Silver Ring Thing
From RationalWiki
Silver Ring Thing is a Christian organization that attempts to convince teenagers to abstain from sex until marriage. It was founded in 1995 by Denny Pattyn, an evangelical Christian youth minister from Arizona. He believed that modern society had developed an unhealthy obsession with sex, thanks to the "promiscuity of the sexual revolution of the ‘60s".[1] He was also concerned that teenagers were at increasing risk of STDs and pregnancy as a result.
Those who take the pledge are given a silver "purity ring" inscribed with a Biblical verse to wear as an outward sign of their desire to remain "pure" until marriage.
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[edit] Success rates
For a more in depth treatment of the success rates of abstinence based sexual health initiatives, see the main article, Abstinence programs
An eight year study by researchers at Yale and Columbia universities has shown that these public virginity pledges have little impact on STD rates, and that, furthermore, those having "taken the pledge" are more likely to experiment with oral and anal sex.[2] This ingenious shift to upholding the letter, rather than the spirit, of their pledges is a heartening sign of teenagers' determination to fuck despite the earnest exhortations of their killjoy youth pastors.
[edit] The ring as a religious symbol
The court ruling found in favour of the school and decided that the ring was in no way a religious artifact.[4] Lydia's comment after the trial showed all the usual persecution complex hallmarks:
| “ | Slowly, over time, people such as school governors, employers, political organizations and others will be allowed to stop Christians from publicly expressing and practicing their faith. | ” |
[edit] What to do if you don't want to stay pure
Wear a purity ring or a purity necklace for a date. Your boyfriend will see that as a challenge.
