Saving the kiss for wedded bliss

I'm guessing this is fairly rare among Christians but probably not as rare as you might think.

The practice of courting (as opposed to dating) is fairly common among some conservative Christians I've met. The definition of courting varies, but the purpose is to find a future spouse -- which, of course, isn't always the goal of dating.

Often, the courting couple gets together in public places, even with other couples or friends. It's an opportunity to get to know someone in a friendship-like setting without the pressures to commit or the pressure to have a physical relationship. Often, the couple has a relationship mentor or supervisor of sorts at their church who is responsible for keeping them honest.

One teen in the article says her friends, weirded out by her plan, ask how will she know whether she wants to marry someone unless she has sex with them or at least kisses them.

Her answer: "I'm not going to marry someone because they are a good kisser."

A popular book about courting is "I Kissed Dating Goodbye," by Josh Harris.

Harris believes that premature, short-term romantic attachments can be a distraction from serving God -- especially for teenagers.

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler weighed in with his support for Virgin Lips in a column, which says the notion might sound like overkill and over-reaction to some older evangelicals. But not so considering today's sex-infused culture, Mohler says:

"While sexual abstinence until monogamous marriage is the biblical standard, these young Christians see virginity as requiring more than reserving sexual intercourse for marriage. They see kissing as an act of physical intimacy -- a gateway drug to greater physical intimacy and involvement.

"As any minister who works with youth and young adults knows, the 'how far is too far question' is a constant. The Virgin Lips Movement represents a determination to stop that train before it leaves the station, so to speak."