The Temptation of Purity

This temptation is lived out by the right wing and the left wing and often focuses on matters of sexuality. For some reason (and I have theories about "the why"), we humans are preoccupied with sex. For some of the right wing, homosexuality and sex before marriage often seem to be the concern. For the left wing, the focus is often sexual victimization. Concerned about a very important issue, these folks can become rigid about music that can be listened to or songs that can be sung or people who can be admired or not admired. It's clear to me that listening to Michael Jackson music is for some people a violation of their sexual purity code. Now personally, I think sexual abuse is a very significant matter. We cannot downplay the pain that is imposed upon people by those who sexually abuse. But I worry when this significant matter is seen through the lens of purity. Life lived in community is always messy and complex. Purity codes seldom enable us to embrace this messiness and complexity.