Teen girls' Bible talks of oral sex, lesbianism: smears 'filthy graffiti across the Word of God'

http://worldnetdaily.com/ ^ | March 18, 2005 | Ron Strom

[deepFR]

Bible created especially for girls age 13-16 that includes profiles of fictional teenagers discussing oral sex, lesbianism and "dream" guys is drawing sharp criticism from some Christian parents who say such material should not appear alongside Scripture.

The "True Images" Bible, published by Zondervan, promises on its dustcover to "strengthen your relationship with God, family, friends and guys."

While the book includes the entire text of the New International Version of the Bible, it's the "over 1,000 relevant and compelling notes and articles" that have critics upset.

The "In Focus" profiles are peppered throughout the text of the Bible and deal with subjects like sex, pregnancy, alcoholism, dating, homosexuality, depression, pornography and flirting.

An introduction in the Bible explains its goal: to present to young girls "true images": "God's message about who you are in his eyes."

The "In Focus" article on sex appears amidst scriptural regulations on offerings in the book of Leviticus. It profiles the fictional girl "Ashley" and is entitled "Casual or Not?"

While the message of the profile is to save sex for marriage, critics aren't convinced the frank-talk approach is appropriate for young teens.

Discussing her friend "Emma," Ashley says, "The story is that she had oral sex with a guy friend of ours last week. Just for fun. They're not dating, although they've always flirted with each other a lot. Emma took one look at my face this morning, and she knew I knew."

Emma goes on to claim that oral sex "is not even sex," but Ashley disagrees, saying, "God's definition of sexual purity covers much more than intercourse."

Following Ashley's narrative is a warning that "the physical and emotional effects of oral sex are similar to intercourse," along with tips for dealing with friends who are engaging in the practice.

[deepFR]

A bit long, but worth the read. This is a pure and simple case of attempting to "sex-up" the Bible to market Kinsey to Christian children.

[The Duke]

"Mommy, what's a h-a-r-l-o-t?"

[Lucky2]

Emma goes on to claim that oral sex "is not even sex," but Ashley disagrees, saying, "God's definition of sexual purity covers much more than intercourse."

Sounds like the scripture as written by BJ clinton. That filthy man has infiltrated every part of our lives, even the Bible! Ugh!!!

[deepFR]

Emma goes on to claim that oral sex "is not even sex," but Ashley disagrees, saying, "God's definition of sexual purity covers much more than intercourse."

Sounds like the scripture as written by BJ clinton. That filthy man has infiltrated every part of our lives, even the Bible! Ugh!!!

I thought the same thing when I read that part :)

[D-fendr]

It's up for debate whether the discussion is age-appropriate, but from these snippets it seems the message is right:

"Ashley disagrees, saying, "God's definition of sexual purity covers much more than intercourse."

"Following Ashley's narrative is a warning that "the physical and emotional effects of oral sex are similar to intercourse," along with tips for dealing with friends who are engaging in the practice…

"The follow-up warning to Trish's story directs the reader to read Romans 1:24-32, in which Paul condemns homosexual behavior."

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

If more people would read the bible rather than reading about the bible, we'd be a whole better off.

[Notwithstanding]

Without guidance, the Bible is easily misinterpreted. Thats why the Catechism of the Catholic Church is such a good book to have handy when reading the Bible.

[Notwithstanding]

http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/ccc.html

[Notwithstanding]

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

PROLOGUE

"FATHER,... this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."[1]

"God our Saviour desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."[2]

"There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved"[3] - than the name of JESUS.

I. The life of man - to know and love God

1 God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Saviour. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.

2 So that this call should resound throughout the world, Christ sent forth the apostles he had chosen, commissioning them to proclaim the gospel: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."[4] Strengthened by this mission, the apostles "went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it."[5]

3 Those who with God's help have welcomed Christ's call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world. This treasure, received from the apostles, has been faithfully guarded by their successors. All Christ's faithful are called to hand it on from generation to generation, by professing the faith, by living it in fraternal sharing, and by celebrating it in liturgy and prayer.[6]

ENDNOTES

1. Jn 17 3.

2. 1 Tim 2:3-4.

3. Acts 4:12.

4 Mt 28:19-20.

5 Mk 16:20.

6 Cf. Acts 2:42.

[codyjacksmom]

My girls have teen study bibles. I have gone through the bibles with them and know what they are reading. Just because it says "Bible" on it, doesn't mean that humans haven't put their 2 cents in. We, as Christian parents, need to be fully aware of everything our kids are putting into their minds.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

"Mommy, what's a h-a-r-l-o-t?"

I'm busy, dear. Ask your other Mommy.

[bahblahbah]

“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
-- Matthew 5:28

I'd figure that would be reflexive across the sexes so oral sex would be a big no-no.

[kpp_kpp]

it's a good thing the bible, even modernly translated, is a bit archaic. if people actually read it and understood what many of the stories (esp in the o.t.) are saying, they might be shocked.

and i'm not just referring to the incest, rape, and dismemberment stories... there's also the likes of esther who moved from the house of maidens to the house of concubines after a night with the king in which she greatly pleased him. and don't get me started on the dripping verses in s.o.s...

anyways, i'm not at all advocating this 'true images' bible, i'm sure there is a target market for it and it isn't the conservative wing of christianity.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Sounds like they're addressing current issues in light of God's word. I have no problem with that. The end message regarding the sex thing is that it is NOT okay to do it.

[Revelation 911]

ok campers - maybe pro has a point - this aint right

[CatoRenasci]

I haven't read this 'edition' of the Bible, and I generally don't favor modern translations -- preferring either the Authorized Version ("King James") or Jerome's Latin Vulgate (which is a struggle).

That said, I suspect those evangelical Christians who sponsored and/or produced this Bible are less trying to "sex up" the Bible than to give teens a Bible in which the situations they meet in their daily lives (if not on a daily basis) are explored from a Christian perspective. The fact is that in many places, and not just the sinful cities and suburbs, teenagers are engaging in risky sexual behavior at ages that shock even those of us who grew up during the '60s. And, thanks to BJ Clinton, many kids do argue oral sex is not sex. So, I think this Bible edition may actually be useful if it is used intelligently with adult pastoral support.

[dread78645]

This is a pure and simple case of attempting to "sex-up" the Bible to market Kinsey to Christian children.

No need to "sex-up". consider the Song of Solomon

1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

3 I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.

5 I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

6 I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

[unlearner]

Defending this book, a Zondervan spokesman said," 'Again and again and again, the issues that repeatedly came up were a lot of issues related to sex. Today's teens are just bombarded with … highly suggestive, highly sexual media messages every day'."

Yeah, and now they can be bombarded with this pornography while they go to church or study their "Bibles" at home.

These watered-down, bible peddlers are in big trouble with the Lord.