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.

[scripter]

We should not be so slavishly devoted to mere English words that we actually obscure the clear teachings of God. Anything that conveys the truth of God in language people actually use and understand is okay in my book.

Just wanted to see that again.

[Campion]

I see others have called you out on this. No need to do so again.

You might want to reflect that Martin Luther expressed the same opinion before he died. Do you want to "call" him "out" ?

You might also want to reflect that Scripture itself talks about the "ignorant and unstable" misinterpreting Scripture. Would you like to "call out" the apostle Peter, or the Holy Spirit who inspired him to write those words?

[Campion]

No part of the New Testament was written down by anyone who considered himself a Roman Catholic

The term "Roman Catholic" was invented by Anglican enemies of Rome. Not surprisingly, strictly speaking, nobody considers himself a Roman Catholic (except, perhaps Catholics who actually live in the diocese of Rome). It really should be much of a surprise that nobody living in the first century would call himself by an appellation that would not be invented for 1500 years.

However, in AD 110, Ignatius of Antioch referred to himself as "a bishop of the Catholic Church". Ignatius knew some of the Apostles personally, and was third in line in the see of Antioch, after Peter.

nor did the Roman Catholic Church as it is today exist at that time.

Nor, of course, did anything else "as it is today exist at that time". That should not come as a surprise to anyone.

[Campion]

No one is confused, just ask an Orthodox Jew if these things are abhorrant to God.

Orthodox Jews think the phrase "Jesus Christ is LORD" is abhorrent to God. Why should we listen to people who reject the Incarnation, which is the foundational doctrine of the Christian faith?

Believe me, if you are an orthodox Christian, you already profess doctrines that are abhorrent to Orthodox Jews.

[Doohickey]

So, what's the problem? Does anybody here think that teenage girls don't talk about this stuff? Is "Ashley" incorrect?

[MortMan]

"Daddy, what does Thou shalt not commit adultery mean?" asked 5 year old Johnny.

"It means 'Don't plow your neighbor's field'" replied his father, satisfying both of them.

[pro610]

The Big picture.
There is much more going on here then a mere changing of words.

When you see names such as Carl Jung,Rockefeller,Henry Luce and others start popping up,I think there is cause for concern.

http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac23.htm
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/04/6-purpose-communitarian.htm

(Ephesians6:11.12)
Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.Our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers,the rulers of the world of darkness,the evil spirits in the world above.

[farmer18th]

"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."

No, no, no. That's not how you get the point across in fiction. This is how you do it:

Emma, sitting alone behind the low brick wall on the south end of campus heard familiar voices above her, coming her direction. She could tell that voice anywhere, but she was too late to scurry away. Too much had already been said, and they would see her. Prentice Smith, future Yalie, had begun to speak:

"I was sad to hear it; I kind of hope it isn't true."
"Total slut," the other voice said. "Skanky little tramp got herself some knee pads."
"I always thought she was sort of an old world, Joan of Arc type, at home with herself. Saintly, kind of, in a fetching way. You know?"
"Me too. I feel like my dream girl got sold to the sex trade."

"Emma Parker," Prentice said, sighing. "Who would have thought it."

[Raycpa]

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

Which one?

[freedom moose]

Satanic Bible
I really never knew such a thing existed. Who is the author? Crowley or somebody like that?

[scripter]

I appreciate your zeal, but I completely disagree with you and have previously asked you to stop posting to me. I believe you are well meaning but misguided and guillible.

If you want to know what Rick Warren believes, ask him yourself instead of vague references, guilt by association and misrepresentation.

Here's one place to get various information and quotes: Pastors.com.

You can read parts of Warren's popular book here: Purpose Driven Life.
Here's another place: Purpose Driven.
Click here to see Saddleback's statement of faith.

And here: Saddleback Family website.

[farmer18th]

Sounds like they're addressing current issues in light of God's word. I have no problem with that.

Nor would anyone else, depending on how you do it. Assuming sin, and not virtue, is not really a very safe catechism. The role of fiction is to make virtue look credible and sin deplorable. It's better to tell a story where the admirable kids, the popular kids, are made to appear too sure of themselves to mimic Madonna in their personal lives. The Chrisitan novelist, or story teller, or film maker, should make loose girls look like diseased, pock-marked sluts. Christian boys should be made to look like strong, gentlemanly, chaste warriors for Christ. Agnostics should look like effeminate homosexuals.

[farmer18th]

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.

That's why the fictional companion pieces, which hope to address this issue, must not give a single inch to the presupposition of sinful life. From the very beginning, the characters who engage in casual sex should be seen to be selfish, self-centered, vain dolts. As a young reader, you should begin hating them on the page, before they ever engage in sex. Even better, the stories should be told from the perspective of credible but heroic adolescents who see the Britney Spears generation as sad, boring shipwrecks. The "just for fun" line quoted in the Zondervan book is the product of casual, surfboard Christianity. It's the kind of thing I would expect from an undereducated youth pastor.

[nmh]

This has NO business being in a Bible. This is what parents should be discussing with their children.

Sounds like they got their script from Bill Clinton.

Excerpt:

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.

'Am I Gay?'

Another "In Focus" story highlights the experience of "Trish" in "Am I Gay?"

Says Trish: "All my friends are wondering if this guy or that guy likes them. I don't like any guys right now. Instead, I wonder if I have a crush on Sierra. She's one of my best friends."

Trish goes on to explain that her uncle tried to rape her when she was 12 and that ever since, "I haven't wanted any guy to touch me – not even my dad."

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

---

Well atelast they acknowledge the ABUSE factor in homosexuality. Still, I wouldn't purchase this.

[farmer18th]

Wake up. Kids, yes even the "good Christian kids" are talking about and are doing this stuff.

They wouldn't be "good Christian kids" if they were doing this stuff-by definition.

I do agree that the church isn't showing much fruit, but that is precisely because we engage in pathetic imitations of popular culture in order to appear "hip" to our children. Our children need to be educated, not pandered to. You need to turn off the television, pull your kids from public school, and start teaching. Teenagers who engage in "this kind of stuff" should be disfellowshiped from the church, and removed from the communion of other Christians--JUST AS PAUL TOLD US.

[pro610]

Anton La Vey is the Author.
http://truthinheart.com/Zondervan.htm

[farmer18th]

'Am I Gay?'

The enormous and craven surrender represented by even this title alone represents how far the church has fallen. The correct title should be something like:

Is Playing with Crap "Gay?"

Followed by: My dad is a doctor and I followed him on his rounds with him this morning. He has several AIDS patients whose skin is full of lesions. They are very skinny, like concentration camp victims, and they have no children, of course, to visit them. I felt sorry for them, but they didn't seem to feel sorry for themselves. One of them had very crude language and even said something to me that I can't repeat. Dad told me this was an example of the depraved mind that God speaks of in the New Testament. We prayed for them, and we went golfing with mom afterwards. When you think about God's creation, how my mom and dad love each other, and how I am a product of that love, it's hard to see why the devil has such a hold on some people. I guess we just have to keep praying and preaching, as Dad says.

[nmh]

It's really sad.

Ole Lucifer though is smiling from ear to ear.