It Is Written

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Tomorrow, this is going to Mr. Hooper, the head of the Calvert Hall School Newspaper.

Christians with the wrong view on sexual morality

A major problem with Christian teenagers is that they believe that pre-marital sex and fornication is not a sin. That however, is just the opposite. Pre-Marital Sex is a sin, just like robbery or murder. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and Corinthians 7:1-2 states: "Keep away from the desires of the flesh. Every sin which a man does is outside of the body; but he who goes after the desires of the flesh does evil to his body. Or are you not conscious that your body is a house for the Holy Spirit which is in you, and which has been given to you by God? And you are not the owners of yourselves; For a payment has been made for you: let God be honored in your body. Now, as to the things in your letter to me: It is good for a man to have nothing to do with a woman. But because of the desires of the flesh, let every man have his wife, and every woman her husband." Each of our bodies is a temple which the Holy Spirit resides in. And defiling our bodies is not what God wants.

Many teens have this mindset that pre-marital sex is okay because everyone else is doing it. They are getting on with the bandwagon, and they believe that the times have changed and we should just go with the flow. Although the times HAVE changed, God's Law has not. In Mark, Chapter 7, verses 6 to 9, it states: "He replied, 'Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.' 9 And he said to them: 'You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!'" As Jesus said, our own traditions and beliefs are beginning to become first on our list, rather God's law. God's law should most definitely be first to a Christian.

Job 31: 1-3 "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a girl. I know full well that the Almighty God sends calamity on those who do" People in this school, Calvert Hall, say things regarding on a girls looks, from a perspective of admiration to a perspective of lust. And not only is pre-marital sex a sin, but so is lust. In Matthew 5:28, Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" This also includes pornography. Pornography is a sin, and it takes away the dignity of those portrayed pornographically. Those who view pornography are committing acts of lust and are defiling themselves. People, especially women, are not objects. They are God's creation as well. Sex is God’s creation, but it is only meant for after marriage. Society has twisted people into believing in God’s Law in a different way. Simply believing that Jesus is your savior is not good enough. If you consider yourself Christian, then you must also follow Jesus. As I conclude, I leave this final statement: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13.

I also pray that it will affect peoples lives, and views. I have nothing to loose becasue i have no reuptation at all in this school. So hopefully this will go into the next issue of the calvert hall newspaper! Also praying for the best would rock as well!

[Tenshi no Ai]

I've been thinking about this for a bit, but relating to marriage.

Ok, so two people are intimate and maybe have feelings for each other. The next step is then for them to live together common law! Of course, then maybe they want to take it a step further and spend the rest of their lives together or just gain responsibility and have a kid together. Not until THEn do they get married....

It's sort of in reverse, isn't it? I know a lot of people that are like that and it really reminds me of Friends. But why even HAVE marriages these days? Is nothign sacred anymore? I mean, in a sense why have a wedding when you're already common law? They've already done intimate acts with each other so the whole bonding thing is all out of proportion since it was the basic idea of a wedding! Now the brides still wear white and get glass taps to kiss which is in what way supposed to be special? They've done a heck lot more than just kiss for friends to hoot and holler over!

*done my two cents*

[Mr. SmartyPants]

seriously! marriage is no longer taken seriously anymore!

[Tenshi no Ai]

Reminds me about the first wedding I went to this year that had a marriage commissioner. All other weddings have either been Catholic or Protestant with the same vows but these... seriously the vows were odd!
"Do you swear to love him/her forever as you go on the journey in life?"
*Eh?! No "sickness and in health" or anything?! Seriously, they boot God out of the whole thing but did they really have to remake the vows?!*

[Mr. SmartyPants]

thats just crazy!

[uc pseudonym]

Your essay is very true, and I will pray that it causes good things, but personally I am skeptical it will be printed. Most high school newsplayers I am familiar with are very antsy about explicitly religious material. I hope this isn't the case, but just to warn you.

Something I heard a child say recently that struck me: "Mommy and Daddy are getting married!"

[termyt]

Common law marriages are still marriages and should be treated as such by those bound by it. Whether the marriage is "official" or "common law" is mostly a secualr legal issue and should not affect how you treat your common law spouse. You are still expected to live according to the examples set forth by the law.

Great essay Mr.Smartypants. I admire your courage and your willingness to serve.

[Fsiphskilm]

couples who live togethe

[mastersquirrel]

That's very true Mr. Smarty Pants. I'll pray it helps too.

[AsterlonKnight]

Reminds me about the first wedding I went to this year that had a marriage commissioner. All other weddings have either been Catholic or Protestant with the same vows but these... seriously the vows were odd!
"Do you swear to love him/her forever as you go on the journey in life?"
*Eh?! No "sickness and in health" or anything?! Seriously, they boot God out of the whole thing but did they really have to remake the vows?!*

Um, maybe I'm missing something, but haven't people been making their own wedding vows/tweaking the ceremony for some time now? You don't have to do the standard service. It's your day, do it the way you want to. ("Your" and "you" refer to the couple)

Good luck getting your essay printed, Mr. Smarty Pants. Though I agree with uc that your Mr. Hooper may be hesitant to print it. Your essay is very heavy as far as biblical and religious/dogmatic content goes. Then again, your sending in an opinion. Who knows. Just expect a potential backlash if it does get printed and a reputation to replace your current non-existant one.

[Nikki_fallingup]

You're totally right the veiw of marriage has gone totally down the tubes. I'm mean REALLY!

Sex should only take place after marriage. And for those that have sex before then get married they have harder time living with one another. Sex is what bonds two people together and if you sleep around you're going to be bonded to alot of people. GROSS!!! When you only have sex after marriage, the bond between man and wife becomes stronger. It's a physical sign to your mate that you loved them so much to keep a special gift for your mate.

Now if you have had sex outside of marriage, I'm not saying that you'll never have a happy marriage. You have to come before God and confess your sin and change your lifstyle. Then be sure to tell your mate before you get married. Things hidden will always be found and you may not like the outcome.

We need to remind the world today of the importance of one man one woman after marriage. If we don't say something who will???

[true_noir_chloe]

This was interesting to read; however, a school newspaper will probably reject it. If this gets in it will totally be an act of God. You have not followed the basic constructs of an editorial. I only see you using scripture. You haven't brought forth any statistics, or any outside commentary. You've just written three paragraphs of scripture, which might work for a Bible study; but, it would not make me think of it as an editorial.

If this is going to be placed as a letter to the editor, then I guess you might have it printed in the newspaper.

However, this is very biased, and although I wholeheartedly agree with what you've written, it is a biased piece of writing, with only your view shown. A good argument portrays both views, and then stronger evidence to show why your view is the best.

Anyways, best of luck with your letter/editorial. I hope you don't take this critique too harshly, I'm just giving you my two cents while looking at this from the viewpoint of an editor accepting this for a newspaper.

[pp1n0i135]

i'm real glad you brought this up ryan. although i dont think that i read your article in THE HALL, i think it should be sent in.
i think i read or heard once a passage that states:
"if one sins with his right eye, and sins with his right hand, cut it off, for it is better for one part of the body to" something something
well its darn right. i hear all this crap from the students at our school, who are supposed to be GOOD Christians. Its totally the opposite, kids are getting drunk, high, etc ("your body is not your own but the Lord's"). Now i think relationships now are not that bad, but when its all about getting into someone's underpants, everything is lost! its great to know i'm not alone and that at least you know what its like to (try or) have a faithful, fruitfull relationship. =P
thats my boyyy

[pp1n0i135]

i know this is a double-post but
"I have nothing to loose becasue i have no reuptation at all in this school"
is not true man, i've got a lot of repect for you

[Madeline]

I think your essay is very good. ^_^ However, you should pay heed to what t_n_c has said, she knows what she's talking about.

[Jaltus-bot]

Did you actually get that printed?

[Mr. SmartyPants]

well, the good thing is that I GO TO A CATHOLIC SCHOOL! and the school does NOT say that they don't descriminate against religion. COME ON! we have MASS at our school! hahaha

its not printed yet, but i seriously pray that it does, and i have faith that it will!

[Raiden no Kishi]

The point of lust is what the other person can do for you.

The point of love is what you can do for the other person.

Quoth the Rai

[Mr. SmartyPants]

that is very true. Kinda like "true love is not having themselves to you"

[uc pseudonym]

"if one sins with his right eye, and sins with his right hand, cut it off, for it is better for one part of the body to" something something

"to die than for the entire body to be condemened to hell." (It varies significantly depending on the translation, but that's the general gist.)

At a Catholic school you have a better shot at it.

[Ingemar]

Good points, but if this is a secular school we're talking about (I bet it is), it, like many other places will probably be confused and bewildered by any reference to the Bible that isn't critical.

You would probably be better off showing statistics regarding marriage, family stability, etc. from before and after the so-called Sexual Revolution of the 70's (If you do, I advise you to look for stats besides those in Christian websites).

[Kireihana]

Er, he just said it was a Catholic school.

Lol, this would probably get published at my high school (even though it is secular). I live in an openly Christian area. We've already had Phil Chalmers of truelies.org come and speak in our auditorium. XD

I went to a Catholic school through elementary and middle school, and we had mass every other Wednesday, and after 9/11 we had to pray the Rosary every day before lunch... a well-intended idea, but kindergarteners can only take it for so long. All I could think of was lunch

Lol, just my anecdote. I hope your editorial goes over well, Mr. Smartypants!

[Mr. SmartyPants]

weee i hope it does too!

[desperado]

our nations morals are slowly bleeding out of a gaping wound. its really sad and angering. and the thing that is almost funny is most people dont know about it or dont want to know about it

[Fsiphskilm]

Well you can tell where the

[CreatureArt]

Go Mr Smarty Pants!

I think the article is very relevant. Even though I live in NZ we are having the same problem with morality, lust etc here. You might think that having a relatively small population (3/4 million) and being out in the Pacific means we are behind on society's degeneration as well as it's latest technology and fashion (which we aren't that far back on, though) - but the sad truth is that we also are having the same thing coming in - through the media, popular opinion, etc.

(*picks up opinion stick, just to indicate she's giving her opinion, so you're free to object and question*)

A teenager, in many circles, is considered abnormal not to have premarital sex. The argument of 'it's our choice what we do with our lives' seems to reign supreme. Although yes, it is our responsibility what we do with the lives we are given, the message society should at least consider the consequences both to ourselves - and to those we are involved in - and even THEIR future partners!

What I think is pretty sad, though, is the thought of two people getting married - and only one of them having saved themselves for the wedding night. How would that one feel if the other hadn't? Perhaps more to the point - how would the other person feel? Yes, love covers all, and it's not the end of the world - God forgives and a person who loves you will too - but it's still sad - perhaps most of all that the world doesn't value someone who keeps themself pure, and acutally mocks them.

(*puts down opinions stick*)

What we can have hope in, though, as always, is in God. When the world gets darker, Christians just shine brighter - like how the stars glow the most in the pitch-black dark. We've just got to stick to God like biddy-biddys (that's what my family calls a this little seed-pod with tiny, non-painful barbs out the side that catch in your clothing and in animal hair and are pretty darn difficult to get out).

I think it's awesome that even if you don't get the article published you've still made a stand, Mr SP. You say you don't have a reputation at school - well I'm not at your school but you just began to build a reputation of someone who has morals and insight in my eyes.

All the best for it's publication.

God bless. Siunausta.

[Waterlillee]

[quote="Mr. SmartyPants"]Tomorrow, this is going to Mr. Hooper, the head of the Calvert Hall School Newspaper.

Christians with the wrong view on sexual morality

A major problem with Christian teenagers is that they believe that pre-marital sex and fornication is not a sin. That however, is just the opposite. Pre-Marital Sex is a sin, just like robbery or murder. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and Corinthians 7:1-2 states: "Keep away from the desires of the flesh. Every sin which a man does is outside of the body]

wow~~ I never thought there would be someone who thought like me~ I totally agree with you and believe that it is somewhat of a sin...
I am glad there is someone in this world knows the truth^-^

[Tenshi no Ai]

A teenager, in many circles, is considered abnormal not to have premarital sex. The argument of 'it's our choice what we do with our lives' seems to reign supreme.

Another thing reminds me: teen movies aren't exactly helping.

I remember way back in the day (before I really got my head straight), teen movies something everyone watched and I really liked them at the time. American Pie was one that literally EVERYONE in middle school had watched. Then a whole chain of these movies appeared about house parties in high school/college that invovles being "un-cool" if you've never experienced anything yet.

In American Pie it was all "We're in twelve grade and we're still virgins!". In my school, it's not cool and you're actually looked down upon for something like that. But the teen movies continued... I eventually got sick and really don't watch anythign that comes out on DVD titled "un rated". My friend used to want to go out and rent them since they were funny and about kids like us in high school. When I didn't want to watch them anymore she said I had "bad taste" or something like that because I said something like "they're mostly about sex". I mean, if it were animated it would basically be hentai! These things are getting closer to that every day.... Nope, nothing is sacred anymore... Especially now where I hear some stuff that goes on in some of those movies! Yeesh!

[Azier the Swordsman]

Unfortunately, almost every movie coming out in modern days has some form of sexual content....

It's too bad that the only form of 'comedy' Hollywood's so-called 'best writers' can come up with is heavily riddled with sexual content. What happened to the days when they could create original groundbreaking comedies (or any other genre for that matter) without all the sexual content?

[Swordguy]

unfortnatly we seem to be a nation of the easiest way out...not many christians are willing to go thru the storms that come on us and to stand up in the Name of which we have been called. i am glad that you are willing to lay everything down in His name. i will say pray, pray, and well pray. put it in his hands.