Hard Conversations
Church communities often talk about purity, but conversations around sexual health and the reality of sex work are usually avoided. Yet many people, inside and outside the church, struggle with questions of intimacy, safety, and dignity.
Can faith spaces create room to talk openly about sexual health without judgment? Could the church offer support for people in sex work, focusing on compassion rather than shame?
I’m curious how others here feel,
What role do you think the church should play when it comes to these sensitive but important topics?
@LanaAfterDark
Sex is a normal and natural part of our lives and the church in many cases promotes chastity until marriage. This is special for many people but also, it's not other people's reality. I guess it's about just meeting people where they are at, having these conversations and learning more while remaining respectful about people's choices and beliefs 💕💜
@Amanda84
Exactly! I'm glad to see people with the same ideas!
@LanaAfterDark. I’m confused. Are you offering to do sex work for people here? There’s a better way to live and have sex though right? Ask Jesus what to do about it.
@LanaAfterDark
This can be a deep topic, and I'm not sure how people will view my "opinions", and I sometimes struggle to appropriately articulate my words…so please bear with me and if something doesn't make sense, ask…
In my view, from the experiences that I've had being in a family of ministers and in different types of ministry myself within multiple Christian denominations of the church, I feel like there are multiple types of people within the church, all going for different reasons,(patrons and ministers alike) and many consider the topic of sex to be taboo…I also do not think that sex is the Only thing that is considered by many to be taboo discussion…but to keep on topic…at least for now…LOL. Ya'll excuse my ADHD brain please LOL
I think many people, ministers and ministry workers alike are scared of the topic for a few reasons:
1. They don't know what to say and or how to use scriptures to discuss it.
2. They may struggle with it themselves and feel shame
3. Discussing it goes against what we've been taught and learned in both "traditional" church and society.
Sexual health is a real struggle for many people, not just within the church, but in society…and I've gotta stop here! The church and society has got to stop being so exclusively different! We've got to stop taking up the "traditions" we've learned and start taking up the EXAMPLE set before us! The church is supposed to be a community hospital for the sick, NOT a social club for the religious!
Now, I'm not saying that we affirm or condone unrighteous living, not at all. But I am saying that we've gotta stop tabooing everything that feels uncomfortable to discuss and start to really encourage, help and be there for people no matter what!
We've gotta get off the "religious traditions" and get back to what the Scriptures actually say about the matter! NOT opinions, interpretations and traditions, etc. people and preachers are passing down from one generation to the other that does NOT align with scripture but INSTEAD what the Scriptures ACTUALLY say!
The scriptures are not open for interpretation they are clear and they all connect! But it takes time, work, prayer and study to see many and most of those connections, but once you start you see it….oh wow! You'll never not see it again and I think the Holy Spirit gets excited in showing us how they all connect to the bigger picture!
We've gotta "press delete" on all that which we think we know about God and begin to ASK HIM for spirit of revelation and the knowledge of Him! We've gotta rip the "feeding tube" out of our hearts, minds and lives of living our life through a man or woman in the pulpit and that they would teach us how to "eat God", teach us how commune with the Holy Spirit and how to digest the Word of God and meet with God in the secret place!
Ok…I should probably quit while I'm behind here LOL but if you wanna discuss it more, feel free and let me know…
Hey @LanaAfterDark!
When it comes to conversations about sex, it may often be viewed as a taboo topic inside and outside of faith communities. Ultimately though, we are called to look to the Creator of all things who designed people with inherent dignity and sex with much intentionality - as something sacred. Our approach should always be one of compassion and of truth with one another, so when having these conversations, it is important that we do not neglect kindness or clarity on these topics - always looking to scripture to inform us of God's plan for relationships, sex, intimacy, and purity. Scripture points to sex as a beautiful gift (Proverbs 5:18-19) and as something to be kept within a committed marriage (Hebrews 13:4). It is important for us to show the utmost love, compassion, and respect by being honest about these topics. I'd be more than happy to continue the conversation if you'd like to message me privately. 💛