Why no dancing?

Skala

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I find a lot of baptist churches are very legalistic in their approach to things.

I'm pretty sure that dancing in and of itself is not a sin. But if you dance with lustful intentions, then of course, that's a sin.

Many people, in trying to protect others from the sin of lust, for example, will forbid the activity outright. Thus adopting a legalistic view on the topic.

Another example is drinking alchohol. I don't think drinking a beer with dinner once in a while is a sin. But the bible says drunkenness is a sin. In trying to protect people from the sin of drunkenness, people will forbid drinking altogether. Some even go so far as to say that drinking (or dancing) in and of itself is sinful.

But I don't think these activities are sinful. I think they can lead to sin. But they aren't necessarily sinful. In my opinion, being legalistic about drinking alcohol and judging others for drinking is more of a sin than the supposed "sin" in drinking alcohol.

Long story short: Don't be legalistic about stuff, but be responsible with the freedom you have in Christ. If you personally feel that dancing or drinking would lead to sin, for you, then put boundaries on yourself to stay away from it.
 
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a pilgrim

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daydreamerr

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Seriously, where did you hear that? Although outside of worship (which I think counts), I haven't seen any Baptist dance, but then again, I really wasn't on the look-out, so I say: unintended straw man. :) :wave:

Most baptists where i live believe it is wrong. They won't dance at their weddings even. ): I don't think it is wrong, as long as it is not inappropriate dancing.
 
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Jafid2005

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Hi everyone one I am just seeing this now. I am Baptist and I do dance of course a do slow dance with husband at weddings and such and my husband is Greek so I do do the Greek dances again at weddings, engagement and I do not do any provacative dances though. I do believe that it says all things in moderation so yes a dance with your husband or wife is not a sin of course modestly. Have a blessed day. JoAnn
 
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a pilgrim

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Hey, everyone. I'm Baptist myself, but I have always wondered why Baptists believe in no dancing. Anyone? :confused:

I'm sorry, brother, I've been being silly.

Traditionally, (not in a contemporary context,) Baptists have been a socially conservative people. Avoiding bars, pubs, social drinking, dancing, high society, etc. With this comes, "the dance." Often associated with a more, let's say, sensual appearance, dancing can be offensive and physically attracting.

Some have used the negative outcome of David's dancing in the O.T., but I was always told his dance was not, pardon the expression, the Dish Rag Twist, or the Skunk Skeedaddle, but he was literally leaping and jumping for joy in the presence of the Lord because of the return of the Ark of the Covenant.

The scripture does admonish us:

1 Thess. 5
[22] Abstain from all appearance of evil.


The text instructs us to abstain (not just avoid) from the appearance of evil. The question may not be, "Is dancing sinful?" but, "Could it appear that way to the onlookers?"

Some may say, "Who cares, God knows my heart!" Yes, he does, but that is not what onlookers see, the see the appearance. "Well, that's their problem! Right?" No, we are not alone in Body life. We are to consider what our actions are going to be construed as by others. Paul said:

1 Cor. 8
[9] But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

Dancing would fall under the category of a liberty, but the Lord expects us to use our liberties carefully because of their impact.

[10] For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

O.k., so you wouldn't go to the Dance Club, or do some Dirty Dancing, but if those who are weak, who watch and respect your opinion, see you dancing, will it embolden them to do more than you, by conscious, would do? Remember your not in this alone. We are part of a Body. I might not stick MY hand in the fire, but if foot decides to jump in won't the body suffer from his actions? Yes.

[11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
[12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.


So, Paul concludes, when you cause a weak one to stumble with your liberty, you thus sin against Christ.

This is a way to see this issue.
 
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daydreamerr

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I'm sorry, brother, I've been being silly.

Traditionally, (not in a contemporary context,) Baptists have been a socially conservative people. Avoiding bars, pubs, social drinking, dancing, high society, etc. With this comes, "the dance." Often associated with a more, let's say, sensual appearance, dancing can be offensive and physically attracting.

Some have used the negative outcome of David's dancing in the O.T., but I was always told his dance was not, pardon the expression, the Dish Rag Twist, or the Skunk Skeedaddle, but he was literally leaping and jumping for joy in the presence of the Lord because of the return of the Ark of the Covenant.

The scripture does admonish us:

1 Thess. 5
[22] Abstain from all appearance of evil.


The text instructs us to abstain (not just avoid) from the appearance of evil. The question may not be, "Is dancing sinful?" but, "Could it appear that way to the onlookers?"

Some may say, "Who cares, God knows my heart!" Yes, he does, but that is not what onlookers see, the see the appearance. "Well, that's their problem! Right?" No, we are not alone in Body life. We are to consider what our actions are going to be construed as by others. Paul said:

1 Cor. 8
[9] But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

Dancing would fall under the category of a liberty, but the Lord expects us to use our liberties carefully because of their impact.

[10] For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

O.k., so you wouldn't go to the Dance Club, or do some Dirty Dancing, but if those who are weak, who watch and respect your opinion, see you dancing, will it embolden them to do more than you, by conscious, would do? Remember your not in this alone. We are part of a Body. I might not stick MY hand in the fire, but if foot decides to jump in won't the body suffer from his actions? Yes.

[11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
[12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.


So, Paul concludes, when you cause a weak one to stumble with your liberty, you thus sin against Christ.

This is a way to see this issue.

Thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time to write all that. That helped a lot with multiple things! God bless you!
 
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Publius

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Hey, everyone. I'm Baptist myself, but I have always wondered why Baptists believe in no dancing. Anyone? :confused:

I've been Baptist for about twenty-five years now and in all of that time, I've only met one or two Baptists who thought dancing was wrong. And, to be pretty honest about it, one of them had some pretty serious doctrinal issues in other areas, so I don't really take her opinions too seriously.

I was a Methodist at the time I decided to leave and become a Baptist. I grew up in the UMC. Ironically, although anything goes in the UMC these days, at the time I left, you were much more likely to find Methodists who didn't dance.

I once applied to Pennsecola Christian College and you can't even walk down the street with a member of the opposite sex there.
 
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