LETTERS: PROFOUND VOW TO ABSTAIN FROM SEX

To the editor:

On Jan. 14, many of the youth of Lynwood Baptist Church participated in a ceremony called True Love Waits. The church was decorated beautifully as if for a wedding. The ceremony itself involved the youths who chose to participate and their parents. In the ceremony, vows were exchanged before God and the church stating that each youth participating would remain sexually pure until marriage. The parents gave their teen-agers rings, necklaces or some other symbol of these vows that the teen-agers are to wear until their wedding night, when they will give the symbols of their purity to their spouses. Even those teen-agers who may have already lost their virginity could take this vow.

It was a beautiful and very moving ceremony, both for the parents and their teen-agers. For several weeks before, there was great emphasis on the importance and seriousness of taking this vow. The teen-agers were encouraged to take the vow but not to take it lightly. Parents were encouraged to talk with their teens at home, also emphasizing the seriousness of taking a vow before God. If a teen-ager wasn't sure that he really wanted to take this step, then there was to be no pressure. Each one had to be sure that this was the right thing. My daughter and I had several discussions over the weeks. She was very sure this was what she needed to do. I am so incredibly proud of her.

When I placed the ring on my daughter's finger, there was a peace that entered my heart. I know this is not a 100 percent guarantee that she will remain safe between now and the time she marries several years down the road. There are such tremendous pressures from society today. Twenty-five years ago, virginity was the norm before marriage. In the present time, it is considered something to be reviled and looked down upon by so many. A young man in his sophomore years shared how he had taken a similar vow when he was 13 years old. Now that he is dating, he realizes how very difficult it is to keep, but he is so glad he did it when he was young. He intends to keep his vow, even though he is made fun of by some of his peers. I know my daughter is strong and loves God. I repeat: I am incredibly proud of her. I am proud of all of our youths who had the strength and courage to take this vow.

Our youths need all the loving support and encouragement we can give them to keep them safe, healthy and on the right road. I believe many of our youths received just that on Feb. 14. Can you imagine the change in statistics of teen-age problems if all of our teen-agers were exposed to this kind of support and encouragement?

TERRI ROGERS TATE

Jackson