Session Four

Tying in the Draft Statement to the Youth Study

 

Lines 358-361: "The image of God is given to all people and grounds the dignity and basic equality of all people. In terms of sexual relations, this image of God as shared by all people specifically stands against all forms of discrimination, abuse, and sexism. (Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:28)."

Lines 754- 759: " Matters of concern to both society and the church extend beyond abuse and molestation to organized sexual exploitation. Commercial sexual exploitation is widespread throughout the United States and around the world. It continues to grow and involves surprising numbers of youth by taking advantage of their vulnerabilities.31"

Lines 761-765: " This church strongly reaffirms its 2001 message, “Commercial Sexual Exploitation,” which states, “Sexual exploitation in any situation, either personally or commercially, inside or outside legally contracted marriage, is sinful because it is destructive of God’s good gift [of sexuality] and human integrity.” This message notes that this is especially true with respect to the demonic harm sexual exploitation visits on children and youth.32"

Lines 767-773: "Children and youth today live in a highly sexualized world. They are exposed early to patterns of adult sexuality and are pressured to think of themselves as sexual objects. Examples include child beauty contests, sexually suggestive clothing for children, and sexually charged prime time and cable television programs, which are watched by all ages. At an early age, many children listen to strongly sexual music that is deliberately marketed to them. They “date” as couples and engage in genital activity at earlier ages. Children are targets of sexual bullying, destructive language, and vicious humor."

Lines 913-922: "Erotic interest can also create conflicts and danger. These have to be faced honestly when one or both of the persons involved have already made promises of fidelity to another. These have to be recognized, also, whenever one of the involved persons does not welcome a deeper and more complicated closeness. Reintroducing distance into such friendships or breaking them off represents an acceptance of loss that requires courage and maturity. The violation of trusting relationships for sexual purposes is offensive, unacceptable, and when criminal, should be punished accordingly. This includes the violation of friendship through “acquaintance rape.”"

Lines 936-941: "Employers must pay particular attention to work relationships between colleagues, both where there are power differentials, and where the workplace environment is rendered sexually offensive or hostile by the conduct of coworkers. This church encourages the adoption and implementation of policies and practices designed to prevent and address sexual harassment on the job. This church also remains committed to its own efforts to make congregations, synods and churchwide offices safe and healthy places to live and work."