"Should Sex Education Be Taught In Our Elementary Schools?"

Don R. Hastings
Dade City, Florida

The fact that the morality of this nation has greatly deteriorated cannot be successfully denied. An article in McCall's magazine stated that each year about one million teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 become pregnant. One survey revealed a 30% increase among teenagers in sexual activity within the last five years. Many other statistics could be quoted to show that we are fast becoming a nation of people who support and practice sexual activity outside of marriage.

What can be done to reverse the head-long plunge into complete moral decadence? Those who run our schools believe the answer lies in teaching our children about the sexual functions of their body from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Are they right? No! Knowledge does not restrain teenagers, and those younger, from engaging in sexual activity. Many naive parents and educators think that if girls and boys are taught how pregnancy occurs that this will keep them from engaging in the act that produces pregnancy. Baloney! The teaching of sex education courses has greatly increased in schools all over this land and, as we have seen, sexual activity among teenagers has greatly increased, as well. But, we are told that what we need is more sex education. How foolish can we be?

We live in a sin-sick, sex-saturated society. Television, movies, newspapers, advertisements, records, bookstores, etc. are constantly bombarding the public with sex, sex and more sex. Now our children have to listen to their teachers talk about it. But, the educators say that we teach them to use correct terminology.

If my fifth grade son comes home and describes perfectly and accurately the human reproduction process, I will not be proud of his knowledge. I would greatly fear what that knowledge, at that age, would do to him emotionally, morally and spiritually!

The present downward slide into the cesspool of all manner of vile sexual acts will not cease until we teach our children by word and example to: "Fear God and keep his commandments" (Eccl. 12:13). All sexual activity outside of marriage is sinful (Heb. 13:4)! As long as we continue to disregard the Bible standard of morality, there is going to be an increase in rape, venereal disease, illegitimate birth, homosexuality, abortion, incest, adultery, prostitution, child molestation, etc.

Some school officials contend that teaching about human reproduction is comparable to teaching about the circulatory system or any other function of the body. They talk as though they can see no difference between presenting factual information about the heart and facts about the reproductive organs. I find it difficult to believe that they are really that ignorant concerning the emotional make-up of human beings.

A teacher can lecture on the function of the heart to a group of boys and girls and no one is embarrassed, there is no snickering, and no lustful emotions are aroused. Such is not true when the teacher lectures on the reproductive system. There is a big difference!

We find this statement in Planning Stages For Sex Education Unit In The Elementary Schools, "Children become desensitized quickly and become very comfortable discussing the subject matter in a few days." Do you know what this means? We are told that it is good and wholesome for children to talk as freely about their reproductive organs as they would their hands and arms. Do you want your child to discuss his, or her, genital organs with other children without any shame or embarrassment? Do you think it is healthy for children to talk to members of the opposite sex about their reproductive organs without any hesitancy or modesty? If you answer "No" then you need to stop sex education courses from being taught. Many sex education courses turn out to be an exercise in destroying the conscience, modesty, and morals of our children.

We are living in a society that has been de-sensitized in many respects and the effect is moral decay. I heard Lucille Ball say that it used to be one could not say the word "pregnant" on television; now the programs show you how to become that way. Not long ago you wouldn't hear any curse words on television; not it is hard to find a program without them. Listen to how raw the language on records has become. Those who practiced homosexuality once tried to hide their sin from the public; now they openly advertise their perversion. People who committed adultery were once looked down on as harlots; now they are held up as people who know how to really enjoy life. Yes, we have come a long ways down the broad way "that leadeth to destruction" (Matt. 7:13). We have become so insensitive to godless talk and behavior that we are like the people who lived during the time of the prophet, Jeremiah. "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not ashamed, neither could they blush; therefore they shall fall . . . (Jer. 6:15).

Some "experts" on sexology charge religion with being a major cause for people having sexual hangups. I strongly deny the charge! Some corrupt what the Bible teaches on this subject, and I will not defend their perverted doctrine; however, I am set for the defense of God's word.

God has given us our sexual desires and these are not to be thought of as "dirty" or "sinful." He has made it possible for us to satisfy these desires with a member of the opposite sex. He has, also, restricted the satisfaction of these desires to marriage. "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4). Those who are not true children of God bitterly oppose God's restriction. They want to fulfill their sexual desires with anyone, at anytime, and not feel any shame for their activity. It is toward this end that our nation is headed!

It is not the Bible which causes people to be maladjusted concerning sex. The Bible teaches the man and woman to enter into marriage pure, keep themselves faithful and true to one another, and "Defraud ye not one the other . . ." (read 1 Cor. 7:1-5). If the husband and wife would follow God's rules for marriage, they would be happy in the satisfying of each other's desires and that includes the sexual ones.

Many problems arise because we depart from God's word. Those who keep themselves pure, do not have to worry about venereal disease, ruined reputations, illegitimate births, abortions, being charged with rape, incest, prostitution, or adultery. You don't have the heavy burden of a guilty conscience. You do have self respect and peace of mind. God's way is best!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 12, pp. 368-369
June 21, 1984