Christian Legal Firm Spearheads National Day of Purity
by Jenni Parker and Allie Martin
January 16, 2004
(AgapePress) - A Florida-based Christian group is unveiling a national movement to encourage sexual purity among American youth, giving students across the country a chance to take a stand for traditional values on a national "Day of Purity."Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit legal group dedicated to restoring American culture by advancing religious freedom and traditional values, recently announced its sponsorship of the national Day of Purity project. The group decided to sponsor the event after several students approached members of the Christian law firm and asked how they could promote abstinence on Valentine's Day.
Since its announcement of the nationwide movement, Liberty Counsel has been rallying other pro-family advocates to the cause, even while encouraging students across America to get involved. Young people who believe in abstinence are being asked to observe February 13 as a day to hand out flyers explaining the Day of Purity, to sponsor pure alternative activities for Valentine's day, and to wear specially designed T-shirts encouraging sexual purity as a lifestyle.
While American culture bombards young people with messages that sexual exploration or experimentation at a young age is healthy and normal, current health statistics are sending them a very different message -- the truth. Each day in America, 8,000 teenagers are infected with sexually transmitted diseases. More than a million teenage girls will become pregnant this year, which can be expected to account for 20% of the 1.3 to 1.5 million abortions that will be performed in the U.S. this year.
Turning Back the Tide of Hyper-Sexualized Culture
Rena Lindevaldsen, national coordinator for the Day of Purity, feels these shocking statistics on the state of America's youth are the result of living in a culture that is hostile to traditional values. She says the Day of Purity project is a first step in the direction of change.
"While the students are being told 'Experiment -- it's healthy for you,' the numbers are showing that, not only are there devastating health consequences but, emotionally, the kids themselves are saying, 'We don't want to do that,'" Lindevaldsen says.
And the national coordinator says that cultural forces have not only failed to tell the truth about early sexual activity, but also about young people themselves.
"The other thing that's misrepresented, I think in a lot of the media and to our leaders, is the [idea] that kids just can't wait," Lindevaldsen says. "Well. if you take a look at all the abstinence-based programs that are out there throughout the country -- and there are so many wonderful programs -- the message is different. They're telling you that kids by the thousands are standing up for sexual purity."
And she notes that standing with them are many conscientious Christian adults who know better than to buy into what the culture and "sexual freedom" advocates are selling. That is what the Day of Purity is all about, according to Lindevaldsen, a day on which students, parents, pastors, lawmakers, and other leaders can make a public demonstration of their commitment to remain sexually pure in mind and actions.
"The question we are asking" she says, "is what are you going to do about it? To what lengths will you go to turn the culture back toward traditional values? What will your legacy be on the state of sexual morals in this country?"
Liberty Counsel president Mat Staver wants to emphasize to teenagers and adults alike that they can make a difference. "Our youth are yearning for an opportunity to stand up for what they know is right," he says. For those young people who may have made mistakes that they regret by engaging in pre-marital sex, Staver insists that it is never to late to make a fresh start. Meanwhile, he says, it is time for adults to support young people who want to commit to sexual purity.
Mat Staver | |
"We as parents, leaders, and pastors need to stand alongside them," he says. "We need to be in the battle to restore our culture. The Day of Purity is the place to start. On February 13, 2004, we have an opportunity to make our voices heard."Answering the Call to Stand for Purity
Within a week of the announcement of the event, hundreds of individuals, churches, community organizations, and Christian and pro-family groups from all across America had already answered the Liberty Counsel's rallying cry. Among those who have agreed to endorse and observe the Day of Purity are the American Family Association, Enlighten Communications, Inc. (Littleton, Colorado), Jerry Falwell Ministries, Christian Law Association (Seminole, Florida), OneMillionYouth.com, Family Research Institute of Wisconsin, Central Florida Community Impact Alliance, and many others.
Liberty Council is urging others to join the project. At the Day of Purity website, those who wish to get involved can download an organizing manual and provocative flyers for distribution to friends and neighbors. Visitors to the site can also read alarming statistics about the effects of early sexual activity and even order Day of Purity T-shirts so they can show their alliance with others who understand that abstinence from pre-marital sex is young people's best protection against unwanted pregnancies, sexually-transmitted infections, and emotional damage.
"Although the statistics are shocking, we can make a difference. Lives can be changed," Staver says.
Liberty Council's president contends that when the youth of America and the adults who support them take a stand for sexual purity this February 13, they will send a message to leaders, communities, legislators, and the media that the youth of this country want a different America.
