Eleventh International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

While churches are known as citadels of spirituality and morality, usually, it is assumed that religious Christian singles rarely engage in sexual activities. However, it appears this may be imaginary. This study examined some indulgences of singles towards sexual activities in selected churches in Gombe Metropolis vis-à-vis how they perceived and became involved. One hundred and eighty copies of a questionnaire were distributed (60 each) among the singles in three church denominations selected purposively namely: Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Mainline. Oral interviews where possible were conducted. Data was subjected to content and simple descriptive analyses. Four indulgences were indentified namely: attractiveness, social and mass media, premarital sex, and clothing. About attraction, singles get noticed through appearance, voice, accents, gesticulation, walk, and cosmetics. About mass and social media, they engaged in sharing photos, videos, making friends, learning, identifying likes and dislikes, exchanging and tracing contacts. Others include watching sexual television contents and pornography to douse their “inordinate sexual interests.” Some singles consider intercourse abominable while others indulged in protected sex to avoid diseases and pregnancies. Others who practice non-penetrative sex feel it is not unscriptural and safer. Lastly, clothing made from plain, ornamented and multicolored fabrics, customized into tight, skimpy, fitted or flowing attires, designed with lace or net transparency induce singles towards friendship. They consider flowing dresses as old fashioned while fitted ones are voguish. Sexual activities take place among Christian singles and the church needs not deny, fear, or ignore but should face it squarely. This is the “new normal”.