Seth was telling me last week about a church almost exclusively full of college students hearing a sermon from Song of Solomon detailing all the juicy parts. Is this wise? Seriously? Isn't that kind of like... actually... no metaphor is needed here... isn't that just talking about sex to horny college kids? It's a bad idea. In fact, that ought to be a metaphor for other bad ideas. If someone suggested that the local AA chapter meet at the local pub, you might say, "I don't know... isn't that kind of like talking about sex to horny college kids?" Or if someone suggested notifying Dick Cheney that it was open season on deer, again, you might respond with, "I don't know... isn't that kind of like talking about sex to horny college kids?" It's just not a good idea. So Seth says there are couples all snuggling up next to each other in the pews gently caressing each other. In my head, this is what is going through their minds:
I'm not saying we shouldn't talk about sex in church - quite the contrary actually. I think we definitely should talk about it. But... come on... maybe we should match the delivery to the audience? What do you think? Sex in church? (Talking about it, of course...)
10 Cachinnations
I agree. I will admit right up front that like many young men, I struggled with lust and various related sexual sins a lot during that time in my life.
It caused a lot of guilt and a lot of shame, and hurt my walk with the Lord. I was somebody who believed that I fit under the "it's better to marry than to burn" classification, because I simply didn't have enough self-control to resist the lust. Of course that leads into a whole other subject, because I rushed into bad choices due to lack of self-control.
But your analogies are correct. It takes very little wisdom or discernment to see the problem with teasing college students with subject matter in such a way that can make them stumble.
I'm going to guess that their argument in favor of this idea went something like this: "We are bombarded with images of sex all over the TV and magazines anyway, so we need to present God's healthy version of sex and romance."
But the problem is that they should be dealing with it among unmarried young people in terms of how to resist temptation, how to avoid sin that easily besets you, and how to focus on pure and Godly thoughts -- thus equipping them to succeed, rather than tempting them to fall.
Posted on 6/07/2006
I know they might as well have done a dramatic reinactment of david gazing at Bathsheba taking her bath.
Actually I forgot the best part. I went with a friend of mine who was a very pretty girl. Anyway, we walked in and she sat down first and I sat by the isle. So to her right was me, and to her left was someother guy and to his left was his girlfriend. The guys girlfriend glanced over at Jen (my friend) and during the first praise and worship song,... SHE TRADED PLACES WITH HER BOYFRIEND DO SEPARATE HIM FROM JEN!!! Jen and I looked at each other in disbelief and cracked up. It was after that that the started rubing each others thigh while nodding to scripture read from the friggin sexiest parts of Song of S. Only stopping the thigh rubbing for an occasional kiss and giggle.
I thought I was at a Barry White concert or something.
Posted on 6/07/2006
That stuff should be saved for marriage seminars. The college kids at my church get enough temptation just scoping each other out. Why do you think those girls wear such short skirts with 3-inch stilettos to church? They don't need any encouragement.
Posted on 6/07/2006
Your audio posts are too much! Thanks for a good laugh. LOL!
Posted on 6/07/2006
i've been noticing that youth groups look a little more like dating clubs lately.
what actually gets me though is what the girls have on at church now-a-days. For shame!!!!!
(yes, i have been known to act like the church lady, but really now, must you wear a mini-skirt to church, with a low-cut shirt to boot? no wonder sex is on the brain. (said with church lady face again)
Posted on 6/07/2006
beeki yoU must Be more Cautious or descreet when rUbBing Cach's thigh.
Posted on 6/08/2006
Ahhh. Sex and horny college kids...Good times. Same with Dick Cheney and hunting season.
Posted on 6/08/2006
Church pews don't have barf bags next to the hymnals. To the folks sitting in front of me: please don't kiss when you're bored with the sermon. And when singing hymns, don't fiddle with the small of your girlfriend's/wife's back either. I can see it. It makes me barf when I should be praying. If you MUST fondle one another, please sit in the balcony. That's what the balcony is there for. For horny Christians like YOU!
Posted on 6/08/2006
Cach, come to my blog and cast your vote! I want your opinion!
Posted on 6/08/2006
I completely agree with your point.
However, I must say that I think the Church is a little too sensitive about sex sometimes. For instance, we way over define lust. Lust, to most churches and church people,is accidentally glancing at a member of the opposite sex at all. Come on now! I thought lust was alot more about desire and obsession.
I think we need to approach sex in a two-fold manner, definately saying that it is a sacred and holy union, but also that its something that is a natural part of life. It isn't something to be feared, but its something that should be shared and is shared within a marriage relationship.
I don't really know how to say what I'm trying to get at. Either way, I'm not married, so I don't really have any basis to say anything about marriage or sex; just sharing my perspective
Posted on 6/09/2006