Allegory of chastity by Hans Memling.

Chastity refers to sexual behaviour of a man or woman acceptable to the ethical norms and guidelines of a certain culture, civilisation or religion. The opposite of chastity would be promiscuity, i.e. sexual behaviour transgressing the norm. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (608x750, 154 KB) Summary Allegory of Chastity, by Hans Memling Color-manipulated version of image taken from page http://cgfa. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (608x750, 154 KB) Summary Allegory of Chastity, by Hans Memling Color-manipulated version of image taken from page http://cgfa. ... St Ursula Shrine by Hans Memling (1489) Gilded and painted wood, 87 x 33 x 91 cm Memlingmuseum, Sint-Janshospitaal, Bruges Hans Memling (Memlinc) (c. ... Sexual behavior is a form of physical intimacy that may be directed to reproduction (one possible goal of sexual intercourse) and/or to the enjoyment of activity involving sexual gratification. ... For other uses, see Ethics (disambiguation). ... “Promiscuous” redirects here. ...

In the western world, the term has become closely associated (and is often used interchangebly) with sexual abstinence, especially before marriage, due to the restriction of sexual relations to marriage deriving from the Ten Commandments. However, the term remains applicable to persons in all states, single or married, clerical or lay, and has implications beyond sexual temperance. Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity. ... This article is primarily about religious attitudes to sexual morality. ... This article is about a list of ten religious commandments. ...

Placed opposite the deadly sin of lust, Chastity has been classified as one of Seven virtues. For other uses, see Cardinal sin (disambiguation). ... Lust is any intense desire or craving for self gratification. ... The Seven Virtues were derived from the Psychomachia (Contest of the Soul), an epic poem written by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (c. ...

From Unmarried to Married

Assuming the observance of chastity, chastity is of particular relevance to the transition from unmarried to married status (here marriage is meant in the common heterosexual sense, not in the sense of spiritual marriage). After all, for marriage it is necessary to find a partner for the express purpose of sexual intimacy. Broadly, there are two approaches: courtship and arranged marriage. Since courtship can involve acts which are in conflict with chastity, an arranged marriage is preferred by some who take the observance of chastity seriously. Spiritual marriage comes from the idea of love without sex. ... It has been suggested that Duration of sexual intercourse be merged into this article or section. ... Suitor redirects here. ... Marriage à-la-mode by William Hogarth: a satire on arranged marriages and prediction of ensuing disaster The purpose of an arranged marriage is to form a new family unit by marriage while respecting the chastity of all people involved. ... Suitor redirects here. ... Marriage à-la-mode by William Hogarth: a satire on arranged marriages and prediction of ensuing disaster The purpose of an arranged marriage is to form a new family unit by marriage while respecting the chastity of all people involved. ...

Different cultures have implemented chastity in different ways. Some take no objection to courtship or even casual sexual relationships. Some have implemented chastity with a double standard. Others have taken the view that marriages should be arranged and that any behavior which could be construed as courtship is taboo. A double standard, according to the World Book Dictionary, is a standard applied more leniently to one group than to another. ...

Antiquity

In ancient times the value of chastity was highly debated in both the homosexual and heterosexual spheres. In particular, Socrates was an advocate of chaste pedagogic relations between men and boys, in opposition to the sexually expressed pederastic relations relationships prevalent in his time. Plato, having transmitted many of these teachings, has become the eponym for this type of chastity, known today as Platonic love (as opposed to romantic love, parental love, sibling love, etc.) Homosexuality refers to sexual interaction and / or romantic attraction between individuals of the same sex. ... One version of a Heterosexuality symbol Heterosexuality is sexual or romantic attraction between opposite sexes, and is the most common sexual orientation among humans. ... This page is about the Classical Greek philosopher. ... Pedagogy (IPA: ) , the art or science of being a teacher, generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction[1]. The word comes from the Ancient Greek (paidagōgeō; from (child) and (lead)): literally, to lead the child”. In Ancient Greece, was (usually) a slave who supervised the... Pederasty or paederasty (literally boy-love, see Etymology below) refers to an intimate or erotic relationship between an adolescent boy and an adult male outside his immediate family. ... For other uses, see Plato (disambiguation). ... Platonic love in its modern popular sense is an affectionate relationship into which the sexual element does not enter, especially in cases where one might easily assume otherwise. ... This article primarily discusses philosophical ideologies in relation to the subject of romantic love. ... For other uses, see Parent (disambiguation). ... Brother and Sister redirect here. ...

In Abrahamic religions

In Jewish, Christian and Islamic ethical contexts, acts of sexual nature are restricted to the context of marriage. For unmarried persons therefore, chasitity is identified with sexual abstinence. Sexual acts outside or apart from marriage, such as adultery, fornication and Prostitution, are considered sinful. Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity. ... This article is about the act of adultery. ... Fornication, or simple fornication, is a term which refers to consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other[1]. In contrast adultery is consensual sex where one or both of the partners are married to someone else. ... Whore redirects here. ... For other uses, see Sin (disambiguation). ...

In the context of marriage, the spouses commit to a lifelong relationship which excludes the possibility of sexual intimacy with other persons. Chastity therefore involves marital fidelity and often a procreative intent. Within marriage, several practices are variedly considered unchaste, such as sexual intimacy during or shortly after menstruation or childbirth. Marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate and sexual, and often created as a contract, or through civil process. ... Marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate and sexual, and often created as a contract, or through civil process. ... Reproduction is the creation of one thing as a copy of, product of, or replacement for a similar thing, e. ... Menstrual cycle The menstrual cycle is a recurring cycle of physiologic changes that occurs in the females of several mammals, including human beings and other apes. ... Parturition redirects here. ...

Some acts, whether outside or inside of marriage can be considered unchaste as well, such as anal or oral sex, masturbation, pornography or rape. Roman men having anal sex. ... Oral sex consists of all sexual activities that involve the use of the mouth, which may include use of the tongue, teeth, and throat, to stimulate genitalia. ... Woman masturbating, 1913 drawing by Gustav Klimt. ... Porn redirects here. ...

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 contrary to God's will and design of human sexuality. Many Anglican churches 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. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... Catholic Church redirects here. ... This box:      Anglicanism most commonly refers to the beliefs and practices of the Anglican Communion, a world-wide affiliation of Christian Churches, most of which have historical connections with the Church of England. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Some Christian denominations, such as the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Churches, have set up various rules regarding clerical celibacy, while others, such as Lutheran and Anglican churches, allow clergy to marry or even favour it. Catholic Church redirects here. ... Eastern Orthodoxy (also called Greek Orthodoxy and Russian Orthodoxy) is a Christian tradition which represents the majority of Eastern Christianity. ... Clerical celibacy is the practice of various religious traditions in which clergy, monastics and those in religious orders (female or male) adopt a celibate life, refraining from marriage and sexual relationships, including masturbation and impure thoughts (such as sexual visualisation and fantasies). ... The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ...

In all Christian traditions, 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. Monasticism (from Greek: monachos—a solitary person) is the religious practice of renouncing all worldly pursuits in order to fully devote ones life to spiritual work. ... A double monastery is an institution combining a separate monastery for monks and an abbey for nuns. ...

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. Beghards and Beguines were Roman Catholic lay religious communities active in the 13th and 14th century, living in a loose semi-monastic community but without formal vows. ... The evangelical counsels or counsels of perfection are poverty, chastity, and obedience. ...

Clothing

Acts which transgress chastity are usually intended to be a private matter. The main exception to this norm is the style of clothing worn because clothing can be used to broadcast a person's receptiveness to sexual advances. For this reason, cultures which attempt to foster chastity employ a modest style of dress, especially for women. Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ... Clothing protects the vulnerable nude human body from the extremes of weather, other features of our environment, and for safety reasons. ... Modesty describes a set of culturally determined values that relate to the presentation of the self to others. ...

Style of dress may be chosen for other reasons than chastity such as the desire to express one's individual identity, to conform to societal norms, for advertising a product, or for other reasons. A woman wearing a burqa may not respond positively to sexual advances and eschew them, while a woman wearing lewd clothing may welcome them. Chastity cannot be judged by clothing alone. While lewd clothing may contribute to successful courtship, such clothing has far reaching implications on society as a whole.^{[citation needed]} Advert redirects here. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

In some cultures, it is accepted that women (and men) who dress immodestly encourage interest in sexuality and sexual curiosity among others.^{[citation needed]} This is especially significant for virgins who may be influenced toward conceiving of sex separately from marriage instead of as an integrated part of marriage. These cultures also believe that premarital sexual abstinence becomes more difficult when even a minority of society openly takes to immodest clothing.^{[citation needed]} Virgin redirects here. ...

References

See also

• Evangelical counsels

The evangelical counsels or counsels of perfection are poverty, chastity, and obedience. ...

External links

• Catechism of the Catholic Church (III.2.I)
• Early Shaker Writings Relating to Sexual Abstinence
• Catholic Encyclopedia: Chastity