In the name of Kevin, the Nick, and the Holy Joe: Purity Rings Amen!

           In the March 29th lecture, we discussed how popular culture presents teen pregnancy and abortion. Pregnancy rates have decreased in Canada and United States most likely due to an increase in sexual education, contraceptive use and television shows exposing the hardships of being pregnant and raising a child. We watched an episode of “Friday Night Lights” that showed a teen choosing abortion because she did not see herself fit enough to be a parent. A Christian response to a situation like this would be pro-life activism as Christians have found proof in the Bible claiming that one will be punished for disobeying God:

Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die. Don’t try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn’t know about it. For God knows all hearts and he sees you. He keeps watch over your souls, and he knows you know. And he will judge all people according to what they have done. --Proverbs 24: 11-12

But what about avoiding the complicated issue of abortion all together. What about abstinence? 

          The Bible says that: "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." 1 Corinthians 7:2 Saving sex before marriage has recently become a trend in popular culture ever since the spotlight has reflected off of the drop-dead-gorgeous Jonas Brothers and their fancy purity rings. 

In an interview with Barbara Walters*, they say that to wear them: “It means that we’ll treat ladies with respect and be gentlemen and do our best to make our mom proud.” She then questions them on how they resist their temptations with women: “Of course it’s hard doing that for sure. I think what we do is we have that family base.” 

          However, Russell Brand and South Park have made fun of the Jonas Brothers for their purity rings. In a South Park episode**, the Jonas Brothers are associated for their wearing of their purity rings more than their musicianship. "We were wondering if you wanted to share our love of Christ, and see if you will wear purity rings from now on[...]It is the hip new way to roll!" When the Jonas Brothers do not want to wear their rings anymore, Mickey Mouse from the Disney company makes an appearance and tells them that they need to wear them so that the Disney company will not look bad, so that when there are "little girls reaching for their junk" on their posters, they will not look bad. This presentation of purity rings make it seem like the Jonas Brothers are not serious in their Christian faith and that they are only doing it for the sake of media attention. Furthermore, I was appalled when I saw this video of Russell Brand making fun of the Jonas Brothers and their Christianity***. He argues that there is no point for them to wear the rings and that they should have sex before marriage because they are young and hip: 

"Those boys could and should with all the opportunity and they choose not to for Jesus."

Russell Brand's sarcastic "Aaww so sweet!" expression
when saying "and they choose not to for Jesus"

The camera then goes to a shot of the audience, who are laughing at the fact that choosing not to do something for Jesus is ridiculous:

I don't understand what is so funny here..........stop laughing!

He then continues: "That is not what Jesus wants! It's very clear in the Bible: go forth and multiply[...]All my pages of the Bible are stuck together."

Despite negative responses that the Jonas Brothers have received regarding their purity rings, I argue that the media should be equally concerned with presentations of abstinence rather than just abortion. It is better to prevent these issues of teen pregnancy rather than just focus on what to do in the aftermath. Even though they may not be perfect figures for abstinence, as they temp their fans with their ridiculous good looks! I still think that they are projecting a positive message to their young fans.

*Barbara Walters Jonas Brothers interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKqBsP0wPmg
** South Park episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w5Le0w4pQ8&feature=related

***Russell Brand comedy act on Jonas Brothers and Christianity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsuLGCqu-kQ&feature=related