Sex education is
religion at its best

Well, yes. There is no other aspect of the human experience that touches and shapes so much of the life we share together. The images and metaphors of human sexual intimacy are drawn upon in every religion of the species. And few other human activities, when handled badly, tear up the fabric of community as profoundly.

If sex is not religious, nothing is.

Forty years ago the Unitarian Universalists and the United Church of Christ jointly developed the initial program for teens called "About Your Sexuality." It contained more than a dozen units, including the best data available, experiences dealing with the decision-making processes involved and the basic values underlying healthy, joyous human relationships.

Now called "Our Whole Lives," it has been revised, updated and expanded. And, over the years, our teenagers have consistently said it was the most valuable gift the church gave them.

At our church we teach the course to our teens in tandem with their parents. We meet together for potluck dinner, then separate for teen and parent groups covering the same material. After each session we meet again together to close with worship and sharing.

This increases the odds that parents and teens actually talk to each other about what they have experienced. Both parents and teens frequently ask to repeat the program, which we offer at both the junior high and high school levels.

We have staff well trained in both the material and in communication skills.

Is it abstinence only? No. But the risks and reasons for delaying sexual relationships until their lives are ready to deal with them come across loud and clear.

Some have worried that we are tacitly giving our kids permission to have inappropriate sex by being so open about it. As if hormone-riled adolescents needed any encouragement.

Instead, we have given them permission to actually think about the implications of their behavior beforehand, and modeled it and practiced it. And we have given them the information and the tools to actually talk with peers and potential partners about some of the deepest and profound aspects of being persons together.

Is that religious? If it isn't, nothing else is.

Lately, we have expanded the program to offer training in teaching the program to the larger community. We're getting takers. Many people are actually ready for serious, quality human sexuality education for their kids and their communities. When we send our young people -- our most valuable resource -- out into the world, should it not be with at least the equivalent of a good driver training course?