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VOW
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MORE ABOUT THE “LOVE” VIDEOTAPES Several months ago, VOW teamed up with Presbyterians Pro-Life (PPL) to purchase and evaluate a series of videotapes (Love – All that and More) that were produced using monies collected as part of the 1997 PW Birthday Offering. The evaluations were published online and in the VOW newsletter. Both VOW and PPL wrote unfavorable about the videotapes because they endorse an understanding of human sexuality that is neither biblical nor in accord with our Presbyterian standards. VOW ended its assessment of “Love” with what we believe to be salutary advice: “make it your business to know how your mission dollars are used.” Evidently, a large number of you took our advice and began to ask questions. In fact, there were enough questions asked that PW found it necessary to write a memorandum to its Coordinating Team, as well as to PW moderators in the Synods and Presbyteries. To read about all of this, go to http://www.vow.org/birthdaymenu.html on the Internet. Further review of the videotapes by VOW board member, Patsy DeGood,*has surfaced even more concerns. Out of her experience working with teens in the area of substance abuse, Patsy finds that the videotapes are not only flawed theologically and ethically, but also in terms of some basic skills that the church should be teaching its youth. What follows is a summary of Patsy’s findings: 1. The videotapes and curriculum do not address the goal of the prevention of sexual abuse: a. There is no training in decision making and/ or refusal skills; b. The videotapes do not provide a clear description of sexually abusive behavior, nor do they point out the indicators of violent/abusive behavior (i.e. aggressive language, animal abuse, bullying, etc.); c. The tapes give little direction on how to listen to the feelings that might alert a person to serious problems within a relationship (i.e. dread, fear, anxiety, sadness, and a sense of isolation); d. The tapes do not teach exit strategies (i.e. “Now that I’m in this relationship, how do I get out of it?”).2. Neither the videotapes nor the Facilitator’s Guide address the issue of human sexuality in terms of the theological or constitutional standards of the PC(USA). a. No matter what is said in the classes, teens will translate the videos (and handouts) to mean that there is complete acceptance of unmarried sexual intimacy – whether gay or straight. This fact, alone, undercuts the goal of preventing sexual abuse and violence;c. The materials fail to express God’s intent for building up marriages and families. Mrs. DeGood concludes her analysis with the following statement: “We can do better than this. I would like to see a program developed by the PC(USA) for use by the PC(USA) that honors biblical teaching and our church’s standards.” ___________________ *Patsy DeGood is an ordained deacon in the PC(USA). She is a certified
instructor for Youth Effectiveness Training, and has been a substance abuse
resource for the Loveland, Colorado, Police Department, the Thompson R2-J
School District, and local churches for more than 18 years. She has
special training in teaching “decision making and refusal skills,” “goal
setting,” “communication skills,” and “problem solving and conflict resolution.”
Patsy is the mother of two adult children, and she and her husband, Ray,
have been committed to working with teens in the church for years.
As part of her research into “Love,” Patsy spoke by telephone to representatives
of the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, in Seattle,
Washington – the organization that produced the videotapes with Presbyterian
money. She also spoke with Ann Ferguson, PW Program Coordinator in
Louisville, Kentucky.
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