Amazingly, the United Church of Christ (UCC), a denomination which is not to be confused with the church of Christ, has come up with a new function for their assemblies; namely, the distribution of condoms! Perhaps "UCC" will one day stand for "United Church of Condoms"!
A UCC executive stated recently that condom distribution was a matter of life and death and that condoms should be made available to save the lives of young people. The UCC's executive for health and wellness advocacy said making condoms available was a "moral responsibility" and that "people of faith make condoms available because we have chosen life so that we and our children may live."
Really? How is it that we have a "moral responsibility" to distribute condoms? Their response would probably be something along these lines: We want to prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and condoms help in both of these areas.
But, don't we have a "moral responsibility" to teach abstinence since God's word demands it?! The Old Testament prohibited adultery, and the New Testament even prohibits lusting in one's heart after another person who is not your rightful spouse (cf. Matt. 5:27,28). Does the UCC teach against sexual lust like Jesus did? How can they do so consistently, since teenagers have no need for condoms until after lust is harbored and cultivated in the heart? Jesus went on to teach that we must be willing to make any sacrifice--no matter how costly--to remove sin from our lives - "If you right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell" (Matt. 5:29). Would Jesus pass out condoms at church? Would He accept any other alternative for the unmarried besides abstinence? Of course not, and neither should anyone else.
Simply because our culture is enraptured with illicit sex, doesn't mean that we should give in to their values (or lack thereof), and that is exactly what distributing condoms does. Passing out condoms at church is a pitiful illustration of conforming to the world, and that is something followers of Christ must not do (cf. Rom. 12:2). It sends the message to the recipients: "We don't really have any expectations for you regarding sexual purity. In fact, we want to encourage you, just like the world does, to enter into multiple sexual relationships, if you desire such. But, we care about you and don't want you to pick up any nasty diseases or unwanted responsibilities." Friends, if the UCC really cared, they'd teach the truth of God's word!
Consider a more lengthy quote from the UCC's recent statement:
"Abstinence is always a viable and commendable choice, no matter the age or sexual experience of the person choosing it...At the same time, we cannot put our heads in the sand with 'abstinence only' approaches. People can and do make other choices...Making condoms available at houses of worship and faith-based educational settings provides opportunities to open conversations that can save lives. In this context, condoms become educational tools. Their presence encourages questions and discussions with individuals who are prepared to respond with factual and up-to-date information. Condoms are a sign that people of faith take sexuality seriously as a part of human life and that we endorse all options for preventing HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. The bottom line is this: safer sexual behavior can be a matter of life and death, so, when people choose to engage in sex we must affirm safer sexual behavior. Thus, it is our moral responsibility to make condoms available because doing so not only sends the right message about loving responsibly, it saves lives."
I wonder if Jesus had His "head in the sand" when He preached against illicit sexual activity? I wonder if He was unloving to demand personal sacrifice to maintain purity? No church or individual has the right to teach anything on sexuality other than what the Bible teaches. Marriage is, and always has been, the exclusive, God-approved outlet for sexual activity. To teach otherwise is not helpful and actually leads people away from true life (which is found in heeding God's word and abiding in it - John 8:31,32). Condoms don't set people free; the truth does. And what benefit is there to saving a physical life if we send the soul to hell in so doing? "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4).