Despite the known inferences in the Bible I really don't think that it was God's will. Celibacy is currently described as a "discipline" - not a doctrine - and was not enacted until the first part of the fourth century.
The low numbers of young men entering the priesthood and the aging of the existing should be reason enough to change.
The real reason for any delay in making this change - and it will happen - is more about money than anything else:
The conservatives in the Catholic Church are for the most part the senior group and also the ones that donate the most worldwide - piss them off and funds will dwindle overnight.
A guy's perspective - albeit older - but still dating nonetheless:
Bella & Tracy have both touched upon a crucial and sensitive area namely, proceed with enough interest but do not overdo it.
I was scared off after 3 casual dates with a girl just before Christmas partly due to her suggesting that we buy a tree and decorate it together. There were other concerns I had about her but this was the final straw and I backed out. I felt that she was already being clingy and needy.
So, check the hormones girl and work on the friendship - granted, this is easier said for me being old enough to be your father!
hotlegs50 was posting into random old threads what appeared to be replies to email. The replies were obtuse at best. Generouslover was also posting what appeared to be replies to hotlegs. For a few hours last night it really was bizarre; by early morning their profiles were deleted and now all of their posts are gone leaving behind a trail of non-sequitirs by other members.
While I do realize that you are used to getting mail before Christmas I hope that this reaches you nonetheless.
The tin foil alien beanie that you brought for hotlegs50 this year is clearly not working. Please make arrangements to have it - and her - picked up as soon as possible.
The following figures are taken from the US Department of Defense Budget, Operations Program (OS-1), Fiscal Year 2005:
US Armed Forces Total Operation and Maintenance Title:
FY 2004 = $177,494,233,000.00
FY 2005 = $158,011,810,000.00
FY 2006 = $147,806,087,000.00
Now, most of us know that when a budget is prepared it is the end users job -in effect - to ensure that the budget is met, so as to ensure that the next year's will not be reduced.
With that in mind, is it not clear that the Corporations of Industry are really the ones with the power?
The end of the Cold War was a clear threat to this Industry but, as long as other threats are found - real or imagined - the machine will continue to thrive.
Ideologies of the past, such as freedom from oppression, are still used as premises to go to war but, is the real reason not to support the American Military/Industrial complex?
The military and it's subcontractors employ a huge number of personnel, plant, materiel and equipment the likes of which have never been seen before. It truly is a superpower but what good is all that might without a premise for it's use?
Shortly after the collapse of Communism in Europe along comes this piss ant dictator in the Middle East that decides to invade his peaceful neighbour. Not only does the US and it's Coalition partners handily push back the dictator but the US Forces are given a golden opportunity to employ the radical new weapons in it's arsenal that have yet to be battle tested.
Maverick, Tomahawk and Patriot missiles, F-117 Stealth Fighters and countless innovations in all aspects of the military are not only used but are proven to work. So instead of scaling back the military/industrial complex a new threat is introduced that allows it to carry on unabated.
A decade later an attack upon the US prompts further support for the complex and it is allowed to press on regardless of cost in lives or money.
Forty years before, an outgoing Dwight D. Eisenhower warned in his farewell speech that the military should never be allowed to fall under the influence of corporations and business - sadly, it has.
War is no longer about ideologies - War is Big Business.
arthurdent Forum Posts (490)
And with dispatch, I might add! 
RE: we asked about the priest
Despite the known inferences in the Bible I really don't think that it was God's will. Celibacy is currently described as a "discipline" - not a doctrine - and was not enacted until the first part of the fourth century.The low numbers of young men entering the priesthood and the aging of the existing should be reason enough to change.
The real reason for any delay in making this change - and it will happen - is more about money than anything else:
The conservatives in the Catholic Church are for the most part the senior group and also the ones that donate the most worldwide - piss them off and funds will dwindle overnight.