Poll: Kissing Acceptable While Dating, Christian Site Says
The results from a poll at ChristiaNet.com have just revealed that kissing is acceptable while dating.
ChristiaNet.com claims to be the "world's largest Christian portal" with a purported twelve million monthly page loads. And the question that was recently burning the web page over at the Christian portal was "Is kissing while dating permissible?" 134 out of 271 respondents answered "Yes", that kissing is acceptable while dating. 71 voted "No". 66 were "Unsure".
This is a big question out in the Christian singles world, apparently, with Christianity Today trying to shed some light with its Five Commandments of Dating, excerpted from Jason Illian's Undressed: The Naked Truth About Love, Sex, and Dating:
1. Thou shalt not group date.
2. Thou shalt commit to the fight.
3. Thou shalt expect nothing.
4. Thou shalt be patient.
5. Thou shalt always follow the King.
And apparently now, at least according to 134 respondents to the ChristiaNet.com poll: Thou shalt kiss!
Most of the respondents to the ChristiaNet.com poll on kissing while dating seemed to agree on a few things: Christian dating should be within the rules and guidelines of God's word about behavior. A couple considering kissing should discuss some guidelines in the early stages of their relationship and draw some lines and boundaries. Self-control was emphasized, with one respondent commenting that "One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control". All seemed to agree that their bodies don't belong to them, but to God. And according to these folks, it's God's temple.
Those who were against kissing while dating cited that kissing is a temptation and can lead to sin. Concerns with "the flesh" were evident in one respondent's comment, "The Word of God says we should not make any provision for the flesh. Christian dating behavior should include decent and proper behavior. The world is watching and many could be won just by the Godly example of living a life honoring Him." One voter commented on obedience and kissing while dating, "Obedience and compliance to God's Word means everything."
A kiss is a pretty loaded thing apparently, according to some of these respondents. While a lot of the respondents cite biblical reasons for not kissing while dating, Rich Murphy, in his article Christian Dating over at MaranthaLife.com, says there isn't a biblical example for dating-
"If we look in the Bible, we don't find a single example of dating. Instead, we find that when Isaac needed a wife, his father, Abraham, sent his steward back to his home town to search for one (Gen 24:2-4). Why? Because Abraham wanted to be sure his son had a good wife."
Other religious traditions seem to be a little more clear on the matter of physical contact between men and women. It seems that the Koran, the holy Islamic book, and its Sharia law have this one down in fairly black and white terms. According to Muslim Sharia law, it is forbidden for a man to have any physical contact with a woman to whom he is not related.
Will the next ChristiaNet.com poll be about arranged marriages?
Sources:
Kissing is Acceptable While Dating According to ChristiaNet.com Poll, July 25, 2007, Christian NewsWire, http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/512403741.html
5 Commandments of Dating, Christianity Today, October 11, 2006, http://www.christianitytoday.com/singles/newsletter/mind61011.html
Christian Dating? , Rich Murphy, Marantha Life,
http://maranathalife.com/teaching/dating.htm
Published by Kimberly West
biography here View profile
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12 Comments
Post a CommentWell written article. Being the wife of a pastor I have had to address this issue over the years (and more...see my article on role-playing). I have come to the conclusion that it is not right for another Christian or group of Christian to make decisions about the "disputable areas" and then set them in stone as if they were law. It is really up to the individual to decide what is permissible for him in God's eyes.
great article about a great problemn in the church. they forgot that Abraham and Sarah didn't live in 21st century America, but in not only another time, but also in a patriarchal society. They can't even see the potential for spouse abuse (that I suffered for 12 years) with ideas like that.
That leads to the idea that my ex-husband had...Women are nothing, women are for marital sex only, don't you dare relate emotionally or even be nice and friendly to your friendly to your wife. After 12 years of being treated like a whore-secretary, I divorced him.
So what about masturbating? Shouldn't Christian singles be allowed to have good contact for themselves especially if they can't kiss? Not to rock the boat I really think this is an important issue about natural behaviors that can make people feel good alone or together. I am foreseeing a future like "Demolition Man" in San Angeles where it's law and "normal" to wear cybersex VR headsets ("Eeeww! Kissing? You mean like fluid transfer?!")
IMO, It's so hypocritical and self-justifying for one of faith to say that kissing is okay before marriage for "us," (i.e. Christians), but then to negatively judge Hollywood movies that contain "secular" makeout scenes; because it's exactly the same thing.
That's weird about the Koran: "to whom they are not related." So does that mean it says incest is okay? (Slightly just kidding...)
I have a good friend who is very devout in his faith (whereas I'm a very devout PSP gameplayer). His wife to be was forbidden to kiss, hold hands, visit in private, or any other things that most of us would consider safe behavior.
The kicker was that she was close to 30.
But, to each his own. If it works for them, who am I to judge. I just know it would never work for me, and I never felt guilty.
Very interesting article!
This is hilarious. I sure hope it isn't a sin to kiss before marriage because DH and I sure did a lot of it while dating. Yes, we are both Christians.
One thing about it...I hate watching couples carry on like no one else is around...it's just gross.
Great piece!
Interesting article. I often wonder what God would say about all the rules imposed by man and I am a Christian. I also like to kiss.