Purity Rings

[Tom White]

I thought I'd balance out all the threads about sex with one for those who value purity.

Yeah because sex is dirty.

Do you wear a purity ring?

No.

Would you wear one?

Not unless it made me turn invisible like a hobbit, no.

I dislike the wearing of physical symbols of virtue or religion. There's also an element of "who needs to know?" What will this trend do, cause girls to look at our hands and assume that guys who don't have one are screwing around? I really don't like it eh, don't think that it's a sin but that it's just dumb.

It is enough for me that Jesus sees me as clean. Screw what anyone else thinks, I don't need their approval anyway.

 

[wannaberocker]

I never got into the purity ring idea. It was extremely popular when I was a teen. To me it was just one of those marketing fads (utterly useless) in practical terms.

 

[Tom White]

I never got into the purity ring idea. It was extremely popular when I was a teen. To me it was just one of those marketing fads (utterly useless) in practical terms.

It makes the Jesus industry some mammon though.

Got to capitalize on the impressionable Christian youths, because it's not like the rest of the world isn't already targeting them along with all the others. Get your Clearasil cream because you need it to look your best and fit in; get your purity ring because you need it to look your best and fit in; etc. God forbid you might be the one without a purity ring. If there isn't an insecurity that doesn't already exist, there's an industry in America to create it and try and export it around the world including Jesus Incorporated. Star bellied sneeches, that's how I feel about this.

 

[wannaberocker]

It makes the Jesus industry some mammon though.

Got to capitalize on the impressionable Christian youths, because it's not like the rest of the world isn't already targeting them along with all the others. Get your Clearasil cream because you need it to look your best and fit in; get your purity ring because you need it to look your best and fit in; etc. God forbid you might be the one without a purity ring. If there isn't an insecurity that doesn't already exist, there's an industry in America to create it and try and export it around the world including Jesus Incorporated. Star bellied sneeches, that's how I feel about this.

Well a more practical purity devise would be a chastity belt.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

I had one once. I still have it, but I don't wear it. I don't like wearing rings in general. No rings suit me because of my weird fingers. Now, if it were a wedding ring, I wouldn't mind wearing it.

I went into it, thinking, "Now I can remain pure for God!" No, that was a big understatement. No, I didn't have sex, but I learned that a ring can't have any power over me, and I can't have power over this alone. It's my relationship with God that's important, and through that, it can show me why I must remain abstinent until marriage. It's not about me being all high-and-mighty pure because of my pride and arrogance. It's God who wants me to be holy because He's holy, and we are called to be holy.

It did help me discuss about what abstinence meant to a bunch of girls at my middle school briefly.

 

[Blank123]

I think its more of a Christian subculture thing. I never got into Christian subculture, so the idea of a purity ring always made me go,

I get the symbolism behind it and if others want to wear it, I won`t think any less of them. But its not for me.

 

[Amber.ly]

I still think its directly on par with wedding/engagement/promise rings.

A physical sign of an inward commitment. Doesn't have magical powers that will keep the wearer in line with that commitment but does serve a purpose for some folks.

 

[trentlogain2]

purity rings, jesus clothing, etc. not only represent but serve as a challenge to the people who sport it.

there are some days when i get up on the wrong side of the bed, go to the closet to pick out something to put on, and look at the jesus shirt and say, "wow, if i put this on and go out in public, will i really be able to pull this off?"

admittedly, there are times when i decide to put something else on because i know i probably wouldn't be able to do it.

 

[Blank123]

I don`t get promise rings either

Engagement and wedding rings have very real and serious symbolic attachments for me, so those will be worn. But purity and promise rings... I think thats an individual thing to decide on.

 

[Miss Spaulding]

purity rings, jesus clothing, etc. not only represent but serve as a challenge to the people who sport it.

there are some days when i get up on the wrong side of the bed, go to the closet to pick out something to put on, and look at the jesus shirt and say, "wow, if i put this on and go out in public, will i really be able to pull this off?"

admittedly, there are times when i decide to put something else on because i know i probably wouldn't be able to do it.

Hmm...you don't strike me as the type who wears such clothing. Just an observation, I honestly don't care if you do.


Anyhoo, I don't really remember if I posted in here or not and I don't care to go through the thread to find out, sooo...yeah. My opinion on purity rings is pretty much no opinion at all. It's neither here nor there to me if someone wears one to represent their purity and choice to stay pure until marriage, that's their business. I also haven't deeply analyzed the significance behind purity rings either.

I don't wear a purity ring, and I don't particularly plan to in the future. Why? No reason at all. I simply don't plan on getting a purity ring and wearing one. I know I'm pure and that I choose to stay pure until marriage, and if anyone wishes to know this I'll tell them. The end.

 

[Amber.ly]

I don`t get promise rings either

Yeah, I tend to wonder why a promise ring instead of engagement? What is the real difference between "We want to get married to each other" to "We are getting married to each other"

Engagement and wedding rings have very real and serious symbolic attachments for me, so those will be worn. But purity and promise rings... I think thats an individual thing to decide on.

People who wear purity rings feel the same way.

I guess where I am totally lost is how people on here can say "bring on the wedding band!" but then turn around and essentially diss those who choose to wear a purity ring. Makes no logical sense.

Same item, same reason, same concept. You know, like Words with Friends. Its Scrabble, just marketed (packaged?) differently

*Disclaimer: I don't wear a purity ring although I did when I was a teen. I'm neither for or against them now. Just like to infuse a bit of common sense into this topic.

 

[pressingon17]

I have one. I don't wear it though.

 

[Niels]

My main objection to purity rings is that they look too much like engagement or wedding rings. If I think an otherwise attractive woman is already taken, then I won't make an effort to get to know her better. Granted, I prefer to be friends or at least friendly first, and not many women in my dating age range wear them, but such a first impression can throw me for a loop.

That being said, it's probably better than when engaged or married women don't wear rings.

 

[Strider1002]

I love purty rings. They're so... purty.

 

[Niels]

har har...

 

[vanillakay]

I dont have one at the moment. But im slowly but surely saving for one!!

 

[Bristecom]

I dislike the wearing of physical symbols of virtue or religion. There's also an element of "who needs to know?" What will this trend do, cause girls to look at our hands and assume that guys who don't have one are screwing around? I really don't like it eh, don't think that it's a sin but that it's just dumb.

It is enough for me that Jesus sees me as clean. Screw what anyone else thinks, I don't need their approval anyway.

I agree. At the past few church groups I've been to, many people were obsessed with tattoos and jewelry and piercings. Frankly, I just don't get it. When you have Jesus, why do you want things like that? Jesus is not an accessory or style you wear - but the Lord and savior who is with you and within you. If He has accepted you and cleansed you, what more do you want?

So buying a ring or a charm to symbolize your purity just sounds like a silly gimmick and a waste of money to me. Not to mention, it ultimately doesn't mean anything. But to each their own I guess. Sorry if I offended anyone.

 

[Blank123]

Yeah, I tend to wonder why a promise ring instead of engagement? What is the real difference between "We want to get married to each other" to "We are getting married to each other"



People who wear purity rings feel the same way.

I guess where I am totally lost is how people on here can say "bring on the wedding band!" but then turn around and essentially diss those who choose to wear a purity ring. Makes no logical sense.

Same item, same reason, same concept. You know, like Words with Friends. Its Scrabble, just marketed (packaged?) differently

*Disclaimer: I don't wear a purity ring although I did when I was a teen. I'm neither for or against them now. Just like to infuse a bit of common sense into this topic.

Oh I`m not dissing those who choose to wear purity rings. Like I say, its just not for me because it doesn`t hold the same symbolism or meaning for me as wedding or engagement rings do. If its a choice someone else makes to wear one, more power to them.

 

[anewday]

I was given a promise ring once. I looked at it as a promise that we would get married one day. Heh, fast forward a few years later and he asked for both the promise and engagement ring back ...anyways, I like the idea of purity rings . I think I would get some really weird looks if I had one and wore it at my age...

 

[redblue22]

Against Purity Rings.


1) I think symbols of sexual purity increase likelihood of pride. Which then increases the likelihood of loss of the very purity--but pride is worse.

2) Having a symbol of sexual purity in act puts sexual acts above other more important things of life. Should I wear a symbol of how loving I am? A bracelet that I do not judge? Humility earrings?

3) I do sin in life. My behavior (sexual or otherwise) does not make up for that. My behavior does not make me pure. Jesus does. Sexual purity rings are about behavior.

4) When I do fail sexually internally--my ring is a reminding weight against the true purity I have in Christ. A ring is saying, "I haven't sinned in this area in 498 days." I need to remember sin is of the heart.

5) If one does sin, one should not feel the weight of choosing to wear the ring as a lie or expose one's sins to others. Both lying and public shame are not healthy to one's health and continuance in trust of Jesus and living by the Spirit.

6) Sexual purity symbols lead to thinking one needs reminding to keep sexually pure--as if sexual purity were a kind of moral we work ourselves up to. Our lives are lived by trust in God Spirit living inside us. The rule is to live by trust in God--not by guilt or other rules.

7) Wearing symbols of internal qualities is not a demonstration of those qualities but a tempting replacement. It is showing others one's own purity. The praise one receives for public display is what one gets for one's purity instead of rewards having kept it private.

8) The focus on sexual purity leads my thoughts back to laws about what I am not doing. Life is about love--by trusting God Spirit to lead and power me to love.

9) I do not trust the fact that purity rings are marketed for money as symbols of moral goodness.

10) I am clearly a sinner deserving hell in need of Christ. To wear one would be a contradiction of my beliefs and the message I share. Part of my message is that I am not pure--except in Christ who is.

11) I do not like the culture of guilt that such rings encourage with those who choose not to wear them or feel pressured to wear them. We are free of guilt in Christ. Pushing guilt encourages more sin in heart and deed.

12) The culture of Jesus's visit was filled with symbols of this sort. And we see throughout the writings that they were not considered good things.

13) I think symbols of morality send others the message that we are about works and laws. Most people think the way to God is through following laws. Purity rings just add to the problem of all of us thinking you earn your way to God if you are good enough.

14) Symbols of morality say to me and others that I believe myself to be morally superior or superior in some way. And that just isn't true. What change of heart I have in love is due to God. My natural self is morally inferior.



I'm not saying any of these are true of anyone else. I don't know anyone else's heart. But they are the reasons of my own heart. Any one reason is enough for me. But I have 14. So, I will not wear one, nor give my son or daughter one.



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