Tuesday, July 24, 2007

PDA's OK?

So, my question for today is: Are PDA's OK?

You techies are thinking: Personal Digital Assistants, like Palm Pilots or something, but I am referring to Public Displays of Affection.
Here's the thought. For an unmarried couple, it is immoral for them to have sexual relations. The Bible calls it fornication. We would say that it is immoral to show fornication to a single person as it would lead to temptation. Even if it was showing a married couple the temptation would be the same.

The Bible also teaches that a man and a woman should not even touch before marriage. 1 Corinthians 7:1 says that. It teaches that touching leads to fornication. To solve that problem, you get married :)

So, my thought: if it is wrong to tempt an unmarried person with "all the way" sexual relationships being depicted in front of them, would it not be just as wrong to show "touching" in front of them? When I kiss Sarah, in our marriage relationship, it is pleasurable and honorable. If I do that in front of an unmarried person, it is going to entice them to want to do the same. To solve that problem, the Bible says they should marry. 1 Corinthians 7:2 says that. But, should the married couples keep the activities that are only permissible to married couples behind closed doors?

I don't know, Just a thought...

10 comments:

Kevin P said...

My parents often showed public affection towards each other - it was not a stumbling block but rather it depicted a right relationship between two people unashamedly in love.
If single people get jealous - then, as you quoted, it is better to marry than burn. Speaking as a single man, I wouldn't worry yourself too much. Obviously there are things you need to keep private, but affection appears normal (Gen 26:8).

Hindsey said...

(forgive the sarcasm, I don't mean to be this pontificative [new word] on this point, but it sounds funny)

Ok, Kevin, so let's say a married couple kissing and holding hands is OK in public, but having hubby... um... "fondling" his clothed wife in public would not be well received. I think that's safe enough when we compare with what our culture does. That's a good standard to measure by :) As long as we stay a little bit behind the world, we'll be fine.

I do the same things to show my kids that I love their mom... But, there are probably much better ways to show them that.

Again, it's just a thought that I wanted to get some replies on. You agree that some things should be kept private, I just wonder where the line is drawn and how it is drawn.

Mr. Young said...

I gotta side with Kevin on this one...I've seen these couples out in public that do not believe in PDA's and really you'd never know they were a couple. Now I'm not saying that we should be making out for all the world to see, but being affectionate and loving I think is right. I was thinking of a verse so I looked it up, and it was the one Kevin has posted.

Hindsey said...

Ok, I was going to let it go when Kevin said it, but now that there's two of you... You guys really want to side with the lying couple? Abram lied to Abimelech saying that they were not married. I don't know the details of the situation, but I expect that they did not think that they were being watched while they were sporting.

Anyway, Why can't we make out in public? If Sarah & I are sitting there waiting for church to start, why can't we just spend that time showing everyone that we are a married couple? :)

Kevin P said...

I was referring to Issac and Rebekah and it appears the flirting between the married couple showed Abimilech (vs 9) that they were a married couple. It does not say they were making out, just sporting! :) In context, public flirting is a demonstration of your love more than the ring on your finger.

Mr. Young said...

Ok..Ok...but really I think you should re-name todays blog "Crack-Pot Thoughts"...

Anonymous said...

You wrote: "When I kiss Sarah, in our marriage relationship, it is pleasurable and honorable. If I do that in front of an unmarried person, it is going to entice them to want to do the same."

My question is: Entice them to want to do the same? Kiss Sarah? Then Yes, I guess PDAs would be bad.

Is there really "fondling" talk on this site?

Anonymous said...

It seems to me that since God places a high view upon marriage and the picture that it represents, it must not be such a bad thing if single folks desire it for themselves. But it is only with marriage that some of those “extras” come. So if that is what folks want, then it is marriage they must seek. They may opt to remain single, but then they also opt to do with those certain “extras”.

Of course, there is such a thing as good taste. What kind of kissing and touching? Something sweet that could possibly cause someone to desire a proper relationship of their own or something more that would cause someone to burn and their motor to run? One may be appropriate for public while one certainly is not.

I think it might be like the picture marriage represents. There is a joy, a peace, and many other desirable things that folks may want when we as Christians conduct ourselves properly out in public. But it is only in a relationship with Christ that these things come. Get where I'm going? Deep huh?

So I say put on a good and decent show or get a room!

Anonymous said...

I agree with Benson. You know what is acceptable in public and what is not. I think that sometimes you think too much on one topic and thoughts start going crazy. I told you yesterday that I do not read your blogs, but I think I might start if you are going to be talking about me and you making out in church. :)
Sarah

Anonymous said...

If a Christian married couple cannot give a loving kiss or hug in public then what would others think of the "institution" of marriage? I was instructed by my pastor to show our children marital affection such as hand holding, kissing, and hugging. Through this they will learn what an appropriate loving marriage relationship looks like. Your kids know the kiss and hug you give them is not sexual. They'll know the kiss and hug you give your wife means love..not sex. Unfortunately, sometimes men think a kiss is always sexual. Take sex out of it...it should mean a sweet and caring love. It's not wrong to show what is good and right. I think it would be smart to show your child you love your wife. Later in life he will see unmarried people display affection in a bad way. Let him know what is pure and right at home.