**Dancing is Un Godly??**

[ekchristian]

At my sister's wedding, my future mother in law had seen my sister dancing on the dance floor. Wasn't drunk, but really just having fun and dancing with family. She had then decided to approach my mother and told her "She shouldn't be dancing like that because it is unGodly". Being that I am a born again Christian and my family has not yet accepted Jesus into their lives, how is a comment like this from a supposed strong Chrisitian suppose to encourage them?

In fact it upset them and it really upset me. I don't really know how to handle the situation as it making them believe Christians are judgemental.

 

[kellyc]

was she dancing suggestively? dancing is not forbidden in the bible at all. try not to take it seriously, maybe your mil is just old.

 

[RocknRollRadio]

I went to a Christian High School, and a Bible College. Both forbid dancing, but we always had after parties after prom or whatever where everyone danced, sponsored by the parents.

It's a personal conviction issue, but it can cause someone to stumble if you are bumping and/or grinding all over them.

 

[sinneD]

In the OT, scripture says that King David - who God says was a man after His own heart - danced before the entire assembly.

 

[Sketcher]

Well, it really depends on how the person is dancing, if the moves are suggestive or not. Be aware also, that there are denominations and traditions that frown on all dancing, though they are otherwise mostly solid. It's legalism, but what can you do.

 

[Katryna]

Ditto what SinneD and Twistedsketch said.

I wouldn't go looking for a fight, but it would be interesting to know what your fiance says, and if he supports your view. His mother was out of line (and in bad taste) to say anything to the mother of the bride about the bride's behavior at her own wedding. Her religious views do not match those of someone else at THEIR own function to which she has been graciously invited --- so what? She should attend, wear a smile, and keep her mouth shut. If most of the bridal functions were over, and by the time there is dancing at a reception, the dinner and cake cutting is usually over, she could have merely left before her eyes were so offended.

I hate to say this, but these are the kinds of things you need to find out now if they are going to be an issue in your married life later; will your husband-to-be support your less stringent view, or will he support his mother? I would want to know.

 

[wonderwaleye]

King David danced naked!!!

Then there was Kind David who rejoiced with leaping and dancing (II Samuel 6:16) ("David danced before the Lord with all his might" – II Samuel 6:14) to the extent that he was criticized by his wife Michal. She noted that David "uncovered himself in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself" (II Samuel 6:20). His kilt-like garment did not sufficiently provide him with a covering to hide his private parts while he danced so vigorously. But David was dancing in a religious service to God and though he admitted his act could have been construed as being vile in front of the women spectators, he retorted to Michal that he would even be more vile and base by asking God to vindicate him (II Samuel 6:22). God backed up David’s appraisal of himself by closing up Michal’s womb for the rest of her life. She was punished for criticizing King David (II Samuel 6:23).

I sure do hope this doesn't happen to her future mother in law.



ALWAYS REMEMBER:

JESUS IS RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE AT!!! EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T SEE HIM!!!

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[MikePantelides]

Leading a Christian life can be hard, especially when you don't fit in with what a lot of people around you are doing, but I don't see how dancing is wrong. Can't a bride dance at her own wedding? Christians can fall into the trap of judging others because they try hard to live right and then start judging others for doing things they don't. In my opinion I can't see how dancing is wrong. Grinding is another topic all together, there may be a case for that. I thought dancing was harmless. I still do.

 

[Ic3]

King David danced naked!!!

Then there was Kind David who rejoiced with leaping and dancing (II Samuel 6:16) ("David danced before the Lord with all his might" – II Samuel 6:14) to the extent that he was criticized by his wife Michal. She noted that David "uncovered himself in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself" (II Samuel 6:20). His kilt-like garment did not sufficiently provide him with a covering to hide his private parts while he danced so vigorously. But David was dancing in a religious service to God and though he admitted his act could have been construed as being vile in front of the women spectators, he retorted to Michal that he would even be more vile and base by asking God to vindicate him (II Samuel 6:22). God backed up David’s appraisal of himself by closing up Michal’s womb for the rest of her life. She was punished for criticizing King David (II Samuel 6:23).

I sure do hope this doesn't happen to her future mother in law.

I think there is a difference in the dancing that King David did and the dancing that was going on at the wedding...

King David was dancing before the Lord with all his might... Rejoicing to God. That is entirely different than dancing for pleasure, I'm sure you would agree.

I'm not saying that dancing is bad, but I think that quoting David's dancing as a solution to this is not correct. They are two different circumstances. If your sister was dancing in order to bring glory to God, then your mother-in-law should not have any complaint, however, I highly doubt this was the case.

 

[Katryna]

King David danced naked!!!

Then there was Kind David who rejoiced with leaping and dancing (II Samuel 6:16) ("David danced before the Lord with all his might" – II Samuel 6:14) to the extent that he was criticized by his wife Michal. She noted that David "uncovered himself in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself" (II Samuel 6:20). His kilt-like garment did not sufficiently provide him with a covering to hide his private parts while he danced so vigorously. But David was dancing in a religious service to God and though he admitted his act could have been construed as being vile in front of the women spectators, he retorted to Michal that he would even be more vile and base by asking God to vindicate him (II Samuel 6:22). God backed up David’s appraisal of himself by closing up Michal’s womb for the rest of her life. She was punished for criticizing King David (II Samuel 6:23).

I sure do hope this doesn't happen to her future mother in law.



ALWAYS REMEMBER:

JESUS IS RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE AT!!! EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T SEE HIM!!!

( left click and hold over the above to see your personal message )

Wow... what version/interpretation do you get this from??!

I went to biblegateway.com and went through several versions of that scripture; everything from The Message to the King James to the Amplified and no where does it specify that David was NAKED. Sheesh! Most of the versions say that he wore a "linen ephod" or priest's upper garments... but it doesn't say his private parts were exposed --- you're reading a lot into something there.

His wife was the daughter of the FORMER King... she had a jealousy issue on behalf of her daddy; therefore, when her (arranged marriage/husband) took off his kingly robes and went dancing in the street with *little* on, and not only was he victorious as a warrior -- as a handsome man was admired by many -- she was angry, and as the scripture says, she despised him. So THAT was why she said he "uncovered himself shamelessly". She tried to say he was acting ungodly --- a LOT like this future mother-in-law was talking about the bride! It doesn't/didn't hold water --- she's just trying to get in a dig! Get it?

If David really HAD acted shamefully, Michal wouldn't have been punished with infertility... HE would have been. But he hadn't... there was nothing wrong with his dance... he was covered. He just DANCED. The sin was Michal's... the key is in vs. 21 when David tells her, "the Lord chose me before your father..." he saw through her jealousy.

 

[wonderwaleye]

Mr ekchristian there are folks that attempt to interpret GOD'S WORD by adding or subtracting meaning. So as to clarify this I have included different versions of the same passage.

2 SamuelChapter 6
​

14 Then David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the LORD with abandon, WEBSTER SAYS THE WORD abandon MEANS


to withdraw protection, support


20 When David returned to bless his own family, Saul's daughter Michal came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has honored himself today, exposing himself to the view of the slave girls of his followers, as a commoner might do!"


20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!



20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!"




ALWAYS REMEMBER:

JESUS IS RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE AT!!! EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T SEE HIM!!!

( left click and hold over the above to see your personal message )

 

[BobW188]

I think the issue to work on here is getting your family to see that just because she is judgmental doesn't mean that all Christians are judgmental.

 

[Prizm]

Hi ekchristian,

That was an unfortunate comment by your mother in law, and as other have implied, it probably won't be the last of her underhanded comments. If your sister was really out of hand, then my guess is her own family would've done something about it. Even if she was out-of-line, there are plenty of other ways to put it. No need to bring up her Christianity especially if her family isn't saved.

Don't be afraid to admit to your family that your mother-in-law's comment was out of hand, even though she is a Christian. Christians need to have tact and wisdom when addressing issues.

You haven't elaborated on how she was dancing though, so I'm only speaking from what you've said so far. Regardless, there's a time and place for comments like that.

Regarding dancing, yes there's a ton of scriptures that promote dancing, but sadly in our generation dancing is usually hand-in-hand with suggestive moves and inappropriate contact between the sexes. Or simply shameful behaviour by someone lacking some self-control. Thus the reason why most Christian groups frown upon dancing. And I'd have to agree with that.

There are some limited times when I'm sure dancing is appropriate, but you'd just have to judge that for yourself and how it would come across to others, being as you're a Christian example.

 

[Katryna]

Gee whiz, wonderwaleye, I'm over 50, but I'm not blind... what's with the fonts that take up half a page in the forum?

A person could be wearing a bathing suit (having the essentials/privates covered), and STILL dance "with abandon" and still be accused of behavior fit for "a commoner". The point was, Michal was trying to accuse David of Unkingly behavior, and the Point Still Is, he didn't commit that. He didn't show anything he shouldn't have.

God never changes. God had, always had, always will have, his rules for decency... they go back to "the law" before the time of David. He never would approve of David's being naked, and that's why I think your interpretation of his being NAKED is wrong. IF he had been naked, Michal would have been RIGHT to call that WRONG, and she would not have been punished.

She was punished because she called something WRONG that wasn't WRONG. David danced with abandon (wholeheartedly) but NOT NAKED. Scantily clad, yes, but the essentials were covered, I believe, because there were people around that God would never approve of for them so see his nakedness; like, his daughters, etc.

 

[Spirithappy]

I will try to help from my experience. I was a young christian who went to every club in town ,I danced ,loved it and loved the lord. I even took Salsa dancing after work. As I grow closer and closer to the lord my dancing slowly stopped. It was a choice, I did not want to do the club thing anymore,it did not add up with me as I grow closer to the lord. I do not feel dancing is wrong, I did it and loved the lord totally but again as I grew in Christ, the love of dancing grow slowly dimmed. But as my mom says,(Who is 80+ years old and full of life). Many christians who tell you not to do something were doing it themselves when they were young. Lets love each other as the body of christ, as you judge you will be judged says King Jesus.

 

[wonderwaleye]

Mr ekchristian I think you now have all that is needed to be able to understand what GOD'S WORD has intended for us to receive. To go any further would be to violate the rules of debate in this forum.

But most important is the instruction GOD has given all of us in HIS WORD:

2 Timothy
Chapter 2:​

22 So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith,love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart. 23 Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels. 24 A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant, 25 correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they may return to their senses out of the devil's snare, where they are entrapped by him, for his will.

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

JESUS IS RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE AT!!! EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T SEE HIM!!!

( left click and hold over the above to see your personal message )

 

[Nilla]

Mod Hat On


OK let's get back on topic, which for this thread is if its ok or not for a Christian to dance.




Mod Hat Off​

 

[SumMer87]

I will try to help from my experience. I was a young christian who went to every club in town ,I danced ,loved it and loved the lord. I even took Salsa dancing after work. As I grow closer and closer to the lord my dancing slowly stopped. It was a choice, I did not want to do the club thing anymore,it did not add up with me as I grow closer to the lord. I do not feel dancing is wrong, I did it and loved the lord totally but again as I grew in Christ, the love of dancing grow slowly dimmed. But as my mom says,(Who is 80+ years old and full of life). Many christians who tell you not to do something were doing it themselves when they were young. Lets love each other as the body of christ, as you judge you will be judged says King Jesus.

Hey there, i appreciate your story, and you choosing not to dance is definitely a personal choice every one has to make for themselves. While i think its great you put God first and realized dancing was getting in the way of it, that isn't true for everyone.. DIFFERENT FOLKS, DIFFERENT STROKES!! I grew up dancing, starting as young as i could walk. Ballet and Tap only because the studio in town was classic dance. When we moved, I tried out for high school dance team and LOVED it.. we ALWAYS prayed together as a team before each performance. It was a tremendous blessing to have that kind of bond with 40+ girls, and our director who wasnt ashamed of her faith in God. We had a lyrical company perform in national competitions in front of teams across the country to Christian songs... not only do i think God is ok with dancing, i think you can glorify Him through it. Prom dances are, yes, different. There is a lot of grinding/sexual references going on that definitely dont need to be there. I was thankful to have dates that knew how to dance without being provacative, and just HAVING FUN.. dancing is not meant to be taken so seriously. Now that i am in college, i still go out and dance. Some times with just my girlfriends, and we usually shoo off any unwanted womanizers we meet. Other times big groups of guys and girls go and we just all take turns dancing. Two-stepping is like walking holding hands, so i dont mind doing that with anyone because i know it wont be taken the wrong way.

I know legalistic christians have a hard time accepting this.. a guy I had been dating said he didnt like the song by mercyme "I can only imagine." because he said "the idea of dancing for Jesus creeped him out" !!!!!! ahhhhhhaaha. Obviously yeah, if following rules by the book is what religion is about, yeah this may creep you out. He didnt understand the point of it.. The song's nature and whole premise is: I will be so happy and so in awe when I get to heaven, I don't know what I will do.. so he asks, will i dance for you Jesus?

He isnt completely out of line, he truly thinks dancing can be a stumbling block for some people, and he said if it is one, you shouldnt cause some one else to sin. Yes i agree with that. He went on to say that guys can be turned on if a girl is wearing sweatpants, no make up and sitting on a bus... ok, if this is true for some people, obviously theres only so much you can do. Its out of your control if other people have sinful struggles. (I dont mean we shouldnt help them, but if you unknowingly turn a guy on by doing NOTHING)... and i feel like there is a double standard wth DANCING... people point it out all the time. But its like, ok so do you think sports is any better? What if a girl had problems with lust because of all the football players in their tight pants??? I would say, thats a personal problem out of the control of the players..

You can really sanctify or perverse N E thing... its all about where your heart is.

 

[BaphometBaphomet]

I danced once, I felt the clouds shudder as God clearly was displeased...It really hurt my soul. I didnt know what to do...

So I got in one little fight and my mom got scared and told me 'You're moving with your uncle and auntie in bel-air

 

[ReivolXTheGodComplex]

Actually if you think about it, Dancing is a sin! For what reason you ask? Clearly because our bodies were made for work. Not for play. Our creator does not want us to use our bodies unjustly! If they were made for work, they should work! Not for dancing or play! Infact dancing can even cause obscene thoughts due to a womans movement. It is SEDUCTION! IT IS LUST!

I should know this for the soul fact that I too have experienced this temptation once. I was pulled onto the dancefloor and I started to feel something strange. But I then prayed to my Father for I knew he would never give me up or let me down. I also prayed to Jesus our saviour for he will never turn around or desert me. Both of them would never make me cry and they will never say goodbye. They will never tell a lie and hurt me.