Nicole,
Belly dance is not the first thing I've come upon in life which is often used in un-Christian ways. I appreciate your comments and concern.
As for me, I do it alone at home for exercise and can't imagine that I would ever perform (although if I were to get married, I might stage a little home performance).
In selecting my DVDs, I read numerous reviews of each one and eliminated any that mentioned any sort of spirituality component.
I think that some of this is a gray area. Clearly, I don't mean the new-agey-goddess sort of stuff; that's not gray at all. What I mean is associating with people who hold false beliefs. I say this is a gray area because as people who are called to be in the world but not of it, each of us must evaluate which situations are ones which might lead us astray and which situations are ones in which we might be a light in the darkness. I think it's entirely possible that one person could go to a belly dance gathering and stumble in their walk because of what they encounter there; I find it equally possible that a different person could go to the same event and be a strong witness for Christ to fellow dancers.
There are some situations that others have no problem with, but I will avoid because I know my weak points. There are other situations that the Lord has enabled me to forge into, perhaps even called me to do so, but I by no means would recommend it to everybody. I think the important thing is for us to be aware of the potential problems and discerning about what we encounter.
Thank you for your comments... Although I don't want people to give up belly dancing unilaterally, I do hope that the issues you raise will inspire increased discernment in those who are being exposed to new parts of the world.
Belly dance is not the first thing I've come upon in life which is often used in un-Christian ways. I appreciate your comments and concern.
As for me, I do it alone at home for exercise and can't imagine that I would ever perform (although if I were to get married, I might stage a little home performance).
In selecting my DVDs, I read numerous reviews of each one and eliminated any that mentioned any sort of spirituality component.
I think that some of this is a gray area. Clearly, I don't mean the new-agey-goddess sort of stuff; that's not gray at all. What I mean is associating with people who hold false beliefs. I say this is a gray area because as people who are called to be in the world but not of it, each of us must evaluate which situations are ones which might lead us astray and which situations are ones in which we might be a light in the darkness. I think it's entirely possible that one person could go to a belly dance gathering and stumble in their walk because of what they encounter there; I find it equally possible that a different person could go to the same event and be a strong witness for Christ to fellow dancers.
There are some situations that others have no problem with, but I will avoid because I know my weak points. There are other situations that the Lord has enabled me to forge into, perhaps even called me to do so, but I by no means would recommend it to everybody. I think the important thing is for us to be aware of the potential problems and discerning about what we encounter.
Thank you for your comments... Although I don't want people to give up belly dancing unilaterally, I do hope that the issues you raise will inspire increased discernment in those who are being exposed to new parts of the world.
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They're all chosen because of great online reviews. But this is my limit for quite awhile... I figure it should take me a long time to master all of these. 
