Sex is considered to be one of the primal and base urges of human beings. In many religious sects and cults one needs to overcome this basic urge in order to attain salvation. He would have to renounce marriage and remain celibate to extricate himself from worldly bindings. The obligation of sexual abstinence pervades both eastern and western religious thoughts. Sexual impulse is a driving force in men and it requires to be overpowered to retain spiritual sanctity. Violation of this particular ordinance results in sin and degradation. Clerical celibacy is the most prevalent form where sexual abstinence is related to moral purity. It is practiced with the intention of subduing all mortal desires.

There are modern views to the concept of clerks remaining celibate. The alternate religious authorities argue that abstinence from sex is neither essential nor dictated by the religious scriptures. Some of the religious views even advocate priesthood within the folds of family life. If a person chooses celibacy, it would be his personal choice and not imposed upon by religion. A priest does not need to forgo physical desires in a relationship in order to retain his office. In some of the cults of oriental religions like Hinduism, sexual experience is one of the means to attain ultimate spirituality. These religious doctrines do not rule out sex as an impediment in religious life, rather it is accepted as a path to elevate oneself to higher degrees of spiritual enlightenment.

Sex is a very natural impulse of human beings and suppressing it results in psychological complication of various types. It is well known that celibate clerks cannot always control their natural urges and resort to homosexuality or pedophilia. Perversions further distract them from their original religious mission and taint the concept of morality attached with them. Very often it is questioned whether ignoring the sexual desire is rational in a religious career, whether this kind asexual approach helps more to do good to others. These misgivings clearly bring out the dichotomy of sexual abstinence and moral purity in priesthood.

It is common or proven that priests are often the violators of the rules of celibacy. Though this does not undermine the value of celibacy in priesthood. It still has the idea of sacrifice of self - pleasure for a vocation. However, a compulsion to remain celibate does not always make a better priest. Nor ignoring the ordinance of celibacy will assure less sexual vices among them. Celibacy in church should also be a matter of choice. If it is an ideal of asexuality that a clergy would like to observe, he can practice sexual abstinence in his occupation. On the other hand, priests who are married can remain true to their vocation as well. 

There needs to be a reformed view about sexual choices of the priests. Both rigid adherence to the law of clergies remaining celibate or dismissing it as of little relevance does not guarantee more pious and mature priests.