The Dawn Treader

From the Wall Street Journal

What the Dating Rules You Set For Your Kids Say About You
Researchers have known for a while that closeness to parents is linked to less risky sexual behavior by teenagers.

Parents who are involved in stable romantic relationships with spouses or partners tend more than other parents to set rules limiting teen dating behavior, such as curfews, minimum ages for dating, limits on places teens can go and explicit rules against sexual activity, says a new study of 169 parents and 102 teens by Stephanie Madsen, an associate professor of psychology at Maryland's McDaniel College. While the reason isn't clear, the author suggests these parents may hold more conservative beliefs in general; many of the rules involved sexuality.

Ironically, in what other researchers have called the "Romeo and Juliet" effect, such rules may tend to drive teenage lovers closer; teens of these parents reported closer, more positive relationships.

Some 64% of parents in Dr. Madsen's study had dating rules for their 17-to-19-year-olds, the age of the teens in the study. The rest generally either had teens who weren't dating or gave their teens autonomy in dating. Marni Kan of the research group RTI International says many parents may be setting rules in response to research showing parental supervision and communication with teens protects against risky sexual behavior.

The shock number for me ... only 64% of the parents even bother to offer rules or guidelines to their children about dating.

Think about that for a second.  There is a roughly 2 in 5 chance that your daughter is going out with a guy whose parents have handed over complete autonomy about dating to their 17 year old son.

If that does not scare you, what will?

C'mon folks.  Be a parent for goodness sake!!

The full Pew report regarding religion in the U.S. was lengthy at 256 pages, but one particular finding stood out: 70 percent of Americans believe there are many paths to eternal life and, amazingly, 57 percent of evangelical Protestant church members do as well. The fact that a majority of evangelicals reject John 14:6 and a key tenant of their faith was surprising, to say the least.

The poll's findings grow even more perplexing when viewing the beliefs of those in some of the leading conservative denominations. For instance, according to the survey 61 percent of Southern Baptists and 71 percent of those in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) believe that many religions can lead to eternal life.

71 percent of the PCA believes in universalism?  Wha? No way. 

What is up with this Pew survey?

Turns out the question asked by the Pew Forum was misleading. Pew asked people to choose among two statements: "My religion is the one, true faith leading to eternal life" or "many religions can lead to eternal life."

Is a Presbyterian a different religion than a Baptist?  What about a Nazarene?  A Mennonite?  A Catholic?  Orthodox?

The question is not as clear as asking a Christian if he believes Hindu beliefs lead to salvation, for example.

( HT:  Baptist Press )

"He’s the only politician of our lifetime who is underestimated because he’s too intelligent.

Republicans keep calling him naïve. But naïve is the last word I’d use to describe Barack Obama. He’s the most effectively political creature we’ve seen in decades. Even Bill Clinton wasn’t smart enough to succeed in politics by pretending to renounce politics."
~ David Brooks

Like many conservatives, I bought into the "naive" shtick about Obama.  David Brooks just changed my mind.

Read David Brooks' essay.  Brilliant analysis.

The Census Bureau released a population report yesterday.

• World population will hit seven billion by 2012.
• We add one billion members to the human race every 13 years.
• The U.S. is the third most populous country.  China is #1.  India is #2.
• Average life expectancy in the U.S. passed 78 years old for the first time.
• The average number of babies per women in the U.S. is two.
• The average number of babies per women in Mali and Niger is seven.

Good news?  Bad news?  Who cares?

Any reactions?

"M. Night Shyamalan's latest movie, The Happening, is not merely bad. It is an astonishment, so idiotic in conception and inept in execution that, after seeing it, one almost wonders whether it was real or imagined."
~ The New Republic, Movie Review

Mr. D and Mrs. D wasted their hard earned money went to see Shyamalan's latest effort, The Happening.

My theory is that we are now starting to see the effects of our culture's environmental hysterics reach into the arts.  I think you should see the movie (ok, rent it).  But don't rent it because it is good.  Rent it to see what happens when imaginations run wild under the influence and fear mongering of today's global warming crazies.

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT AHEAD (not that it matters too much on this film)

I have been thinking about the classic triumvirate, the three absolutes, the three transcendentals that never die and never bore us: Truth, Goodness and Beauty.

Then came the amazing Breakpoint by Chuck Colson about his father.

"My dad worked so hard that I was accustomed to spending time with him only on Sunday afternoons. We would sit on the back porch, and there was never any wasted time. My dad would drill lessons into my head: Always do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay; be willing to do anything that you are required to do."
~ Chuck Colson, Breakpoint

Then came the stunning death of Tim Russert.  What is particularly striking about the memorializing of Russert's life is the theme of fatherhood.  I encourage you to listen to Hugh Hewitt's tribute to Tim Russert : advance to the 1 minute 40 second mark and let it play.  Outstanding.  Moving.

What is true of fatherhood?

That it is the most important job a man has (ok, next to being a husband).  God designed the relationship between father and child as the primary means of shaping a soul and a worldview.  What could be more important than that?  Our thinking about what is true and right and good and beautiful is passed from father to son and father to daughter.  What a privilege.  What a responsibility.

What is good about fatherhood?

It is good to see sons pay tribute to their fathers.   I love how Tim Russert pays tribute to his father with the words, "I stand on his shoulders".  There is something inspiring and undeniably good about a father's sacrifice, wisdom and provision for his family.

What is beautiful about fatherhood?

Relationship is a beautiful thing.  Seeing a dad with his arm around his son's shoulders is a beautiful thing.  Seeing a dad play baseball with his son, or untangle his son's fishing line, or teach his son how to change the oil is a picture of beauty.  Seeing a father smile at his daughter during her piano recital, or dance with her before her prom or at her wedding is picture of pure beauty.  It is the picture of tenderness and fatherly care.  It is the picture of relationship.   It warms the heart and softens us and gives us a glimpse into the Heavenly Father's love for us. That is what beauty does. It is a sign post that points us to and reminds us of ultimate goodness.

What a memorable Father's Day weekend.  Share your thoughts about fatherhood.