# Why Christian teens shouldn't go to the prom **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 18, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177 "2006-09-18T15:13:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/21 "2006-09-18T20:02:40Z")
[QUOTE=Surly Chick] I don’t think God gives a rat’s red ass if you go to prom, Susie. [/QUOTE] _Cool!!_ I am _so_ there! ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/22 "2006-09-18T20:10:17Z")
[QUOTE=Surly Chick] That has to be one of the screwiest/scariest things I’ve ever read. Does God want you to go to prom??? I don’t think God gives a rat’s red ass if you go to prom, Susie. Pretty sure he’s got bigger things on his mind. [/QUOTE] Maybe he doesn’t have bigger things on his mind. Maybe he is distracted by teenagers dancing and fornicating. Maybe this is the celestial version of Skinemax and that’s why he hasn’t gotten around to solving the problems in the Middle East, Iraq, and the Darfur region. He’s going to get around to it, just as soon as he has a chance. Just like I’m going to get around to straightening my room. Someday. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/23 "2006-09-18T20:14:25Z")
My high school (the one where I spent my junior and senior years, anyway!) and college had this attitude about dancing – David Lipscomb High School and College in Nashville, Tennessee. I attended the high school from 1977 to 1979 (the prime disco years!) and the college from 1979 to 1983. They are associated with the Church of Christ. It was taught that dancing would almost inevitably lead to sexual passion, which was not a good thing unless you were married! ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/24 "2006-09-18T20:22:13Z")
> [@God](#): > > Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play **(dancing & sexual immoraltiy)**. It’s a good thing we have these handy parenthetical phrases from God to explain the true meaning of his Word. While I think the website is extremely silly, I also think that anyone who claims that dancing doesn’t lead to sexual passion probably isn’t doing it right 😉 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/25 "2006-09-18T20:23:29Z")
I love the coined word: **prommery**. I never saw it before and it just works so well. Is it your invention or did you see it somewhere? Jim ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/26 "2006-09-18T20:29:25Z")
That web site could have been written by my parents, as far as the sentiment goes. It’s so far out there that it looks like a spoof, but probably isn’t. Thank Og that most teenagers have more sense than the web site author, go to their prom and have a good time. Might even include some fun dancing and sex. The way Og intended (hey, in my church, Og is made in MY image, and I make the rules!). ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/27 "2006-09-18T20:31:22Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > > [@Lissa](#): > > > > (and no Christian rock, because someone passing by might hear it and think you were listening to real rock) . > > No they wouldn’t. I hope Hypno-Toad is a boy, because I am going to marry him. (Don’t tell Dave) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/28 "2006-09-18T20:31:47Z")
This: > [@](#): > > The word to “touch a woman” means to light a fire. The context of 1Cor.7 is quite clear, a man should not touch a woman to start the fire sexually, unless they are married. The dancing at proms will actually provide specific songs for couples to dance extremely close. This kind of closeness, biblically, is only meant for married couples. combined with this: > [@](#): > > Finally, we have the issue of a “date” for the prom. What exactly do we mean by this? Are two people going to the prom just to be friendly for the evening or is there more expected in the typical prom date? Can a Christian young lady and a Christian young man attend a prom and come away enriched in any way spiritually? Can this same couple come away knowing they’ve honored God in attending this activity? Can this couple come away not having been tempted to be involved in worldly dancing and perhaps immoral behavior, that they will certainly see at these dances (immoral from God’s point of view would include all the close sexual dancing and kissing, before, after and during the prom)? makes it sound, to me, like the author thinks that people shouldn’t date at all; just go straight from introductions to marriage. After all, if you’re dating with the intention to marry (which is clearly the only kind of dating God condones :rolleyes: ), then I should certainly say that your intentions are more than “just to be friendly for the evening”! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/29 "2006-09-18T20:34:21Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I love the coined word: **prommery**. I never saw it before and it just works so well. Is it your invention or did you see it somewhere? Jim [/QUOTE] Mine, all mine. (I’m notorious for transforming words from one part of speech to another.) ---
**Author:** ![cruel\_butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@cruel\_butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cruel_butterfly)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/30 "2006-09-18T20:34:33Z")
[QUOTE=gytalf2000] It was taught that dancing would almost inevitably lead to sexual passion, which was not a good thing unless you were married! [/QUOTE] But don’t they discourage _everyone_ from dancing? I don’t think that even married couples are exempt from that ridiculous rule. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/31 "2006-09-18T21:10:41Z")
[QUOTE=cruel butterfly] But don’t they discourage _everyone_ from dancing? I don’t think that even married couples are exempt from that ridiculous rule. [/QUOTE] If you grow up learning that dancing is wrong at all (unmarried) times, it is difficult to change your moral outlook if/when you get married. So, no, in my parents’ religion, dancing was not expected or encouraged for married couples. How would they know how to dance if they weren’t allowed to learn? Ever try to teach an adult something new that they have been avoiding for all their life so far? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/32 "2006-09-18T21:11:53Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] Mine, all mine. (I’m notorious for transforming words from one part of speech to another.) [/QUOTE] I have an urge to find an excuse to use it. To bad it is the wrong season for Prommery. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/33 "2006-09-18T21:15:26Z")
[QUOTE=The Weird One] …makes it sound, to me, like the author thinks that people shouldn’t date at all; just go straight from introductions to marriage. [/QUOTE] Exactly. My parents said they didn’t “date”, they just accompanied each other to events. Events like church and Jesus rallies. Oh, lest I forget, they walked their dogs together. How romantic. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![xbuckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9e8a1a/32.png) [@xbuckeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xbuckeye)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/34 "2006-09-18T21:21:15Z")
[QUOTE=The Weird One] makes it sound, to me, like the author thinks that people shouldn’t date at all; just go straight from introductions to marriage. After all, if you’re dating with the intention to marry (which is clearly the only kind of dating God condones :rolleyes: ), then I should certainly say that your intentions are more than “just to be friendly for the evening”! [/QUOTE] Hey, I heard second hand that there are people out there calling themselves Apostolics who do just that. “Hi, my name is \ and I have heard that you are a charming person, would you be interested in dating for the purpose of pursuing marrage?” “I have saved my Haggen Daz just for you.” ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/35 "2006-09-18T21:43:42Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] Prom? Thank goodness! I thought they said Christian teens shouldn’t look at _pr0n._ (Have you noticed that the word “teen” is never actually used by teenagers?) [/QUOTE] We do when we’re searching for porn. Other than that, I got nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/36 "2006-09-18T21:48:35Z")
[QUOTE=Surly Chick] That has to be one of the screwiest/scariest things I’ve ever read. Does God want you to go to prom??? I don’t think God gives a rat’s red ass if you go to prom, Susie. Pretty sure he’s got bigger things on his mind. FYI, I’ve just asked God if he wants me to eat that pint of Hagen Daz chocolate chocolate chip ice cream in the freezer. He said yes and to be sure and top it with some hot fudge and loads of whipped cream. I must go and do the Lord’s bidding now. [/QUOTE] A whole page and not ONE “Chick Tract” joke? C’mon… ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/37 "2006-09-18T22:19:23Z")
[QUOTE=cruel butterfly] But don’t they discourage _everyone_ from dancing? I don’t think that even married couples are exempt from that ridiculous rule. [/QUOTE] Well, once you are married, sexual passion between husband and wife is okay, so the prohibition would be moot at that point. However, the dancing would have to be practiced solely within the confines of the married couple’s home, never in a public place, lest by their wild gyrations they stimulate some unmarried onlookers to give into their base desires and practice actual copulation, which is expressly forbidden and will lead to eternal damnation! I hope I am making myself clear on this! Dancing = Lust = Sex = Damnation! Bad, bad, bad! Exceptin’, of course, married folk, but only in private! ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2006, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/38 "2006-09-19T00:58:25Z")
[QUOTE=The Weird One] This: [S]ounds like the author thinks that people shouldn’t date at all; just go straight from introductions to marriage. After all, if you’re dating with the intention to marry (which is clearly the only kind of dating God condones :rolleyes: ), then I should certainly say that your intentions are more than “just to be friendly for the evening”! [/QUOTE] Yep, “dating” as we understand it is frowned upon. A young couple should never be alone together. The only “dating” allowed was to agree to meet at church dinners or youth group outings. Through this decent association, we were assured, we would start feeling God leading us toward a certain person. The texts we used at the Christian school had a sort of comic strip in every section. It featured the same group of kids (who had names like Sarah Goodwill and John Purelove) throughout, from kindergarten to graduation. I guess the intention was that we “grew up” along with the kids and learned from their “problems.” In reality, the stip was so bland and the sins of these cartoon saints so incredibly minor that it became comic gold.\* Anyway, in the very last text before graduation, one of the girls in the comic strip was shown praying. “God, I feel you telling me I should marry Billy and join him on his missionary trip.” I remember being struck by it because there wasn’t even a _hint_ of romantic interest up 'til that point. - My all-time favorite strip was thus: Sandy Lovingheart comes home and announces, “Ooh, it’s so cold out there. I’m FREEZING!” Her mother admonishes her for her untruthful exaggeration. The final scene in the strip shows Sandy kneeling by her bed, praying to God for forgiveness for lying. No one in these stips ever faced anything approaching a real-world temptation. Theirs was a world free of sex, drugs and violence. Their “temptations” were things like not returning a borrowed item and refraining from getting irritated at younger siblings. It was like the Brady Bunch on traquilizers. (Even the “bad” kids were always portrayed wearing dress-code clothing.) ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2006, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/39 "2006-09-19T01:02:23Z")
I’ll never forget going to Mass one day at an unfamiliar parish. There was this little old Italian priest with a very strong accent. In his homily he very carefully explained that it was every young person’s duty to date as many people as possible, so they would be sure to find the right person to marry. StG ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177/40 "2006-09-19T01:32:56Z")
Really, what’s the point in a girl dating, when her father has [pledged](http://www.family.org/fofmag/pf/a0025000.cfm) to “cover” her until she gets married (probably to someone he has chosen for her)? (Sidenote on dating: I’ve explained to my daughters MHO that at least at the start, it’s as much to identify and weed out what they don’t want in a life partner as anything else. From what I’ve seen of their young men, they’ve done a pretty good job of culling already.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-christian-teens-shouldnt-go-to-the-prom/373177.md?page=3)