Exodus International - Youth Around the World Make a Stand for Sexual Purity

In these days when our sexualized culture constantly pushes youth to experiment sexually during their early teen age years, it is startling to learn that many youth are rejecting the cultural message and choosing to live by traditional values. Despite the best efforts of pop icons and lewd television, youth often listen to their parents and pastors and wait until marriage for sexual expression.

This Valentine's Day, teens across the country will take a stand for their values by participating in the Day of Purity. We are encouraged by this display of bravery! If you would like to help organize a group of students for the Day of Purity, please check out the website at dayofpurity.org for all the resources you will need. Please read this release from Liberty Counsel, as well.

Liberty Counsel's Day of Purity Notice

The good news from a recent NBC News and People Magazine poll is that 42% of teens who are not sexually active attribute that choice to religious or moral beliefs. The poll, however, reveals that nearly 30% of young teens reported being sexually active, with half of them engaging in oral sex. In fact, 43% of teens don't consider oral sex as sexual intercourse, even though there are significant risks associated with oral sex.

On February 14, 2005, millions of youth around the world will make a public statement for sexual purity as they participate in the second annual Day of Purity. The Day of Purity, a project of Liberty Counsel, is designed for youth of all ages, including those at the elementary and college levels as well as young adults, who commit to delay sexual activity until marriage. Within a few weeks after announcing the first Day of Purity in 2004, youth leaders from several thousand schools joined with several hundred organizations across America in celebrating sexual purity.

The Day of Purity quickly spread to seven foreign countries. A list of some of the supporting organizations is posted at DayOfPurity.org. The Day of Purity is designed to encourage youth to remain sexually pure and counter the message that early sexual activity is healthy and normal. One freshman health textbook tells students that "testing your ability to function sexually and give pleasure to another person may be less threatening in your early teens with people of your own sex". You may come to the conclusion that growing up means rejecting the values of your parents." Other organizations readily admit to trying to steer our youth away from traditional values. The Day of Purity offers youth the opportunity to counter that message.

The Day of Purity web site, allows anyone to download a planning manual and informative flyers on a variety of topics for distribution, order a Day of Purity T-shirt, and review startling statistics concerning the effect of early sexual activity.

On the Day of Purity, youth are encouraged to wear a Day of Purity T-Shirt or white clothing to symbolize sexual purity. Call 1-800-671-1776 for more information. Rena Lindevaldsen, International Coordinator for the Day of Purity, commented, "The Day of Purity gives all of us an immediate opportunity to make a positive difference, to change lives, to restore our culture."

Mathew Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, said: "Now is the time for every one who is concerned about the moral depravity of this culture to stand with our youth. Millions of youth have rejected the MTV culture. They want to be respected for who they are instead of being viewed as sexual objects to be used or discarded at will."

Scott Davis is the Director of Exodus Youth, a division of Exodus. Scott oversees ministry to youth who are overcoming homosexuality and equips the church to respond to homosexuality among youth. He is passionate about God's awesome grace for all people and His wonderful design of gender and sexuality.