Just curious why some say dancing and going to shows is wrong

[URGALPAL]

I was raised in a christian home with rules but not near as many rules as the other kids in my church. As far as dancing and movies go, once I hit my mid teens- my mom let me use my own judgement. I was aloud to go to shows and school dances and she got a lot of slack about it. Why is that? Everyone thought I would end up going
down the wrong path. A lot of other kids weren't even aloud to hang out with me just because my household didn't have the same rules. I am thankful that my mom let me use my judgement because I am not going to lie I was around some pretty wild things at times but because my mom let me make a lot of decisions for my self but taught me how to always use good judgement I was able to stay out of trouble. I know some people now that were sheltered when we were younger and quite a few of them "went bad" (if thats what you want to call it) and I think its because their parents sheltered them from the world instead of just guiding them through it. Whats everyones take on this issue?
Julie Elizabeth

 

[Charlesga]

URGALPAL,

I think you are exactly right. At some point, parents have to allow their children to make their own decisions, and to shelter them may actually do more harm than good. My parents were the same with me.....As far as dancing and shows, there is nothing wrong with either. Legalists claim these activities are sinful, but there is nothing to support that. We should, however guard ourselves about what we see or do, but we don't live by a set of rules and regulations....we live in the freedom found in Christ!

 

[Jude]

Dancing is not the issue. The question is what KIND of dancing. 'Shows' are not the issue either. The issue is what KIND of shows. It takes a very strong and self-assured young person to say 'no' to the kind of pressures young people face in both 'arenas'. I think that young people, and old people as well, sometimes get caught-up in what they "can't do" rather than what they've been freed TO do, and freed FROM doing.

 

[UnashamedYouth]

if you're asking about why "Baptist's DON'T dance" it's because we CAN'T :lol:

though I'm told this joke is not really known by Baptists anymore

 

[Audrey]

Originally posted by UnashamedYouth:
if you're asking about why "Baptist's DON'T dance" it's because we CAN'T :lol:

Speak for yourself!

 

[stubbornkelly]

It's all about using discernment, as has been said. Many people do not believe in teaching young people discernment, as evidenced by their lack of any permissiveness. In order for people to learn, truly learn and understand, they must be allowed to stretch their discernment legs, so to speak. But it seems easier to just ban all of it across the board rather than to teach such discernment, hence the "no dancing. no concerts" rules you'll hear about. Sometimes it's couched under I Thessalonians 5:22, "Abstain from all appearance of evil," but I think many of us take that too far. Going to a concert hall or school dance doesn't appear evil, but there are some who will say that because some people do evil things there, Christians should not set foot within.

Learn ands use discernment, perhaps conservatively at first, and you'll be fine.