Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Yikes

After 3 weeks, I figure I had better post something or the couple people that read this blog might start getting extremely upset at me. So, I read in a news article today (it was sent to me because I don't freely read news) about something that was extremely shocking to me.


Student auctions off virginity for offers of more than £2.5 million

A student who is auctioning her virginity to pay for a masters degree in Family and Marriage therapy has seen bidding hit £2.5million ($3.7m).

 
Natalie Dylan: Virgin auction: bidding reaches £2.5m
Natalie Dylan, 22, is auctioning off her virginity to fund her master's degree Photo: BARCROFT MEDIA

Natalie Dylan, 22, claims her offer of a one-night stand has persuaded 10,000 men to bid for sex with her.

Last September, when her auction came to light, she had received bids up to £162,000 ($243,000) but since then interest in her has rocketed.

The student who has a degree in Women's Studies insisted she was not demeaning herself.

Miss Dylan, from San Diego, California, USA, said she was persuaded to offer herself to the highest bidder after her sister Avia, 23, paid for her own degree after working as a prostitute for three weeks.

She said she had had a lot of attention from a wide range of men, including "weirdos", "those who get really graphically sexual about what they want to do to me" and "lots of polite requests from rich businessmen".

Miss Dylan said she did not think it was particularly significant to be willing to sell your virginity and insisted that she was happy to undergo medical tests for any doubters.

She said: "I get some men who are obviously looking for a girlfriend but I try and make it clear that this is a one-night-only offer.

"I know that a lot of people will condemn me for this because it's so taboo but I really don't have a problem with that.

"My study is completely authentic in that I truly am auctioning my virginity but I am not being sold into this. I'm not being taken advantage of in any way.

"I think me and the person I do it with will both profit greatly from the deal."

She added: "It's shocking that men will pay so much for someone's virginity, which isn't even prized so highly anymore."




















































Now, I'm not sure which is more shocking to me. The fact that she is auctioning her virginity (seems like an overpriced form of prostitution) or the fact that somebody is willing to pay 3.7 million dollars just to take her virginity (in a culture where having your virginity is no big deal). Just thought I'd share that little story. Have a splendid icy day.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Modern Day Ninevah....

Well, I just finished reading Nahum today and some things really jumped out at me. Nahum is written to the people of Ninevah (you know, the people Jonah had already visited and warned) to pronounce God's judgment. As I was reading, certain verses popped out to me and really led me to insert the U.S. in the place of Ninevah because of what seems to be a weakening of our country and economy. 

Nahum 3:5-7 - "'I am against you,' declares the Lord Almighty. 'I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. I will pelt you with filth. I will treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle. All who see you will flee from you and say, 'Nineveh is in ruins - who will mourn for her?' Where can I find anyone to comfort you?'"

Nahum 3:19 - "Nothing can heal your wound; your injury is fatal. Everyone who hears the news about you claps his hands at your fall, for who has not felt your endless cruelty?"

We have been shamed by our economic crisis among other things, yet other countries don't pity us, don't mourn for us. Most nations are happy that we have taken a hit because of how we have been the bully to so many other nations for so long. Nations are truly "clapping their hands" as we face different struggles.

This was just something that I was questioning in my head more than trying to interpret Scripture to today's situations. Read the entire book of Nahum (its only 3 chapters) and let me know what thoughts might be going through your mind.