Pole Dancing for Jesus

[Jenamarie]

Pole Dancing for Jesus - Fox News Video - FoxNews.com

[Wingnut]

Interesting.

She sounds awfully defensive for someone who is "perfectly comfortable" with what she does.

[NeuroTypical]

After watching the video, I'm gonna break from my initial gut reaction here, and just not have a problem with her. You have to be in phenominal shape to do what she's doing, and when you look at it, it's not in front of an audience, it's not for money, it's not any more erotic or sexy than what you see in Cirque de Soleil or any sort of modern Christian dance I've seen.

People who used to be in that line of work tend to bear a label for the rest of their lives. Folks can repent of a heck of a lot of sinful nonsense and leave it behind and go forth building the kingdom of God, but no matter how fervent one's discipleship becomes, one will always be looked down on as a former stripper. Consider - my own ward has called former drug abusers to teach 17 yr old Sunday School, a former party animal fornicator is in the Elder's quorum presidency. Nobody bats an eye. Good - they've got stories that might help the youth stay away from that sort of thing. But what's your reaction to hearing about a former stripper teaching the Mia-Maids? Lots of folks have strong negative reactions about such things.

This lady will be picked-at and mocked and scorned by all the supposed good righteous people for what she's doing. But if she has found a way to get closer to God through turning something that used to be sinful into something pure, then fine /w me. I won't be judging her.

[Wingnut]

But if she has found a way to get closer to God through turning something that used to be sinful into something pure, then fine /w me. I won't be judging her.

I agree with everything else you said, but this is what I don't get about the whole thing. I don't have a problem with pole dancing as a form of exercise, but what does it have to do with Jesus or getting closer to God?

[Jenamarie]

I agree with everything else you said, but this is what I don't get about the whole thing. I don't have a problem with pole dancing as a form of exercise, but what does it have to do with Jesus or getting closer to God?

This is where I'm at too. What does Jesus have to do with it? I mean, I get that she has a strong faith. That's wonderful and I applaud that! I also don't have an issue with pole dancing as a form of exercise. It looks *very* challenging!

But why do it to Christian music? Why have a church program be required to attend the class? How does it add to worship? I'm not sure I "get" that aspect of what she's presenting.

[findingmyway]

And mens classes are ..... well in the other room watching. Great exercises.... could be a bad temptation in my opinion, which may not mean much.

[NeuroTypical]

I don't have a problem with pole dancing as a form of exercise, but what does it have to do with Jesus or getting closer to God?

But why do it to Christian music? Why have a church program be required to attend the class? How does it add to worship? I'm not sure I "get" that aspect of what she's presenting.

Hey, I don't get it either. I watched the video and don't feel especially closer to God. But she says it does it for her, so who am I to say it doesn't?

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Doesn't mean I'll be signing up my daughters any time soon. But it also doesn't mean I'll be judging this lady's actions either.

Edited March 18, 2011 by Loudmouth_Mormon

[Jenamarie]

Hey, I don't get it either. I watched the video and don't feel especially closer to God. But she says it does it for her, so who am I to say it doesn't?

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Doesn't mean I'll be signing up my daughters any time soon. But it also doesn't mean I'll be judging this lady's actions either.

Just to clarify, I'm not judging what she's doing as being "wrong" or "sinful" or anything like that. Just odd, from my point of view. Of course she should do whatever floats her boat and/or brings her closer to God. She's certainly not hurting anyone. It just made me seriously scratch my head, and I was looking to see if others were just as confused by it, or if anyone had any insights to offer.

I've heard of lots of different forms of worship (candle lighting, speaking in tongues, handling snakes, etc.) but this was certainly a first for me.

[mordorbund]

What does Jesus have to do with it?

...

But why do it to Christian music? Why have a church program be required to attend the class? How does it add to worship? I'm not sure I "get" that aspect of what she's presenting.

Well, Jesus propels His favorite running backs across the goal line (as is evidenced by the God-praise that follows a touchdown). He is interested in an individual's baseball stats (as is evidenced by the quick prays offered in the batter's box ("cross yourself in everything" indeed)).

He is also on the Awards committee for any form of entertainment you can think of. This is why you hear so many of the recipients thank God or Jesus, since He returns every year for the judging.

So it's not so suprising that she can find worship in pole dancing. It's the perfect union of sports and entertainment.

And for what it's worth, there's a traveling group of Iron Men (of sorts) who show off their muscles powered by Jesus. (wish I could remember their name - I'm sure someone will provide it later). So I don't see this being a far stretch.

[RipplecutBuddha]

I'm also of the Article of Faith reply camp.

So long as their worship does not involve violence, criminal activity, or harm to innocent people in any form....let 'em worship away as they choose.

[Gwen]

But why do it to Christian music? Why have a church program be required to attend the class? How does it add to worship? I'm not sure I "get" that aspect of what she's presenting.

contemporary christian music is as good as any and maybe the faith based lyrics help keep her centered instead of the kind of stuff she used to dance to. she may also think it makes it more sabbath day appropriate. some ppl pick and choose the tv shows they will watch on sunday why not music?

i could see the required church program to help ensure the ppl coming want to learn for exercise not to go out and dance. she did say she isn't teaching strippers. i could see that being a good filtering method.

maybe the women get as much social fellowship from it as they do exercise. like we do for enrichment meetings... isn't that spiritual in a way that isn't sacrament meeting?

i'm also curious how this is different than say.... zumba? i go to curves (for those that don't know it's women's fitness club) they recently incorporated the popular zumba program into things. i've gone a few times and still not sure what i think of it but one thing has come to mind. i spent a lot of yrs in the youth and ysa program being taught that certain dance moves were suggestive and immoral. i'm learning every one of them now.... but it's exercise so it's ok right?

all i really know right now is it feels very awkward for me lol and if my friends from the youth program knew i was attempting to move my hips like they want me to they would die laughing. i'm glad they have curtains on the windows. lol

[Blackmarch]

And mens classes are ..... well in the other room watching. Great exercises.... could be a bad temptation in my opinion, which may not mean much.

Ya prolly nothing wrong with it per se.... But I think I"d go with Find's view on this. It's one of those things that probably brings someone closer to the edge or line of inspiring someone to do something sinful in our culture today.

Kinda like wearing bikinis or French kissing.

[ruthiechan]

contemporary christian music is as good as any and maybe the faith based lyrics help keep her centered instead of the kind of stuff she used to dance to. she may also think it makes it more sabbath day appropriate. some ppl pick and choose the tv shows they will watch on sunday why not music?

i could see the required church program to help ensure the ppl coming want to learn for exercise not to go out and dance. she did say she isn't teaching strippers. i could see that being a good filtering method.

maybe the women get as much social fellowship from it as they do exercise. like we do for enrichment meetings... isn't that spiritual in a way that isn't sacrament meeting?

i'm also curious how this is different than say.... zumba? i go to curves (for those that don't know it's women's fitness club) they recently incorporated the popular zumba program into things. i've gone a few times and still not sure what i think of it but one thing has come to mind. i spent a lot of yrs in the youth and ysa program being taught that certain dance moves were suggestive and immoral. i'm learning every one of them now.... but it's exercise so it's ok right?

all i really know right now is it feels very awkward for me lol and if my friends from the youth program knew i was attempting to move my hips like they want me to they would die laughing. i'm glad they have curtains on the windows. lol

Is it sinful to learn the moves and dance like that for your husband? I don't think so.

Ditto for pole dancing. It's the for Jesus thing that weirded me out, but perhaps you are right, perhaps it is a focus.

And then, there's also this that made me think of pole dancing, but dude, this is Indian Pole Gymnastics and DANG. This people are freakin' amazing!

YouTube - Insane Indian Pole Gymnastics [OFFICIAL HD]

[Matthew0059]

Ya prolly nothing wrong with it per se.... But I think I"d go with Find's view on this. It's one of those things that probably brings someone closer to the edge or line of inspiring someone to do something sinful in our culture today.

Kinda like wearing bikinis or French kissing.

I think it would depend on how sexual the end product is. I'm highly doubtful that the idea that "do this for your husband in the bedroom!" doesn't enter the discussion and thoughts of participants, and I wonder if the teacher even knows how to clean up all the sexuality from her former experience with pole dancing.

It's a red flag that she doesn't start the sessions with a prayer... It might be an innocent mistake.

Ultimately, GOD will sort it out. It would be nice if she were just very proactive in trying to blend her talents with her faith. If her heart is in the right place, over the years she'll keep cleaning her life up. I say, "good luck".

[Just_A_Guy]

Of course, we Mormons are at a bit of a disadvantage when discussing issues by this; because we never really have worshiped through dance (even though there is scriptural precedent for the practice).