Premarital SexThe controversy over premarital sex has never been as deep as it is today. The mere mention of the word elicits radically different reactions. At one time, the very topic of sex was a taboo, then the sexual revolution was introduced as a time when people were unbridled and open to exploring their sexuality. Today, many have become so overly concerned about sex-related diseases that they consider premarital sex to be completely ill-advised. I am of the opinion that the decision to have premarital sex should not be condemned by either camp. The final determination is a totally personal decision that must be carefully contemplated with clear logic. However, I believe that a return to the simpler morals of past generations would help alleviate many of the stresses added to young single people today. People today are not as uptight and rigid as in the "Happy Days" era. Old movies, television shows, and even discussions with older generations tell us that sex was not a popular topic. The very word sex was taboo. In the 1960s there was an entire revolution dedicated to sexual freedom. It was only then that "sex" became a word that could even be said out loud. "Make love nor war" was the slogan of the day. The practice of "free love" was commonplace. Today, people are so concerned about sexually transmitted diseases that even bringing the word "sex" out into the open needs to be accompanied by a discussion about sex education. My generation has been bombarded with so many safe sex seminars that you'd think we have that aspect totally under control. There are still people out there who don't listen to the warnings and find themselves stuck in the middle of a sheet of paper in one union. Thus sex without marriage and the lifelong promise of physical and spiritual relationships, and emotional support violates this bonding relationship. Second, intimacy suggests a level of personal, physical, spiritual, and psychological commitment that only a marriage can provide. And third, intimacy suggests a kind of love, the good, self-giving kind. love, not a kind of love that comes from our inner lusts and biological desires. In the end, there is nothing wrong with the desires we feel: in fact, we couldn't stop them if we wanted to. But sex was not created to be a recreational outlet for the uninitiated, but the fruit of the promise of lifelong mutual commitment. And with all the baggage of shame that society can heap on us, it's really worth the wait.