In an age of instant gratification, reason is subordinate to pleasure. Like an empire before a fall, we’ve forsook the moral principles that maintain balance and order. Modern culture is killing itself, with casual sex among the worst of problems.
As a theist, I believe that the human being is created as one half of a whole. The complimentary nature of male and female is for both to combine, not just sexually but psychologically and spiritually. Marriage is the only institution where such a holistic union is possible. The removal of sexuality from this context reaps dire consequence.
Placing religion aside, common sense should tell us that sexual abstinence until marriage is the most rational option. Condoms don’t protect against America’s most common STD, Human Papillomavirus, the leading cause of cervical cancer. Furthermore, the FDA warns that condoms fail to prevent pregnancy 14 percent of the time, leading to thousands of unwanted pregnancies.
The Guttmacher Institute, Planned Parenthood’s research body, reports that in 2001, 54 percent of women having abortions used birth control the month they became pregnant.
Regardless of political persuasion, it’s normal to recognize the tragedy in abortion. 90 percent of abortions are unrelated to rape, incest or medical necessity. This amounts to millions of unborn children sacrificed to our cultural will to pleasure.
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not an asexual prude. The pleasure of sex is a beautiful gift, enhancing the bond of husband and wife while making procreation enjoyable. But removing sex from its intended context, merely for the sake of feeling good, is like gorging oneself with food merely for its taste.
Something I’ve discovered in abstinence is that dating actually becomes more fun. Instead of worrying over how quickly one can “get laid”, and the risks that may entail, I’m now able to concentrate on what really matters. In reciprocating mutual respect, one is better able to learn about the opposite sex in a healthy way.
Don’t you miss “puppy love”, where couples could innocently hug, kiss and share romance without needing premarital sex in the equation? It’s still possible if you’re willing to try.
In not fixating on sex, your standards will be raised, giving you the patience to find someone who’s compatible with your personality, someone you’ll honestly love and be loved by. Once you find the right person, you’ll feel glad that you waited.
The current rate of divorce may be high. But much of that can be attributed to the sexual decadence of our culture. I’m reminded of the timeless question: Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? But the free milk is sour, distasteful to the laws of God and human reason.
Peace.