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Post by not a dancer on May 21, 2006 15:23:25 GMT -5
When I was in my pre-teens my family attended sunday morning meetings at the Dave Ostlund home, in Federal Way, Washington. On the wall in the living room (the mtg room) hung a picture of a group of children holding hands and dancing in a circle. I thought it was a nice enough picture, but thought little about it. Then one day after meeting, mom, voiced her doubts as to the appropriateness of having a picture of dancing being displayed in the room where attended sunday morning meetings.
It had never crossed my innocent young mind that a painting depicting children dancing might be something bad & possibly ungodly. I don't remember what-if anything-I might have said in reply to mom's dismay. I did learn over the subsequent years that dancing was bad. I was puzzled when I learned that there were occasions when the Israelites danced & David (?) is said to have danced...and it apparently was OK.
I suppose somewhere in the New Testament Jesus or Paul is quoted as banning dancing...right?
At any rate I have never danced a step in my life. At age 55 I don't believe I will ever dance; don't really want to...but I enjoy watching people dance. I personally have nothing against it...do you?
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Post by justamom on May 21, 2006 16:30:04 GMT -5
Nope I don't have anything against dancing.. and when I was younger and would go out dancing on the weekends..I had lots of fun and it sure was good excersize......
I remember dancing with my neices a few years ago and my mom got a lil bit upset because I was setting a bad example for them....
Here in Hawaii we have every May a program where all the kids learn a hula or another dance and they perform it for the community... There are professing kids at my daughter's school, and they all get up and dance for the MayDay performance and their family and friends come and watch them and support the kids.....
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Post by dancing on May 21, 2006 16:34:56 GMT -5
dancing is fine as long as it is keep within the bounds of innocents.
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Post by justamom on May 21, 2006 17:04:57 GMT -5
what are the bounds of innocents?
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BC
Senior Member
Posts: 852
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Post by BC on May 21, 2006 17:10:52 GMT -5
There is nothing wrong with dancing. I have danced at my sisters wedding I've danced at engagements etc. Yes there are many instances in the scripture where there was dancing. To me though there is one point, and that is the reason for dancing and the atmosphere that the dancing is taking place. If for example everyone is drinking, getting drunk and trying to pick up a partner for the night, such as at nightclubs etc, then this I wouldn't participate in because it is surounded by things that I don't agree with as a Christian. Yeah I know it sounds pompass but that is my conviction on the matter.
[shadow=red,left,300]Regards BC[/shadow]
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Maggie
Senior Member
Posts: 347
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Post by Maggie on May 21, 2006 17:48:43 GMT -5
......If for example everyone is drinking, getting drunk and trying to pick up a partner for the night, such as at nightclubs etc, then this I wouldn't participate in because it is surounded by things that I don't agree with as a Christian......... [shadow=red,left,300]Regards BC[/shadow]No, not really so pompous but more just faulty reasoning. You probably would also see hand shaking, pats on the back, sitting around telling about what happened during the day etc.... or any number of other behaviours you would see at a potluck at your home or another event. So it is really not the "dancing" that you find so unchristian as it is the other behaviours such as getting drunk, sexual immorality or however you would like to describe it. That so many f&w unthinkingly lump it all together and flatly abhor all dancing is just plain silly. But of course it is understandable. That is what they have been taught and they haven't had the courage to think it through. They have swallowed the lies and teach them to their children.
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BC
Senior Member
Posts: 852
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Post by BC on May 21, 2006 18:11:34 GMT -5
No, not really so pompous but more just faulty reasoning. You probably would also see hand shaking, pats on the back, sitting around telling about what happened during the day etc.... or any number of other behaviours you would see at a potluck at your home or another event. So it is really not the "dancing" that you find so unchristian as it is the other behaviours such as getting drunk, sexual immorality or however you would like to describe it. That so many f&w unthinkingly lump it all together and flatly abhor all dancing is just plain silly. But of course it is understandable. That is what they have been taught and they haven't had the courage to think it through. They have swallowed the lies and teach them to their children. Hi Maggie, I have been to many night clubs etc and the loudness of the music doesn't allow for pleasantries and conversation it really only promotes drink, music, passion, and good times. As I said it is nothing to do with the dancing but everything to do with what is enveloped with it. So hope you can see where I take my view from maggie. [shadow=red,left,300]Regards BC[/shadow]
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Post by bluejay on May 21, 2006 18:43:50 GMT -5
Funny things have been happening to my viewpoints since I've been asking God to guide all my thoughts and actions. I use to attribute all the "warnings" from my professing family as being legalistic. Now I see that it's not so black and white. Maybe that's where the older professing generation were weak in teaching us to use our judgment in each and every situation, instead of just labeling so much as "sin" across the board. Dancing isn't wrong, but in some situations it can sure lead you down a road you ought not to travel as a Christian. I have to agree with BC here. I spent many an evening in my younger heathen years in night clubs dancing and drinking. It's not a great place to have meaningful conversations. Most times you can't hear a thing, and the smokey air use to just pervade everything. I've noticed now that when young people are out dancing, most girls are pretty skimpily dressed, the guys are plenty aware of that, liquor is flowing like a torrent, and I have to wonder where the evening will end. Why put yourself in such a vulnerable position for temptation? I still enjoy dancing, and have noticed now at weddings, etc. that most men prefer to sit and chat, while us ladies like to kick up our heels. Often you'll see a group of gals dancing together, laughing and having a good 'ol time, while our hubbies remain sitting. (Or maybe others have been fortunate enough to marry a guy that enjoys dancing??) Given that context, I see no harm what-so-ever in dancing. It's a good form of exercise, and there are just some songs that entice me outta the chair and on to the dance floor. To every thing ..... there is a season ...
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Post by thankyou on May 21, 2006 20:57:15 GMT -5
There is nothing wrong with dancing. I have danced at my sisters wedding I've danced at engagements etc. Yes there are many instances in the scripture where there was dancing. To me though there is one point, and that is the reason for dancing and the atmosphere that the dancing is taking place. If for example everyone is drinking, getting drunk and trying to pick up a partner for the night, such as at nightclubs etc, then this I wouldn't participate in because it is surounded by things that I don't agree with as a Christian. Yeah I know it sounds pompass but that is my conviction on the matter. [shadow=red,left,300]Regards BC[/shadow]thankyou for explaining the bounds of innocents.
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Post by Moniker on May 21, 2006 23:36:29 GMT -5
Having grown up in a professing family, I never learned to dance and am scared to death of making a fool of myself. BUT. I recently took square dance lessons. I LOVE IT! No artistic or athletic talents needed. Ya just gotta know how to walk, turn and count. We need YOU! It's a wonderful way to meet new friends.
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Post by OKAY on May 22, 2006 0:56:18 GMT -5
dancing is fine as long as it is keep within the bounds of innocents. Whose bounds?
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Post by Time to go home on May 22, 2006 3:15:42 GMT -5
When I went to nightclubs dancing (?) we used to apoint a guy as a homer.
That is, you pick the uglest guy in the room, when he looks good, its time to go home.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2006 8:34:54 GMT -5
One of the few things that I regret about my childhood was that I never learned to dance -- and now at my age it seems beyond my capacity.
My wife loves dancing -- and avidly teaches my children the expression involved in music and dancing. They love it, and yet I feel like an elephant when I try. It is not of major importance to me -- but I wish that I could feel the expression and beauty that they feel when they dance. My youngest girl (5 years old) gets up and dances as soon as she hears any kind of swingy music.
An extremely silly assumption is that dancing is limited to drunken bars and 'let-loose' parties. At most birthday parties and social get togethers in our home, it is common that the chairs get pushed back, and the stereo is turned up and most folks enjoy becoming part of the music for a few minutes. Not everyone enjoys dancing, so I am not alone -- but it is times like this that a do have regrets for never learning how to move my feet (and body) to music as the rest of my family can.
My 9 year old daughter won a prize at a recent school event for the beauty of her dancing -- and I was proud of her!! I would resent anyone suggesting that her dancing put her at any moral disadvantage over non-dancers.
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Post by amazed on May 22, 2006 8:42:37 GMT -5
I know exactly what you mean Edgar. Being a b&r, I never learned to dance. Now, I want so much to, but feel like a stiff clod on the dance floor. I can't even dance to the beat even though I grew up learning the piano, music, timing etc. I just can't seem to break past that internal barrier. When I go to weddings I admire all the people who can go up there and dance and look great, while I sit at the table alone!
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Post by DanceFever on May 22, 2006 9:48:46 GMT -5
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Post by Jessi on May 22, 2006 16:45:37 GMT -5
Hello. I'm Jessi. I was B&R and when I got away from it, I had NO beliefs, really. Tried everything. I felt bad that I couldn't dance and always wanted to take dancing lessons. But then the Christ of God revealed Himself to me--and I'm glad I didn't waste my money! I don't believe that, under the right conditions, there is anything wrong with dancing. I just have another pasttime and don't care to learn now.
I did read for myself some things I have listed here. Seems the biblical dancers were mostly dancing for the Lord in praise.
Positive references to dancing Job 21:11 (children dancing)
(TO PRAISE THE LORD IN JOY & TO THANK HIM) OT: Ex 15:20, 11:34, 1 Sam 18:16, 21:11, II Sam 6:14, 16, I Chron 15:29 Psalm 30:11, 149:3, 150:4, Ecc 3:4, Is 31:4
NT: Luke 15:25 (The parable of the Prodigal Son)
According to what I read in the Bible, nothing forbids dancing. But what kind of music is it and for what reason is one dancing? If it is to praise the Lord . . . David danced before the Lord WITH ALL HIS MIGHT (II Sam 6:14).
There are places in the NT that talk about being sober (1 Thess 5:8 is about spiritual warfare, not much about dancing, but being serious about defending the faith). Having self control (Gal 5:22, fruit of the spirit) seems important.
Titus 1:8 - But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate . . . ) Doesn't sound like I should probably go out to a bar and dance to the music of the world. Holy is separate, set apart, different from the world (Ex 19:5), 14:2, Deut 26:18, Titus 2:141 Peter 2:9).
But dancing to praise and worship songs and dancing in the joy of the Lord, I think is VERY COOL!!!! Nowhere in the Bible does it forbid dancing and praising the Lord. That is why he made us! To worship Him and bring Him glory!
Ephesians 5:17+ 17. Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18. And be not drunk with wine, whereinis excess; but be filled with the spirit; 19. Speaking to yourselves in songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Grace to you, Jessi
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