The "List" part 3, Shall we dance?

Shall we dance? I think not!

In my world, dancing was generally considered “bad” until recently. “Going to the dance” seems to be what the church kids are doing nowadays. Am I so far out of it? Did I miss a memo?

So, what’s the problem with dancing? Well, I (and others, who we will get to later) feel that dancing is an act of intimacy. Seems like people are into situational ethics here, saying its OK, depending on where you are. Is it OK for a man, not my husband, to put his arms around me and pull me to him, just because we’re dancing? Try it in some other location and see what your hubby thinks.

Now, let’s talk about non-contact dancing in which partners face each other and twist and shake their bodies suggestively to sensuous, beating music, generally the hips and shoulders (read “chest”) in front of each other. Hmmmm, sounds pretty intimate to me, and intimacy must be reserved for married couples in private.
OK, that’s my humble opinion.

Here is what the world says about dancing. I’ll give you three examples.

1. In the King and I, that wonderful old musical, the king and Mrs Anna are talking about dancing. The king is appalled to hear that in England, young girls dance “in arms of man, not her husband? I would not permit” Mrs. Anna goes on to sing a song. Here are the lyrics, with my emphases.

(Rodgers and Hammerstein)
We've just been introduced, I do not know you well
But when the music started Something drew me to your side
So many men and girls Are in each others' arms
It makes me think that we might be similarly occupied
Shall we dance? Shall we dance?
On a bright cloud of music shall we fly?
Shall we dance? Shall we dance?
Or shall we say "Goodnight" and mean goodbye?
Or perchance when the last little star has left the sky?
Shall we still be together with our arms about each other
And shall you be my new romance?
On the clear understanding thatthis kind of thing can happen,
Shall we dance? Shall we dance? Shall we dance?

They all knew that dancing led to romance, and honestly said so. Why do some Christians deny this?

2. Growing Pains.
Who never saw an episode of “Growing Pains”? In one episode, cute-as-a-bug Mike Seaver had to take dancing lessons, and didn’t want to. His dad took him aside to tell him the joys of ballroom dancing. He said something like “ Mike, its great, dancing cheek-to-cheek, shoulder-to-shoulder, everything else-to-everything-else…” with a knowing smile and raised eyebrows.
Yep, everything else-to-everything else. Belly-to-belly, etc. You get my drift.

3. Shall we dance?
I did not actually see this movie, but just reading about it gives me enough reason to stay far away from the dance floor.

Here is the review, not for younger readers, in case I have some younger readers.
Here is a quote:

“Paulina explains the rumba as a “vertical expression of a horizontal wish,” advising the guys to treat their partners "like you’re gonna have your way with her right here on the dance floor.””



So, if that’s what the world thinks about dancing, would my blessed Redeemer consider this a wholesome activity for me? I say, no. Add it to the “List”!

R