Naked: Public vs. Private
Andy Warhol asked the question, “Does art imitate life or does life imitate art?” Whether television/media is the cause or simply a reflection of our society, I am sure that it is evident to all of us how the perception and portrayal of sexuality has changed in our culture over the past 50 years.
Do you remember “I Love Lucy”? Lucielle Ball and Dezi Arnez were married in real life, played a married couple on their television show, yet were portrayed as sleeping in seperate beds. In fact, when Lucielle Ball got pregnant (in real life) they wrote her pregnancy into the script (along with Little Ricky), but would not allow the word “pregnant” to be used on the show. It was too revealing. It wasn’t until the Brady Bunch in the 70’s that television ventured into the realm of a husband and wife sleeping in the same bed. (Some claim Herman and Lily Munster, from The Munsters, as the first couple to share a bed.)
Today…well, I probably don’t even need to say anything do I? We have taken something that was intended to be private and made it public. Yet, even as it has become a part of our public culture, it is still not something we are allowed to speak to. For instance, it is okay for someone to express even extreme public displays of affection, but our culture does not have appropriate words to discuss that with them.
This event , which took place weeks ago, is a perfect example. People can express themselves publicly, but the public is not allowed to express itself in return.
Wading through our cultural taboos as we talk about God’s intention for sexuality is extremely important for followers of Jesus. How do we speak without condemnation? How do we communicate God’s intention when other’s don’t believe there is an intention? Let’s struggle through this one together this weekend.