Allan Kardec-THE Spirit's Book_ The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (1989)

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ALLAN KARDEC
698. Is voluntary celibacy meritorious in the sight of God?
"No; those who live single from selfish motives are displeasing to God, for they fail to
perform their share of social duties."
699. Is not celibacy, on the part of some persons, a sacrifice made by them for the sake of
devoting themselves more entirely to the service of humanity?
"That is a very different thing; I said ‘from selfish motives’. Every sort of personal sacrifice is
meritorious when it is made for a good end; and the greater the sacrifice, the greater the
merit."
God cannot contradict Himself, nor regard as evil what He himself has made, and therefore He cannot
regard the violation of His law as meritorious. But although celibacy, in itself, is not meritorious, it may
become much when the renunciation of family-joys is a sacrifice accomplished in the interests of
humanity. Every sacrifice of personal interests, when made for the good of others and without any
reference to self, raises him who makes it above the level of his material condition.
Polygamy
700. Is polygamy or monogamy most in conformity with the law of nature?
"Polygamy is a human institution, the abolition of which marks an era of social progress.
Marriage, according to the intention of God, should be founded on the affection of the beings
who enter into it. In polygamy there is no real affection; there is only sensuality."
701. Is the almost exact numerical equality existing between the sexes an indication of the
proportions according to which they ought to be united?
"Yes; for every arrangement of nature has a specific purpose."
If polygamy were in accordance with the law of nature, it ought to be possible to establish it everywhere
but it would be physically impossible to do so, owing to the numerical equality of the sexes.
Polygamy must therefore be regarded as a mere custom, adapted to the present state of certain peoples,
and that will gradually disappear with the progress of their social improvement.