Cause Way Thursday
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current look at youth culture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pass this info on to ALL parents of teens you know
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Hottest Virtual Teen Hangout
... A Little Too "Hot"
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Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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A Virtual Pick Up Joint Where Authenticity is Scarce
David R. Smith
... A Little Too "Hot"
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Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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A Virtual Pick Up Joint Where Authenticity is Scarce
David R. Smith
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MySpace? That's soooooooo 2 years ago. Teens have a better place to go hang out online, but this time as an animated hottie.
And what's on the menu for today? Hmmmmm. Should I pick up on some girls, get a virtual lap dance, or meet a stranger and give them a cyber French kiss... all in 3-D! (yes, you can actually select "French" from the menu of "flirt" actions)
It's called IMVU.com, and millions of teens are navigating through "rooms" making friends... and making out. It's little wonder that the site has registered 20 million users, most of which are American teenagers.
The Newest Online Hangout
Although it sounds a lot like it, IMVU is not just another virtual world. The company actually bills their site as the "world's greatest 3-D Instant Message server." If that sounds a little arrogant to you, just know they have very good reasons for making that claim.
IMVU encourages their users to "be the person you want to be" ... a tempting offer for teenagers who "represent" themselves online.
Users express themselves by creating a personal, three dimensional character, known as an avatar, that can chat and interact with any other user from around the world. The options for customization are almost endless. Users can purchase a wide variety of virtual products including clothes, accessories, whole rooms, and even pets, using very real credit cards.
I investigated the site myself. Signing up was easy and I was able to create my very own "avatar," a virtual representation of myself. Okay, okay... it doesn't look anything like me at all! But I can see why teenagers like this site so much; there's no option for "overweight," "acne," or "straight-up goofy looking!" (You should see me...I'm a stud!)
The avatars are almost always depicted as very attractive teenagers, (regardless of the user's real age), and the graphics used by the designers give the avatars a very realistic appearance. Their body language can show emotions that range from interest, to confusion, to happiness, to boredom, and can even give that "come hither" look.
That look comes in handy for the female versions of the avatars who are dressed in incredibly sexy outfits. It's a rarity to find a room without at least one "girl" walking around wearing a skimpy two piece of some sort. Designers have also given the avatars the ability to perform physical acts with one another, including flirting, dancing, kissing, and massaging. (On my very first visit, a female avatar approached mine, said hello, and then mounted me on the couch and kissed me.")
Didn't You Say Something About Lap Dances?
As if the site was not raunchy enough, for a fee, IMVU offers an Access Pass for even racier content. Users can gain access to "restricted" material for those who pay a nominal fee and can prove they're 18 or older....
CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE And what's on the menu for today? Hmmmmm. Should I pick up on some girls, get a virtual lap dance, or meet a stranger and give them a cyber French kiss... all in 3-D! (yes, you can actually select "French" from the menu of "flirt" actions)It's called IMVU.com, and millions of teens are navigating through "rooms" making friends... and making out. It's little wonder that the site has registered 20 million users, most of which are American teenagers.
The Newest Online Hangout
Although it sounds a lot like it, IMVU is not just another virtual world. The company actually bills their site as the "world's greatest 3-D Instant Message server." If that sounds a little arrogant to you, just know they have very good reasons for making that claim.
IMVU encourages their users to "be the person you want to be" ... a tempting offer for teenagers who "represent" themselves online.
Users express themselves by creating a personal, three dimensional character, known as an avatar, that can chat and interact with any other user from around the world. The options for customization are almost endless. Users can purchase a wide variety of virtual products including clothes, accessories, whole rooms, and even pets, using very real credit cards.
I investigated the site myself. Signing up was easy and I was able to create my very own "avatar," a virtual representation of myself. Okay, okay... it doesn't look anything like me at all! But I can see why teenagers like this site so much; there's no option for "overweight," "acne," or "straight-up goofy looking!" (You should see me...I'm a stud!)
The avatars are almost always depicted as very attractive teenagers, (regardless of the user's real age), and the graphics used by the designers give the avatars a very realistic appearance. Their body language can show emotions that range from interest, to confusion, to happiness, to boredom, and can even give that "come hither" look.
That look comes in handy for the female versions of the avatars who are dressed in incredibly sexy outfits. It's a rarity to find a room without at least one "girl" walking around wearing a skimpy two piece of some sort. Designers have also given the avatars the ability to perform physical acts with one another, including flirting, dancing, kissing, and massaging. (On my very first visit, a female avatar approached mine, said hello, and then mounted me on the couch and kissed me.")
Didn't You Say Something About Lap Dances?
As if the site was not raunchy enough, for a fee, IMVU offers an Access Pass for even racier content. Users can gain access to "restricted" material for those who pay a nominal fee and can prove they're 18 or older....
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Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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additional evidence of wrong ideology
Teens, church hold different views of oral sex|South Florida Sun-SentinelJune 30, 2008
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More than 10 years after President Clinton made the argument that oral sex isn't really sex, a generation of adolescents seems to agree.
Defining chastity was a prominent issue of two religious youth conferences earlier this month, one for Catholics in Boca Raton and another for Mormons in Miramar. Although church and school leaders say they have become more explicit in their teachings, 70 percent of 14- to 19-year-olds still don't consider oral sex to be sex, according to a 2007 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Flavio DaCosta, 14, of Boca Raton, is among them: "I know you can still pass on STDs, but there's less of a chance, and no chance of getting pregnant."
To 15-year-old Jenni, a Coral Springs resident who didn't want her surname published, there is no controversy. "It's not intercourse, so I don't consider that losing your virginity," she said.
Defining chastity was a prominent issue of two religious youth conferences earlier this month, one for Catholics in Boca Raton and another for Mormons in Miramar. Although church and school leaders say they have become more explicit in their teachings, 70 percent of 14- to 19-year-olds still don't consider oral sex to be sex, according to a 2007 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Flavio DaCosta, 14, of Boca Raton, is among them: "I know you can still pass on STDs, but there's less of a chance, and no chance of getting pregnant."
To 15-year-old Jenni, a Coral Springs resident who didn't want her surname published, there is no controversy. "It's not intercourse, so I don't consider that losing your virginity," she said.
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185 year-old curse is broken
mistreated Jesuit pioneer priest curses parish
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from blog site Vita Mea post on 6/18/08
of recently ordained (June 7) Catholic priest
from blog site Vita Mea post on 6/18/08
of recently ordained (June 7) Catholic priest
Father Dennis Schenkel
. . . . . . . . . .Last Sunday (June 15), you’ll recall, I had noon mass at the parish where I was baptized, All Saints Church in St. Peter’s, Missouri. As mass began, the pastor came out to briefly introduce me before I continued on with mass. His introduction was something like:
Today, I want to introduce to you Fr. Dennis Schenkel, a priest of the Diocese of Memphis who was ordained only a week ago. Fr. Dennis is here today because this is the parish where he was baptized.
Now, many of you may know the legend that has been in this parish for many many years, that back in the earliest days of this parish, one of the pioneer Jesuit fathers who worked here was mistreated by the parishioners, and in
response he placed a curse on this parish that we would never have a vocation to the priesthood.
Today, Fr. Dennis has broken the curse because he’s the first priest from this parish in the 185 year history of All Saints! Thank you, Fr. Dennis!
It was like playing for the 2004 Red Sox.
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Way to go Fr. Dennis
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