Purity Rings

[Socktastic]

I wear various rings on my left and right ring fingers, but they're not purity rings, just pretty rings that fit those particular fingers. Purity rings aren't exactly common here, at least not among the Christians I know. The concept, I get it, kind of, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase a ring to indicate my commitment to purity.

 

[MacFall]

I never had one. I honestly find them pretentious and confusing.

Me too. Although I do admire the sentiment, I do see them as sort of... vain, I guess? As in, why do you need to advertise to the world that you aren't having sex? If anyone has a good answer to that question, I do ask it in earnest. Also - confusing, yes. I know this has been said here before, but it bears repeating. If you show a symbol that is almost universally understood to represent marriage in Western cultures, expect to be passed over by potential suitors.

Also also - it's not a Biblical idea. It has as much of its roots in Christianity as the modern idea of Valentine's Day does - which is to say, not much. It has its roots in commercial marketing. The fact that it is Kerusso rather than Hallmark doing the marketing doesn't change that fact.

 

[septemberskies]

I thought about it but decided not to wear one. I do wear rings on both hands from time to time just because I like them though,

 

[SystematicChaos]

No and no.

 

[Sketcher]

No I don't think it'd be a reminder type thing. As I said above, I think it's more making a commitment to God as you would make a commitment to your spouse and wear a wedding ring. I mean, do you need a wedding ring to remember you're married to your husband? No. But it's a symbol of your commitment.

A point to consider: When one becomes a Christian, one is baptized, and that IS the symbol of the commitment we make with God - we have given our entire lives to him, including the area of sexuality. That is a bigger commitment than a purity pledge, because it includes what a purity pledge will cover, along with everything else. But we don't wear rings concerning that, rather we are baptized. It's not as though we need anything else at that point.

Now if you're going to wear it on a necklace rather than your finger, that will be a lot more productive for you. People will only think you're into role-playing card games instead of married. Still, I don't see why you need it.

Ahhh. Okay then, that answers my question. ...Well, again, I'd just wear on my right finger then as to not create any confusion.

Like a divorced woman?

 

[SOLDIER ❤]

LOL! Aww that sucks you lost it.

Yup washed hands then rushed out.

 

[Genersis]

No and no.
Personally, I don't think/believe people lose any worth when they have sex for the first time.
And wearing the ring when you still have that "worth" and having to ditch it when you lose that "worth" is sad in my opinion.
I guess it's supposed to make the person in question hold out till they have a wedding ring to replace it with.

 

[Hadassah_]

I don't have one, don't want one and don't advocate my children to have them. Thing 1 bought one as part of his FCA event but he wears it on his middle finger of his right hand. He also doesn't put it or his virginity on a pedestal. He knows that it's best to wait for marriage but he's also learned that if he messes up and makes a mistake he a) has forgiveness with repentance and b) that sin is no worse or no better than any other sin he may or may not have committed.

I think the lessons he's learned are more important than focusing on the intact virginity.

 

[wholigan11]

I don't wear one. I don't plan on wearing one.

I can see why they have purity rings to encourage abstinence but it wouldn't work for me.

 

[Saucy]

I don't know why people (non-virgins specifically) think it's wrong that people want to value virginity. Losing ones virginity doesn't make them a bad person nor do they lose worth. But that always seems to be what the non-virgins think we're saying when we value virginity. It's like they feel like we're judging them for the decisions they made. We're not.

 

[Hadassah_]

Speaking as a non-virgin, I can tell you why it's wrong to value virginity. Does anyone wear a necklace that says "I've never stolen a THING!" do you see "I haven't gossiped!" anywhere? So why is virginity more valued than any of those even if they are part of the commandments? Because people make it more valued.

And YOU may not be judging a non-virgin but I can guarantee there are simpletons out there who do and I refuse to allow my children to be affected by them like I was should they ever have sex before marriage.

Even if a person DOESN'T have sex but loses her virginity is shamed. A pastor told me once he had a teen girl get pregnant by result of rape. So what did he do? He called her to the front of the church and told them she is an unwed mother as result of rape and she should not be condemned. Really??? So unwed mothers who aren't raped should be???

 

[Niels]

I'm not a fan. Firstly, it's too easy to mistake a purity ring for an engagement ring. Secondly, I also think "purity" is somewhat of a misnomer. Although I get the concept of sexual purity, calling it a "waiting" ring would make more sense to me. Especially in a faith where every redeemed individual is considered pure. The rings can inadvertently send the wrong message that other believers lack purity from past indiscretions.

 

[wholigan11]

Oh it's not wrong to value virginity. God wants us to abstain from pre-marital sex.

The non-virgins don't understand because they didn't value their virginity when they lost it in the first place.

 

[Niels]

Then why not call it a virginity ring?

 

[wholigan11]

Maybe it should be called that. That was always my interpretation of a purity ring.

 

[somebodysangel_88]

Only people I knew that wore them was my best friend and her now husband. I've never worn one though some thing that my promise ring (band) is one but it's not. Sooo...

 

[Hadassah_]

Oh it's not wrong to value virginity. God wants us to abstain from pre-marital sex.

The non-virgins don't understand because they didn't value their virginity when they lost it in the first place.

You do realise there are people here who lost their virginity to marriage, or rape, or before they were Christians, right?

Just checking.

 

[MacFall]

I don't know why people (non-virgins specifically) think it's wrong that people want to value virginity. Losing ones virginity doesn't make them a bad person nor do they lose worth. But that always seems to be what the non-virgins think we're saying when we value virginity. It's like they feel like we're judging them for the decisions they made. We're not.

I haven't seen much of that. But what I have seen - something with which I, as a virgin myself, agree - is people raising the issue of why some make such a big deal out of it. There are only a few verses in the Bible that even mention virginity. Christ Himself, who is the very Word of God, never mentioned it once. The only thing he said about sex at all was to introduce the concept of sins of the heart, the point of which was to say that everyone is equally impure and therefore in need of grace.

So why the emphasis on virginity? Why do people spend so much time thinking about something that God didn't even believe was important enough to have Christ mention? Like Hadassah said, you don't see non-stealing or non-gossiping rings. But respecting other people's property and speaking kindly of others are equally as important to purity as not fooling around sexually, along with many other categories of action. There is no reason for people to give any more consideration to whether they are virgins or not than to whether they are honest or liars, kind or mean-spirited, considerate or inconsiderate, et cetera, et cetera. Which is to say, those things are all important. Sex is not a special category.

Morality is about loving other people. You can't love other people properly if you're sleeping around. That's the end of it, for me.

 

[sarahelizabeth]

I wouldnt mind having one!!..
I just never though about getting one!!
but thanks for the Idea Saucy

 

[wholigan11]

You do realise there are people here who lost their virginity to marriage, or rape, or before they were Christians, right?

Just checking.

That's not what I'm talking about. If they lose their virginity in marriage, that's normal because that's what God intended. For those that were raped, that is not their fault. For those that weren't Christians before but are now, all sins can be forgiven.