UPenn: Passion Works provided the impetus for a campus discussion on sexual assault this week as part of the annual “Take Back the Night” series of events aimed at raising consciousness about this topic. Unfortunately one in four college women will be sexually assaulted during her college years and far too many are in sexually abusive relationships. Rev Bev is using one of her newest characters from her one-woman show as the catalyst for this much-needed conversation. The event was held on Thursday, April 2. See the remarks Rev Bev made at the “speak out” here.

Philadelphia: Unitarians Invite Sex and Ethics Young Adult Discussion

Two women, Keri and Ms Virginia, have escaped Rev Bev’s one-woman show “An Irreverent Journey from Eggbeaters to Vibrators” and they are telling their stories about sex at the First Unitarian Church at 2125 Chestnut on Saturday, April 11 at 8 p.m. Sarah Lenzi, a PhD candidate at Penn and leader of the Young Adult group of First UU invites you to join Keri and Ms Virginia as the audience discusses the hook-up culture and sexual ethics with these two guests.

Philadelphia: The show “An Irreverent Journey from Eggbeaters to Vibrators” will be performed at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral on Friday 4/17 at 8 p.m. “People expect us to do some off the wall things like this.” said the interim rector, Lloyd Casson. Noting that this is an opportunity to address the void in the church theology, the United Methodist pastors, Rev. Michele Bartlow and Rev. David Tatgenhorst are encouraged by this work. First Unitarian church, whose pastor is Rev. Nate Walker and Tabernacle United Church, a Presbyterian and United Church of Christ pastored by Rev Patricia Pearce are also sponsoring the program with the Cathedral. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door for $10.00.

Harrisburg: Well over 100 people joined forces on March 31 to lobby the Harrisburg legislature for the passage of two bills that has bi-partisan support. The “Notice Home Act” requires those schools receiving abstinence-only funds to inform parents of what is NOT being taught to their children, such as medically accurate information on contraception and abortion, and to give them an option to opt-out. The second is the “Healthy Youth Act.” Decades ago the Harrisburg legislators mandated that because it is a health issue, all public school children be taught about HIV-AIDS. This bill requires that public schools instruct all youth in age-appropriate and medically accurate ways how one contracts sexually transmitted diseases and provide comprehensive sex ed. Because this is a health care issue, there is considerable interest on both sides of the aisle for its passage. It is unclear however at this point if the interest is sufficient. Rev Bev was assigned to talk to one legislator in particular because of the legislator’s religiously-based hesitation. “Christians know that to live a righteous life requires an ongoing discernment process. Our youth can’t do this if they don’t have adequate or accurate information.” said Dale.

The Pope makes global headlines by reiterating that no one should be using condoms, including those married couples with one partner who is infected. This stance was widely criticized by scientists and activists and the German bishops show signs of dissent.

The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and healing released its study called “Sex and the Seminary.” After reviewing 36 seminaries the Institute discovered none met all the criteria that would be needed to fully prepare men and women to address the very real sexuality issues in the parish and culture at large.

Some are noticing that those Christians who are traditionally sex-restrictive or repressive are now getting into sex…as long as there is a wedding ring. “In Sexing up the Religious Right” (Utne Jan/Feb 09), the author notes that this is still not changing their views on whether to give young people the truth about sexuality and their bodies. They still cling to abstinence-only education believing the lie that the more educated they are the more sexually active they will become.

Religious people who care about sexuality have been delighted at President Obama’s lifting the global gag rule that prevented family planning funds to be used by poor women in the developing world. In addition, we are advocating for an overturn of the dangerous “provider conscience” rule that allows doctors, nurses, pharmacies or health insurers to not provide medically appropriate and requested information about contraception or abortion. Regarding sex education, many of us are suggesting that, now that we know that the billions spent on abstinence-only programs have been ineffective, these federal funds would be more effectively used to teach what does work: comprehensive sex education.

....And on the RIDICULOUS side:

The administration at the University of Georgia felt they needed to apologize to the Catholic community because, as a health promotion on the use of condoms, a poster of Michaelangelo’s image of God reaching out to Adam had been modified to show a condom being exchanged!

Donate on line:   The Christian Association is a separate 501(c)3. As such we do not receive any funding from the University. We rely on the support of people like you who understand the importance of countering the sexual repression in our culture with a liberating message.  To support this ministry, please make a donation .

 

To unsubscribe from the PassionWorks News, send an email to passionworks-unsubscribe (at) upennca (dot) org

For assistance, please contact upennca@dolphin.upenn.edu

Copyright © 2009 The Christian Association. All rights reserved.