Some at the church I attend have been trying to organise a dance on the lines of this. I have spoken out against it and I was wondering what your thoughts were?

Standard Bearer - V.60 - I.2 - Strength of Youth - The Christian and Dancing (1) By Rev. Ronald L. Cammenga
Standard Bearer - V.60 - I.6 - Strength of Youth - The Christian and Dancing (2) By Rev. Ronald L. Cammenga

"1. Concerning "dancing" (or going to Balls), I only ask Christians to judge the amusement by its tendencies and accomplishments. To say there is anything morally wrong in the mere bodily act of dancing would be absurd. David danced before the ark. Solomon said, "There is a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Just as it is natural to lambs and kittens to frisk about, so it seems natural to young people, all over the world, to jump about to a lively tune of music. If dancing were taken up for mere exercise, if dancing took place at early hours, and men only danced with men, and women with women, it would be needless and absurd to object to it. But everybody knows that this is not what is meant by modern dancing (going to Balls and dances). This is an amusement which involves very late hours, extravagant dressing, and an immense amount of frivolity, vanity, jealousy, unhealthy excitement, and vain conversation. Who would like to be found in a modern dance-hall when the Lord Jesus Christ comes the second time? Who that has taken much part in balls and dancing, as I myself once did before I knew better, can deny that they have a most dissipating effect on the mind, like using drugs and the drinking of alcoholic beverages does on the body? I cannot withhold my opinion that dancing and the going to balls is one of those worldly amusements which "war against the soul," and which it is wisest and best to give up. And as for those parents who urge their sons and daughters, against their wills and inclinations, to go to balls and dances, I can only say that they are taking on themselves a most dangerous responsibility, and risking great injury to their children's souls." - J C Ryle

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Richard
CofE
UK

I truly believe it depends on the KIND of dancing. In general no; certain kinds yes. And I don't believe such a thing should take place at a church...as a community event in a common arena, yes.

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JC
URCNA
PA

"Forgiveness is primarily for our own sake, so that we no longer carry the burden of resentment. But to forgive does not mean we will allow injustice again." --Jack Kornfield

I am refering to mixed dancing.

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Richard
CofE
UK

What is "mixed" dancing?

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Davidius
Husband of Emilia
Member: First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Durham (RPCNA) - Durham, NC
Currently in the process of transferring membership to an as-yet-undecided church in Chapel Hill
Student: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, German Literature and Classics

Even "mixed dancing", it depends on the KIND of dancing. There is folk dance (including round, square, and double lined not to be mistaken as line dancing, formal ball room dancing, salsas and other such, R&B, rock & pop, ballet, modern, swing, line dancing.

Certain kinds of dance, and within proper context and restraints of propriety...I have no problem with. I'm pretty strict in my views, but I would not toss out "mixed dancing" altogether. We must look at the context and the purpose of the event as well.

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JC
URCNA
PA

"Forgiveness is primarily for our own sake, so that we no longer carry the burden of resentment. But to forgive does not mean we will allow injustice again." --Jack Kornfield

I believe he means males dancing with females...not single gendered.

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JC
URCNA
PA

"Forgiveness is primarily for our own sake, so that we no longer carry the burden of resentment. But to forgive does not mean we will allow injustice again." --Jack Kornfield

[quote=AV1611;323017]*gasp* You mean like if guys and girls are attracted to each other or friendly they should resist dancing? Bumping and grinding fo' sure but a sweet little ball room fox trot, line dance or jitterbug isn't going to fly in the face of decency.
Let 'em dance I say, no harm done.

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Travis Speegle
Redeemer Presbyterian, PCA (Waco, Tx)
Pacific Cross Roads, PCA (Los Angeles, CA)


"When it comes to trustworthy theologians one can usually honor the rule of thumb that the deader the better."-Dr. John Hannah, DTS (of all places)

JC Ryle was only writing on the immediate, local variety of dances and events that he saw around him. He made a blanket statement that we cannot make.

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JC
URCNA
PA

"Forgiveness is primarily for our own sake, so that we no longer carry the burden of resentment. But to forgive does not mean we will allow injustice again." --Jack Kornfield

Dancing is bad when I do it! I have two-left feet.....In retrospect I am glad my Sr. Prom date had a VERY good sense of humor!

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~etexas~

Would it be more acceptable if "I was dancin' with myself..."

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It depends on whether or not the type of dancing being engaged in is lust-provoking or not.

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Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)

I suspect that this is one of those things that IS lawful but not always profitable.
Like if you are doing the hustle or the macarena.

A Texas Two step is fine and Cotton Eyed Joe may be done lawfully if you say "whoop whoop."

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Richard H. King
Providence PCA
Lubbock, Texas
"No matter how far a man goes, he eventually finds out God's already there." John Wayne - the last line in "Chisum"

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Bob Howes
Framingham, MA

A reoccurring thought:

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Virginia Reel was one of my favorites.

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JC
URCNA
PA

"Forgiveness is primarily for our own sake, so that we no longer carry the burden of resentment. But to forgive does not mean we will allow injustice again." --Jack Kornfield

Just curious. Those of you who are married, did you have dancing at your reception? I regret now that we didn't.

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Bob Howes
Framingham, MA

A reoccurring thought:

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

I like the Curly Shuffle myself YUK YUK

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Pergamum


"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
-- David Livingstone

No, we didn't...we had a family only wedding and very small at that. Being baptist at the time played a role as well.

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JC
URCNA
PA

"Forgiveness is primarily for our own sake, so that we no longer carry the burden of resentment. But to forgive does not mean we will allow injustice again." --Jack Kornfield

It's a matter of liberty...

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Josh Hicks, Chloë's Daddy
Member of TRBC. My Blog
The Puritan Pub (Team Blog)
Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Josh, you forgot this at the end of your statement:

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Kevin
Far East
Deacon, Int'l Church

Lawful, not always profitable.

That being said, I can't imagine lawfully dancing with anyone but my wife.

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Kevin
Far East
Deacon, Int'l Church

I like it when my wife dances for me.

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Victor Triana
All Saints Reformed Church
United Reformed Churches
Downey, CA
http://allsaintsreformed.org/resourc..._keyvisual.jpg
http://start.urclearning.org/wp-incl...ard_front2.jpg

I voted lawful. But I hated dances of all kinds in high school/college/probably now. But I have nothing against it.

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J. B. Atken
John Knox PCA
Layman, M.A. student at Louisiana College

Lawful, not always beneficial.

We did ballroom dancing in high school. I found it to be not in the least bit erotic or lust evoking, so I don't think it can be ruled out on those grounds. The girls did all wear very low cut dresses though, which did evoke lustful thoughts - but that was not the fault of the dancing per se. Whenever I have been to a nightclub I have found myself bored out of my mind, standing around waiting for something to happen, and wondering how people can really be so excited by bumping up and down on the spot for hours on end in time to incomprehensible music.

Such dancing is probably designed to provoke lust, and as such would normally be prohibited, except where that would be allowable such as with married couples. But given that it isn't I can't find any reason to prohibit it.

The most fun I ever had dancing was when I was 16 at a bush dance* and me and a mate of mine threw each other around the dance floor as hard as we could.

*Bush dancing: An attempt to replicate the kind of entertainment that poor rural Australians in the late 19th century might have engaged in; hence the title. Usually involves fiddles, violins, guitars and other such instruments. Dancing itself is based on Scottish or Irish folk dancing. Sometimes includes a lagerphone, a uniquely Australian contribution to world music, which consists of a stick with beer bottle lids nailed into it being banged against the floor in time with the music. Yes, really.

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T W Hopper
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church
Currently between churches since PRC closed here - attending Crossroads Christian Church.
Canberra, Australia.

You kind of have to be drunk to enjoy it . . . :blush: . . .

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Jessica H.
Church: www.eopckent.org (OPC)
Work: www.uwmedicine.org/Facilities/Harborview/

Oh make this heart rejoice or ache; / Decide this doubt for me; / And if it be not broken, break -- / And heal it, if it be. ~William Cowper