A woman in the throes of passion, a crucifix, and a book, presumably a Bible with a cross emblazoned on the cover. Those are the elements of a photo illustration (via PhotoDisc) gracing ABCNews.com's front page and teasing an article entitled "Christian Sex: Holy and Hot!"
"People who have faith have better sex than swingers, says pastor," reads the subheader to the April 15 Susan Donaldson James article.
Published the same day Pope Benedict XVI is set to arrive in Washington, D.C., the article's timing in and of itself might turn heads. Of course the subject matter -- how Christian ministers approach preaching and teaching on sex and romance in the context of marriage -- is in and of itself perfectly fine for a general news publication. But the illustration in question is, to say the least, uncalled for.
What's more, ABCNews.com tagged as "Related" articles of interest such news items as the recent Polygamy arrests in Texas and Pope Benedict's trip to the United States. This all above a topic heading entitled, "Make Your Marriage Sizzle" (screencap below):
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"Uncalled for"? How about
April 15, 2008 - 11:59 ET by motherbelt"Uncalled for"? How about outrageous?
You have to remember that this wasn't just a photo they came across somewhere. This was a conscious, considered decision to set up, pose, and use this particular photo.
Do they deliberately make these decisions based on what will antagonize the most people?
I think they do.
we need more of
April 15, 2008 - 12:01 ET by TruthMongerwe need more of this:)
Christian sex is much better...
Christian everything is much better:)
polygamy is Biblical BTW - nothing wrong with it
hey, is that Jodi Miller?
April 15, 2008 - 12:07 ET by Conservative in the Artshey, is that Jodi Miller? Yeow!
it is for me now - thanks
April 15, 2008 - 12:27 ET by TruthMongerit is for me now - thanks
Oh if only the MSM knew how
April 15, 2008 - 12:12 ET by taterOh if only the MSM knew how powerful the rosary and the bible are...they wouldn't even think of putting a soft core porn image next to it. Then again...I would expect such low brow tactics to stir up contraversy.
By justice a king gives stability to a land; but he who imposes heavy taxes ruins it. -Proverbs 29:4
Ingrid Schlueter at Slice
April 15, 2008 - 12:13 ET by ricklailIngrid Schlueter at Slice of Laodecia has some good comments on this subject. Any Christian out there that does not believe that we are living in the Laodecian church age then they need to read the Bible. Paul warns Timothy that there will come a time when the church will not endure sound doctrine and acts the same as the world. That is happening with preachers bragging about their sex life to the teaching of the "health and weath" junk. For instance look at the sex appeal of Paula White and the heresies that come from that woman's mouth.
If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.-Lewis Grizzard
Thanks for the link. I'm
April 15, 2008 - 12:21 ET by Ken ShepherdThanks for the link. I'm glad to see others are covering this.
Thanks Rick!
April 15, 2008 - 18:21 ET by tracheostomyHi, I'm Tracheostomy and I highly endorse that link.
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
What's funny is that these
April 15, 2008 - 12:45 ET by KillgraveWhat's funny is that these morons think they're being "daring" and "edgy". But they know they have a 100% chance of getting away with it.
Would these same idiots photoshop a picture of a woman in a burqua being ravished with a superimposed koran in the graphic? Just ask'n.
OK. someone has to state the obvious...
April 15, 2008 - 13:22 ET by SickofLibs...and when the Christian sex is INTERRACIAL its even way hotter!
Look at the riots!!!
April 15, 2008 - 13:35 ET by dwillmoreChristian youths have burned 300 cars....well no.
Christians rose in a mass demonstration against the abuse of the Bible calling for death to ABC executives....um sorry again.
Christians call for a crusade against all that do not believe like they want them to believe.....Strike three.
If there was a Christian that did any of those things the Christian community would vocally reject that person.
Finally, it was a sleasy thing to do.
One More
April 15, 2008 - 15:19 ET by deerjerkydaveYou forgot one:
Christians Retaliate in Washington DC: Hope to Instill Theocracy
I've debated with enough liberals to know that one of their greatest fears is the unfounded belief that Christians want to replace the constitution with a theocracy. Nevermind the fact that it was Christians who produced the constitution. The scary irony is that these same liberals, in the name of tolerance, want to allow Islamists to establish Sharia Law within our own country. How can one explain this pretzel like way of thinking? Like Michael Savage says, its a mental disorder caused by the use of drugs.
I don't see anything wrong with this and find it less offensive
April 15, 2008 - 15:25 ET by Dee Bunkthan Bill Maher talking about two minute sex between pasty white people. I think Christians should advertise how they have great sex. Many liberals are afraid to become Christian because they think they won't be able to have or enjoy sex.
There is a local Church by me that has a big billboard out front with a naked couple in bed (covered by sheets) and their feet intertwined and the message says something about having good sex. I think it's great and find absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Hey, Dee. My church did
April 15, 2008 - 15:36 ET by QueenMumHey, Dee. My church did some billboards like that to get the word out re: a sermon series on sex. Exactly as you described. Sure did the job of filling the pews. There was some minor grumbling in the community at large from those who thought the billboards inappropriate. But they stayed put and the sermon series proceeded. I suspect that this may have been part of a sort of "package" put together for churches like ours. Sort of like when many of the churches offered sermon series based on "The Purpose Driven Life".
I am the exotic Queen Mum, and I approved this message.
That's interesting QueenMum
April 15, 2008 - 17:27 ET by Dee BunkI have to say it almost made me want to visit. I think it was a great idea. I think so many liberals are out of touch with how Christians are. They have one sterotype of Pasty White judgemental prudes with their lips pursed and they paint everyone in that mold. I've met some really cool people in Church. I've been to many different ones because I'm always kind of searching.
Moved
April 15, 2008 - 20:46 ET by motherbeltMoved
A healthy, enjoyable sex
April 15, 2008 - 16:43 ET by Ken ShepherdA healthy, enjoyable sex life within marriage is good and perfectly fine to preach and teach in a church setting. That doesn't give license to the church to Christianize the pornification of sex, however.
Of course ultimately this is a debate for church circles. Why I highlighted this has more to do ABCNews.com's judgment in picking a photo illustration that is offensive to many Christians and indeed to non-Christians who find the pornification of news Web sites exasperating.
well, my wife looks over
April 15, 2008 - 16:59 ET by Conservative in the Artswell, my wife looks over sometimes to double check what I'm reading with those conservative T-shirts adds to the right.....
Ken - I really don't see how Christians find the photo offensive
April 15, 2008 - 17:55 ET by Dee BunkIf they do, they do I just don't understand it. I could see if Muslims found it offensive because they don't think womens heads and necks should be exposed, but what's offensive about it from a Christian perspective?
I personally am not
April 15, 2008 - 18:03 ET by Ken ShepherdI personally am not "offended" but I think the photo illustration shows poor judgment on ABCNews.com's part and can see how it is offensive to others.
I think the objection is
April 15, 2008 - 20:46 ET by motherbeltI think the objection is that the photo seems to imply that the Bible
and the Rosary figure into the sex.
Yikes. I think they knew
April 15, 2008 - 20:47 ET by balboaYikes. I think they knew that whatever pic they put up, it was going to be attention-getting. Sex and Christianity is a topic that's going to attract people.
Was a picture absolutely
April 15, 2008 - 20:53 ET by motherbeltWas a picture absolutely necessary for this article? I'm sure abc.com. posts lots of stories without accompanying illustrations. And they had to have someone set it up, and get people to pose for it. I don't imagine this was just lying around in the photo file......
They made a conscious decision to include a picture...that picture.
I completely agree. It was a
April 15, 2008 - 21:00 ET by balboaI completely agree. It was a calculated attempt to go far, but not TOO far (in their view, of course).
Dee, As a Christian
April 15, 2008 - 17:36 ET by LeonDee,
As a Christian though, you really have to be careful about talking about how great your sex life is.
Look at what happened to Ted Haggard. Brags about his great sex life with his wife on a documentary, two months later he's caught smoking meth and sleeping with a dude.
See, that's part of the reason nobody believes that Christians have good sex lives. So many of them end up turning out to be either gay or unfaithful.
PS Liberals are afraid to become Christian b/c of the perceived lack of sexual enjoyment? Please, you're kidding right?
You just proved my point Leon
April 15, 2008 - 17:51 ET by Dee Bunkyou don't believe they can have great sex.
Dee, I believe that most
April 15, 2008 - 17:58 ET by LeonDee,
I believe that most people in general don't have great sex.
Religious affiliation has nothing to do with it. The type of sex you have is completely dependent upon YOU as a person, not your relgion.
Fact of the matter is that most of the hardcore Christians around here are extremely uptight about everything which means that they have only one of two kinds of sex:
1) Dirty, dirty, filthy deviant sex, like things you could only see in Germany - wild stuff.
or
2) Boring, lame, 5 minute missionary style sex. Same thing everytime. Little bit of foreplay, mechanical style thrusting, finish, shower immediately to avoid feeling dirty, repeat next month.
That's the only two ways you conservative christians roll. Really dirty or really boring. There is no middle ground.
Regardless, hearing all you old heads talk about sex is ruining my appetite.
Can't we talk about this after dinner? Or, how about never?
You are so funny Leon - you are the only one going into
April 15, 2008 - 18:08 ET by Dee Bunkgraphic detail and you seem to be very familiar with the two kinds. Hummmmmm? And now you loose your appetite. You must have some real issues with sex. I hope you can work them out some day. I'd explain good sex to you but I don't think your fragile ears could handle words like love and commitment. Dirty dirty words - just like sex is to you.
Dee, 1) I know all
April 15, 2008 - 18:14 ET by LeonDee,
1) I know all about you people. I used to find it hilarious in high school when the Young Life crowd would talk allll day long about how chaste they were b/c they were saving themselves for marriage and then they'd engage in every other kind of sex except the normal one alllll night long. Hilarious.
2) Familiar with 2 kinds Dee? I'm familiar with many more kinds than that. But I've definitely personally experienced the dual nature of the good girl in the bedroom. It's one or the other.
3) I lost my appetite b/c you people are old. There is nothing more disgusting than old people naked. It's like rubbing two pieces of sand paper together. EWWWWW!
4) Love and commitment are just a piece of the sexual puzzle. Commitment doesn't automatically equal honey in your hips.
Let's break it down further. . .
April 16, 2008 - 17:16 ET by tracheostomyLeon: I know all about you people.
"You people." LOL. That has a familiar ring to it. This statement is so loaded, it needs a semi to pull it. As if we're covering something up to begin with.
Leon: I used to find it hilarious in high school when the Young Life crowd would talk allll day long about how chaste they were b/c they were saving themselves for marriage and then they'd engage in every other kind of sex except the normal one alllll night long. Hilarious.
But in order to know that. . .you would have had to have had first-hand experience of some sort, correct? This is the basis of your argument. You lived with the tribe for a period of time, therefore you are an authority, correct?
Where were the youth group leaders to supervise this behavior? Why only the moralist basis for "saving themselves for marriage"? Isn't this nothing more than a cult of "technical virginity"?
How do YOU know they'd "engage in every other kind of sex except the normal one alllll night long." Hmm? Maybe another member of the youth group let faith and reason fly out the window in favor of passionate impulse and curiosity. Maybe all of them did. Does this automatically make this a representative example of all Christians of all ages?
Because after all, you did say "all." =)
This is a classic "faith vs. works" issue. The problem with it though is you're making snap judgements from a single snapshot in time and only one location. Then you're using it to paint every other X-ian with the same very broad brush.
I was one of the randiest kids in my church youth group. My ultimate goal was not to obey Christ, but rather my own impulse to sin. Some girls allowed me to use them, and some were smart enough to know better.
Leon: I lost my appetite b/c you people are old. There is nothing more disgusting than old people naked. It's like rubbing two pieces of sand paper together. EWWWWW!
This is total trolling. I have a boss in her 40s that puts the ATF banner girl thyar ---> to shame. She's a former aerobics instructor. Just how old is "old" anyway?
Leon: Love and commitment are just a piece of the sexual puzzle. Commitment doesn't automatically equal honey in your hips.
How would you know that? Is there a commitment you've actually kept?
But that question's already been answered.
From my formerly porn-soaked; freewheeling-bachelor perspective, I can confidently state that there are certain sexual mysteries you don't find out about until your 10th anniversary or so. And we didn't enlist any outside help either. It comes from the trust and commitment on the inside.
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
Howdy Dee, Sounds like
April 15, 2008 - 18:16 ET by bigtimerHowdy Dee,
Sounds like little one has had a very boring unfulfilled life sexually.
May explain a lot eh?
LOL....
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Hi BT - yeah it sure does. I had thought Leon was out of
April 15, 2008 - 18:23 ET by Dee Bunkhigh school but I guess I was have been mistaken. He's not just afraid of sex, he's afraid of nakedness too. He's probably never even had the lights on.
...or lit a couple
April 15, 2008 - 18:26 ET by bigtimer...or lit a couple candles....heheeee
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Oh Dee, So clever. You
April 15, 2008 - 18:29 ET by LeonOh Dee,
So clever. You and BT together are a tour de force of hilarity.
Don't put words in my mouth. I love nakedness.
Except when it involves disgusting old people.
Don't try to pretend it isn't gross.
Just remember Leon, unless
April 15, 2008 - 18:34 ET by bigtimerJust remember Leon, unless you have an untimely death you are going to be one of those disgusting old folks as you like to put it.
In the meantime...grow up some would ya?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
And you think we find your pimply pubescence attractive Leon?
April 15, 2008 - 18:41 ET by Dee BunkAnd you think we find your pimply pubescence attractive Leon? This isn't a dating site so get over your immature self. No one's going to try and hit on you here.
Dee, Tsk tsk so angry.
April 16, 2008 - 09:15 ET by LeonDee,
Tsk tsk so angry. Leon's assessment = so on point that it's causing you to come unhinged.
Pimples? Ha. Those are only for dirty people with bad genetics.
It was the one time a month part that's bugging you. I can tell. You know, as well as I do, that intimacy once per month is not indicative of a healthy relationship.
You should just kick it up a notch. Go out to dinner twice a month. Have a bottle of red every once in a while. Maybe watch a romantic movie. There are many ways to increase your sex life Dee. Don't suffer from the one time a month duldrums. There's no need. Take control of your bedroom! Stand up and GET YOURS!
Woooo hooo!
Leon - It's clear to everyone who reads this thread (lib or con)
April 16, 2008 - 13:34 ET by Dee Bunkwho's the unhinged one. You sit there talking about all your sexual fears and fetish's and on top of that you actually think you can predict how often other people have sex. You are so ignorant and immature. You're so obviously jealous that married people can get it when ever they want it. I like it better when you pretend to be a grown up. Try pretending again some time soon. Fake it till you make it baby. I'm done playing in the sandbox.
Dee, 1) I'm not seeing
April 16, 2008 - 14:51 ET by LeonDee,
1) I'm not seeing any of the fears or fetishes that you're talking about. Could you clarify your charge? I don't follow.
2) I'm jealous that married people can get it whenever they want? Nah, that's boring. I can get it whenever I want and it doesn't have to be the same person. Much more interesting. So that can't possibly be true.
3) Playing in the sandbox? You guess started a conversation about sex and then were afraid to actually discuss anything. Feel free to be done.
You are so asking for it. . .
April 16, 2008 - 17:18 ET by tracheostomyLeon: I'm not seeing any of the fears or fetishes that you're talking about. Could you clarify your charge? I don't follow.
Older people for one. I think you like 'em young because they're easier to lie to.
Leon: I can get it whenever I want and it doesn't have to be the same person. Much more interesting. So that can't possibly be true.
Oh very interesting I agree. Going into a verbal physical contract where only vague consent is given (or even guessed at) for the sake of the moment, and the partner is reduced to the sum of their primary and secondary sex organs.
But as long as they "look like they're enjoying it," then it's all good to you, right?
One of your worst assumptions was that Christians only like it two ways. In order for that to work, you would have had to have personally sat in on far more than your "ahem" polling sample/demographic. Further, you would have had to have kept tabs on each one as they went on with their lives outside of the "youth group" cocoon.
This is also a major giveaway on your part as to the extent of the sum total of your exposure to Christianity as well. I'll elaborate on this more above.
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
Wow, between Obama's comments and now Leon's...
April 15, 2008 - 18:37 ET by AJSHOPEWow, between Obama's comments and now Leon's, liberals should never talk about conservatives and Christians being closed minded and believing false stereotypes EVER again.
Leon knows all. Bow down. </sarc>
April 15, 2008 - 18:53 ET by Cortillaen"That's the only two ways you conservative christians roll. Really dirty or really boring. There is no middle ground."
BEHOLD! The Omniscient Leon, Knower of All Secrets of Christian Relationships! Good grief, do you even realize how ignorant you sounded there? "Here, let me generalize ALL Christians as having exactly two types of sexual relationships. There are no discrepencies!" Get real. Better yet, get a brain. Statements like this make me think your current one is broken.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
LOL
April 15, 2008 - 19:15 ET by AnclersonI couldn't agree with you more. Oh, pitiful little Leon. His incessant trolling and ignorant statements never cease to amaze me. He is about as secure in his sex life as a FemiNazi is her gender...
Ha Cortillean, All this
April 16, 2008 - 09:11 ET by LeonHa Cortillean,
All this anger I've received b/c of my innocuous comment indicates to me that I've struck a nerve.
So what are you? Number 1 or Number 2?
just for Leon, a different take ;)
April 16, 2008 - 01:19 ET by mom_roxI'm not going to say "fact of the matter" because it's a tad presumptuous, but here are 3 types of sex which might apply to any heterosexual couple, regardless of creed:
1. the "I hope I don't get pregnant" type
2. the "I hope I get pregnant" type, and
3. the "thank goodness I won't get pregnant" type
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
mom, that's hilarious!
April 16, 2008 - 09:17 ET by Leonmom,
that's hilarious! Great post. Ha. That's definitely a better way to look at it!
Haven't been to number 2 yet. Maybe one day.
Still waiting to find the lady whose womb is capable of handling my superhuman offspring.
superhuman???
April 16, 2008 - 13:01 ET by mom_roxLet's hope the humility gene skips ONLY one generation. ;)
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
shameless
April 16, 2008 - 00:28 ET by badger.ABC shamelessly trying to appeal to the hip younger generation. People having great sex? You mean irresponsible people having great sex! People have been having great sex for thousands of years. Nothing new under the Sun.
Great Sex? Translation-Great Lovers of Hot Sex. More like hit & run, better get out of Dodge quick, before they find out who the baby daddy is. Which is quicker, the the act itself, or the getting out of town part? Like Road Runner/Speedy Gonzales, leaving a thick trail of smoke behind, before the child support check is due.
Some people can't take any responsibility for their own actions. Either by paying child support or helping to raise their own kids. No can do, let Uncle Sammy do it for them. Moving on down the road for some more Great Sex. Daytime TV (Maury Povich Show) is filled with such Great Hot Lovers.