The Los Angeles Times reported on Monday that there is a
rise of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in their city and in the country.
 |
| Photo courtesy of L.A. Times |
Some blame lack of
testing, while others blame the rise of online dating apps. Either way, there is a rising concern about
the spread of STD’s among people under the age of twenty-five.
The LA Times article even mentioned how a greater
recognition of this situation and motivation to do something about it, came
from discussions people were having with friends. This does not exclude co-workers.
The L.A. County's
Health Department is determined to provide the testing materials needed to help
inform youth if they test positive to STD’s.
This discussion of concern began in the end of November,2015. December 1st is World AIDSDay. The New York Times reported on the rise
of HIV in China’s youth and The Chicago Tribune covered the rise of HIV in Russia.
“By 2016, the country's(Russia) Federal AIDS Center
estimates the total number of those diagnosed with HIV will reach 1 million.” - Chicago Tribune (country distinction mine)
This is a cross-cultural concern.
Are you or I prepared to answer questions our co-workers
have about STD’s? Can we answer with the
perspective of a Christ follower?
In Sex & Money by
Paul David Tripp, it is expressed that “We’re (specifically American culture)
in trouble because…what the human community tends to look at as normal isn’t
normal at all” (pg.21 - clarification mine).
Some people assume that being sexually active as a young or
old, married or unmarried person, is normal.
Talk surrounds the topic of “safe sex” and STD testing but it doesn’t
attack the deeper problem; the problem of STD’s resulting from being sexually
active with multiple people.
Tripp
points out that God designed sex to be a beautiful, God honoring relationship
between a man and woman who are married to each other(Ch. 2).
Matthew 19:5 and Genesis 2:24, share how a man and woman are
to leave their parents, come together and be one flesh. You can only be one flesh with one person.
All
the unlawful sexual relations seen in Leviticus 18 were placed there to protect
us. God knew the deadly results of being
sexually active with more than one person.
I have personally seen the detrimental effects of sexual
promiscuity in my friends and extended family’s lives. I believe that as Christ followers in the workforce
we need to be educated both in God’s view of sex and be up to date on what
people are talking about concerning sex.
Whether your co-workers have grown up in the United States
or have immigrated from another country, the topic of STD’s is relevant.
Don’t stop learning,
Ivy
To learn more, check out some of these resources:
Sources: Los Angeles Times -photo courtesy, New York Times, ChicagoTribune, Sex & Money: Pleasures that Leave You Empty and Grace that Satisfies, NIV Bible
No comments:
Post a Comment