Shall
We Dance? - Part 5 During our study on dancing, we outlined four basic principles we use to determine whether an activity, such as dancing, is sinful.
In this article, we explore square dancing and line dancing. Square Dancing Square Dancing: Touching As a matter of fact, square dancing is promoted as a means of touch therapy, and physical and cognitive stimulation (Pasadena Weekly, “Dance Party” by Sarah Wang, 01/05/2006). Denis Mann, promoting Square Dancing, says, “And the touching in itself can be beneficial to health, according to studies conducted at the Touch Research Institute in Miami, which showed that regular touching can reduce stress and depression and enhance immune system function” (Mid-Willamette Area Federation of Square and Round Dance Clubs, “Don't Be a Square -- Dance!” by Denise Mann, http://midwillamettearea.homestead.com). Square Dancing: Sexual Component But anyone who thinks square dancing doesn’t have a sexual component, with girls wearing short skirts that fly in the air, and boys holding girls tight when they swing, is either uninformed or dishonest. The insurgence of same-sex square dancing, promoted by groups such as the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs, is evidence that there’s a sexual component to square dancing. If there isn’t, such clubs wouldn’t exist, for obvious reasons. As further evidence, I remember young men at college taking square dance class. There’s a reason boys like to go to class, dancing with the prettiest girls and swinging them around while holding them close. I think the reason is obvious. I found information from one man about his boyhood thoughts regarding square dancing, similar to young men in the college square dance classes. “Square dancing is so much more fun than rock and roll dancing. For one thing you get to hold every girl in the place in your arms, as you follow the caller when he says ‘Swing Your Partner.’ This is so much more erotic than the exhibitionist, narcissistic dancing of the rock and roll era” (http://users.aol.com/miletus1/end.htm). As such, Christians shouldn’t participate in square dancing. It’s a lustful and licentious activity we should avoid (Rom. 6:12; 1 Jn. 2:16; 2 Cor. 12:20-21; Jude 1:4). Line Dancing Line Dancing: Marching Band, Clogging, Parades, Musicals For example, some high school marching bands do band dances that are decent and wholesome. The movements aren’t sinful, the music isn’t sinful, and the environment isn’t sinful. Christians can participate in this activity as band members, as long as sinful activities aren’t incorporated into the dance. Clogging is another example of line dancing that’s not necessarily sinful. A person on a high school clogging team wouldn’t be sinning, unless the dance team incorporated sinful movements, which I’ve never known to be the case. A military unit in a parade, such as the ROTC, doing a series of synchronized movements is technically a line dance. As with clogging and band dances, the activity is not sinful unless sinful things are incorporated, which is usually not the case in my experience. Musicals, such as performed in high schools, often incorporate line dances. Like band dances, clogging, and synchronized movements in parades, these dances aren’t necessarily sinful. But it’s my experience that dances in musicals are becoming increasing licentious, in which cases, Christians can’t participate. Line Dancing: Country As with the other types of line dances already mentioned, country line dancing can be free from licentiousness. But often, that’s not the case. I’ve seen some high school country line dance teams that are no more sinful than the marching band doing its band dance, but that’s not the norm. Country line dancing often occurs in places Christians shouldn’t go, such as bars and clubs. As expected, people in these places tend to dress immodestly. And after a few drinks, their movements tend to become licentious. Christians And Line Dancing We must be very judicious when engaging in any form of dancing, because it can be easily abused and turned into an unholy activity. Some line dances such as band dances, clogging, and synchronized movements in parades are easily discernable as to whether they’re sinful. Pop cultural dances, such as country line dancing are often times sinful. Not only because of movements incorporated into the dance, but also because of the place where such dances are performed. Reminder: Children and Married Couples For example, it would be wrong for high school students to square dance, tightly holding each other and swinging around. But, a first grader could participate in a square dance activity that wouldn’t be any more sinful than the Hokie Pokie. Also remember that married couples may privately engage in the dances we’re talking about, because they’re permitted to physically enjoy one another’s company (1 Cor. 7:3-4). To Be Continued
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