Dating: What's the point?

In chapter five of his book "Love, Reason, and God's Story", David Cloutier examines arguments within Christianity in favor of dating and opposed to the practice of dating.  Some of the 'anti-daters' argue that dating in our current social context is 'essentially practice for divorce'.  In your response, share your reaction to this claim, as well as your reaction to the reasons given to justify dating (those by Freitas and King among others).  How does this argument compare with the experience of you/your peers and 'contemporaries'?  Finally, how does this compare to the 'hook-up' culture prevalent in colleges and universities in 2012?  Please refer to this article from none other than BUSTED HALO :), as well as the article we read by Fr. Rick Malloy challenging the culture of 'hooking up'. 

It's that time of year again!

Tomorrow we will enter into the lenten season with the distribution of Ashes at liturgy.  The question we should all consider is:  What are you going to do over these next 40 days?  Lent is often a time associated with sacrifice... maybe giving up fried food, chocolate, caffeine, etc.  But Lent is also about more than a practice of discipline and weight loss.  Lent can be an opportunity to sacrifice in solidarity with Jesus and all those who suffer... or it can be a time to intentionally do something (as opposed to intentionally not doing something like not drinking coffee) that can aid in your spiritual practice.  In past years, I have tried to commit each day for some meditation, or driving to school with the radio off.  Last year I joined a prayer and faith-sharing group that gathered weekly throughout Lent to pray and share the 'state of our heart'.  We still meet weekly (though my attendance is spotty at times due to other obligations) and continue to pray with and for one another.  One year I decided to give up chocolate (I lasted three days) but I think my heart wasn't in it.  I didn't think WHY I was giving up chocolate... it had no connection to the meaning behind the season of Lent.  It wasn't wrong to give chocolate up, but lent challenges, invites and encourages us to also consider our motivations.  Here are a few helpful resources for you to explore about Lent.  Please post in 1-2 paragraphs what Lent means to you and what you plan to do (or NOT do!) these next 40 days. 

Some say love.....

Bette Midler's famous song 'The Rose' compares love to a flower, a river, a razor and a hunger.  Love is the topic of many songs, in an attempt to illustrate the emotions and feelings that are evoked when someone is in 'love'.  Oftentimes, stories of heartache and/or unrequited love are lamented... other times the joys of passion and unconditional love are celebrated... seeking one's soulmate is the ideal in some songs, while others encourage finding a fun 'for-now' partner.   
In the Christian world, the ideal love of Agape describes a selfless love that is concerned entirely with the well-being of the other.  This counters our American cultural philosophy of 'me-first', and requires a level of vulnerability and trust that many people fear.  And yet, in its ideal manifestation, agapic love can be fulfilling, exhilarating and sustainable in a loving relationship.  Many sappy love songs describe finding your soul mate, the 'one' who is perfect for you, but many wonder if a person really has a 'soul mate' that is the only one they can be happily in relationship with for the rest of their life.  Please read this article on finding one's 'soul mate' and the weakness that may lie in that search and the assumptions/expectations that go along with it. 
As you reflect on some of your favorite songs, consider the messages about love and relationship that are explicitly or implicitly described in the lyrics.  In your blog post, you should include reference to at least 5 songs (the reference can be in the form of direct quote or general summary of the song's message).  Respond to the following prompts in a cohesive reflection-- not in the format of question1:... question 2...
Prompts:
What are the qualities and characteristics of love that you seek to experience in dating/committed relationships?  Where do you see these illustrated in music?  Do you believe in the quest for soul mates as described in the article?  Why/why not?

How does the media affect our perception of sexuality?

Everyday, we are bombarded with images of men and women in sexually provocative positions attempting to sell products that often have nothing to do with sex: cars, handbags, sunglasses and shoes among others.  And yet, in our American culture, this is one of the most effective marketing tools.  In our course, we will analyze how the use of sex to sell products affects our perception and appreciation of the sacredness of sexuality. 
Since you are surrounded with sexually explicit images on television commercials, in magazines and on billboards, many often become desensitized to the messages and potential scandal they might invoke.  Our starting point is to raise your awareness, to become more conscious of the messages you are receiving through these advertisements. 
Your task is to look at examples of advertising to analyze the messages they project (both subtly and explicitly)

Please choose two advertisements to critique.   You can post them as separate posts if you'd prefer.
Please insert the image into your post or put a link to the site. 

 -What product is being featured?  What is the connection between the product and the images portrayed in the advertisement?

-Do you think this advertisement is appropriate? Why or why not?  Is it necessary?

-Is there evidence of stereotyping? Provide examples

-Are there other ways to portray this product w/o losing its selling appeal? Offer some examples.

-What impact do you think this advertisement has on the consumer?  

Sources of Your Identity

As we begin our course in Vocations and Human Sexuality, a starting point is to consider the various sources that have informed and developed your identity.  Your task is as follows:
Write a three paragraph blog post that explains three specific factors that have affected your identity.  They might include: family members, friends, a specific experience, music, faith, television or movies, travel, etc.
In each paragraph, explain how the factor has affected you and what you've learned about yourself as a result.  Additionally, create a link to a website or embed a picture that is relevant for each paragraph.  For the sake of practice, please embed at least one website and one photo.
Example:
I remember the feeling when I walked onto the campus at Saint Joseph's University for the first time.  It was February of my junior year of high school, and my mom and I had traveled down the east coast on a college tour during school vacation week.  It was an unseasonably warm day in Philadelphia so throughout the campus, students sat on the grass, played frisbee and wandered around.  It was like I'd walked into one of the school's promotional pamphlets I'd received in the mail.  It was idyllic, and I instantly knew this was where I wanted to spend my four years of college.  Not only was the setting beautiful, but each person I met on that trip was warm and welcoming.  From the people at the hotel on City Line Avenue (today a Target... then the Adam's Mark), to my tour guide, and the teacher whose class I observed, I felt like I was home.  That realization, along with the following four years of college, have formed who I am today.  Saint Joe's sparked my passion for theology and service and challenged me to spend my life discerning how to incorporate that passion into who I am becoming (still today!).

 A group of my classmates, hanging out on the front porch of Wolfington Hall.  I spent many days in this building in the offices of campus ministry and service learning...  It became my home.