Research on dancing

[rkslperez]

Im doing research..


Why is it the Baptist Church does not allow dancing?

[JimfromOhio]

Actually biblically, dancing is allowed. However, there is a key issue. The issue is: Christians commonly teach that the Lord does not want us to do anything that might cause another Christian to stumble and fall in their Christian lives.

But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. (1 Cor. 8:9)

Most people view Baptists Legalism – A rigid conformity to religious tradition which I do sometimes agree. However, Baptist denominations need to explain better why dancing is discouraged rather than not allowable.

To me, Scriptures are telling me that dancing is allowable but discouraged.

Positive:
Psalm 149:3
Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

Negative:
Exodus 32:19 When they came near the camp, Moses saw the calf and the dancing. In terrible anger, he threw the stone tablets to the ground, smashing them at the foot of the mountain.

Dancing is allowable but at what level is allowable? Every Christians need to look at what kind of dancing we are dancing. Is our dancing glorify God? Am I dancing with my wife sinful? Is Ballroom dancing is a no-no? Is Square Dancing is a no-no? Am I dancing tasteful however I might cause another Christian to stumble.

I can go on and on.

I hope this helps.

[Athanasian Creed]

I agree with Jim - some might see dancing as a sensual, sexually arousing activity and, as such, leads people into temptation to sin. ;)


Ray :wave:

[mesue]

I don't belong to a Baptist Church that disallows dancing. But, I know of some that do. It depends on the type of dance. If you're sandwich dancing, or what ever it's called (looks like a human sandwich) then I can see where dancing is disallowed.

[White Horse]

The question is, "can Baptists dance?"

The answer is, "some can, some can't." ^_^ :clap:

[mesue]

The question is, "can Baptists dance?"

The answer is, "some can, some can't." ^_^ :clap:

http://bestsmileys.com/lol/4.gif

[rkslperez]

great thanks... this is very helpful!

I appreciate that help...makes sense ...

and a big LOL on the human sandwich dance.. I think that is what is called - "getting Jiggy with it"... or so I have heard ???


THANKS

[arunma]

At Sunday school a few weeks ago (well actually, it was the Thursday thing that our college Sunday school group does), someone turned on some rap music, and someone started dancing. No one seemed to mind...

Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with dancing. To say that we Christians cannot dance, drink, smoke, etc., is nothing but legalism. Saint Paul described the Judaizers as wicked men, and I'm afraid that this wickedness is slowly creeping back into the church. To be sure, smoking is harmful, excessive drinking is bad, and certain types of dancing ought not to be performed. But when we make these things into membership requirements, we're adding to the Gospel.

As to the issue at hand, there are certain types of dance that Christians shouldn't do (specifically, the types that are sexual in nature). But I don't see anything wrong with most forms of dancing.

[Scotty_Aussie87]

I've never before heard that Baptists aren't allowed to dance, I'm only recently old enough to go clubbing but have not gone 1) cos it doesn't seem like a place where a Christian would be able to live for God and 2) cos I never have any money anyway! However my parents and quite a few other couples from our Baptist Church are taking dancing classes so I don't think the rule applies in our church.

[arunma]

I've never before heard that Baptists aren't allowed to dance, I'm only recently old enough to go clubbing but have not gone 1) cos it doesn't seem like a place where a Christian would be able to live for God and 2) cos I never have any money anyway! However my parents and quite a few other couples from our Baptist Church are taking dancing classes so I don't think the rule applies in our church.

Well, clubbing and dancing aren't exactly the same thing. Maybe peoples' failure to distinguish between the two is the cause of the confusion here.

[BBAS 64]

The question is, "can Baptists dance?"

The answer is, "some can, some can't." ^_^ :clap:

Good Day, White Horse

"If Buba can dance I can too"


Bill

[arunma]

Hey, I just got an idea! I've got some friends who keep pressuring me to dance, despite that I have no talent. Could I weasel out of it by telling them that it's against my religion?

...wait, that would be lying!

[MrJim]

Well, clubbing and dancing aren't exactly the same thing. Maybe peoples' failure to distinguish between the two is the cause of the confusion here.

Definition please-some of us hermits don't get out much.

What is "clubbing"?

[arunma]

Definition please-some of us hermits don't get out much.

What is "clubbing"?

Clubbing is when people (usually around my age) go to a dance club to drink and dance with people of the opposite sex. Most Baptists don't participate in this because the night usually concludes with premarital sexual relations. Of course, it is possible to go clubbing without participating in any of this. For example, the student union at my university has a club in which lewd dance and drunkenness aren't permitted. That's about the only place I can think of that I'd go clubbing (if I could dance, that is).

[MrJim]

Clubbing is when people (usually around my age) go to a dance club to drink and dance with people of the opposite sex. Most Baptists don't participate in this because the night usually concludes with premarital sexual relations. Of course, it is possible to go clubbing without participating in any of this. For example, the student union at my university has a club in which lewd dance and drunkenness aren't permitted. That's about the only place I can think of that I'd go clubbing (if I could dance, that is).

:doh:

We just call that "hanging out at the bar".:P

There truly is "...nothing new under the sun..."

[kidsminister]

LOL!

I am not Baptist, but I graduated from a Baptist college...

One of our running jokes was:

Q: "Why doesn't Bethel allow premarital sex among students?"

A: "It could lead to dancing."

But rest assured, as a theatre major, I can say we were allowed to dance for purposes of choreography. We had jazz and ballet classes for gym credit. We even had a dance line for sporting events!

If you want a really good laugh, I highly recommend the song "Dancing is Not a Crime" from the musical version of Footloose. The play is SO much better than the movie - I hated the movie because it made Christians look really stupid. But the musical really gives the minister and his family some depth, as humans and as Christians...

But anyway, check out that song. It will make you laugh!!

[daveleau]

Im doing research..


Why is it the Baptist Church does not allow dancing?

When looking at passages regarding lustful thoughts and desires of humanity, dancing is assumed to always bring about lustful sin. Baptists that hold to this idea are looking more towards a legalistic view of Scripture rather than the free life through Christ that God has given us. Basically, they assume that any dance is going to lead to sin, rather than looking towards the Christian's ability to enjoy dance without sin. Baptists who hold this idea view all dancing as the type of "dirty" dancing that is seen in clubs.

While I am a member of a Baptist church that disallows dancing, I believe this is strictly traditional and legalistic. I disagree wholeheartedly with this concept because there are instances in Scripture where our forefathers danced for joy after God's blessings.

[Project 86]

LOL!

I am not Baptist, but I graduated from a Baptist college...

One of our running jokes was:

Q: "Why doesn't Bethel allow premarital sex among students?"

A: "It could lead to dancing."

But rest assured, as a theatre major, I can say we were allowed to dance for purposes of choreography. We had jazz and ballet classes for gym credit. We even had a dance line for sporting events!

If you want a really good laugh, I highly recommend the song "Dancing is Not a Crime" from the musical version of Footloose. The play is SO much better than the movie - I hated the movie because it made Christians look really stupid. But the musical really gives the minister and his family some depth, as humans and as Christians...

But anyway, check out that song. It will make you laugh!!

Do you happen to be talking about Bethel College in the Twin Cities? If so I know many people that attend there and I have been on campus a few times myself.

[ZiSunka]

Too many times, dancing means going to bars, and drinking and dancing leads to making the poor choice of getting all aroused then taking someone home for sex. And too many school dances get teenagers all wound up and they end up having sex in the back seat of their cars. Either way, dancing wasn't sinful but it lead to sinfulness.

[kidsminister]

Do you happen to be talking about Bethel College in the Twin Cities? If so I know many people that attend there and I have been on campus a few times myself.

I also answered your PM, but yes, I attended there from 1995-1997 (transferred in, and graduated in the fall of '97).

[ZiSunka]

Well, clubbing and dancing aren't exactly the same thing. Maybe peoples' failure to distinguish between the two is the cause of the confusion here.

I don't think there is any confusion. Clubbing and going out dancing are exactly the same thing. There's dancing with people of the opposite sex, drinking until your moral standards can be compromised, and eventually the high potential for sin. Even when there is no drinking involved, dancing can still get people in the mood for sex.

I have chaperoned junior high dances before and we had to keep a constant watch over the children and keep the lockerroom doors locked beause some kids kept sneaking away to feel each other up or even have sex. We had to break up more than one couple in the act. Of course we would call the parents to come pick up their kid and explain why, but some parents just had a "well kids will be kids" kind of attitude. They expected their kids to be sexually active at a dance because they had been sexually active at their junior high dances.