Sexual Revolution

[Monica]

When sexually liberating experiences/sexual energy transfer seem to be extremely useful for spiritual growth and practice, why does celibacy seem to be a common factor in some spiritually devout paths?

In the case of Catholicism, the priests and nuns were expected to suppress their natural desires, thus perpetuating the inevitable feelings of guilt, thus making them easier to control.

Is this a "harmful" distortion?

In my opinion, when it's suppressed, exceedingly so.

What are the virtues of a sexless life?

When it's forced and the energies suppressed, I can't think of a single virtue. But I can think of lots of ways it is harmful.

In contrast, however, Taoist monks were also celibate, but were taught techniques to channel the sexual energy, so that it flowed rather than obstruct. In this way, it could be a healthy path, assuming the monk chose to follow that path voluntarily.