To anyone who’lll read this,
I am writing this because I’ma Human Service major and plan on workning in the field soon, and one of the issues that has always bothered me concerning HUMAN SERVICES is the promotion of SAFE-SEX.
I’m bothered because it seems that many in trying to deal with the issue of promiscuity seem to think that the giving of lubricants/condoms and telling kids to be safe will solve the issue when it seems that it has done nothing of the sort……and that when it comes to abstenince, what is mostly heard is “Well, that’s okay but kids aren’t goin gto listen and will do it anyway….so you might as well give options”
Granted, I’m trying my best to make sure that I’m keeping principles such as these in mind:
Titus 3
Doing What is Good
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
Love
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
”If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
However, whenever the issue comes up, I cannot help but get real irritated at the thought of what often seems to be making peace with the things people promote that I know are harming THOUSANDS of youths every day.
Though I could say more/plan to LATER, I was wondering what anyone else thought of the issue…..for I’m bound to face it sonner or later and I don’t wish to promote something that I’ve seen to add to the damage moreso that aid in reversing it (IMO)…and it all things, I want to make sure that I’m following the BIBLICAL MODEL for how to work with individuals struggling with the issue but who may not be saved and hear what the WORD has to say on it…….AND to be honest, though I have many solid resouces/experiences on the issue, I’m still wondering what to do when actually in the situation practically and how I could EFFECTIVELY teach ABSTINENCE/PURITY as the best and ONLY WORTHWILE option to consider to the individuals I’ll encounter.
In discussing this issue elsewhere, these are some of the things which were said to me:
bstinence is the best way to go but knowledge is always powerful. Singles should at least be educated about the facts.
Maybe an interesting article for you: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/335/7613/217
IMHO you need to promote abstinence (forget the Purity, you are going into a secular occupation for probably a secular employer). The reasoning for abstinence of course is prevention of STD’s. Just show those you council how a STD can ruin the rest of their life.
If you wish to promote your abstinance/purity stance, you need to work for a religious organization, not the state. Then you can legally point out that this is what God desires. If you push “purity” in a secular organization you will only cause yourself grief,
DG,
It is for you a great opportunity to speak you heart of truth and by what your employment requires of you,,should do your job as required.
Remember in the WoG that the Lord says follow the laws of Casear which is Casear’s, but follow the laws of God that are of God.
In my opinion I would still do my job requirements as should, but I would have an conversation of other methods of help that can apply to safe sex.. and we all know with the truth, that is the best way~
Just the point that if you really need your job or not.. or you will be in a situation,(depending on person) of whom your employer is,,, whom handles it.
What and where ever your heart directs you.. I would do.
(I pray that all will work out for the best) in your employment,,,,Blesssings,
Osita
try( if you are able) to approach the issue like this.
Begin by telling them that there is no such thing as safe sex.
When they balk at that, as them if anyone of them would have sex with someone that they knew to have aides as long as a condom was used.They will all say no. And then you can ask them why?
After all, isn’t a condom the magic solution to disease?
Ask them to consider why they would not have sex with a known aids carrier if they are so sure a condom is really safe.
And then they will begin to perhaps understand that safe sex isn’t so safe after all.
It’s really just ignorant sex and lets hope it all turns out alright.
We can’t ask people who do not believe to abide by God’s standard of sex but it may be a good opportunity to illustrate God’s purpose for sex
And if you start talking about sex and how God is all for it (but has a plan for it), you will surprisingly have the attention of many young people.
! You should educate them about safe-sex. Condoms have been demonstrated as effective in reducing the chances of unwanted pregnancies and STDs time and time again.
Studies show that abstinence-based sex education DOES NOT lower STDs nor unwanted pregnancy rates
“Sexual abstinence only programmes to prevent HIV infection in high income countries: systematic review
[...]
Results The search identified 13 trials enrolling about 15 940 US youths. All outcomes were self reported. Compared with various controls, no programme affected incidence of unprotected vaginal sex, number of partners, condom use, or sexual initiation. One trial observed adverse effects at short term follow-up (sexually transmitted infections, frequency of sex) and long term follow-up (sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy) compared with usual care, but findings were offset by trials with non-significant results. Another trial observed a protective effect on incidence of vaginal sex compared with usual care, but this was limited to short term follow-up and countered by trials with non-significant findings. Heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis.Conclusion: Programmes that exclusively encourage abstinence from sex do not seem to affect the risk of HIV infection in high income countries, as measured by self reported biological and behavioural outcomes.” [read more](Sexual abstinence only programmes to prevent HIV infection in high income countries: systematic review. Underhill K, Montgomery P, Operario D. BMJ. 2007 Aug 4;335(7613):248. Epub 2007 Jul 26.)
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As a Christian you should promote the word of God, no matter the cost. We are called to carry our cross.
The problem is: If you have a state job, even though the verbage is correct to say that sin will lead them to hell if the don’t repent, you cannot say that and expect to keep your job. That is just the facts of life.
If you feel the need to warn the people you are counciling that they are sinning, then you either need to work for yourself, or a religious organization that will allow that type of speech.
You need to keep in mind what the restrictions of the position are that are put there by the employer.
Well, I personally would vote for abstinence and once I have children I am going to bring them up bearing that in mind. I also recommend it to others but still I know that there are a lot of people out there who don’t care and from public health view I am definitely for educating people about condoms and such. There is no need to spread HIV more widley only because we assume atheists and luke warm Christians an whoever would agree with us. Of course this is no reason to stop acting according to it nor to not recommend it anylonger. It doesn’t only take sex to aquire HIV. At my work I could possibly aquire HIV by cutting myself or by needlestick injuries. I would prefer my patients to be HIV negative then. People better should not fornicate but if they do, please, don’t make it worse by spreading STI.__________________
I think one of the reasons it might be so hard to get people to choose abstinance is that they have been steeped in the “We are animals, lets follow our primal instincts,” and “Just do it if it feels good” mentality. Any suggestion that they put off sexual pleasure is sometimes met with resistance. If it doesn’t make you lose your job, you could always take the young person to the STD ward of a hospital or clinic, and show them the consequences of what could happen from sex. Especially have them talk to the doctors too, and any patients who don’t mind sharing their stories. If that doesn’t scare the crud out of them and bring them to the real world, nothing will.
The problem is that conservatives don’t realize that sexuality is part of being a human. It is not something that can be turned on and off like a light switch. HUMANS ARE SEXUAL BEINGS, its that simple.
Humans are also violent, territorial, selfish, cruel, covetous, arrogant, proud and any number of other kinds of beings as well.
Should we not worry or bother to try to curb all of those desires?Or just allow ourselves to become those things as the fancy hits us so to say as they are all part of the human psyche?
Do we live as animals and simply mate when the desire is there?
Or try to live as the sentient, thinking beings that we are supposed to be?
I don’t disagree with that. But unlike animals, we have the power to resist our sexual impulses, and use our reasoning. I know desire cannot be completely turned off, but it shouldn’t be allowed to control us and make us do foolish things, just because we are “in heat.”
If you work for the Government, the keep your religous views to yourself. If you don’t like that then quit and work at a Church supported group. Let the Constitution be obeyed for once.
Yes, you should support it or you’ll be partly responsible for STDs and whatever results of their lack of knowledge about sex.
‘d say do what you think makes the best impact…
I agree that the notions of GIVING kids condoms and lubricants is ridiculous, but what’s even worse, is how almost all of the negative stigma associated with teen sex, teen pregnancy, homosexual activity, has been destroyed.
Many (if not most) “would be” good sensible folk out there, christian or otherwise, have not stood firm to the liberal agenda/culture war, and this is the result.
Nowadays, the whole society is a mess, and frankly, I’m not sure how I’d “fit in” with it.
To me, you either stand up and fight AGAINST these things, or you don’t get involved at all.
I am a nursing student. While I am not an expert on this subject, this is my thought:
As far as quoting “statistics” or making the statement “studies have shown that…XYZ” you need to be able to provide factual sources that can back up whatever point you’re going to make. By factual sources I mean those that are peer-reviewed - ie, not just something you found in Reader’s Digest, Christianity Today, etc. Given that you are entering this field as a college-educated individual, I’m sure you’re well aware of this.
If I were going to argue in favor of abstinence, I would simply say this: When it comes to preventing STDs and unwanted pregnancies, the method of abstinence has never failed. Ever. Not even once.
Because that is, frankly, the truth.
Having said that, however – as far as condoms go, I don’t think it’s condoms themselves that are necessarily ineffective. I think part of the “failed” protection from STDs that occurs with condom – when it occurs – is due to human error. ie, involving one or more of the following factors:
1. Improper usage of condoms during the heat of the moment (no pun intended) and/or after said moment is over (ie, softening of the organ and subsequent loosening of the condom prior to final withdrawal).
2. Having another partner(s) outside of the relationship.
3. Not using a condom, and after later realizing that an STD transmission has occured, reporting to other parties concerned that a condom was used simply in order to avoid embarassment.
So basically I think abstinence makes sense as a failproof mechanism. But I don’t think condoms are necessarily wrong in and of themselves; I think it’s simply that people have to take responsibility for their own protection, regardless of what method(s) they use. Obviously, the more likely you are to pursue a monogamous, protected relationship, the better off you will be. Even in a monogaous relationship, however, you still have to practice abstinence – ie, abstaining from sex with other individuals – and you still have to utilize some form of ongoing protection from pregnancy, unless that is something you and your partner are prepared for.
In order for abstinnce to work you have to make an informed effort. It is not some sort of magical get-out-of-sin-free card. You still have to take the same ultimate responsibility as you do when you use condoms or other methods.
You may want to consider getting additional career training on this subject so that you can approach it in a way that you feel more confident about.
I think you need to reword the question. What can you, as a Christian, do in your field? What are your boundaries as a Christian?IMHO, giving kids condoms, birth control pills, etc gives a loud message to the kids that we don’t think they are capable of controling themselves, that their sexual urges are too powerful for them to be expected to resist.Wrong message.
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Double G, I am so with you on this. God said sex is for marriage only. This is not taught anymore. How would our kids even know about it nowadays with condoms and birth control being forced upon them? Sex is not that hard to resist for single people, not even adults. The adults are making up excuses for themselves and ruining the kids. God blessed us with enough self control. You want to have sex? Get married. By teaching kids to have safe sex(which is basically teaching them to have sex, instead of to wait), future sex addicts are being created. They won’t understand the full concept of commitment, and they will believe fornication is okay. A child can’t fully grasp that thinking about sex so often can corrupt the heart and mind. They need to be taught to wait, and it’s up to adults to teach them.
How many of the folks you’ll come in contact with will have sex regardless of whatever abstinence teaching they do or do not hear?How many of those are someone’s daughter, son, mother, father, sister, or brother?How effective is abstinence education in preventing pre-marital sex? How much higher is it for Christians than non-Christians?
How effective is abstinence education in preventing pregnancy and the spread of STD’s; compared to safe-sex education? Compared to a combination safe-sex, but abstinence is better curriculum?
How effective is condom use without proper instruction on how to use them?
How many people who know the actual efficacy rate of condoms in preventing pregancy and disease loose respect for Christians and Christ when they hear Christians spouting hysterical and innaccurate statistics about how uneffective condom use is?
How many people who die of AIDs will become Christians?
How many kids born to irresponsible people who didn’t use a condom one time will grow up to become positive contributors to society? How many will grow up to be Christians? How many will grow up to be social problems?
