From: rich.bellacera@amail.amdahl.com
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian
Subject: RE: Christian Dancing & Clubs
Date: 22 Jan 93 18:58:40 GMT
Return-Path: <amail.amdahl.com!rich.bellacera@juts.ccc.amdahl.com>

> From: pauls@pender.ee.upenn.edu (Richard J. Pauls)
> In article <nestabro.727160916@nova> nestabro@nova.gmi.edu (Noel Estabrook)
> >danielg@med.unc.edu (Daniel G. Sinclair) writes:
> >
> >>Anyway, since as much as I can figure, a christian dance party is not sin,
> >>why are there not any christian dance clubs?  Or are we way out of line
> >>and heading for disaster.
> >
> >There may be a couple of issues here.  First, it's awfully hard to
> >have non-married people getting together to dance (at least in the way I
> >think you mean) without some definite possibilities of temptation and
> >stumbling entering the picture.  In fact, Christian dance clubs _do_
> >exist - I've seen them.  For the most part, they're really nothing more
> >than the standard meat markets. ...
>
> This is very sad indeed.  How do you expect that non-married people
> become married people if they don't do things such as get together and dance
> And what about that temptation?  Do you think it's the work of the Devil
> or something?  No Way! I believe the initial attraction and experience
> of "falling in love" is usually sexualy motivated, and there is absolutely
> nothing "bad" about this.  It is the motivation, it's up to the individual
> to restrain himself or herself as far as actions.  It is by pursuing this
> attraction further that we may find true love, but this takes time just
> like any good thing.  You cannot deny the sexual interest between men and
> women, and it is very damaging to try to label it as bad or sinful.  It
> is a wonderful part of life and certainly the reason that dating is exciting
> because the attraction is there, even though we need to wait until marriage
> to act it out.  So many Christians are afraid of their sexuality, but I thin
> if you try to deny it you will only end up misserable and depressed, and
> paying a lot for therapy some day.
> --Rich

Rich-

You have hit the nail on the head with your observations.  This is an
extremely sad commentary on modern Christianity.  You'd think that Christians
(along with the rest of the population) would grow up.  But it would seem
rather that Christians (especially those of the Fundimentalist variety) are
deeply ingrained with both a superiority complex and a grave need to control
everyone and everything around them.  I am a Christian, but I loathe the
tactics utilized by these zealots that I witness daily.  I want desperately to
love my brothers and sisters in Christ, but I MUST speak out against bigotry
and bias whereever it is perpetrated.  I believe in Jesus Christ and I find my
spiritual truthes taught in the Judeo-Christian Bible.  However, when I see
such blatant stupidity I often wonder if we read the same book (I read the
KJV if that is important).

As concerning Christian Dance Clubs, there are some.  Since I returned from
the being station in Germany I have no idea where they are, nor do I seek them
out.  When I was station in Idaho there was a Club in Boise called "The Dove"
but I don't know it's current status.  I recall that it was originally a gas
station which later became a regular "secular" nightclub, and then I heard it
became a Christian dance club, but that was over 8 years ago.  I can imagine
that such establishments would regularly be the attack of Fundimentalists who
impute sins of the flesh of anything they can't control.

A friend of mine & I once opened a coffee room for the purposes of fellowship
and came under fire by a minister who complained that it wasn't under the
authority of any pastorate.  Eventually it was forced closed.  I really don't
understand this enormous need to control that so many pastors and Church
denominations have.  I believe in witnessing, but not in forcing others to
conform to my faith (despite thier unbelief internally) such as the Colorado
Amendment 2 and it ilk. Actually my faith doesn't mandate anti-gay beliefs,
these are largely man-made traditions anyhow.  As Christians, why can't we
leave people alone?  Especially when what they do has absolutely nothing to do
with our daily lives?  And as Christians why can't we foster happy, healthy
environments where young people can meet and date (instead of worrying about
whether or not we can control them when we aren't looking)?

It seems so ironic that a faith that believes that God is in thier motivator
and guide to all truthes is so paranoid and despotic in actions.  I truly
believe that if Christ Jesus is in your life that you should recognize His
ability to give guidance and self control in the lives of others as well.
Does Loving your neighbor involve "controlling your neighbor or forcing your
neighbor to adhere to you 'traditions'?"  I am so amazed.

oy :-(

"Christians themselves are the greatest reason for accepting Jesus Christ, but
the are also the greatest reason for rejecting Him."  - Charles Finney
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian