Ooh, boy, I have opinions on this matter.
I said it's wrong, but only in the modern connotation of the word. I had a boyfriend for 8 months, but his ideas on dating were "ok, we've been together for a while...want to have sex now?" and I already told him, "no, no, no, no, no, no, no... Did I mention NO?"
As a result, I don't have a favorable idea of dating, especially if that is what it means. I'd rather spend my life as a single person than with someone who doesn't respect my purity (which he took a lot of, and I'm not happy to say it
, but if I hadn't said no, I would've lost everything I don't doubt). I say group dating would be much better, or being around people, not just alone (I mean, you could go out and do things, but when there's no one there to stop you, temptation might give way). I agree with the standards set on the first post.
Also, to Biblethumper, I would say if a kiss is going to lead you into temptation, DO NOT DO IT. Whenever I kissed my then-boyfriend, he wouldn't restrain himself and he would just do whatever he wanted, even when I said no. While it sounds like you are more willing to exercise self-control, I would recommend to you that you do not put yourself in such a situation where you may sin.
A kiss is sinful when it is done for pleasure, rather than as a way of glorifying Christ. The early Christians used to exchange a holy kiss as a way of greeting, which is appropriate because they were in love with Christ and they loved their fellow brethren. This kiss is better than a merely sensual kiss, which can lead to a sexual arousal and possibly to more things. It is the time-old question of "how far is too far"? Probably the best thing to do is not go at all pretty much until you're married. I know a lot of people wouldn't be willing to agree with that, since they want something
now. But, as it is in
1 Cor 13, love is patient.
If you are going to kiss your girlfriend, do it in a way that will protect her purity and glorify God--a holy kiss, not a sensual one. If you transform your relationship into one that is pleasing with God, then it will be a beautiful thing, indeed. It sounds like you are trying very hard, and I commend you for that. I wish there were more guys like you out there.
