Posted on 03/17/2005 10:52:18 PM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
I'm not sure I can agree Rev. I'd need to see it or at least read a review from a credible news source.
But, the reality is girls (and boys) this age are talking about and doing this stuff. We can either shelter them from it completely by keeping them at home, killing the tv, not letting them have any friends. Or we can confront the issues where they are.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not endorsing this work.
But, in my opinion, it's more dangerous to ignore these issues or pretend they don't exist.
The history revisionists are hard at it..They have revised and distorted the actual facts of history and now they are working on the Bible..The real scary thing is to watch events being interpreted to be what they are not, even as they are happening (MSM). This is why I keep all my ancient books..I want to know what really happened not what happened in the fantasy of those who want their values to prevail in society. It is up to parents to monitor the madness if they want to protect their kids. I know couples who are not allowing their preteens to attend sleepovers anymore because they do not trust what is going down in someone else's home..Will they be criticized? Yes, but their children's lives are worth more than condemnation by those who are duped into thinking that popularity is worth everything.
Re: Catholics "I guess so if you support Idolatry and the putting the false traditions of Man ahead of the Word of God. No offense."
Judge not, least yee be judged.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not endorsing this work.
But, in my opinion, it's more dangerous to ignore these issues or pretend they don't exist.
OK - fair enough - lets wait til we see a legit source
That given - lets say it is legit - is it right to be included with God given Scripture ?
Yes these are issues we all need to discuss with our teens - but IMO - just as the Santuary is a revered holy place that weve set aside to worship our Heavenly Father, the Word is Gods as well....how can we pervert it, within the same cover
while this is not quite the same as pro's complaint of zondervan or Harper collins producing a satanic bible under a separate cover-
unless these additions exhalt God through identifying them as sin, I am concerned that the Word becomes adulterated when included in the same cover
rant aside - prayers for us this weekend.....boy scouts for food will drop several tons worth to be sorted - on top of that we are holding a new memebers class - so were kinda stretched thin LOL
Hmmm. So how does believing that God created us to know Him, love Him and serve Him, and that He sent His Son to redeem us, and through Jesus we will be saved, constitute idolatry?
How are kids supposed to figure out how the teachings of the Bible relate to what they're facing in the world today? There is so much in popular culture that isn't specifically mentioned in the Bible, but clearly violates the teachings of God. Abortion, for example, is not mentioned in the Bible, and because of that, there are those who say it's not wrong because God never said it was wrong. That kind of stuff can be very confusing to teenagers who are bombarded with sinful messages throughout popular culture.
The Ten Commandments cover all the sins that one could commit, but unless someone goes through each one and points out HOW it covers them, who would know? For example, though shalt not commit adultery covers ALL the sexual sins, but who would think that upon just reading those words?
Folks DO need guidance, and I could see how this work could be useful IF it's covered with kids in discussion groups led by someone faithful to the Word, or by the kids' parents. You have to be careful to make sure that the kids understand what's being taught and WHY! You can't just let them create their own interpretations.
The simple fact of the matter is that teenagers these days talk about sex, and are engaging in it. They are ceaselessly bombarded with sexual images and messages in their media. It must be forthrightly addressed. Getting young girls to read what the Bible says about sex - and being frank about it in the contexts in which they are likely to be pressured - is only a good thing.
If the instruction is correct, why not?
A lot of sin has stayed in the closet because "nice Christians don't talk about that stuff."
Before SSQ and I got married, we participated in a pre-marriage discussion group. There were several couples, all of different faiths, but there was one couple who would just get so agitated when sex was even brought up that it was ridiculous! Finally SSQ told the minister who was in charge of the group that he wasn't comfortable being in the group, so we quit then did the Pre- Cana weekend a month or two later.
This couple was just wierd, and I believe it was the result of having been bombarded constantly with the 'sex is bad' message without any discussion on the matter. It was the result of not talking forthrightly about the rightful place of sex in our lives. They were still into the 'sex is sinful' mindset, and weren't making the connection between unmarried and married relations. It was truly sad.
INTREP
A lot of sin has stayed in the closet because "nice Christians don't talk about that stuff."
context bro - in the context of a study guide the distinction needs to be made between love and sexual gratification - Ones a sin - the other is love
Sexual gratification without the love we see and experience in a monogamous relationship is sin -
Lets couch the phrase differently - If the study guide teaches love in monagamous matrimonial relationship, I have no problem (were in agreement here)- but sex in of itself without that is sin - why teach it within in the boards of the Bible? (are we in agreement here?)- Instead - the Bible as the Word of righteousness should stand against it by itself
I had a toddler get ahold of our pulpit Bible recently and crayon it up something fierce - Its still readable - but completely adulterated as the additions prove to be too distracting.
I dont mean to argue - heaven knows - people are "laughing" at us - ahem - maybe were in agreement and are just coming at it from two different angles
what was the context - premarital - or within a married relationship ?
IMO - as much as we pray and hope our children save themselves - the realization is that they are probably active before marriage - many of us were as well -
Can we at least agree to call premarital sex a sin?
or am I the only tyrannosaur here LOL
IMO, - and even in the confines of matrimony - there is love and sex
a Saturday quickie hardly gets me singing the song of Solomon - is it sinful - ....depends where our hearts are
anyway - thanks for your input
We're probably closer than this forum allows us to communicate.
Like I said, not trusting this source, and not having seen the book, I'm not endorsing it. I get the impression, but not an assurance that it does come to the right conclusions regarding sex.
So if it does teach that "monagamous matrimonial relationship" I just wouldn't have a problem discussing the other issues as long as the proper conclusions are reached.
(Rev tapping fingers)
who the heck am I supposed to argue with now? LOL
If thats the case, why do you bother to expound upon it in your church?
Explanatory notes in Bibles are certainly not a bad thing. Having an explanatory note that explains why Leviticus, a book that most teenagers have never read, is actually quite relevant to their lives. The Christian message, as far as I can tell from the WND article (and I distrust WorldNetDaily as among the worst journalists on the planet), is not only intact, but clear - "God's definition of sexual purity covers much more than intercourse."
Frankly addressing these issues with teens is imperative. The WND article quotes a parent who says, "I would not give this 'Bible' to my 20-year-old virgin daughter to read much less a 13-year-old. Why should she have images of oral sex, lesbianism and rape in her mind?" Frankly, this mother's an idiot. The simple fact of the matter is that her daughter almost certainly knows about this stuff to begin with, and if she doesn't, she very soon will. If the mother forever shelters her daughter, when she leaves for college or wherever, bar the door, because she won't be able to handle the newfound freedom. My friends who went to ridgid, ultra-fundamentalist colleges tell me that this is a major issue.
Kids deal with this. The youth culture is irretreviably sexualized. They need to know, frankly, what Christian morality demands - and that means frank discussions. Denial of this reality will literally kill these kids
I think all 3 of us, since we have the same mindset, are in near-complete agreement.
Well, that's no fun. ;-)
Bump & Ping
What's up with Zondervan?
Mr. Strom is in deep denial about what's going on among teen-aged girls.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.