"If my life and what we are sharing with you tonight is so bizarre, why am I so in love with my wife? Why have we had thirty amazing years of marriage? Why do all my kids love one another and love us? I think you have to look at that," said a father being interviewed on Nightline Prime.
One of the families that is part of this Christian community that attended the Father Daughter Purity Ball was interviewed by the staff at ABC. The staff had this to say about this family, "The Wilson kids were all home-schooled and the purity lifestyle was evident everywhere, from the blessings Randy conducted with them in their backyard to the purity rings all the kids over the age of 12 proudly wore. Some of the older Wilson children were already married and had all experienced their first kisses at the altar on their wedding days."
Their Christianity and purity infiltrates every part of their lives, similar to the Duggar family. Ken taped this program for me and I watched it with a smile on my face! I love seeing families living their faith completely, not trying to compromise with the world in any way. A young newly married daughter said that she believed the husband is the masculine leader of the home and the wife is the nurturer of the family.
It is rare to see this among Christians. We did everything we could to teach our children about purity when they were growing up. We sent them to purity camps, gave them books to read, and spoke openly to them about purity.
The world doesn't get it. Of course they wouldn't. They think it is silly, old-fashioned, and boring, but "the proof is in the pudding." Living God's ways produces beautiful fruit. The world mocks sexual purity and saving virginity for marriage, yet look at the results when these godly things are set aside for sexual freedom; emotional scars, abortions, rampant STD's, etc.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil;
that put darkness for light, and light for darkness,
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.
Isaiah 6:20
Logging you in...
sheworksretail 36p · 574 weeks ago
I'm the same age as your kids and really surprised to hear that they went to purity camp. I actually thought that we were just barely too old for this trend within Christian circles that placed such an emphasis on purity. My assumption was always that it came about after the internet made porn so readily available.
I don't mean to offend by calling this a trend; I was raised in a deeply religious home, went to bible camp and religious schools and had never heard of purity rings or camps or balls until mainstream media picked up on them when I was in high school. And I admit that it isn't something I get, either. I don't disrespect it in any way; I just think this is one of those areas where the Catholics have a more reserved way of emphasizing the same principles.
Cynthia · 574 weeks ago
1. I don't want to pass judgment, but I'm wondering about the style of those dresses. I realize that these things will vary from one community to another, but I was surprised to see girls in their young teens wearing styles that look more appropriate for older women or even brides. To me, it also seems a bit strange to wear something that bare on top to an event which is about abstaining. My daughter is part of a girls group at our congregation, and the dress code for the graduation dinner dance clearly says that sleeves should be to the elbow and the neckline should be close to the collarbone.
2. In my community, there's a big emphasis on guarding against physical contact outside of marriage, but they don't use the term "purity". I'm wondering about the significance of the term. Is it scriptural? I'm also wondering in the emphasis is on someone's ongoing actions (for example, in my community, reserving physical contact for marriage also means that married men and women don't touch adults of the opposite gender unless it's something like a business handshake or medical situation), or if it's more of a state of being until the wedding?
3. How does the concept of purity work for people who may not have been raised with the idea? Do some people learn about it later and embrace it in high school or college, even if they have prior sexual experience?
Ken · 574 weeks ago
We taught our children about saving themselves for marriage, and we encouraged them not just "to"date to date" but instead consider dating the type of persons they thought they could marry. Individual dates were fine, those should not include physical contact beyond hand holding, and maybe a kiss on the cheek good night.
I have heard of young people who picked up the book, "Kiss Dating Goodbye" or read an article on purity, or went to a Workshop at a church that taught purity concepts and deciding at 16-17-18 that even if they had had previous relations, God would be most honored, and their future spouse most loved by accepting the challenge of purity.
I think part of the backlash to the sexual freedom today is a bunch of godly kids deciding on their own that God can bless them most in their future marriage by obeying Him with purity. The concept should be taught better in most churches and families, not as another legalistic "don't" but as a willful, loving act that recognizes that one's future spouse is patiently waiting for them, and hopefully maintaining his./her own purity as a sign of love for someone who will be coming in the future.
This is what I think the purity concept is all about. To save oneself for marriage is not completely accurate. What is most accurate is that one is saving themselves unselfishly for the person God has already chosen for them, and that the love for this person begins even sight unseen, to honor them with the gift of purity on their wedding day.
If selfishness is set aside, is this not what all young singles should aspire to? The only reason for sex before marriage is selfish gratification at the expense of a future spouse and marriage. Is this loving towards one's future spouse? The scars can be huge in some cases, and the rewards loving purity immense.
Courtney · 574 weeks ago
Is there any value in teens making these purity pledges if they don't work?
Jo · 574 weeks ago
sheila payne · 574 weeks ago
Ken · 574 weeks ago
To have them pledge or not pledge is of little importance unless the teen desires to save themself for marriage. I would venture to say that the group seen on Nightline Prime was probably a far more conservative group of teens with far more invested parents than the teens in the survey listed by Courtney above.
Overall the study may prove that a six hour course and a signed pledge is basically worthless compared to strong parental training and support which is shown by the Nightline Prime group. . I would expect much better results from the latter group where daughters display great relationships with their fathers.
Charlotte · 574 weeks ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWQnCcwPf_0
Jamie · 574 weeks ago
Shirley Ann · 573 weeks ago
The journalist's personal feelings came though loud and clear in her writing. She could not resist adding sarcastic little comments throughout - really annoying to read! She was assuming that every one of her readers is of the same opinion. Unfortunately reading through the comments to her article it appears that there many many people who find the idea of virginity laughable at best. Very sad to read!
Thank you for sharing this post - I found it very encouraging :o)
Shirley Ann · 573 weeks ago
LOL - Sorry about that
mythreeapples 1p · 573 weeks ago
@HBraoudakis · 558 weeks ago