A Christian side hug, Not welcome in my home
Posted by Raymonn | In The Archives of Featured, General
You have to be seriously kidding me! This is the exact stupidity that non believers see as the Christianity faith and run the opposite direction. I just read an article the other day that spoke about edgy advertisement and its misuse. I’m happy to say that I’m more up in arms about white youth pastors, in gangster-ish clothing, mocking the art form of rap, to reach out to young kids about protecting your chastity. Basically, the most uncomfortable form of a hug. If you are offended on my stance, stop reading. You are not welcomed in my home!
If you have the time and heart to read the remainder of my thoughts, I want you to see the Christian Side Hug video before you continue. It will give you an idea of what I’m speaking of.
Imagine my daughter comes back from a youth conference and she spoke of using the “Christian side hug” in my home. I seriously wouldn’t know how I’d respond. It would be very difficult for me to express my feelings towards the idea without flipping my wig.
The book Stuff Christians Like has rules in which christians should follow. Well, here is the #106 rule that has my blood boiling. Rule #106 reads:
Yes, God wants us to be compassionate and kind and tender with each other. Not only that, but he wants us to love our enemies and serve our neighbors. As long as there is no body on body action. I’m talking of course about a “full frontal hug,” one of those sinful abominations where you just wrap your arms around a friend and embrace them. That’s why Christians the world over have pioneered the “side hug.” In the side hug there’s no risk of two crotches touching. Instead of face to face, you go side to side, putting your arm around the person and your hip against their’s. Still having a hard time mastering it? Pretend you’re taking a photo and you’re both looking at the camera together. The side hug, or A frame as it is also called, is safe for the whole family, friendly and above all holy. I don’t know the exact scripture reference but try the book of Psalms.
Amanda Hess, author at the Washington City Paper, said it best when referencing the idea of Encounter Generation Conference. Her quote reads:
I’m afraid that this potent combination of absurd chastity and mock hip-hop will be more likely to bring the power of a school-yard beat-down to these kids’ faces.
I agree with Amanda. I could not imagine my daughter telling people to give her side hugs. It’s one of my house rules. When people enter my house, you give them a warm welcome. One that makes them feel like you’ve been knowing each other for years. A full hug seems to allow people to feel as though they are truly welcomed. If you give me a Christian side hug at my front door, You are not welcome in my home.
Hopefully this is a spoof. Cause if it’s serious, Lord help us.
7 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL
November 25, 2009
psh, the possibility of an accidental crotch rub is the BEST reason for giving/getting hugs. Seriously though, based on the illustration I think there’s a higher than average chance that I’d sneak in an “accidental” ass-brush into my C.S.H.
Alright alright, for real-serious, I had no idea that the “Christian Side Hug” was an actual concept. That’s just odd, imho. It’s like people who condone this sort of thing are so sexually repressed that they can’t trust in their ability to suppress their carnal urges that they’d rather look completely ridiculous than give someone a proper greeting.
I mean if you don’t like hugging/crotch-bumping just give them a handshake instead.
November 25, 2009
Not even getting into the ignorance of these people embarrassingly appropriating hip-hop culture and not knowing what “rough riders” means, the video is ridiculous, side-hugging is ridiculous. It’s sexualizing something that’s not sexual. I see it as sort of a microcosm of the sexual repression you see far too much of in the church. Leave the kids alone, they’ve got enough to worry about without having to be afraid of hugging too.
My suspicion is that the side-hug performance may be tongue-in-cheek, and at the same time, if it inspires some impressionable young girls to take a vow to stop hugging their boy friends (or vice versa), the church leaders will be plenty OK with that as well.
I’m pretty sure the “Stuff Christians Like” book is just a silly parody thing.
November 25, 2009
Here’s a local newspaper article that gives a little more context: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2009/11/23/the-christian-side-hug-front-hugs-be-too-sinful/
“The Christian Side-Hug strikes me as almost skeezily chaste—I’d much rather have a brief normal embrace with a stranger than a hip-tap from a person who I know sexualizes even the most mundane forms of human contact. But the Side-Hug itself is slightly less offensive than the medium being used to promote it: An appropriated version of “rap music” performed by a bunch of white youth pastors who think that mixing in some gang-ish hand signals, tying on a bandana, and securing some fake bling will bring the youth to God.”
November 25, 2009
In regards to Amanda at Washington City Paper, she has hit the nail on the head as I mention in the post.
Amanda stated:
“I’d much rather have a brief normal embrace with a stranger than a hip-tap from a person who I know sexualizes even the most mundane forms of human contact.”
I agree totally. It’s almost like putting an “X” on areas of the body. Don’t touch this cause you might be tempted to be sexual with me. (Saying this with sarcasm).
No matter if this is a spoof or not, it should not be endorsed by any Christian.
November 28, 2009
I might have to get the book to read it and make sure we’re taking it into context. Because on the website some of the stuff is just down right hilarious! Like this:
Sometimes, we fall in love on mission trips even though we know we’ll break up when we get back.
Sometimes, you have to shot block a friend’s prayer because she’s asking God to bless an obviously bad dating relationship.
Sometimes, you think, “I wish I had a t-shirt that said ‘I direct deposit my tithe’ so people wouldn’t judge me.”
:)
December 10, 2009
I can assure you buying this does not fit in our budget. Picking it up from the library may be a stretch as well.
January 7, 2010
raymonn-
TOTALLY agree with you!! i’m glad you blogged about it! what a crazy book…can you believe that some people actually believe in that stuff?!?! it’s crazy….ecspecially from so-called believers. Glad you shared this.
On another note, what is your guys’ address? i’m sending out our Christmas cards (late!) and wanted to send you guys one. :) you can just send it to my e-mail. Hope all is good with you guys! how was your Christmas?