Founding of Youth for Christ, (1939-1945) At that time, there was a notable cessation of armed war on the Western front. But the government too was facing a serious crisis: the pound had plummeted, commercial banks had been closed and unemployment was soaring. This led the then Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, to call on British youth to arms and fight for a just and equitable society. His was an unprecedented gamble – it called for a mass evacuation of the country from the brink of destruction.
In this period of great danger, many British youth for Christ were drawn into a life of crusade. The crusading spirit became even more intense as Britain fought two world wars against the Germans and the Japanese. There were many young men and women who made their way to the Middle East to be involved in battle. Young people in the 1940s became known as ‘the occupiers’ of Europe – they reached young people who were in desperate conditions, yet they still believed in a better tomorrow for them and their nation.
With the Second World War over, and with the threat of the spreading communism still looming over Britain’s future, young people again turned to the church. They were not only fighting for their homes and communities, but they were volunteering to go to fight in distant lands where lives depended on their own strength and bravery. These volunteers became known as ‘the carriers of hope’ as they crossed continents and fought for freedom and justice. As they did so, they were inspired by the example of young people in Britain and Europe who were making a stand for their beliefs and principles, even when it seemed impossible to survive.
Today, that same future lies before us. We can see young people today who are still fighting for their freedoms and for the future of their nation. While the world changes, we can still look forward and see the future of Britain and her people. We can see that there is still hope, that we can still reach young people who are willing to give everything they have to ensure that their nations is one that is free and prosperous.
There is also the need today to reconnect to the teachings of Jesus. Jesus is the perfect example of a young man who was ‘once in a great distress’, as he tried desperately to figure out what to do when faced by life. He kept his head down and refused to give into the lust of the world, which would have led him to do things that were against his morals.
Jesus chose to follow him anyway. This is why the future of Christianity is strong. Youth are leading the way. They are leading their nations to a brighter future, a future of peace and prosperity for all. Christian youth are the hope of the world.
Christian views on sex before marriage
Christian views on sex before marriage are very different from most other cultures. In the United States, for example, the view is that it is wrong to have premarital sex. This is not necessarily true in all cases. Not all Christians hold to the same view of this topic.
There are some who hold to a very rigid view of this issue. They say that it is an abomination, and they will not even discuss it with their partners. It is something they are very embarrassed to discuss. There are also those who feel that it is an unnatural act. Even among Christians, there are differing opinions on this topic.
The traditional Christian view is that sex is a gift from God. Some people in the Christian church view it as being a gift from God. This view often leads to very rigid views on this topic. People are often told not to have premarital sex. People are told that having sex outside of a committed relationship is a very bad thing and that they will face many sorrows.
Those who are living a more relaxed view of sex often hold to the same positions of married life. They believe that sex is completely okay as long as both partners are matured enough and can give their full attention to one another. They do not hold to the view that sex is only for reproduction. They believe that sex can be a joyous thing, and is a natural part of married life. This is a more relaxed view of sex than the traditional Christian view.
Those who are more rigid in their view on sex sometimes base their view on old Roman beliefs. These people believe that sex is only for reproduction, not pleasure. Sex is not something that you are supposed to enjoy, but something that you must do for the sake of your family. It is something that is not to be enjoyed by either party, only the one involved. There is a great deal of guilt that is tied into this Roman view, and it is not often adopted by Christians from this side of the faith.
There is really no right or wrong in each of these views, just different view points. You are encouraged to do your own research and decide which view you agree with. If you find that you do not agree with either of these views, then you are free to live your own Christian life without having to adhere to either one of them. Some people find that it is easier to remain true to their Christian values after they have married. There are many couples that remain married for many years, and they are usually able to remain true to their Christian views and practices because they know that they are still being guided by God.
Same-sex marriage in Christianity
Much of the recent campaigning focus on GLBT issues is focused on issues regarding same-sex marriage within the Christian Church and the acceptance of same-sex marriages. For many years gay men and women have frequently married the person of their choosing, whether that be a boyfriend or girlfriend, and if they are Christians the issues of same-sex marriage are not an issue. In most cases it’s a religious issue, but for many in the Christian Church same-sex marriage is seen to be an abomination in some cases. For transgender individuals the issues surrounding same-sex marriage are somewhat different because these individuals already have full legal rights to marry someone of the same sex under the laws of UK. However, those seeking to become married in the churches that do not allow same-sex marriage face the same difficulties as those that want to be married in a traditional Christian setting.
Some have asked the question “are we ready for the next frontier wars”? This is a valid question considering the increasing number of conflicts that have been fought along ethnic lines, religious lines, and even gender lines. With same-sex marriage becoming more accepted throughout society there may be an increase in conflicts over the definition of marriage. Many people will remain opposed to same-sex marriage but there will always be those who will want to fight for their beliefs. It’s important for every Christian to understand that every war has its roots in one of the Ten Commandments, even if it battles over the issue of homosexuality.
During a recent panel discussion at Regis College, a scholar who openly opposed same-sex marriage stated; “I would call the entire endeavor of making a socially conservative statement here to be counterproductive. It’s counterproductive, because not only does the statement make people feel bad, but the fact of the matter is, redefining marriage will ultimately make people feel worse. I’d say the opposite is true.” In a recent video posted on YouTube by a scholar at Liberty University, the same scholar stated; “I think many Christians are confused about the reality of redefining marriage.”
While the above statements are both correct, they are not what the vast majority of scholars believe to be the case. The vast majority of scholars hold to the traditional view that there is nothing wrong with same-sex marriage at any time or place. One of the main reasons for this is that the bulk of scholars do not believe that same-sex sexual orientation and gender identity are a psychological or innate part of the personality, and this is the view of most of them outside of Christian denominations.
The Regis College scholar who opposed the redefinition of marriage stated; “The basic reason why I am opposed to this change in our definition of marriage, is because I do not see how anyone can be comfortable with their same-sex sexual orientation.” On another occasion, the scholar stated; “I personally do not find the gender option to be important. After spending three decades in the denomination, I can’t help being an ally of those people who want to remain segregated from the rest of the body, whether they are gay or heterosexual.” Another prominent scholar of religion and philosophy at Regis who also opposes same-sex marriage stated; “I personally don’t see how anybody can be comfortable with their orientation, whether they are gay or straight.” This same scholar agrees with many other scholars of religion and philosophy throughout the country.
The question of same-sex marriage in Christianity is a complicated one, but the heated debate demonstrates how divisive the issue can be. A religion like Christianity that espouse the one-child policy, and opposes same-sex marriage, are facing tough questions of logic and rationale. If the religious organization is to continue as an institution that exists to instruct believers on what is right and wrong, it will have to change its views on same-sex marriage, or it will face criticisms from within its own ranks. As the United States debates same-sex marriage in the fall, these are some of the issues that will arise in the public square.
Sex in Catholic marriage
Sex in Catholic marriage is not a taboo, nor is it something to be ashamed of, but what can happen if you do have sex outside of the vow of marriage? The first thing that a priest would say if you asked him about sex in your marriage is that it is not part of the vows that were made when you were vow bound to each other. What if the priest finds out that one of the two of you is having an affair? What then? Is he supposed to sit there and explain the sanctity of the vow or does he have to go into great detail about the breaking of the vow?
If you were married for twenty years and then had an affair, what kind of consequences would you face? If the married couple never told the truth and kept their affair secret, what would their marriage look like today? Would they still be married? What would be the status of their children? These are all things that need to be addressed and they should be discussed between the priest and the husband and wife as soon as possible.
The breaking of the sexual vow is another serious matter in a Catholic marriage. If sex has occurred outside of marriage and the priest discovers this fact he may reprimand the husband or wife for having broken the promise that they made when they got married. The couple would then be forced to immediately get a divorce and then the new marriage would not be considered valid. If the priest does find out about the affair and the fact that the married couple was lovers then there could be some serious consequences.
When a person is married and has sex with another person that is not their spouse then they are breaking the vow that they made when they were married. The mere thought of having sex with someone else shows that the priest was involved in the sexual act and that they were trying to circumvent the law and get married again. Catholics believe strongly that sex should be reserved for a marriage and they do not consider it to be acceptable when it is done outside of the home. When the priest has an affair and he has information on the affair that could lead to a divorce, then this is something that is very serious.
People can get divorced and be married again if they confess their crimes and the priest does not discover the affair. This is why it is so important to be honest with the priest if you have had sex in the Catholic Church. If you lie and you are caught then it could ruin your entire marriage. There is no way that you can undo what a priest has already done.
When the married couple is over the problem then they both need to make sure that they never have any more sexual relations. If this is not done then it will only make the situation worse for the Catholic Church. Children are taught at a very young age that sex outside of marriage is not accepted and that it is a sin. Parents need to teach their children the same and if they are having sex then they need to tell their children to not have sex until they are married.