LOVE AND DATING are words often put together, and in that order, but
doesn't DATING AND LOVE make more sense? After all, we have to know people
before we can love them. When I was in grade school, I learned that God
made us to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him. Notice that to know
comes before to love!
Dating provides the opportunity for two people of the opposite sex to get
to know each other by sharing ideas, values, dreams, hopes, and . . . if
the chemistry is right . . . to fall in love. Ah, but in today's mixed-up
world, the word love has been spindled, mutilated, and bent so out of
context that, for some, it's unattainable because it's unexplainable! The
words "making love" and "love makes the world go round" make love sound
like some kind of manufactured science project! And, how about "love at
first sight"? That makes love and infatuation synonyms, but they're not!
Infatuation is based solely on feelings; it can be fleeting; and it makes
no demands. Love is rooted in knowledge; it has a strong, forever flavor;
and love demands respect.
Next, we're told that "love is soft as an easy chair," yet, at times it
can be hard as a wooden bench! Why? Because love involves discipline, and
discipline can cause discomfort! And another thing, if I were to buy an
easy chair, I'd go to the store and plop myself down on a whole bunch of
them, to find out which one felt good to me. But love, although it can
feel good, can't be bought, and it never involves trying people out, or
using them for one's own pleasure. Dating can be a happy and fun
experience, or it can be an occasion of sin. It all comes down to respect,
and respect is a major ingredient of love! A powerful scripture passage
tells us that love is patient, kind, and never rude, and those are also
good dating guidelines.
Here are a few other guidelines to help you make dating a happy, healthy,
and holy experience in your life.
- Establish boundary lines, and make necking, petting, and prolonged
kissing off limits!
- Avoid the occasions of sin by saying NO to unchaperoned parties, drugs
and alcohol.
- Don't tempt, tease, or titillate your date. It's not fair, and it's not
smart!
- Remember, it takes two to say YES, and only one to say NO!
- Don't give mixed messages. If you are saying NO with your voice, make
sure your body and your clothes aren't saying YES!
Take God along with you on your date . . . He's there anyway! . . . and if
you keep that in mind, and in the mind of your date, then the three of you
can have a 100% PURE, SAFE, dating experience!
The following Celebrate Life! videos dealing with chastity are available
from American Life League for $10.00 (plus shipping and handling):
Chastity (CL5)--Molly Kelly talks to teens and parents about reverence for
God's gift of sexuality. Her dynamic rapport with teens makes her
presentations informative and entertaining.
Sex, Love and Chastity (CL36)--Mary Beth Bonacci helps teens make the
right choice, giving entertaining talks about true love and how teens can
find it.
For Wedlock Only (CL58)--The Durfields teach children the value of
chastity and show parents how to guide their children in the right
direction.
Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder (CL59)--Actors and models in New
York City talk about the need for a chaste life style.
These videos may be ordered by contacting the Educational Resource
Department of American Life League at (703) 659-4171.
This brochure was written by Molly Kelly. She speaks on chastity, dating
and the dangers of birth control constantly and her greatest audiences are
young people like yourself. Perhaps your school or youth group would like
to invite her to come. If so, write to Molly:
Molly Kelly
311 Roumfort Road
Philadelphia, PA 19119
To order this brochure, write VOICE Campus Outreach, P.O. Box 1350,
Stafford, VA 22555 or call at (703) 659-4171. The cost is .30 per copy or
$20.00 per 100.
Uploaded from American Life League Electronic Bulletin Board (703) 659-7111.
Provided courtesy of:
The Catholic Resource Network
Trinity Communications
PO Box 3610
Manassas, VA 22110
Voice: 703-791-2576
Fax: 703-791-4250
Data: 703-791-4336
The Catholic Resource Network is a Catholic online information and
service system. To browse CRNET or join, set your modem to 8 data
bits, 1 stop bit and no parity, and call 1-703-791-4336.
