Should Christians go out dancing?

[briareos]

Well she's not a catholic anymore actually, you might want to read up on that, not that matters to me. She wrote some books about her beliefs in Jesus when she was a catholic... later she departed from catholicism and has provided some really interesting discussion on why and her problems with Christianity.

I think her work is beautiful and I think it is sad we see as little of it's kind in this world as we do.

 

[seeingeyes]

Well she's not a catholic anymore actually, you might want to read up on that, not that matters to me. She wrote some books about her beliefs in Jesus when she was a catholic... later she departed from catholicism and has provided some really interesting discussion on why and her problems with Christianity.

I think her work is beautiful and I think it is sad we see as little of it's kind in this world as we do.

Oh yes, that's right. She was out, and then in and then out again. I had it backwards. Nevertheless, it makes no difference to me. I tend not to judge a book by it's author.

Though after getting only a quarter of the way through Ulysses, I have serious doubts about James Joyce.

 

[briareos]

I can't say for sure but I don't think it was lack of love for her savior that removed her, it was lack of love for the religion and the actual christian community's treatment of the rest of the world.

 

[Blooper]

Dancing was invented by the boogieman to make you sweat your soul out.

 

[jminnesota]

dancing is fun

 

[briareos]

Though, speaking more generally now, the church at large doesn't do a whole lot to encourage creativity nowadays (again, within my limit of experience). Some of it is undoubtedly a reflection of the culture as a whole. 'Art' is relegated to mere entertainment by our American culture. When you add to that our churchly penchant for apologetics and censorship, anything that is not the result of cold logic or pious 'taking out the worldly trash' gets squashed pretty quick.

It truly makes me sad.

Yeh ... Ann most definitely isn't a Christian but she made my world a more beautiful place and caused me to appreciate so many things, it is sad that some Christians feel like EVERYTHING except their religious structure and methods is worthless or evil. God made this world and even it's diminished state it is still wondrous to behold and it doesn't take a Christian to see it and tell it. This filthy arrogance that esteems itself the sole source of goodness and truth is frustrating and depressing to deal with. Not all Christians feel that way though.

 

[ezeric]

Brother Briareos, I never thought of you being an atheist, I always thought you were moved by HIS LOVE and that allowed you to love and try to understand people!

JESUS came for people- and HE loves them.(as you know already)
I praise the LORD JESUS for all that HE is doing with you/through you!

Note: I do believe in 'christian atheism' but don't get me started on that one.

As for Anne Rice.
Can't say I read any of her stuff, so I'm leaning on you for that.
Not a big fan personally of vampires etc..
Probably because I've seen evil first hand, seen demon possessed people and seen JESUS kick the devil out of them (powerful stuff) so I would not be quick to glorify or exalt darkness on purpose (I probably do enough of that stuff, by simply breathing and 'being' in life).

But JESUS said "If you confess ME before men, I will confess you before the FATHER".
So that would put her and many others in good standing - after all JESUS said it.

Also, from what little I read about her (again you would know way more), but she seems sick and tired of 'christian religion' or 'churchianity' as I like to call it. Most of the church that we see today is Babylon nothing close to the abundant SPIRIT life that we are supposed to have.

So, I think she (Anne) is being honest, and wanting more of the real thing then going to church (instead of being the church) and 'playing house' with GOD.

The reality is CHRIST. Colossians 2:17

Bless ya brother!

-eric

The Exchanged Life

 

[briareos]

I think she is too... and that is one reason I like her so much, her ideas are honest and compelling, worthy of much consideration... because she's honest, she's not putting on a show, she believes what she does, shes honest, she's incredibly intelligent and thoughtful... which means... her ideas and sentiments are generally worthy of much consideration. She is one of those people who I would really jump at the opportunity to just sit and listen to her talk for a while. The incredible ideas she puts into her fiction are eye opening and her thoughts about real life always compelling. She's brilliant.

But I think the common christian couldn't enjoy her work, she's sexual, she doesn't disvalue or discredit homosexuality, her vampire stories were generally about atheists though the tales of those atheists struggling with their beliefs were awesome to read. The conversations between Lestat (atheist) and David Talbot (believer) were amazing to read. The reasons Lestat doesn't believe seemed to prove atheism completely and yet David Talbot would completely redeem God before men and establish his wonder and reality... to the reader, not just Lestat.

She is amazing author and I am confident that she is an amazing person and I simply don't know how to think less of her because she refuses Christianity. Her not believing in God doesn't change the effect her work has had on me, im so impressed and pleased.

 

[Pal Handy]

Do you reckon it's wrong for Christians to go out to clubs and dance to music?

I was reading this answer on another site, I'm not sure I agree with it though:

Nightclubs exist primarily for two purposes: drinking alcohol and meeting members of the opposite sex, most often with sexual activity in mind. Yes, there is music and dancing, but primarily singles in particular go clubbing to drink and meet someone. Nightclubs are of the world, and while Christians are to be in the world, we are not to be of it. Being of the world means to be interested in and desiring those things that appeal to the sinful nature.
​

Mainly the "primarily singles ... go clubbing to drink and meet someone" part. I think that might be true for many, but I also think many actually enjoy music and dancing because it's fun. It just seems so much generalizing and throwing out the baby with the bathwater. I love music and art and stuff like that, I actually find it annoying being around others who are only there to get wasted and hookup; I also find it annoying being around folks who assume everyone is like that, because they're no fun and typically have bland taste in creative arts, they're like Sam The Eagle or something:

"Appeal to the sinful nature", what does that even mean? For example, sex appeals to virtually everyone, from pastors to porn stars. So does music, food, etc. So what does that even mean? I am convinced humans are supposed to experience physical / carnal / whatever you want to call it pleasure, and it is scrupulosity that holds some people back rather than legitimate morality.


Anyway... what are your thoughts on dance in general? Should we confine it to home and church? Should we only dance to "Christian" music? Should women dance when men are around or vice-versa? Is dancing with a partner who isn't your spouse inappropriate? Are some styles good and others bad?

I think that your motive is the key to the question if you should or shouldn't dance.

I know of a Godly Christian man that has taken up dance as a form
of recreation, exercise and a way to meet other people but he doesn't
go to bars or dance clubs but to competitions and events where dance
is lifted up as something more than a sexual mating ritual.

I think that your motive is very important to God and also I think that
if you are going to places that are full of darkness, drunkeness or filled with sexual
appetites and hedonism, you are inviting into your life the things of the world and
not really honoring God with your life, talents and abilities but following the wrong path.

Look at your own heart and ask yourself what your motives are
and ask yourself if you would feel comfortable if Jesus was with you when you went out dancing.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

I find "clubbing" disgusting. I'm sure there are people who just go there top socialize. But whenever I hear/see one all I see if drinking, sexual dancing...just sin all over the place. Now is it a sin to go to one? Well that depends on why you are going really. I would never put myself in that situation because theres to many temptation to sin.

 

[Goodbook]

Back to the OP

I love dancing. But I agree that there can be dancing that glorifies God and dancing that encourages sin.

Clubbing, yuk. All sweaty and showy..I don't really see that as dancing, as just an excuse to get high on alcohol and drugs and get hammered with mindnumbing noise. So I think I would agree, especially with nightclubs. And who said you had to go dancing in the dark, at night? You can dance at any time.

Competitive dancing..that's just Satan trying to make it into a sport with winners and losers and make people hate what is enjoyable freedom of expression.

Ballroom dancing - that's beautfiul and wonderful, I think when done well, its a way for people socialise and celebrate life.

There is dancing in the Bible - David danced with joy before the Lord
When the prodigal son came home his father put on a feast with music and dancing

I think in heaven there will be dancing. Don't get too legalistic about it (dancing without being married to someone..um.. ok, then how on earth did these people ever meet? contrary to whats on MTV, dancing isn't all about sex! )
I'm sure lots of churches and schools put on dances without alcohol or lewd music being played. As for the music.. well, these days what passes for music isn't actually music that you can really dance to so..Im not sure about that, you have to be discerning. I think a lot of pre-recorded music, commercial music is being put out by anti-christian music people, with their depressing lyrics but if you play your own tunes it's fine.

What passes for christian music these days isn't it just sounds like rock noise, I mean who are they trying to fool?

 

[Ark100]

I am a natural dancer. I used to dance in clubs, but now I dance for God, at church.
DANCING is great if its for the Glory of God.
There is a 'Holy dance'. I have done that before in the Spirit.

There are some kinds of moves which do NOT glorify God, which of course you find people do in clubs. But then there are dances which glorify God, and it makes Him smile and proud when you do it so much that you can feel His consent in the Spirit.

I dont fancy clubs anymore. I was an ardent club goer (now an ardent God pleaser) but when I visited one recently, I felt so out of place, it was all kind of smelly and just like I was not meant to be there. I know for a fact my place is in the house of God.

All to the LORD'S Glory