
achieved by total dependence upon what is sacred.
Throughout the history of primitive religions,
priests have been forbidden sexual activity, and
abstinence there from has been regarded as ritual
purification. Religious literature has perpetuated
such notions about celibacy with the objective of
enhancing the moral and spiritual advancement of
the religiously inclined. The exemplary perfection
attained in this way was supposed to make it
possible to induce certain altered states of mystical
consciousness which gave one direct experience of
the spiritual absolute. Those who wished to attain
this state or perform certain special religious
services were required to make a vow of celibacy in
the presence of another.
Celibacy probably derives originally from taboos of
sexual power as being a rival to religious power,
and of sexuality as being a polluting factor,
especially in situations where sanctity was all-
important. The Romans, for example, adhered to
the dictum of ascetic philosophers and priests that
