04/26/2004: "Superheros and Celibacy"
This article talks about how most superheros are Celibate because of the sacrifice they must make because of their obligations to serve. I think it is a very good point, one that I have held for a long time. The ordained life calls those who take the vows to a life of service and to completely serve, they must make sacrifices of their own lives. When we are married, we are called to serve our families. How do we fully serve both our families and our Church, when they both as for full servatude? I don't think it is fair to ask that of anyone.
But, the thought of superheros being an example of this issue is one that I had never previously considered. I'll keep that in my bag of discussion examples.
Replies: 1 Comment
Paul :
Interesting. Well, as anyone who knows me knows, I love my superheros. Prior to reading the article, I thought that I was going to completely disagree with what it was saying, but having read it, I agree in principle to the point that it is making.
However, the injection of superheros into the conversation only muddies the issue of celibacy. For example, no one can argue that Batman is celibate. Spiderman does eventaully get married. (Oh, and by the way, in Spiderman II [this summer] you will see Spiderman do the same thing that Superman did in Superman II). Wonder woman was modeled after a BDSM mistress of a married psycologist. Cyclops and Jean Gray are a "couple" (or they at least were a couple before she became Phoenix). I would argue that sex is a huge part of Superheros. And in my book that is not celibacy.
However if we define celibacy as not getting married and still maintaing ones superheroic duties, then yes, Superheros make a great example about that, but I don't think that many would argue that that is what celibacy really is. If that were the case, then promiscuity would be accepted among priests just as long as they didn't get married.
Paul
04.27.04 @ 11:28 AM PST
