The Silver Ring Thing

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging the federal government's misuse of taxpayer dollars to fund religious activities in the "Silver Ring Thing," a nationwide ministry program that uses abstinence-only sex education as a means to bring "unchurched" students to Jesus Christ. Carol Rose, Executive Director of the ACLU of Massachusetts said, "The 'Silver Ring Thing' is nothing more than a vehicle for converting young people to Christianity. Our taxpayer dollars should play no part in such a program."

During the "Silver Ring Thing's" flagship three-hour program, members testify about how accepting Jesus Christ improved their lives, quote Bible passages, and urge audience members to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to come into their lives. The official silver ring is inscribed with the bible verse, God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honor. [1 Thess. 4:3-4]

According to the ACLU's study there is no conclusive evidence that abstinence-only-until-marriage education reduces the rate of unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. Moreover, research indicates that in addition to proselytizing, many of these programs do not help teens delay having sex, and some studies show evidence that these programs actually deter teens from protecting themselves from unintended pregnancy or disease when they become sexually active. You can read their official statement here.

The whole ring ceremony is way too similar to a nun's ordaining. The ring that she receives symbolizes a nun's virginity and perpetual chastity and more importantly her marriage to Jesus Christ. No one finds this a strange thing for young people to be doing in a public school?