The recent VMA awards has sparked a debate or should I say a conversation that I believe needs to be ongoing. It is a topic that has taken the backseat because of its unpopularity in our over sensualized culture . I’m talking about the promise to remain a virgin until married. This is being done by wearing a ring symbolic of this promise. Its called a promise ring.
The host of the VMA awards Russell Brand made fun of the Jonas Brothers for wearing these rings. His comments brought some backlash even from Paris Hilton. His remarks were, ‘Well done the Jonas Brothers. Each wear a ring to say they are not going to have sex,’ he said. ‘I’d take them more seriously if they wore it around their genitals. Did anyone comment about his tight pants?
In a recent article sex guru Paris Hilton chimes in, “I think that they’re all really good kids and that they’re definitely our next generation of kids and they’re all really good, so I think that’s awesome”.
Fellow singer Jordin Sparks, who wears a purity ring, came out swinging not holding any punches when she presented an award. “I just have one thing to say about promise rings. It’s not bad to wear a promise ring, because not everybody – guy or girl – wants to be a slut,” she told the audience, which cheered in response.
On the Today Show with Meredith Vieira, two sides were represented debating the merits of the promise ring. (You can view the debate if you have about six minutes to spare or read the transcript). Even though the promise ring is symbolic, it represents a deeper conviction – a decision of the heart. Why can’t we believe in our youth who would make such a decision? Why can’t we believe that they have the fortitude to follow through on this decision? Why can’t we speak positively over their lives instead of negativity?
I believe this abstinence message ought to be taught right along with the so-called safe sex message that planned parenthood promotes. Give them these choices and see which they will choose. Don’t just teach one side, teach both.
Those who say that the abstinence message is void of protection “talk” is mistaken. Whenever I teach abstinence I talk about the failure of the so-called safe sex message. I cover how condoms can fail and the various methods of contraceptives in the context of abstinence. I also talk about the rise in STDs because of promiscuity and most importantly that there is no condom made yet to protect the heart. So protection is taught only from another angle.
Way to go Jordan Sparks and Jonas Brothers. Go against the flow. Oh how we need more of you guys at this time using your platforms in this debate.
"who are you & what do you want" ... good read"
There is nothing going against the flow with the promise ring angle. Little Miley Cyrus has one and she alludes alludes to anything but the virginal angle.
I’m not against promise rings, let me just say that now, but I do find it tedious that half the country has now been called a slut by Jordin Sparks by her hasty comment (made out of anger and complete lack of sense of humor – at least the sort of sense of humor that a UK comedian holds). I also find it ridiculous the praise a group of celebrities for holding on to their virginity in the public eye because didn’t Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Mandy Moore and a horde of others have all done the same thing in the past. We all saw what happened when they broke away from the music manufacturer that created them – instant whoredom, or at least what Jordin Sparks would consider whoredom.
Is waiting until your married a good idea? Sure, archaic as it seems in this day and age, but it is. Condemning a group of people who choose not to wear a promise ring a potential slut an novel idea? No. It’s just as ignorant as making fun of one’s “personal choice.”
I don’t think Jordin Sparks meant that if u don’t wear a promise ring your a slut. i think she just means that you should wait until marriage and you don’t have to wear a promise ring to do it and i believe she is very right. She might have just placed her words the wrong way.
“ennuiprayer1″ – I agree with you that Jordin Sparks choice of words may not have been the best. She may have spoken out of her emotions at the time in trying to make a strong message to counter what Russell had said. She only had a few minutes to try and rebut Russell’s mocking of the Jonas Brothers and I believe she was doing it as forcefully as she could. I believe she would have chosen another way of saying it if she had the time.
You are right. There have been others in the past who has said such and then moved on to another lifestyle, but this does not disqualify those who are serious and have such convictions.
I have to disagree. I was watching the VMAs when it happened. There was enough time between her getting up to present and Russell’s opening act to think about her words before opening her mouth and speaking.
I know I shouldn’t disqualify them, but the truth of the matter is, we only know the now. What happens tomorrow or the next day is up in the air. Celebrities, as we may already know, aren’t filled with convictions, but what they’re puppet masters tell them is right. Why do you think Disney had Miley Cyrus “apologize” about the Vanity Fair stint?
Now I’m not disagreeing with you about the saving yourself. It’s a novel idea in this world and I think it should be treasured by those who carry such convictions. However, when we start looking at those who only say and do things because those at the controls say they should, then perhaps we have already failed those who are serious in those convictions.
I’m just saying that if you let some heckler like Russell Brand get to you, then you’ve already let him win. It’s a very “Christian” (as many other religions also have the same – for lack of a better word – attribute of knowing that there will be other people who are going to attack them on their beliefs. The best thing to do is remain meek before becoming a heckler yourself. Or, at the very least, wait until you have a moment to refresh your thoughts, words and cool down a bit yourself before making a statement that is both hurtful and hasty to a large public who have decided not to wait and haven’t been promiscuous either.
“ennuiprayer1″ – you have said it well and I do agree with you that there are better ways to have done it than Jordin did. I don’t know if she purports to be a Christian so I don’t know if her response is being informed from a biblical view or just her moral convictions. But, you hit some very good and interesting points.
[...] Brothers cry in their dressing room. I don’t know. And I don’t care. I just know if The Jonas Brothers wear those rings proudly and if they are sincere about it, then not Brand, me, Drunken Stepfather, or anyone should bother [...]
i agree!!!
The jonas brothers should be allowed to wear a promise ring if they want, its not up to anyone else if they have sex or not, or whether they wait till marriage or they don’t, its their choice, and if they want to do that, they can. If people dis them, or anyone else who has a promise ring of some sort, they obviously don’t know what it means to the people who wear them. The jonas brothers should be able to walk around or read things without having comments about their promise rings.
I think that people should leave the jonas brothers, and anyone else who wears a promise ring of some sort alone, they have a right to wear it.
i hope people read this. People who have criticized the jonas brothers, or hurt them. i hope they read this too.
i hope the jonas brothers read the things that is on this page. they would be proud for some of the comments coming from people.
<3 xx
Well, I am a huge Russell Brand fan so obviously I am going to be quite irritated at this remark – “Did anyone comment about his tight pants?” Because his tight trousers are obviously the most sexy thing ever so I think whoever wrote this deserves a smack to be quite honest.
And, I think the Jonas Brothers are quite pathetic for having promise rings and I found what Russell said funny. Not having promise rings doesn’t make you a slut hahahah silly little virgins.
I am in full agreement of promise rings. I do not wear one as i feel you do not need to wear a ring to promote abstinence. I don’t agree however to the comment “not everyone wants to be a slut.” For somepeople marriage is evrything for others it is nuisance. I think people should just go with their beliefs and except them. If someone doesn’t want to get marries you don’t call them a slut. Pease to sexual abstinence.
Ged…