Christian drifters

Some Christian leaders hold more indulgent views. In "Enlightened Sexuality," a book of essays about body-positive spirituality, two Catholic priests with doctorates in psychology report this change in morals is not all about instant gratification. The Revs. Peter Campbell and Edwin McMahon say during their ministry they have seen responsible, mature adults drift away from institutional churches and their mores.


"They are by no means self-indulgent individuals looking for an excuse to live a licentious life," they wrote. Rather, these people have been undernourished by their church and seek support for growth in other ways.


Rita in Oxford would place herself in that camp. She says her main reason for living with boyfriend Justin is the law of chastity before marriage isn't as important to her as other, more internal principles.


"I've never been one bound up by ritual," she said about marriage. "I think it's more important to be genuine and not judge when you don't know everyone's personal story."


Justin states a similar idea about their living arrangement.


"Those who preach against it are often doing worse things," he said. "We are loving, consenting adults. We contribute to our society. I think God understands our hearts."


The Barna Group's Kinnaman says churches need to do a better job of understanding the hearts of the buster generation and of teaching a biblical perspective of sexuality.


"It is important for churches to understand the natural skepticism of busters as well as their desire for spiritual and conversational depth," he said. "Young adults do not want to hear on-the-stage monologues about moral regulations. To earn access to their hearts and minds, you have to understand each person's unique background, identity and doubts, and must tangibly model a biblical lifestyle for them beyond the walls of the church."



Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 1/6/2007 6:00:00 AM, section C , page 1