8/17    What is the difference between being celibate and abstinence?
        \_ One is "I'm celibate thus I'm closer to God!" and the other
           one is "I've tried abstinence but it doesn't work when I'm
           too horny."
           \- Dont consider this authoritative but after some reflection:
              1. celibacy AFAIK is only WRT sex, as with chastity.
                 abstinence is potentially broader.
                  \_ I think you may have that reversed. I see celibacy
                     used often about priests, implying a broad absence
                     of romance.
                     \- i dont understand what you are saying.
                        a doctor might say "you need to abstain from sex
                        for 2 weeks after your penis operation". he would
                        not say "you need to remain chaste/celibate".
                        note that chastity/chaste can refer to not having
                        extra-maritial sex. again the precise or theoretical
                        differences arent that important since actualy
                        differences arent that important since actual
                        use is pretty loose and defined by context.
                        \_ I think I misunderstood your post, nevermind.
                           (didn't take it in context as a reply to parent)
              2. celibacy i believe usually suggest a some kind of external
                 motivating factor, usually religious obligation or
                 recommendation. abstinence might slightly more suggest an
                 internal "lifestyle choice".
              3. in practice, they are all pretty synonymous. how many people
                 distinguish between "persuade" and "convince" for example...
                 a case where even people who know the differnece dont bother
                 with it.
                 even people who know the difference dont bother with it.