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Christian Hypocrisy As stunning as the title may be, this isn't a criticism of Christians that fail to meet a certain standard of behavior. We are all sinners that are going through a life long process of change; what theologians would call sanctification. That aside, many people who call themselves Christians don't even go to church or read the Bible. Often this self-stylized version of Christianity has no standards other then what the individual believes is right or wrong. With such a wide array of beliefs out there, I'd like to address an issue that is befitting a supposedly Christian dating site. This topic might sound odd, but considering this day and age, it is necessary. Many Christians see sexual purity as an optional preference. As a result, Christians sadly face the same problems as non-Christians. Before some of you start rolling your eyes and think I'm writing about sexual purity, I'm not. What I am addressing is the reality of Christians having sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or the new term, sexually transmitted infections (STI ). The Bible, God's personal letter to you, does speak often about the consequences of sexual impurity. Although He is a forgiving God, He does not correct your mistakes. Rather, we reap in our lives whatever we have sown. You might want to bury your head in the sand and trust that God is going to protect you but unless you go strictly by what God says, don't be so confident that you will be protected. Gutter sluts and manwhores aren't the only ones that get STIs. There are at least 25 different sexually transmitted infections and not all of them require sexual contact. The United States' Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 56 million Americans have an incurable STI. That means 1 in 5 Americans are infected. 12 million people get a new STI each year. 33,000 people get a new STI every day and 22,000 of them are 15 to 24 years old. 25% of High School students will be infected with an STI before graduation (Source: Alan Guttmacher Institute, New York and Center for Disease Control, Atlanta). Basically, if you are sexually active at all, it would be a miracle not to catch an STI. This even includes those who call themselves "technical virgins." The terms refers to those that believe anal sex, oral sex, dry humping, petting, fondling or masturbating their partner; are all acceptable behaviors. They believe that they have maintained their virginity by not allowing anyone entry into their baby producing facility. Which is why, before you kiss that presumed "virgin" good night, you might want to reconsider. With the current world's value system infecting the church, open communication about sexual topics is extremely important when dating. Asking personal questions may be awkward, but you must consider their sexual past and be brave enough to ask if they have been tested for STIs. Why invest the time and emotions into a person where you might have to end the relationship, as a result of your "special friend" having skeletons in their closet, that can't be removed. This isn't to suggest that a person should ask such questions on the first date. Common sense needs to be used. After all, depending how the first date goes, you might not have a second and really it isn't every person's right to know your personal business as to how many people you got freaky with, over the course of your life. Unless a couple decides to pursue a serious relationship, asking someone about their sexual past or if they have been tested for STIs is really inappropriate to ask early on. The best way to know when it's appropriate and inappropriate to bring the issue up, place yourself in a situation of being a single parent. For those that do not have , it might be hard to do but use your imagination. It actually helps when you interact with single parents to really get the effect. Those with STIs, should think of it as their . A single parent usually tells their date early on that they have a . This way, if the other person has problems with it, they can both move on and not waste each others time. At the same time, they do not go into the history of it all; at least not unless there's some serious chemistry going on. Many times what will happen, as the couple gets closer and they feel safe or comfortable with one another, they will share their past. That's how people with STIs need to handle their dates. If you have it, then you need to tell that other person right off the bat you got it. The possibility of getting rejected sucks but it's the right thing to do. Like in the analogy of the single parent, you don't have to share the story of how it happened. It's going to happen when you are ready and comfortable enough to tell the other person. When it comes to asking someone if they've been sexually active or requesting that they get tested...that's a little more complicated. If you are going to be physical, then take the responsibility of bring it up. Those that are doing things God's way, then I'd have to say the best time is when you have the feeling that the relationship has the potential of going some where opposed to liking the person but you know there's going to be nothing more then "good friends." Many think they can dodge a bullet by using the legendary condom. I'm not going into all the problems with condoms but the University of Texas, back in 1993, conducted 11 different studies, to track the effectiveness of condoms to prevent transmission of the AIDS virus. The average failure rate for preventing transmission of the AIDS virus was 31%. Dr. Teresa Crenshaw, a member of the U.S. Presidential AIDS Commission and past president of the American Association of Sex Educators, spoke very clearly about condoms: "Saying that the use of condoms is 'safe sex' is in fact playing Russian roulette. A lot of people will die in this dangerous game." There are many STIs are transmitted simply with "skin-to-skin" contact. STIs such as the human papillomavirus, chlamydia, herpes, and syphilis only require physical contact to get someone infected. Let's examine one of the most common diseases out there, herpes. The Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is categorized by two different but closely related strains, simply labeled HSV-1 & HSV-2. Being infected by HSV results in small, painful sores that look like blisters on the skin. Moist areas of the mouth, throat, anus, vulva, vagina, and the eyes are very easily infected. HSV-1 is generally spread by kissing or by sharing eating utensils (such as spoons or forks). If one partner has oral cold sores, he/she can pass on the virus during oral sex and cause genital herpes. Direct contact for a short amount of time is enough to spread the virus. HSV-2, a.k.a. genital herpes, is generally spread by sexual contact. HSV-2 can sometimes cause mouth sores. HSV-2 can infect other parts of the body, such as the eyes and the brain. HSV-2 also causes the herpes infection seen in babies who are delivered vaginally in women who have genital herpes. In both cases, there are no cures and no vaccines. Once you have it, you have it for life. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he/she is infected. New research has found that both versions of HSV may eventually cause damage to the brain. This can lead to dementia or even Alzheimer's. For those having those special little bumps...it looks like the reason you might always be misplacing those keys of yours isn't because you're getting older. Which is why, for those that do not want to get infected with herpes, should reconsider kissing your date good night, not until you actually know what their status is in terms of infection. If you've had any physical contact, from kissing, groping to any type of full blown sexual activity, you need to get tested for STIs. You might be afraid of the test results, but it is imperative that you know. Regardless if you are a traditional Bible thumper or a self-stylized do it yourselfer, here's something to munch on. Jesus said in Luke 6:31: "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." If you were about to kiss someone with an STI, wouldn't you want to know? Then likewise be prepared to tell others if you have any STIs, the same way you would want to be told. Moreover, in our society, with all these disease running around, wouldn't you want anyone who has conducted risky behavior, get tested? That would make the person responsible for their actions, wouldn't it? Well, if what I've said are expectations that you have for others, then you need to apply those same standards on yourself. Jesus also said: "For the of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS (Matthew 16:27)." If you know what the right thing to do is and you don't do it, then you are sinning and you will be judge accordingly. It doesn't matter what your excuse is because you'll be guilty of harming another. Regardless of whether you did so knowingly or unknowingly, the Lord will repay every man according to his deeds. God is a God of love, but He is also a God of justice. How would it be just for someone to get away with robbing someone else of their health? You might take the road of "I'm going to trust God and I don't have to worry about having an STI" but this goes back to what I've said earlier. If you read all the passages in regard to sexual behavior and its consequences, there's nothing that indicates that God will remove the consequences of your sin. In addition, if you have engaged in risky behavior and it does turn out that you have some sort of STI, then wait until God heals you before you go out and further engage in risky behavior. Sadly, our country has turned its back on solid preventive health procedures. Anti-smoking commercials say that smoking is the most preventable cause of death. In all actuality, it isn't smoking that is the most preventable, rather it's death as a result of an STI. More people die from AIDS than smoking. In fact, there are some African nations where large segments of the population have lost entire communities of adults, as a result of AIDS. Cigarettes could never equal those mortality numbers like AIDS has. Yet STIs, such as AIDS, can be completely wiped from existence. The manner in which it would be eliminated is through education but more than that restore the old procedure of quarantining a person. Many are not aware of America's former practice of quarantining people. During any pandemic, the government would instigate medical quarantines to prevent the disease from spreading. Without the existence of antibiotics and many of the drugs that we have in our modern world, our nation had little recourse but to quarantine people and even entire communities. If the government didn't, the numbers from those that had died from pandemics, such as the Spanish flu or yellow fever, would have been much higher. Our country's laws are designed so that your rights do not infringe on the rights of others. For example, you have the right to free speech, but you do not have the right to be heard. Meaning, even though you can say whatever you want, no one is forced to listen to you. Unfortunately, we've allowed special precedence over the rights of the few to supersede the rights of the many. Let's face it, if all the people who have these incurable diseases were quarantined, like the days of old; we wouldn't have any STIs to worry about. Many might find this thinking extreme. However, any STI you have can affect and infect other people. I don't think it's anyone's business as to what you do but that line stops when what you do, or shall I say in this case, what you have affects other people. If you have something that other people can get, then it should be a right for other people to know. The infected group obviously wouldn't like it but this twisted notion of preserving the mental well being of a person (that can harm someone else), over the well being of the community at large, is wrong. If you disagree, then let me ask this. In many areas of our country, a sex offender moves into the area, he/she is required to notify all the neighbors and in some cases put up a sign indicating that the person is a sex offender. If you have no problems with a sex offender having to notify the community, why shouldn't contagious diseases be treated the same? Which is more dangerous? Are your objections to infected people having to inform different from sexual predators only a result of you not being a sexual predator? Let me give you a real life example. Like many single Christian men, I hang out with my peers after service. These guys and gals have diverse backgrounds. Now let's say one of them happens to have an STI, that's easily passed on to someone else; through drinking out of the same glass or using the same utensil. Now if I saw a friend interesting in sharing dish or drink with a person infected with an STI, should I stay quiet or actually stop them? This has happened to me a few times. I've been in situations where I knew someone had an STI. Others wanted to try their dish or whatever and I had to inform others that this particular individual had such and such disease. Putting someone's business out there like that might seem wrong to you, but the alternative would have been spreading the disease to someone completely unaware. There's something ethically wrong when you allow someone else to catch another person's disease, for the sake of the mental well being of the one already infected. Friends don't let friends get an STI. As one could imagine, those infected were hurt over their personal status being shared in the open, but that leads to an underlying problem. Human beings are wicked in nature. Most who have an STI do not do the right thing by protecting and informing others. Instead of having the courage to deal with stigmatisms, for the sake of others' health, they'd rather stay quiet. This perverse ethics is the mentality of some in government. Instead of maintaining strict proven medical procedures, the rights of the infected take precedence over those who are healthy. Ironically, we make people smoke outside of buildings, many times in the cold or extreme heat because of fears due to second hand smoke. But there are no laws protecting us from people who have STIs. Remind me, which one is more deadly? From a Biblical standpoint, God required anyone infected with a contagious disease to be quarantined outside of the town limits. This would certainly not keep their infectious disease private, especially with signs having to worn saying "unclean." For those in the boat, thinking this is an issue of privacy, then what about the right of others to not get infected? Since all diseases exist in the blood, if someone infected is ever in an accident, they put EMTs, doctors, and nurses' lives at risk. How fair is that? Many want to talk about their personal rights, but what about the rights of others? In some states, common sense has overcome such stupidity. There are areas in our country, where if someone infected with an STI passes it on to another, that infected person can be sued or even go to jail. Which leads us back to my central point, what is the right thing to do? First and foremost, get yourself tested. If you have engaged or are engaging in any sexual or quasi-sexual behavior (such as kissing, groping, fondling, petting, etc.), get yourself examined. Many of the STIs that are bacteriological are curable with antibiotics. Though bacteriological STIs are curable, the damage they create is not. That's why early testing and treatment is important. For STIs that are viral, there are no cures as to date. The medical community has no weapons to combat any virus. There are medicines to suppress symptoms for some viral STIs and vaccines to prevent someone from getting them. Currently there are only vaccines for Hepatitis A & B, as well as some of the strains of the Human Papillomavirus (there are more than 80 different types of HPV). But once you do have a viral STI, you have it for life. If you test positive, you need to tell others who might be interested in you, that you are infected. That is of course if you have a non-treatable STI. Let's not forget to inform your past lovers who might be infected. You should also do the right thing by letting people know in your profile. This way they aren't wasting their time trying to get to know you and then later show you the door because you have something that will slowly kill them. Also, in the event you ever get injured, you should wear a medical bracelet to keep others from unnecessary harm. You don't want to reward those that saved your life with unwanted gifts do you? Make sure that the medical bracelet lists all the infectious diseases you have. When you do get tested, keep your records. When you start dating someone, at some point you should show your significant other proof that you are disease free. This is a good seg way of you asking proof that they too are disease free. Those wanting to play it safe as you can, might want to look into getting vaccinations. Going back to my personal experiences...unfortunately many Christian and non-Christian people I've known are ignorant about STIs. Many people don't realize that rashes, bumps, and sores are signs of potential STIs. Ignorance is never been commended by God. Read through the book of Proverbs to see for yourself. It's important that people stop putting their head in the sand because the problem isn't going to go away by wishing for it. Get educated. Get tested and require testing from those you are getting serious with. You might not agree with me but that shows you've never read the book of Proverbs. Those of you that do not know the Bible well, that's one of the books after Genesis but before Revelations. You need to look at it some time. We live in a time where people are cowards and do not have the backbone to be honest, regardless of the consequence. There are plenty of people out there that claim to be Christian and live life's that are far from what they claim to profess. As a result, we as Christians need to become responsible for ourselves and our actions. Again, it's important to get educated, get tested and have proof but also require proof from those you are getting serious with. If your partner is unwilling to get tested or show proof he/she is disease free, then move on. There are better fish in the sea that will care about you enough to watch over your health and take your concerns seriously. If it seems weird to talk about STIs with your partner, then you really shouldn't be engaging in any sexual or quasi-sexual behavior (not that God would be giving you the thumbs up if you're not married to that person). If you can't be open and honest with the person you are making out with, then you really shouldn't be making out with them. A good relationship is centered on good communication. A person should feel safe enough with their partner that they are free to share dreams, hopes, desires and not to mention ones fears or concerns, without having to be concerned with being criticized. In closing, I'd like to add...we all have pasts. If you have sinned sexually and honestly repented, then God has forgiven you. Know that to repent means to stop and head in the opposite direction. You can't take back what has already been done but from this day forward, you can make day-to-day decisions to do the right thing. Having an STI does not mean that God hates you, but God isn't going to give you a go-free card for situations you brought on yourself. To use a simple illustration, you exercise poor monetary disciple and get yourself into debt. Will God get you out of it? Remember, in the end, we all have to face God for our actions that affect us and, more importantly, that affect others. 
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3/26/2009 7:31 am |
It is true what you say in this publication "adulterers and fornicators will not inherit the kingdom of God." True, that includes all Christians and not Christians, because they are not a Christian but only from the lips of heart. However, I quote, remember that there is no condemnation in Christ. And if there is an opportunity for forgiveness. On which our faith but on forgiveness. In the forgiveness of sins because of Christ. This does not mean we can do whatever we want, and we can walk in fornication or adultery. Means that we strive to achieve perfection of which Paul speaks "Not that it has reached ya, it's not perfect, but to continue, to see if you grab that achievement for which I was also gripped by Christ Jesus " Perfection will never be complete because we need the mercy of God every day and be justified by Christ. Perfection is a road that never ends. Even David, sinned gravely, though a man was under the heart of God. David said in Psalm 51, "Tenme mercy, O God, according to your love for your immense tenderness clears my offense, lávame depth of my guilt, and my sin purifícame. Well I admit my crime, my sin is always before me; Against you, you just have sinned, rioja commit evil in your eyes. It appears that justice when you speak and judge when your victory. Look in the blame because I was born, My mother conceived me a sinner. But you love the truth in the depths of being, and what taught me the secret wisdom " I read this with that I agree: I believe the Bible teaches us that the more mature in Christ, we will be more aware of our own imperfection. Isaiah, found in the presence of the Lord cried "Woe to me that I am dead, because being a man of unclean lips, and living in half of people with unclean lips, my eyes have seen the King, Lord of hosts "(Isa. 6:5) So it is true that the fornicators and adulterers God will be judged by, but it is also true that we have salvation in Christ, God's mercy is new every day if you have fallen and that the Lord will raise you. I say this because despite being a Christian I have failed in this (until a time, long ago , before) but God knows your story, you know what will happen, and call things as if they already were. God teaches you in the right time, is patient and waits, have mercy on you. and I agree with it I read: The New Testament teaches that the believer is simultaneously perfect and is in the process of being upgraded (Fil. 1:6, 3:12, 15; Heb. 10:1, 11:40, 12:23; Sant. 1:4). As we have seen the believer is sanctified by God as stated, and at the same time, states that is in the process of being sanctified. This is not a contradiction, is a recognition of God's method of operation. Isaiah 46:10 says that God "announced rioja future from the beginning. "God calls things that are not, as if they were" (Rom. 4:17). (So call me (myself): virtuous woman) The believer is declared by a perfect God, holy and sanctified, then God puts to work to make this into reality. It is from a poor understanding of the word "perfect" a concept that was born which has become known as "Christian perfection" or "perfection without sin. "The term 'full sanctification' is sometimes used by those who adhere to this position. It is the belief that a Christian can and should achieve a level of holiness which is "a total eradication of the sinful nature." This view is found in various degrees, in the tradition Wesleyana and Holiness. Some in this tradition will say "I've been sanctified," referring not to the initial break with sin as result of the conversion, but a subsequent experience in starting to learn conscious freedom from sin in their lives. Do you teach the Bible the concept of "perfection"? Is it possible, and it is expected that the believer to live above the sin to the extent of being "without sin"? Those who advocate this view refer to scriptures such as: "Be it ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect "(Matt. 5:4 . "So, beloved, since we have such promises, limpiémonos from contamination of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God "(II Cor. 7:1). "Whoever remains in him, no sin" (I John 3:6). In responding to these verses we must look more closely at what the Bible teaches with respect to sin in the believer's life. Is it seen as something that sin will be "totally eradicated in the believer, or as something that must be continuously resisted? Jesus told His disciples to pray, "On our daily bread, dánoslo today. Y Forgive us our sins ... "(Matt. 6:11-12). In this prayer Jesus gives the model that just as one has to pray for "daily bread," has also to pray for the forgiveness of their sins on a regular basis. John says, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us "(I John 1: . 
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3/26/2009 7:41 am |
Very good your post. It is true that you can not trust a person just because they say to be Christian. It is true that it is better to obey what God said not to have to then make them suffer. When God says: NO,! because it knows that you do not give you good results, which will harm you. It is better to obey, but everything is a process. We must take care of your body and heart.  
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3/26/2009 8:24 am |
you write: "there's nothing that indicates that God will remove the consequences of your sin." You're right. God is not going to sweep the natural consequences of what we do.
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wow I was reading everything, if it's long lol ... but it's very interesting, the statistics are high and sin is always death, is sad but a reality, the devil has made many people fall through sexual immorality, not enough people understand the magnitude of disobedience. The STI es common in the lifes for all world, and not stop. My prayer is for knowledge and fear of God, only then can reduce the statistics. Blessings Knighttemplar...you are a christian true. would be interesting to know, i really like that. Hermildred Angulo. post 142601
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9/19/2010 1:01 pm |
Wow its very intresting. Your a real son of Christ. Congrats, great job
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9/26/2010 11:45 pm |
Thank You you have brought some light into my life ..
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I have always been on the cautious side and try to do what God would have me do, however I never thought about kissing or drinking out of someone's glass. It is so sad you can't trust anything these days....again thanks for the heads up!!!! We have a friend of the family that contracted Hepatitus C from a blood transfusion when she was 2 well before it's existence was known in 1987. Sad to say many innocent people contract these horrible diseases as well. I agree it is not enough to read the Word but you also must live it to come out ok. The best we can do is educate ourselves of the facts and His Word and pray for God's grace and wisdom. Thanks again...I really felt your article was an eye opener.
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10/20/2010 8:42 pm |
Nice to see a man stick up for the truth! This very rare in this day and age. Here are some scriptures in the Bible that help us to understand how the Lord wants us to gain self control over our bodies and to respect His word for our lives. 1Cor. 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1Cor. 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (KJV) Song 3:5 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. (This verse helps us to understand to not stir up passion until God's timing - Holy matrimony)
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11/12/2010 8:17 pm |
this article is educational and interesting..i learned a lot from it. thanks knightemplar. having a thought of riding a bus or going anywhere where it is crowded and have your skin rub against random people scares me, hehehe. as the days pass by and the earth becomes older and older the situation is also getting worst and scariest.
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11/24/2010 8:06 pm |
..Thank you So Much..for bringing this information closer to everyone Specially as single parents, doing your best in trying to educate our children, but we must be educated first though. It is a reality and we must be aware of the current dangers of living a life so "we think "free of consequences"or "excused many times". It requires a conscious of awareness into a whole world of sexual education that we are leaving behind or what is even worse, Ignoring it!..I do entirely agree that while in the flesh we are corrupted, and we are in a constant battle with the spirit and the flesh (Romans 3:23)..and unfortunately we can see this kind of Hypocrisy and double standard not only on this subjects but in many others as well Inside the Body of Christ. May God be with you and bless and keep you always Jessica
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11/28/2010 12:47 am |
This article is really educative and i have learnt a lot whiles reading through and think each of us to be careful his/her life and give God a better place in our lives..lovely article Knightemplar
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1 post 12/4/2010 12:16 pm |
I believe that GOD cares about true Christians, who obey God's rules. I am so sorry, that now is time when we start to talk about that.
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12/12/2010 8:10 am |
Reading this report I find a lot of information. Where I am from we don’t know much about all this disease. I know only the way they can taken but I didn’t know all this consequence. All this remind me the fall of men ( Genesis). I think all this disease came from sin. The only think I can do is to pray Him to protect me and pray for all those who suffer the consequence
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1/10/2011 5:34 pm |
Thank you for taking the time to share these facts, thoughts and statistics. It is obvious that you have a heart for the lost. It is important to educate our generation on this subject, but more importantly to make them aware not only is sexual immorality a potentially dangerous thing when one is not careful, but is also harmful to our spirit man. Thank you for being bold enough and allowing the Lord to use you in this form of ministry. God bless you knightemplar
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3/9/2011 7:06 pm |
God hates ALL sin. So that just is what it is. Sin is sin. Is one sin greater than the next? Regardless of the circumstances. He also forgives those who believe in Him and gives them chances. He is a God of Healing and Power and nothing is impossible for Him. It's all how you build your personal relationship with Him. He will judge ALL for ALL sins great and small. Judge ye not less ye be judged. Jesus went to the sinners for a reason...because they are the ones that need to know about Him, not the upright. That's like preaching to the choir. While everything in this post is true and accurate, be careful not to judge others that are coming to Christ least you discourage them from the potential that God brought them here for. We all have a purpose and we are all God's children whether we are good kids or bad. We need to look at Him more like a parent and know that when we mess up we get punished, but when we have faith and do the right things, we will be rewarded as such. Rightly so it is important for everyone to get tested because you never know these days, but don't you dare judge another for anything before you pull the plank out of your own eye first! Even the Righteous man falls 7 times.
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1 post 3/14/2011 8:52 pm |
We live in a very uneducated world and unfortunately there are just a few with the desire to be not just Christians but disciples of Jesus Christ. It takes a unique individual to combine Gods word with reality and a DESCIPLE to live it and continue to teach. God Bless those who pursue God's direction and become a vessel for his word. God is so awesome.. His word holds truth.. His people make mistakes... His disciples bring us reminders...
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5/3/2011 7:13 pm |
I admire people who think and exercise to correct ideas are not right with the world, but right with God. These posts serve as a warning and surveillance! It is what God asks of us ... The Lord asks young people who serve him with all my heart, even though the past has accused them of something, but Jesus has already led everything with his sacrifice on the cross. God created intimacy between man and woman, to be enjoyed only so that within a relationship that he blesses it (marriage) Sign below in your posts knightemplar God bless! Joyce
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