Last week’s article entitled, “What the Bible Says About the Prom” was carried on the church’s Facebook page, and there were 2,225 reached by it. It was beyond my comprehension the number of individuals, including gospel preachers, who took exception to it, defending the right of Christians’ attending the prom. This is just another example of the worldliness that has infiltrated the Lord’s church. This reaction tells me that there is a need to do more preaching and teaching against dancing. As a follow up to that article, I want to simply quote some statements from a few in the world. These quotes are not from members of the church of Christ, as far as I know.
Just a little over four years ago, on September 24, 2011, a letter to the editor of The Indianapolis Star appeared. I am carrying it in its entirety. I regret having to print it in The Informer, because it uses such explicit language; however, many parents, grandparents, preachers and elders are naive as to what takes place at school dances. It is a crying shame that such has to be even discussed in a public forum as this. The apostle Paul wrote that it was a shame even to speak of those things which are done of some in secret. Such is a far cry from our present age. Such things are done publicly and there is no shame to talk about them publicly. Nothing is considered taboo. People, even brethren, will discuss openly matters which a generation ago would not have been broached. Someone says, “Well, you are just old fashioned.” Yes, I am, and I wish we could turn back the clock when it comes to some matters.
Missed Chance to Dial Down Sexual Heat
As a chaperone on the Carmel High School homecoming dance floor, I was saddened by our missed opportunity as adults to positively shape the future of these kids. The environment emulated a nightclub, and through the collective silence of everyone in authority, a highly sexualized experience was endorsed.
Students received written rules when they purchased their tickets, but the accountability provided was insufficient to combat the behavior that has become culturally acceptable.
My wife and I observed girls pole dancing around the decorative trees on the floor; a girl was passed among six guys who seductively held and thrust at her from behind; and there was dancing that simulated intercourse through clothing. I was told to shine my light only “if things became really inappropriate…like girls hiking their dresses up over their panties” and so the thrusting and pumping among the vast majority of students continued. This was not limited to isolated groups of students.
While this level of promiscuity is not unique to Carmel, parents need to be made aware that homecoming has become an inappropriate, provocative atmosphere. Carmel’s recent experience with sexual misconduct necessitates greater vigilance in the oversight of school-sanctioned events.
We may not have much control over the culture outside our walls, but we can set expectations that uphold a higher standard. A word of leadership from the administration to the kids, a little less darkness and volume, more variety of music, and greater employment of the chaperones may have provided the boundaries our kids so desperately need.
We missed a fantastic opportunity to be different from our sexualized culture and instead we nurtured it.
--Andy E. Miller
Zionsville
In the same year, 2011, Focus, the student newspaper of Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis, carried an article by Alex Witten, a staff member of the paper, entitled, “Teens Dancing to New Beats.” It discussed the evolution of dancing from the 60’s to the present. Witten wrote:
Popular dance has long struggled to find a balance between simple group fun and sexuality. The moves seen in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, reflecting the dance era of 1963 were considered highly provocative at the time. Flashing forward, many movers and shakers in today’s society would consider the dancing in Dirty Dancing remarkably clean. What happened in between to lead to today’s “Jerk,” “Dougie” and “grinding?” – most commonly seen at Prom.
After several quotes from teachers who had noticed changes, Witten continued:
While every teacher asked found the commonly seen homecoming/prom “grinding” to be vulgar, two PM students chose to defend it. Senior Bianca Cotter and junior Brett Timmons explain that while “grinding” is not their only choice of dancing, they still enjoy it. Cotter and Timmons, who both found it difficult to describe what “grinding” is, opted to use similes. Cotter says, “It’s like two palm trees (the boy and girl) swaying in the wind while being as close together as peanut butter and jelly.” Timmons says, “It’s like a ham and cheese sandwich. The bread is the crowd, the ham is the guy, and the cheese is the girl. Everyone is just moving really close together.”
In Witten’s opening paragraph he referred to an article entitled, “Why Do We Like to Dance – And Move to the Beat” in which the author explained that our brains respond to “coordinated movements.” Witten then wrote, “This means that whether we are watching or performing, the reward area of our brain is stimulated by dancing. Dancing can make us laugh, smile and brighten our mood.” This tells me that whether one is participating or is a spectator, he will be influenced by the dancing.
Now, a reminder and a question: Remember the meaning of the word lasciviousness (KJV) or lewdness (NKJV) that translates a Greek word (a)sevlgeia) which means: “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence…wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent physical movements, unchaste handling of males and female.” (Thayer's Greek Lexicon.) Here’s the question: Does not the descriptions of present day dancing at homecomings and proms as given above by a chaperon and students apply to the word lasciviousness or lewdness?
I have been in correspondence with a gospel preacher who has asked me if it were possible for a Christian couple to attend the prom without sinning. First, I am appalled that a gospel preacher would even attempt to justify such action. Second, why would anyone trying to follow Christ go to such a place, based on the above description of the dancing done at proms now? He said that he was one who was influenced to become a Christian at the prom. He surely is the exception. I am not arguing the exception, but the rule. Paul said to avoid every form of evil. The prom is evil as depicted above. Therefore, one should avoid the prom. Now, avoid does not mean see how close you can get to it. I am wondering if the brother would be comfortable going to the prom now? Brethren, there are some places that are to be avoided after one becomes a Christian. Peter wrote of the Christian “…that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.” (1 Peter 4:2-4.)
If for the sake of argument, I grant that the prom is a parallel to the eating of meats offered an idol (that is, it is in the realm of judgment), would it be wise to go to a place where you might cause another to stumble? Did not Paul address this issue?
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. (1 Corinthians 8:9-13.)
Brethren, let me urge all Christians to oppose dancing. Let preachers preach against it; let elders uphold their hands in opposition to it. Let us strive to be lights in a world of darkness.
Think on these things.
The Informer
Vol. 68 No. 31
May 17, 2015