Prominent figures who never married or had children

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MaryM

Well-known member
#1
Nov 25, 2022
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#1
This is an unusual subject.

I was reading about famous prime ministers and began reading about Edward Heath, I noticed how people always wondered why he never married. This got me onto Pitt the Younger, same. Then I thought of how Cliff Richard has been treated disgracefully. Then about the apostle Paul who was not a family man as far as we know. Just a few famous examples.

I'm sure there are many such men and indeed women, who choose not to marry or have children or have any relationships at all. They are often regarded as 'odd' , asexual and strange and their lives conjectured about.

This is surely unfair? In fact everyone has the right to lead their lives as they please. They choose to pour all their energy into careers and being truly independent. Yet it is an underlying thing that people prod and poke trying to find fault and even accuse them of all sorts of unsavoury things. It was enraging how the media treated Cliff Richard who is innocent.

I think it is the people who have no known relationships at all that become the object of curiosity. Why?
 
MsMediator

MsMediator

Well-known member
#2
Mar 8, 2022
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#2
MaryM said:
I think it is the people who have no known relationships at all that become the object of curiosity. Why?
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Voluntary singleness/celibacy challenges the worldview of most people and so many people get defensive. Singleness is also subconsciously seen as a threat by married people and those in relationships, as there is no/little room for marrieds/those in relationships/their partners to be "single" (i.e., being independent, doing as they wish, etc.), so this is an additional reason for attacks. Most people see their family as their biggest accomplishment, so when someone doesn't seek this also this is seen as a threat/something questionable as this is something extremely personal.
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#3
Mar 1, 2022
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#3
MsMediator said:
Voluntary singleness/celibacy challenges the worldview of most people and so many people get defensive. Singleness is also subconsciously seen as a threat by married people and those in relationships, as there is no/little room for marrieds/those in relationships/their partners to be "single" (i.e., being independent, doing as they wish, etc.), so this is an additional reason for attacks. Most people see their family as their biggest accomplishment, so when someone doesn't seek this also this is seen as a threat/something questionable as this is something extremely personal.
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Threat may be too strong a word. I think they just can't identify with that reality because they don't understand it. I personally like being married and having a family. I don't see them as an accomplishment, but as a source of joy. But I went through a divorce and was single for a number of years. During that time, God did teach me that He is sufficient in Himself to meet all my needs and there is a completely satisfying life to be found in Him alone...the Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want...I found in my divorce a great appreciation for God that I probably would never have known otherwise. And I think this is what many married people never come to understand.
 
G

Gideon300

Well-known member
#4
Mar 18, 2021
5,368
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#4
MaryM said:
This is an unusual subject.

I was reading about famous prime ministers and began reading about Edward Heath, I noticed how people always wondered why he never married. This got me onto Pitt the Younger, same. Then I thought of how Cliff Richard has been treated disgracefully. Then about the apostle Paul who was not a family man as far as we know. Just a few famous examples.

I'm sure there are many such men and indeed women, who choose not to marry or have children or have any relationships at all. They are often regarded as 'odd' , asexual and strange and their lives conjectured about.

This is surely unfair? In fact everyone has the right to lead their lives as they please. They choose to pour all their energy into careers and being truly independent. Yet it is an underlying thing that people prod and poke trying to find fault and even accuse them of all sorts of unsavoury things. It was enraging how the media treated Cliff Richard who is innocent.

I think it is the people who have no known relationships at all that become the object of curiosity. Why?
Click to expand...
The lives of many people are so pathetically dull that they can't keep their noses out of other people's business. Even school age children pick on those perceived to be different.

Cliff Richards is enormously successful. I'm not a fan especially, but I watched a clip of a concert. The crowd was massive, the stage immense and the production amazing. Obviously a lot of people have no problem with him at all. Good for him. He's worked incredibly hard for his success. He confesses Jesus from time to time also. Some other performers who claim to be Christian could follow his example in their morality.
 
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MaryM

Well-known member
#5
Nov 25, 2022
506
301
63
#5
The man or woman who never marries or has any intimacy, retains full control of their life and finances. All energy can be devoted to themselves.
This can be perceived as a threat somehow by others - maybe even subconsciously envy? Especially towards men in powerful positions. Look at the time, emotion, cost and energy people expend in divorce, affairs and such. All the tragic payment there is for lust for those who are addicted to sex. Slaves to it and it's consequences.

If a person remains unmoved by any such desires, they retain a rare control. This could be what the Apostle Paul had and advocated. He warned people who couldn't control themselves to marry if they must, to avoid sins of lust. After all, cut all that side of life out and you can devote yourself to God, or to any pursuit you choose.

Back in time a man could be a happy lifelong bachelor. Now people jump to the conclusion rather quickly that he must be gay. Similarly if a woman doesn't have any desire to have children, she is regarded as lacking.
To have no relationship ever is an intrigue for others.
 
M

MaryM

Well-known member
#6
Nov 25, 2022
506
301
63
#6
Gideon300 said:
The lives of many people are so pathetically dull that they can't keep their noses out of other people's business. Even school age children pick on those perceived to be different.

Cliff Richards is enormously successful. I'm not a fan especially, but I watched a clip of a concert. The crowd was massive, the stage immense and the production amazing. Obviously a lot of people have no problem with him at all. Good for him. He's worked incredibly hard for his success. He confesses Jesus from time to time also. Some other performers who claim to be Christian could follow his example in their morality.
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Absolutely agree. The man is charming. He was treated abominably by the media who searched his house. I am glad he made them pay.
 
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Gideon300

Well-known member
#7
Mar 18, 2021
5,368
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#7
MaryM said:
Absolutely agree. The man is charming. He was treated abominably by the media who searched his house. I am glad he made them pay.
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Yes, and the world loves to attack successful Christians. I'm English. The land of my birth is pretty much antichrist now. Muslims get better treatment than Christians. I'm glad that I live Australia.
 
kinda

kinda

Senior Member
#11
Jun 26, 2013
3,931
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#11
Nikola Tesla (engineer), Dean Kaymen (engineer), Joey Ramone (singer), and Queen Elizabeth I to name a few.

Jesus and Paul the Apostle.
 
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glen55

Active member
#12
Jul 10, 2021
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#12
Paul did mention no male or female nor jew or gentiles just written stories in Christ all I AM MAN twinkle and wink.
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#13
Jul 3, 2015
60,340
29,589
113
#13
kinda said:
Nikola Tesla (engineer), Dean Kaymen (engineer), Joey Ramone (singer), and Queen Elizabeth I to name a few.

Jesus and Paul the Apostle.
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Paul could have been married and widowed... and there is also John Stott .:)
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#14
Aug 13, 2014
27,429
9,411
113
#14
MaryM said:
This is an unusual subject.

I was reading about famous prime ministers and began reading about Edward Heath, I noticed how people always wondered why he never married. This got me onto Pitt the Younger, same. Then I thought of how Cliff Richard has been treated disgracefully. Then about the apostle Paul who was not a family man as far as we know. Just a few famous examples.

I'm sure there are many such men and indeed women, who choose not to marry or have children or have any relationships at all. They are often regarded as 'odd' , asexual and strange and their lives conjectured about.

This is surely unfair? In fact everyone has the right to lead their lives as they please. They choose to pour all their energy into careers and being truly independent. Yet it is an underlying thing that people prod and poke trying to find fault and even accuse them of all sorts of unsavoury things. It was enraging how the media treated Cliff Richard who is innocent.

I think it is the people who have no known relationships at all that become the object of curiosity. Why?
Click to expand...
Reminds me of an old joke:

I hate going to weddings because often an old woman will pinch my cheek and cackle, "You're next!" I think that's a double standard right there, because they REALLY hate it when i do the same thing to them at funerals.
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#15
Aug 13, 2014
27,429
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#15
Hmm... Just read what MsMediator and Gideon300 said. That's what I would have said if I had beat them to the punch, or to the post.
 
HealthAndHappiness

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
#16
Jul 7, 2022
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Almost Heaven West Virginia
#16
HealthAndHappiness said:
I stand corrected.
There are probably plenty of children of the priests, Cardinals and Popes.
What do you get when you cross a cardinal with the pope?
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So, what do you get when you cross the pope with one of his cardinals?



1699748749328.png

..............................Bird Popy
 
moondancer

moondancer

Member
#17
Dec 24, 2022
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#17
Monks or nuns come to mind here. But I guess people understand that. At least I do. Searching for God is a good cause.

I can imagine people must think I’m pretty odd. I’ve been a nun for the last 10 years. I love being single. Before I became a Christian I was living with a partner of 10 years, we have 2 great kids. We grew apart. But for 10 years now I have never really bothered about looking for someone else since. I’m content that way.

And people still think I need a partner to be happy. People like me who enjoy their own company and not actively looking for a relationship tend to make me feel at ease more. I can sense peoples confidence in themselves and it’s attractive in a good way. It’s just not creepy. I don’t feel pressured to live up to their expectations because they’re not looking for someone to complete them. So I can be myself. And they can be themselves too because I’m not about to start manipulating anyone…It’s great!

I agree though with others here that it challenges their world view.
 
HealthAndHappiness

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
#18
Jul 7, 2022
10,300
4,349
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#18
moondancer said:
Monks or nuns come to mind here. But I guess people understand that. At least I do. Searching for God is a good cause.

I can imagine people must think I’m pretty odd. I’ve been a nun for the last 10 years. I love being single. Before I became a Christian I was living with a partner of 10 years, we have 2 great kids. We grew apart. But for 10 years now I have never really bothered about looking for someone else since. I’m content that way.

And people still think I need a partner to be happy. People like me who enjoy their own company and not actively looking for a relationship tend to make me feel at ease more. I can sense peoples confidence in themselves and it’s attractive in a good way. It’s just not creepy. I don’t feel pressured to live up to their expectations because they’re not looking for someone to complete them. So I can be myself. And they can be themselves too because I’m not about to start manipulating anyone…It’s great!

I agree though with others here that it challenges their world view.
Click to expand...
I used to have a friend who was a former RC Nun. She was pretty cool. A very nice person who had a lot of interesting life experiences.
Sorry for the Pope Joke. That must've been offensive......unless you're Orthodox.
 
moondancer

moondancer

Member
#19
Dec 24, 2022
100
60
18
56
UK
#19
HealthAndHappiness said:
I used to have a friend who was a former RC Nun. She was pretty cool. A very nice person who had a lot of interesting life experiences.
Sorry for the Pope Joke. That must've been offensive......unless you're Orthodox.
Click to expand...
Haha noooo I’m not a real nun it’s a pun.
It’s spun nun pun that I found funny because I’ve been single for centuries 😂
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#20
Aug 13, 2014
27,429
9,411
113
#20
moondancer said:
Monks or nuns come to mind here. But I guess people understand that. At least I do. Searching for God is a good cause.

I can imagine people must think I’m pretty odd. I’ve been a nun for the last 10 years. I love being single. Before I became a Christian I was living with a partner of 10 years, we have 2 great kids. We grew apart. But for 10 years now I have never really bothered about looking for someone else since. I’m content that way.

And people still think I need a partner to be happy. People like me who enjoy their own company and not actively looking for a relationship tend to make me feel at ease more. I can sense peoples confidence in themselves and it’s attractive in a good way. It’s just not creepy. I don’t feel pressured to live up to their expectations because they’re not looking for someone to complete them. So I can be myself. And they can be themselves too because I’m not about to start manipulating anyone…It’s great!

I agree though with others here that it challenges their world view.
Click to expand...

When I smile I'm gonna do it like this, this
When I style I'm gonna do it like this, this
Honey child I'm gonna do it like this, this
Gotta be myself
 
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