Sex and Religion

Slate currently has a book review up about a new book
titled Forbidden Fruit: Sex & Religion in
the Lives of American Teenagers. According to
the book review:
80% of evangelicals think sex should be saved for marriage.
But thinking is not the same as doing. Evangelical teens are
actually more likely to have lost their virginity than either
mainline Protestants or Catholics. They tend to lose their
virginity at a slightly younger age—16.3, compared with 16.7
for the other two faiths. And they are much more likely to have
had three or more sexual partners by age 17: Regnerus reports
that 13.7 percent of evangelicals have, compared with 8.9 percent
for mainline Protestants.

I am one of those that believe sex should be saved for marriage.
I do see a problem in the Church (especially with evangelicals,
I for one being in the group) that tells teenagers to wait but
doesn't really give the reason why. However, I don't believe
"Because the Bible says so" cuts it with youth. And there are
variety of good reasons why teenagers shouldn't be having sex
besides just what the Bible says. Perhaps a list of consequences
of having sex at such an early age will lead them to ponder "Maybe
the Bible is right on this issue." How to become a critical thinker
is probably the most valuable lesson a teenager can learn.
Contrary to what some might believe, I don't believe the Bible
asks us to leave our brains at the door.

Our society is bombarded with sexual images and our churches
shouldn't be afraid to address the issue. I think a lot of traditional
church leaders all together avoid the topic of sex and that
shouldn't be the case.

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