Society demands you shack up!

You know, sometimes some of my fellow Christians really freak me out. The site Guideposts for Teens published an article titled "100 Things to Do with Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend... Instead of it", which has been widely linked to by many other blogs, mainly because of how freakin' wierd it is. Even the title is amusing, avoiding the use of the word "sex" by means of the uncapitalised "it".

Another point of hilarity is the fact that a fair proportion of the points on the list could easily lead to sex. Come on now, Twister? Play hide-and-seek in a cornfield? And of course, the number one cause of sex: talking. I must confess my dirty mind had a good laugh at number 31: "Eat something you have never tried before".

But even stranger is another article on their site: "How to Answer the Boyfriend Question". Ms. Brzowski gives ten snappy answers for young girls to explain why they don't have a boyfriend, all of which are about as funny as watching a clown die of cancer.

Actually, that's pretty funny.

But seriously, if and when I have a daughter, I hope I remember to teach her that it's okay to not have a boyfriend. I also hope I remember to teach any sons I might have that it's okay to not have a girlfriend. Heck, I don't have a girlfriend. Don't get me wrong, I'd certainly like to have a girlfriend (particulary a tall and sarcy mynx), but this idea that you must have a partner to be complete is completely off the wall, and quite frankly, unbiblical.

If someone asks me do I have a girlfriend, my reaction is threefold. First, suspect their motives. If anyone has to ask that question, they don't know me enough for me to feel comfortable about them asking that question.

Second, get embarrased about the answer. I'm never going to erase from my mind the feeling that I'm not a complete person without a wife or girlfriend, no matter how unreasonable that is. That doesn't mean I have to let it rule my decisions, as it once did.

Third, answer "No". Just a plain and simple "No". That's all that I need to say. If they ask me why, I'll have to restrain myself from lecturing them. A girlfriend shouldn't be a thing you go out and get because you feel you need one.