Is danceing a sin??

[GeratTzedek]

Okay, I know this is baa-a-a-a-a-d, but I can't resist.

There was once a young man, the night after his wedding rehearsal, who goes into his pastors office.

Pastor, he says, I'm a little nervous about just one thing. I know intimacy between a man and his wife is a sacred and holy thing. But I just want to know, is it okay if I make love to my wife on the floor?

Oh yes, siad the pastor, that's perfectly fine.

And pastor, if you don't mind, you know I'm new to this and so I'm nervous, is it okay if I make love to my wife in a chair?

Yes, yes, son. There is nothing wrong with making love to your wife in a chair.

And pastor, forgive me, but just one more question and then I won't bother you anymore. Is it okay if I make love to my wife standing up?

No. That's too much like dancing.

 

[GeratTzedek]

ozell:

Isn't THOU SHALT NOT DANCE the 614 commandment?

 

[MattyJames]

Well, Matty James isn't totally Gone - as some on this forum know my ear has been inclinded unto a certain young lady in southern Florida .

Thanks for those who anwered my questions - it is timely that this subject was raised as I have been discussing it of late with my sweetheart. She was bought up in a worldly spanish home (and we all know how the spannish dance) and she said that from the time that she accepted Messiah she had a conscience toward dancing to 'worldly music' and she is undecided on 'partener' dances - outside of husband and wife.

I must say - that at the time when I asked the OP I was primarly questioning the tendancies of the 'Modern Dance'. It seems to me, that from the time of a child when I saw my fellow female class mates doing stage dance, it was very, very very sensual in its intent and effect. Apart from 'Old Time' dancing, I have not been exposed to any other form of dancing that I would not specifically classifiy as 'Sexually Driven'. To the degree that even some supposed 'Worship Dances' are to me a blotch and stain on the Sacredness of God and His expectations upon us as His Temples to be pure and undefiled - in both Mind and Spirit. Sometime ago I spoke strongly against a certain post here on MJ that was showing a woman dancing a 'Worship Dance'. To me - it was utterly sensual and the fact that it could be referd to as 'Worship' - I wondered just what it was worshiping - God or Man?

Aside from the past - It has been enlightening to see others view on the subject - as is usual I am not yet content that I have found all the nesassary answers to my ponderings - maybe time, chance and conscience will afford me some further understanding??

Must run as Shabbat Metting is here,

Shabbat Shalom to all.

 

[visionary]

Good to know that you are back, if only to post your musing again on the subject.

Miss you, good to hear from you. Hope that you will be able to once again become a regular poster. If not, still drop in and say Hi every once in a while.

Even if it is to tell us how the long distance romance is doing.

 

[ozell]

ozell:

Isn't THOU SHALT NOT DANCE the 614 commandment?

Hi

I only know of 10

 

[MattyJames]

Good to know that you are back, if only to post your musing again on the subject.

Miss you, good to hear from you. Hope that you will be able to once again become a regular poster. If not, still drop in and say Hi every once in a while.

Even if it is to tell us how the long distance romance is doing.

Thanks for the kind words Vis. Its been a while since we've had a chat. Well - I'll do my best to keep my eye on things here.

As for the romance - I'll let the forum know when dimonds and Gold start mixing into little rings ...untill then - I'd like to keep things underground.

I'll be sure to let you know.

Thanks again,

Matty James

 

[Hadassah]

Hey matty! LTNS!!!!!!

 

[MattyJames]

Hey matty! LTNS!!!!!!

Shalom Shalom!!!

I heard that someone had a little nipper on the way??

How are you Antzy?? I've been thinking of you often!! Hows married life treating you??

Miss you indeed,

Matty

PS: LTNS???

 

[Hadassah]

LTNS = Long Time No See

Things are well and we're into into the third month now. Baby seems to be developing well and our attending OB is very caring and understanding of my food issues and the so called ''food'' I do not eat due to religious objections.


We're set to have a baby around Mother's Day

 

[GeratTzedek]

Hi

I only know of 10

You haven't been around here long,eh?

 

[MattyJames]

LTNS = Long Time No See

Things are well and we're into into the third month now. Baby seems to be developing well and our attending OB is very caring and understanding of my food issues and the so called ''food'' I do not eat due to religious objections.


We're set to have a baby around Mother's Day

PRAISE ADONAI!!! Awsome!!! Please keep us posted.

What a blessed husband you have and what a blessed child to have a mother like you!! I have utmost faith that he/she shall be nurtured in the way of the Lord God of Abraham Isacc and Jacob!

Peace be upon your house.

your bro,

Matty James

 

[Bananna]

I'm really wanting your opinions here, espescially thoes who are professional dancers, or have danced for some time. Tishri

I was recently talking to a young friend of mine, who is very talented in dance, and I was discouraging her from pursuing a career in dance. She was telling me of all the physical damage that has occured to her, not to mention belimeia, starvation, excessive dieting etc. On top of this, there is the issue of the unatural things they get dancers to do..ie stand on their toes .
I was also disgusted at some of the costumes she had to wear, and the tutu dresses. Its just as bad as pagents.

Also my Auntie was also heavily involved with dance as a teen, ballet more specifically. Because of the unatural positions practiced in ballet she had to have a cesariain (I don't know how to spell it) for all three of my little cousins. ie. she couldn't deliver naturally.

I am trying to find a medium between dancing for the sake of praise from the world, and dancing for the worship of HaShem. How do you moraly justify dancing (as the world defines it).

Finaly. I hope to have kids one day, and I'd like my future girls to dance (like all other normal girls), but if it means ballet and Jazz and all the other normal styles, I'm not going to have a bar of it. Are there any other alternatives??

Before I finnish up, I'd like to return to my friend. She believes that God wants her to dance, in order to reach out to thoes in the dance world. How do you view this?? "Preaching the gosple through ballet" . I'm giving her some really straight talk, but I have no alternative to offer her. Any suggestions??

I'm trying to sort my self out on this issue.

thanks,

Matt James

Well first off, Dancing is not a sin. Doing anything to excess can be bad.
I don't know of any Ballet positios that could cause the need of a caesarian, but I know of a couple Doctors put you in that would cause the need of one, two and three.

Modesty is one of the biggest issues and it is a real problem for some carefully shelter people also. I ended up getting an exercize video with people in danskins and tights because my son who is now 8 needed to see exactly how the people were standing and looking for the exercises to make sense to him. There is a place for less clothing, I just don't think the beach and public dance floor is one of them.

A career in dance would probably not be good for a stay at home mom. Being underweight is simply self abuse in my opinion. If God wants a person to have that job he will provide them a naturally slight built with no starvation necessary. Bone disease can be crippling for women not suited to the discipline among other things.

Bible talks about dancing before the Lord. Miriam danced and David danced as a praise and worship.

I dance Israeli dance. Not ballet. I've looked up modest dance patters and under garments to keep things covered. Teaching Ballet in a sensible and modest and inexpensive manner may be a viable home business for a young lady to teach poise and grace to other young ladies while being a keeper at home.

bananna

 

[GeratTzedek]

Matty:

I guess the answer to you question is similar to the answer regarding most virtues and sins. I can't think of a sin that isn't the perversion of something good. Dancing is a good thing. But how we dance can turn that good thing into a perverse wrong.

In terms of the normative independent dancing of couples in society, I grew up in a home where this was considered a sin. I do not agree with that. I would ask, "How may I do this in a way that does not bring me close to temptation, and does not contribute to the temptation of others? Am I dancing in a suitable environment? Am I really here to mett people and enjoy and respond to the music, or is my reason for dancing to be sexually noticed by the opposite sex?" You get the idea.

I am very much of the opinion that if you want to avoid San Francisco, don't go into California. There are ways I won't dress, and places I won't go, and certain kinds of men I wouldn't so much as share a cup of coffee with, becuase it all spells trouble. I don't have a lot of opportunity for dancing because of the conservative crowd I hang with. But occasionally I'll go to a wedding where there is dancing. I find that fun.

 

[MattyJames]

Matty:

I guess the answer to you question is similar to the answer regarding most virtues and sins. I can't think of a sin that isn't the perversion of something good. Dancing is a good thing. But how we dance can turn that good thing into a perverse wrong.

In terms of the normative independent dancing of couples in society, I grew up in a home where this was considered a sin. I do not agree with that. I would ask, "How may I do this in a way that does not bring me close to temptation, and does not contribute to the temptation of others? Am I dancing in a suitable environment? Am I really here to mett people and enjoy and respond to the music, or is my reason for dancing to be sexually noticed by the opposite sex?" You get the idea.

I am very much of the opinion that if you want to avoid San Francisco, don't go into California. There are ways I won't dress, and places I won't go, and certain kinds of men I wouldn't so much as share a cup of coffee with, becuase it all spells trouble. I don't have a lot of opportunity for dancing because of the conservative crowd I hang with. But occasionally I'll go to a wedding where there is dancing. I find that fun.

Yeh - I'm with you. But the issue is - what is too far?? One group denounces couple dances - another says its ok. In the end it comes down to personal conscience. I spose I haven't been in enough places and situations to figure out where I exactly stand.

Thanks alot for your understanding GerTzedek - I do appreciate it.

Shalom again to all,

MJ

 

[visionary]

May all your dancing be before the Lord and with your mate.

 

[GeratTzedek]

Yeh - I'm with you. But the issue is - what is too far?? One group denounces couple dances - another says its ok. In the end it comes down to personal conscience. I spose I haven't been in enough places and situations to figure out where I exactly stand.

Thanks alot for your understanding GerTzedek - I do appreciate it.

Shalom again to all,

MJ

How far is too far? However far you faith community determines, IMHO. I know others will say that each individual decides. I don't think that way very much. For example, if a person is Methodist, they dance, but if they are United Pentecostal, they don't; if they are Catholic, they dance, if they are Lubavitcher, they certainly don't dance couples!

I got married at the evangelical Quaker church where I had spent my high school years. There was no dancing allowed at the reception. My then husband was very disappointed by this, and it irritated him for years!

 

[MattyJames]

How far is too far? However far you faith community determines, IMHO. I know others will say that each individual decides. I don't think that way very much. For example, if a person is Methodist, they dance, but if they are United Pentecostal, they don't; if they are Catholic, they dance, if they are Lubavitcher, they certainly don't dance couples!

I got married at the evangelical Quaker church where I had spent my high school years. There was no dancing allowed at the reception. My then husband was very disappointed by this, and it irritated him for years!

Yes, well - that would stick in my craw too !!!

I feel you! And I spose we must also becareful not to become accustomed to a certain idea by religious 'indocrination' either. That is to say - 'It doesn't 'feel' right' - just because one has never done such before. I know that in my current relationship I have have been forced to face some pet peeves of my own that I thought I could substantiate biblically - only to find out that I really am being 'legalistic' in my thinking towards that particular subject. I have found that it is just as hard to break down the walls of 'Legalisim' as it is to tighten the walls of 'Liberalisim'. Which is the quandry that I am in at the moment. Where does my 'Legalisim' start and should my 'Liberalisim' end?

In the context of dancing - well - thats what were trying to figure out....right?

Thanks agian,

Matty James

 

[MattyJames]

May all your dancing be before the Lord and with your mate.

And you know Vis I am begining to see this as a plumb line that I need to work off. Firstly - Dancing out of Worship - which must imply order, reverance and spirit.

And secondly - dancing out of affection (physical) - which also requres parameters to be adheard to. I imagine it would be time and circumstance that would dictate the particular 'boundaries' at that time.

But I've also been shown that there is a time for dancing when one is just happy. Ok its not my thing - if I'm happy I don't tend to get a jive up - however - for some people it is there thing. Its another subject altogether - but I do find it rather amusing.
Was told a story about a mother and daughter studying in a College Library and the two thought they were alone. After some time the mother decided to start dancing becuase it was her thing - only to hear the chuckles of some male partrons watching from a nearby desk!!! WHOOPS!!!

Anyways - its late - I must be off. Shalom Vis - Trust me, I will be adhearing to your advice most promptly!!

Matty James

 

[GeratTzedek]

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

 

[jgonz]

Hey MattyJames! Nice to see you again.