In what seems like a growing trend of losing one’s virginity, unwed youth, especially teenagers are constantly faced with having to make this critical choice. As the media gets blamed for portraying the idea of sex before marriage as normal, it is not only movies and magazines that set this standard. I believe that the influence teens get from their peers ultimately affects ones choice to remain abstinent. With this said, following God’s plan, listening to one’s heart, and choosing to follow a “Purepeace” campaign can help in remaining abstinent, which can ultimately prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Beginning with creation, God gave us rules to live by for a reason. Since he is all-knowing, setting standards by which we are to live was only for our own good. As cliché as it sounds, parents are always teaching their children right from wrong to keep them out of trouble. Likewise, God, our father only does the same for us. Having a physical relationship outside of marriage only complicates future relationships and prevents one from trusting God, that he knows what’s best for us. How to Stay Christian in College by J. Budziszewski presents an interesting argument for staying abstinent; Budziszewski writes how God created two sexes to obviously reproduce, but moreover, that they would long for each other. He could have easily created only one sex, where man could bud or divide to reproduce, but he wanted to create a relationship that depended upon cooperation of two adults who would lose their self-absorption and focus on the needs of each other instead. Without this lifelong partner, casual sex would only increase one’s self absorption.
In addition, deciding to have sexual intercourse outside of wedlock as a teen could certainly have its impact on one’s conscience. Regretting decisions can lead to emotional distress which can lead to making more poor choices, and the cycle continues – not to mention the medical problems that can be associated with having a child at such a young age. Many health concerns like low birth weight, blindness, respiratory problems, retardation, dyslexia, hyperactivity, deafness, and neglect are consequences the child possibly could suffer. Consequently, not saving one’s self can diminish the level of intimacy within a relationship.
In a different approach, Greenpeace is a national campaign advocating the preservation and prevention of further environmental damage to the health of our planet. By reducing the amount of pollution we can keep mother earth green for future generations to come. Similarly, I would like to propose a campaign for Purepeace to prevent teens from polluting their bodies. By not polluting one’s body with harmful diseases, contracted from having sex, one can keep the body “green,” or healthy. By not contaminating the body, teenagers are purifying their systems of emotional stress promoting a healthy lifestyle fit for success. To be green is to remain abstinent. A recent study done by the Center of Disease Control, estimates that one in four teenage girls has a sexually transmitted disease. With this astounding statistic a need for a campaign is almost crucial, especially in order to reduce the number of cases in teenagers.
While making a promise to stay abstinent can be a challenging thing to do, remembering God’s word, following one’s heart and keeping the promise of Purepeace will create success in accomplishing the goal of remaining abstinent. Join me in the pledge for Purepeace for a healthy body and future.
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