This weeks WEEKLY STANDARD features a sociological study regarding teen sexuality. Research shows that communities that condemn premarital relations (southern evangelicals) have HIGHER rates of teen sexual activity than communities that condone it (in Northern blue states).
In other words, sexual misconduct is highest where faith in Jesus is strongest. Why is Jesus so ineffective as an antidote? Isnt Jesus supposed to be the answer to sin?
A meaningful contrast is supplied by Orthodox Judaism. While not achieving a perfect record, halachic Judaism has, comparatively, achieved enormous success in curbing this type of behavior. There are no abstinence pledges in Orthodoxy, precisely because abstinence is a realistic prospect. Why?
The answer is obvious: Jewish law. The same laws derided by missionaries enable Jews to practice the standards that evangelicals preach. The rabbinic fences (yichud, negiah, etc) enable Jews to follow Biblical law. The discipline of law, like abstaining from non-kosher food, enables them to just say no.
In other words, sexual misconduct is highest where faith in Jesus is strongest. Why is Jesus so ineffective as an antidote? Isnt Jesus supposed to be the answer to sin?
A meaningful contrast is supplied by Orthodox Judaism. While not achieving a perfect record, halachic Judaism has, comparatively, achieved enormous success in curbing this type of behavior. There are no abstinence pledges in Orthodoxy, precisely because abstinence is a realistic prospect. Why?
The answer is obvious: Jewish law. The same laws derided by missionaries enable Jews to practice the standards that evangelicals preach. The rabbinic fences (yichud, negiah, etc) enable Jews to follow Biblical law. The discipline of law, like abstaining from non-kosher food, enables them to just say no.
