In general, I’ve gotten a bad rap for being a “bad liberal” in the Adventist church. I have been known to guide wayward youth to their demise by telling them blatant untruths…such as, kissing before marriage is not a sin. I believe that homosexuality is no worse than other infractions on the eternal gauge of naughty and nice. And, worst of all, I actually talk about topics like sex, dating, and abstinence openly. The nerve, really.
If you’re wondering if my wholesome West Indian family is shocked or embarrassed, I assure you that they are both. They brought me up right—with fear and trembling and an implicit understanding that certain things are not talked to be talked about. Then, I went and started hosting relationship advice seminars using the “s-e-x” word in the sanctuary and causing the holy angels in heaven to turn away from my sad, disrespectful ways.
So, imagine my shock and concern that I am somehow being labeled as a staunch, conservative Adventist over on the Adventist Today blog. Someone even called me a Pharisee. Me! The twenty something sex and dating blogger who is supposed to be the liberal voice of young people everywhere!
If you’re wondering what happened, I’ll just admit to being brazen and misguided enough to use the Bible as my basis for the guidance I am providing. I know, you almost had to close your web browser in shame.
If you’d like to weigh in on what is becoming an incendiary discussion about pre-martial virginity in modern culture, head over to Adventist Today! You can also add your comments to Pastor Russell’s thought-provoking “Peculiar Institution” article and sign the petition to abolish race-based conferences. If you comment on either, don’t be afraid to defend our bad liberal personas. Mine was sort of growing on me. (My newest blog, In Defense of Single Parenthood, will be posted on Thursday.)
Thank you for this Shayna! I had no idea there was a petition to abolish race-based conferences. If being adamant about using the bible as your sole source is considered “brazen and misguided”, I’d like to join that club!