Selected students (more or less 200) attended "Precious, Sacred Gift: Human Sexuality" session with one of the parents of SCWA, Danny Sabino.
Framework of sexuality topics were anchored in values and Authentic Christian Humanism (ACH) though many topics were generic to all other religions.
Sexuality is also the total personhood. It's beyond sex - its a whole range of human emotions and being, of human existence. It also covers complex interactions of human beings.
Values reflects who we are. 5 Basic human values includes LOVE, PEACE, TRUTH, RIGHT CONDUCT, and NON-Violence.
Anchoring to Authentic Christian Humanism (ACH), sexuality concepts must true for all people, for all aspects of life and for all times. It is viewing primacy of human beings.
ACH tackles the relations to self, others, society, Supreme Being and environment. The topic distinguishes human being from animals.
To SELF: Human being has dignity, has intellect and free will, is created into his image and likeness, is intrinsically good - ambivalent, is unique and limited (life is limited - we have to enjoy life to the fullness.
To OTHERS: Is a social being and is equal value with other people.
To SOCIETY: Is an invernor and patriot.
To ENVIRONMENT: A steward.
To SUPREME BEING: Is transcendent, has conscience, is dependent to God, and is a child of God.
Sex is for marriage couple only. It has unitive and procreative dimension. Sex is an expression of love of the couple (unitive) and have the wonderful gift - having a child.
Emphasizing that adolescent is not yet ready for sex and creation of life - the body(female) is not yet ready to conceive, doing it to prove something, not willing to accept the responsibility of being a parent, etc.
Abstinence is the only completely safe behavior.
On Pornography: As the individual practices the disciples of pornography, either by watching or reading pornographic material and then engaging in pornographic acts - it will result to sensualized body... later treating body as commodity... treating our body as object - just for the pleasure.
Internet and social networking plays a big role on the behavioral aspect of today's adolescent life. Internet accessibility in every home is now affordable. It possess a big challenge for the students - TO OR NOT TO DO IS A PERSONAL DECISION.... just be reminded of your own personhood achored in your values and ACH!
A challenged was posed to SHUT DOWN THE COMPUTER AND MEET SOMEONE. A true social being!
A prayer was said after the session:
O God, for the beauty and goodness of your creation, we give you praise. For the joy and wonder of human love, we give you thanks. For the mystery and enjoyment of our sexuality, we stand in gratitude.
But Lord, we confess that we often abuse and neglect to care for this precious gift. We often fail to control our appetites and we cheapen the goodness of our sexuality. We sometimes abuse others in the process. We seek to satisfy ourselves alone, and fail to realize your purpose of mutuality in sexual relationships. We glorify sex to its own detriment, and rob it of its mystery and spiritual dimensions. And we also fail to speak plainly and openly about sex, repressing its power, and dismissing it to the shadows of our lives.
And so Lord, we pray for your help in all these areas, and we ask your guidance and your will in our lives. We pray especially for those trapped in the grips of sexual sins, those who struggle with sexual addictions, those who struggle with repressed sexual appetites that seek to be fulfilled. We pray for those trapped in abusive sexual relationships, for the victims, as well as for the abusers. We pray for those who struggle under the weight of the consequences of their sexual activity – with unwanted or unplanned pregnancies, with diseases, with AIDS. We pray for those who struggle in all ways with their sexuality – with their orientation, with unfulfilled yearnings, with dysfunction or lack of normal sexual drive.
O God, we know how great a gift our sexuality is. And yet we also know the pain and suffering for which it is so often responsible. So help us Lord, to use this gift wisely and responsibly. Help us to acknowledge our own temptations and struggles. Forgive us for our sinfulness. And help us to receive this gift in the Spirit in which it is given, that it might beautify and deepen all our relationships. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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