Dating: What's the point?

In chapter five of his book "Love, Reason, and God's Story", David Cloutier examines arguments within Christianity in favor of dating and opposed to the practice of dating.  Some of the 'anti-daters' argue that dating in our current social context is 'essentially practice for divorce'.  In your response, share your reaction to this claim, as well as your reaction to the reasons given to justify dating (those by Freitas and King among others).  How does this argument compare with the experience of you/your peers and 'contemporaries'?  Finally, how does this compare to the 'hook-up' culture prevalent in colleges and universities in 2012?  Please refer to this article from none other than BUSTED HALO :), as well as the article we read by Fr. Rick Malloy challenging the culture of 'hooking up'.

Gender and dating relationships

In our society, gender stereotypes are often reinforced in romantic relationships.  Please read this article on the role of gender particularly in engagement/proposal scenarios.  I found one reader's response particularly provocative as well:  Andy, thanks for your thoughtful reflections on the tired traditions of engagements and weddings. I couldn’t help but notice that you focus a lot on how women’s expectations play into these harmful expectations. But it doesn’t quite seem fair to place the burden of the harmful tradition on women alone. Do you have any thoughts about how men’s own expectations (as providers, for instance) play into the traditions as well?

What is your response to both the article and the reader's questions?  How does this compare to your families' experiences and the love story you shared on Friday?  

Wonderful Gift and Awesome Responsibility

Today in class, we began discussing the various messages you have been taught and exposed to during your life about sexuality.  Please read this article about, which summarizes the US Bishop's statement on sexuality, describing it as a 'wonderful gift and awesome responsibility'.  As you read, consider the following questions:  1)  What messages, themes, etc. are familiar to you in this article?  2) What, if any, new messages, themes, etc. did you learn about the Church's teaching on sexuality?  3) What, if any, messages, themes, etc. do you think are missing from this article?  In other words, is there anything you think the Church should adjust or add that is not present in this summary?
Please post your responses to these prompts on your blog.  You do not need to number your responses, just use the questions as a guide as your formulate your post.

Mission Statement

Based on our class discussion and activity around mission statements, please post your own mission statement.  Using this link as inspiration (and you are welcome to do your own research, as well), formulate a 7 sentence (minimum) mission statement.  Your mission statement should describe your passions in life, what is important to you and who you are.  Have fun!  Get inspired!

Who am I?

As we begin our course in Vocations and Human Sexuality, a starting point is to consider the various sources that have informed and developed your identity.  Your task is as follows:

Write a three paragraph blog post that explains three specific factors that have affected your identity.  They might include: family members, friends, a specific experience, music, faith, television or movies, travel, etc.

In each paragraph, explain how the factor has affected you and what you've learned about yourself as a result.  Additionally, create a link to a website or embed a picture that is relevant for each paragraph.  For the sake of practice, please embed at least one website and one photo.

Example:

I remember the feeling when I walked onto the campus at Saint Joseph's University for the first time.  It was February of my junior year of high school, and my mom and I had traveled down the east coast on a college tour during school vacation week.  It was an unseasonably warm day in Philadelphia so throughout the campus, students sat on the grass, played frisbee and wandered around.  It was like I'd walked into one of the school's promotional pamphlets I'd received in the mail.  It was idyllic, and I instantly knew this was where I wanted to spend my four years of college.  Not only was the setting beautiful, but each person I met on that trip was warm and welcoming.  From the people at the hotel on City Line Avenue (today a Target... then the Adam's Mark), to my tour guide, and the teacher whose class I observed, I felt like I was home.  That realization, along with the following four years of college, have formed who I am today.  Saint Joe's sparked my passion for theology and service and challenged me to spend my life discerning how to incorporate that passion into who I am becoming (still today!).