Sex Education Must Include the Biological, Ethical, Medical and Psychological Aspects of Sex

Taiwan Church News 2625, June 23, 2002

Reported by Li Shin-ren, translated and rewritten by David Alexander

   Ms. Lin Li-ling is the dean of studies at a middle school in Kaohsiung City.  She is also a member of Salt and Light Presbyterian Church in the same town.  Her background is in public health and education work.  She speaks from these foundations to the questions of sex education and premarital sexual intercourse.  She says,  "Sex education is not just about two genders, it is about whole persons.  It is about personality.  It must encompass the biological, ethical, medical and psychological aspects of sexuality."

   "Taiwan has been influenced by the West and misled by the popular media images we have received," she said.  "The values of family and marriage have been questioned.  Divorce rates, abortion rates and sexually transmitted disease rates have all risen.  We need to look again at the Biblical metaphor for sexual relationships, that a man and a woman become one flesh in marriage and are thereby blessed.  Sex within marriage is a divine guidance.  Trendy 'casual sex' is to be shunned."

   "Abstinence is the best protection when you are talking about pre-marital sex. Within the bounds of a marriage having sexual intercourse only with one's marriage partner is similarly healthy.  These practices also are in line with Christian faith.  Marriage is to be based on a foundation of love, not of sexual attraction."

   Ms. Lin asserts that the church must conduct sex education as part of spiritual renewal, because people fall quite easily into sexual sin.  But, when people are genuinely led by the Spirit of God, they are able to withstand temptation, and follow the word of God in their conduct.  When speaking of sexual matters, one must stand before God in repentance and confession of sin, trust the Holy Spirit for healing, rely on the power of forgiveness, and be renewed.

   Speaking as an educator, she advocates the need for teachers to be good models of  behavior and speech. That gives them grounds from which to speak to students and lead them in their discovery of sexuality.  Currently many students have home lives of abuse or broken-ness. These produce gender relations and personality difficulties.  Teachers must know how to identify and help support those who are in need.  "You cannot just teach students how to use condoms and believe you have done your job.  We must also advocate abstinence from premarital sexual intercourse. We cannot allow our young people to be harmed by the physical and psychological aftermath of abortion.