'Not just a One Night Stand'
How does faith shape the decisions and life-choices of Ireland's young people? A new survey has been trying to find out. It was commissioned by , and ahead of a major conference exploring relationships, sex and Christian values. The Valentine's week conference takes place on 10 February in Orangefield Presbyterian Church. Olwyn Mark from Love For Life tells Will & Testament more about their findings.
Despite disturbing divorce rates, it seems that marriage is still an overwhelming aspiration for young people in Northern Ireland. The organisers of the Conference conducted one of the largest surveys into sexual attitudes in the province and it reveals that more than 90% of young people say they intend to get married. Over a thousand 16-30 year olds (1172) were asked about their attitudes, values and behaviours around issues including sex, relationships, marriage and pornography. The survey is unique in that it was specifically designed to probe if and in what way an individual's faith might impact in these areas.
87% of young people surveyed said they believe that the Bible has something to teach about relationships and sex.
81% of respondents said they thought pornography was harmful and yet 79% of males had accessed it online.
63% of those surveyed felt that sex before marriage is always wrong.
In general, the correlation between behaviour/attitudes and faith seemed most significant amongst those who described themselves as 'most committed'. (91% identified themselves as 'Christian' and of those 40% described themselves as 'highly committed to their church). Faith appeared to affect the likelihood of having had sex, especially before the age of 19.
11% of all respondents had sex before they were 16.
25% of those surveyed had sex by the time they were 19.
5% of respondents with the highest level of commitment to church had sex before they were 16.
17% of respondents with highest of commitment to church had sex by the time they were 19.
17% of 16-18 year-olds claiming the highest level of commitment to church have already had sex.
80% of respondents claiming the lowest commitment to church have already had sex.
It does appear that for those who describe themselves as 'highly committed' to the local church, the influence of ones' faith and values begins to have an impact on behavior and actions.
The full results of the survey are available on the The 'Not Just a One Night Stand' event itself is an extended evening programme (6.30pm-10pm), with special plenary speaker Rachel Gardner who founded the , along with a range of experienced speakers dealing with a number of important and challenging issues. A full programme can also be found on the .
Read an of the sexual attitudes survey.
Comment number 1.
At 1st Feb 2010, Billy Elliott wrote:This comment has been referred for further consideration. Explain.
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Comment number 2.
At 4th Feb 2010, pastorphilip wrote:I do hope that this subject will get fair coverage on Sunday Sequence.
I remember that - some years ago - Rob Parsons and Josh McDowell addressed a large audience about the importance of postponing sexual activity - especially until marriage. It was around this time that there was huge controversy about the arrival of the Brook clinic in Belfast. However, SS completely ignored the event.
Please don't make the same mistake this time!
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Comment number 3.
At 5th Feb 2010, graham veale wrote:There seems to be a problem with the links. I'm looking at the schools "RSE" programme at the moment, and would find them helpful. Can anyone help?
GV
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Comment number 4.
At 7th Feb 2010, Parrhasios wrote:The survey results rather take us back to the comments I made on the Robinson thread about the first chapters of Paul's epistle to the Roman church and highlight the apostle's perspicacity. He notes that church membership, becoming a Christian, does not change our human nature. The behaviours of the world are the actual behaviours of the Christian community, what alone is different is the grace of the understanding of forgiveness and the possibilities for transformation that knowledge brings with it. The survey shows how those who would offer Christian moral guidance, and such guidance is necessary, must do so only from a position of the greatest humility.
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Comment number 5.
At 15th Mar 2010, ChristianCalvinist wrote:I often love the way that if i was to go to a nightclub and start gyrating up against some girl against the bar i would be lambasted by the local Christian youth...but yet if i was to go to a "Christian" social and lay flat on the floor with some girl and start gyrating on top of her whilst singing the "love ship" i would probbably get a clap and an "amen"..... Most Christian Youth and unable to live in the real world because they are plastic Christians, they like to say "oooh i'm Christian" and get the respect that comes with such a title but when it comes to actually knowing what they believe or following through in their daily lives you might as well be talking to Barney the Dinosaur...
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Comment number 6.
At 15th Mar 2010, graham veale wrote:My word...what goes on at RP church socials?
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Comment number 7.
At 15th Mar 2010, Heliopolitan wrote:Hmmm. CC, I can't decide whether you need to get out *more* or *less*! If you went up to a lady and started gyrating against her unsolicited, you should be done for assault. Our treatment of each other should not be dictated by our religion, but by mutual respect and consent.
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Comment number 8.
At 15th Mar 2010, ChristianCalvinist wrote:Socials are for all the churches, Rev. Ivan Foster wrote some brilliant articles which are available on his website about these so called "Christian dinner dances" and exposed them as nothing more than a sham designed to reverse the reformation and water down a seperatist stand...plus they are highly sexualised, i myself don't go to them because quite simply i don't think i could last that long in that sort of environment with those types of people without "flipping the lid"... but don't let anyone fool you just because they are called Christian socials doesn't mean there is anything Christian about them
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Comment number 9.
At 15th Mar 2010, ChristianCalvinist wrote:Heliopolitan im guessing you haven't been to kellys nightclub in quite a while :)
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Comment number 10.
At 15th Mar 2010, ChristianCalvinist wrote:another thing i must question is the validity of this survey... for example when the orange order sends a survey about asking about alcohol usage in halls we all say "alcohol?! us?! never?!!!" and act whiter than white because we know it would look bad if we said we have more alcohol than a beer tent at ocktoberfest so when christians send a survey out to young people most are going to pretend they are better than they are plus looks comes into it as well...a person who goes to church quite often might not be having sex not because they are holier than thou but maybe because they are ugly... sometimes the truth hurts
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Comment number 11.
At 15th Mar 2010, rochcarlie wrote:About my atheism. I'm having second thoughts now.
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Comment number 12.
At 15th Mar 2010, mccamleyc wrote:That's the trouble with all this sex - it can lead to dancing.
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Comment number 13.
At 15th Mar 2010, graham veale wrote:Rev Ivan Foster of the "Ulster Resistance"?
Who thinks CS Lewis is in Hell?
That Ivan Foster?
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Comment number 14.
At 15th Mar 2010, Heliopolitan wrote:Chris, high five for once! ;-)
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Comment number 15.
At 15th Mar 2010, Parrhasios wrote:CC - thank you for bringing back some very happy memories - especially post # 5! I have never been at a Christian social but used to frequent those in the local Orange Hall back home - you had to get your beer in first in the pub across the way and, while I couldn't exactly describe the scene as a hotbed of debauchery, it was good fun - those were the days!
The post also reminded me of an incident at all night party in my early twenties, there was a big band and we were dancing to This old house (it's still a favourite) and - Christopher you may want to look away now - I ended up horizontal on the dance-floor with someone who went on to be a professor in Maynooth. Do you think that would count as "radical peace-making" Graham?
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Comment number 16.
At 15th Mar 2010, Parrhasios wrote:I am interested, CC, in how you think Christian young people should socialise today. What social activities are appropriate? What is wrong with dancing? Is there a place for anything other than praise, prayer and scripture in the communal life of the Church?
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Comment number 17.
At 16th Mar 2010, ChristianCalvinist wrote:"Rev Ivan Foster of the "Ulster Resistance"?
Who thinks CS Lewis is in Hell?
That Ivan Foster? "
Yes Rev. Ivan "the main man" Foster....one of my favourite preachers :)
Well let us get one thing straight i have been drunk, i have smoked and i have had sex...i am a sinner, but when i became saved i stopped all that except the smoking until recently because i could see no scriptural warrant to stop but anyways enough about me, my point was that i can see nothing Christian in a girl going out wearing next to nothing to a dance, nor people turning up for a dance in a limo as being modest and humble, nor boys and girls writhing about with each other as Prayerful worship, nor people from apostate churches mixing with Christians as being in God's favour........ If you want to go to a disco go to a disco but don't pretend it is a form of worship just because you don't get drunk...
I know people don't like to ask questions as the famous song of worship says:
"So I'd like to know where, you got the notion
said I'd like to know where, you got the notion
to rock the boat, don't rock the boat baby
rock the boat, don't tip the boat over
rock the boat, don't rock the boat baby
rock the boat-t-t-t-t"
but i found these articles (which i mentioned earlier) by Rev. Foster
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