DinnerDialogue.com is a free service of Family Matters. Its purpose is to bring deeper and more open discussions to your family. Every weekday brings new news that opens up topics for discussion on moral, ethical and spiritual issues.

TODAY'S DIALOGUE - December 2, 2002
This page is updated weekdays by 2 pm PT.

Choosing Virginity - NEWSWEEK
There’s a sexual revolution going on in America, and believe it or not, it has nothing to do with Christina Aguilera’s bare-it-all video “Dirrty.” The uprising is taking place in the real world, not on “The Real World.” Visit any American high school and you’ll likely find a growing number of students who watch scabrous TV shows like “Shipmates,” listen to Eminem—and have decided to remain chaste until marriage.

• This is a MUST DO for every family. It's a rather lengthy article but it has a lot of good material to discuss. For the younger kids maybe just stick to the facts of life, even as young as 6. For your older children, use the questions below to get the dialogue rolling. This would be a great "Date Night" topic - a one-on-one time with you and your child. Make sure it's at a place where your child won't be worried or stressed about others listening in on your conversation. If you don't think they would be comfortable talking in a restaurant, get take out and make your house into a restaurant (be creative). Be sure to keep it one-on-one, just you and one child or both you and your spouse and one child.
  
  
• What are the most important qualities you are looking for in a spouse? Do you hope to merry someone who is a virgin? What if you find that perfect person, but, the only negative is that they are not a virgin?
  
  
• Do the views of those interviewed in the article reflect the views of most students in your school? What about the views of your friends?
  
  
• What do you think the schools should teach about sex? What are they teaching now? What is your view on the material they are teaching? Do you think it's better to talk about protection or abstinence or both? Explain.
  
  
• What is your strategy on staying pure? What can you do to stay out of situations that may cause you to give in or compromise on your standards?
  
  
• Why do you think kids are drawn so much to sex? What need do you think they are trying to fill in their lives?(security) What are some other ways they can fulfill those needs? (a relationship with Jesus Christ)
  
  
• How do you explain your stance on this issue when it comes up? What are the reactions of those you have told? How did you feel when the discussion was over? How do back up your views Biblically? Hebrews 13:4; Acts 15:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Matthew 15:19; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 6:9, 18
  

Check out the Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right by Tim Kimmel (proceeds go toward DinnerDialogue and Family Matters).

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SIDE ORDERS - other news from today

A New Crusade? -
The nation's leading evangelical Christians have been thundering against Islam, both from the pulpit and on television.

Radio City Christmas is a treat -- until it decends into preachiness - Star-Telegram
But to lure spectators of all faiths (and non-faiths) with the promise of an entertaining holiday revue, and then to ambush them with Christian theology, is dated and borderline offensive, especially at a time when understanding of other cultures and beliefs is more important than ever.

Judge's Biblical Monument Is Ruled Unconstitutional - New York Times (free registration required)
Civil liberties groups accused Justice Moore of turning a courthouse into a church. But his popularity only grew. Not long ago, Justice Moore was a little-known county judge with a homemade plaque of the Ten Commandments tacked to his courtroom wall. Now he was an Alabama folk hero.

LEFTOVERS - previous dialogues

Tuesday - November 19, 2002

Study finds steady fall in benevolence

Monday - November 18, 2002

Cell Phone Users Need to Call Miss Manners

Thursday - November 14, 2002

New Cars Include Black Boxes

Wednesday - November 13, 2002

Party planning Potter protest

Monday - October 21, 2002

Cosmetic Surgery

Tuesday - October 15, 2002

This Just In: Skunks Stink

Thursday - October 10, 2002

Apparently, money can buy happiness.

Click here for more Leftovers