*DISCLAIMER: I am not hating on purity rings, or people that wear them...as always, just my thoughts*
I got you with the title, didn't I? Of course I did.
1) I never got around to getting one when I was younger.
As I got older, I decided not to get around to getting one. Because:
2) To me, wearing a purity ring seems like the pretty equivalent of wearing a sticky note on your forehead that says, "I AM A VIRGIN. GO AHEAD AND ASK ME WHY." ...Do I need people to ask me about my sex life, or lack thereof? MOREOVER, is one of the functions of a purity ring an excuse for teenagers to talk about sex? Sorry, but I don't necessarily want the first thing that people think when they see me (and my purity ring) to be, "She's got a purity ring. She's a virgin." Stay classy, Planet Earth.
3) If I did want the aforementioned thought to be the first thing people notice about me, then as a Christian, the fact that I am not wearing a wedding ring SHOULD be evidence enough that I am, in fact, a virgin. Since when do we have to wear a purity ring to let people know that we're remaining pure? Why can't we just BE PURE!
Of course I believe in purity. Of course I believe true love waits. But that doesn't mean I want to have a conversation with any random person that happens to notice a purity ring on my finger about how I'm waiting to have sex until I get married.
Love,
Shelley
Amen. Someone who makes sense.
ReplyDeleteDo purity rings commonly have the word "pure" or "virgin" on them? I had one, but it just had vines on it. The whole idea is silly though, and I agree that it's more about piety than anything else.
ReplyDeleteI found this really interesting....I've never worn a purity ring, but I have worn a promise ring since I was 16, and not so that people would question me about my sex life (or lack thereof). Instead, it is a ring that my dad gave me that symbolizes that my heart belongs to him until I give it to someone else. It's kinda like my pledge to let him protect me until I hand that job over to my husband. I wear it on my ring finger and someday it will be replaced by my engagement ring and wedding band. Don't get me wrong, my dad is not going to pick my husband, nor does he "control" my life, it's just a symbol that I want him to be a part of my life, and take care of me until my husband takes over. He's promising to care for me, and I'm promising to let him... if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteWhile, I agree. The fact that it's become a fad that girls don't take seriously anymore is frustrating to me, I like purity rings. Or, I guess I should say I like MY purity ring. But that's because it's different. When I was 12 or so, my Mom and I took a weekend to ourselves for me to learn all she wanted to teach me about becoming a woman and staying pure as I grew into adulthood. When I got back home, my Dad took me to dinner and asked me if I wanted to make the commitment to remain pure till marriage. I thought about it long and hard, not because I didn't want to remain pure, but because when I make commitments to my Dad, I never break them and I had to honestly ask myself if this is something I was ready to commit to, until marriage. When I said yes, my Dad gave me the ring(mine just has a heart in the middle with a flower on either side), and said that just as the wedding band is a symbol of that commitment to my husband, would I wear this "purity ring" as a symbol of the commitment to myself, him and to God.
ReplyDeleteBecause this made complete sense to me, and because my Dad got it for me as a gift from himself and was actually ahead of the trend(I didn't start seeing "purity rings" in the Christian circles until several years later), it means alot more to me. So even though it's just become a fad to a lot of girls, I still like the idea and don't have any problem with the ring. Ok...I've said my piece. haha
@Anonymous...just out of curiosity, where do you or your dad get the idea that your heart should belong to him until you get married? Your heart is YOURS to give to whomever God calls you. I've never liked the idea that a daughter's heart belongs to her father. Do you have Scripture to back it up?
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything wrong with a sticky note on your forehead that says "I'm a virgin, go ahead and ask me why." What a great opportunity to share the gospel! Example:
ReplyDelete"What's that ring?"
"It's a ring that reminds me of my vow to God to stay pure and save myself for my husband."
"Wow, you really believe in that stuff?"
"Yes, I do. Jesus Christ has totally changed my life."
That said, wear a ring...don't wear a ring. It really doesn't matter. All that matters is what is in your heart and mind and the actions that flow from what is within. If Jesus has taken over your life, then people will see Him shining out with or without a ring.
I phrased that slightly wrong. My heart is my own, and it does not belong to my dad. The promise ring I wear symbolizes my willingness to allow my parents to have a say in my life. This does not mean that they will make my decisions for me, it means that they are there for me if and when I need their help. They're there for me, to council me when I need it, and love me no matter what. I don't have any particular scriptures saying that a daughter ought to give her heart to her father, but there are many scriptures telling children to heed their parents' instruction (Prov. 1:8, 4:1, 6:20, 13:1,...). Sorry if this is unclear... I'm running very low on sleep and I've got a ton on my plate right now. What I believe (and I want to say) is clear to me, but I'm afraid it's coming out all jumbled.
ReplyDeleteI think it's fine either way. I wear a purity ring as a reminder to myself more than a symbol to everyone else. That is the true point of the purity ring. Sure, others notice, and I don't have a problem with it.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that my virginity is the first thing people notice about me. Even if it is, it doesn't bother anyone. Besides, I am a virgin, and if the same should be assumed without wearing a ring, there is no difference. The problem is that that assumption cannot be made in our culture because of the lack of difference in Christians' behavior to the behavior of nonbelievers.
A purity ring should be a symbol that we are different. Of course, wearing it is not all-important, and I agree, our behavior should be enough to reflect our difference from the world. Simply put, I like what the purity ring stands for. I also respect what you're saying. It's a pity the way our world works sometimes.
My favorite has been the countless people you ask me if my ring is a purity ring...here's the conversation:
ReplyDelete"Hey, what's your ring for?"
"Nothing. I just wear it."
"Oh. I thought it was a purity ring."
"Yes, it's a purity ring. I was just kidding. That's why it has a cross on it, because the cross is for Jesus, and He protects me from evil sex demons."
When we enter a world where not only girls are flaunting their purity around for all to see, but guys are expected to as well, I think we are crossing a dangerous line from following the Bible's instruction to remain sexually pure in Christ into "Look at me! I'm not having sex, so I'm a good person!" territory. One doesn't need a purity ring, or a statement of purity, or a sticky note, or anything, when one simply puts CHRIST first. If He is first, sex won't be a problem, and neither will purity rings.