Let’s talk about sex…with Dr. Ruth!
December 7, 2005
That’s right folks. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, world renowned sex-expert (who is 76yrs old and teaches some courses at Princeton University) spoke to a group of students at Butler College tonight. I luckily had a connection who was able to get me in, and I got a chance to hear Dr. Ruth speak. She actually had a lot of good things to say - she was primarily talking about the essential need for sexual literacy in our world today. She believes that it is of utmost importance that people become sexually literate about sex, contraception and about the myths that still prevail in our society today (i.e. if you masturbate, hair will grow on your palms). She actually had a lot of really good things to say. And she is incredibly respectful of people’s values and beliefs; for her, sexual literacy and respect are the most important things for this conversation. I think the church probably could learn some from Dr. Ruth, and her desire to just really talk very bluntly and clearly about sex. Sex is not something that we know how to talk about well in the church today. And sexual literacy is something that we need in the church and in youth groups.
Anyway, I also got a chance to grab some video for the night, so if you want to hear and see Dr. Ruth in action, you’ll have to check out these videos:
- Dr. Ruth shares some knowledge about “special women”
- Dr. Ruth gets “biblical” and talks about masturbation and Onan
- Dr. Ruth talks about American myths about masturbation
Posted in 
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
December 7th, 2005 at 9:10 pm
Adam, finally a post I can appreciate. Sexual literacy and masturbation are subjects about which I was not fully informed when I went to seminary. Luckily, I figured it out.
December 7th, 2005 at 10:32 pm
The church seems to tiptoe around this issue so much. If the church woudl just hit the issue head on, not be afraid to offend some people, we might be able to get somewhere with this issue. Life in the church always seems in such abstractions.
December 7th, 2005 at 11:25 pm
can she come to pts? we have some SERIOUS repression issues around here, it would seem.
December 8th, 2005 at 3:15 am
Curious question Adam -
Does Cornel West ever teach any courses at PTS? Have you ever attended any of his classes?
December 8th, 2005 at 9:20 am
Read Peter Brown’s “The Body and Society” it is a real eye opener about why we as Christians are so repressed about sex. Also read “Sexuality and the Sacred” edited by James B. Nelson and Sendra P. Longfellow. Some beautiful stories and reflections about sex. The book is all encompassing of both liberal and conservatives. I would also recommend taking Nancy Duff’s Human Sexuality course. Some great read and very eye opening.
December 8th, 2005 at 10:05 am
Cornel doesn’t (as far as I know) teach courses at PTS, but students can sign up for his university classes, and I know people who have done that and loved it.
December 8th, 2005 at 11:54 am
>>>”Read Peter Brown’s “The Body and Society” it is a real eye opener about why we as Christians are so repressed about sex.”
What does being “repressed” about sex mean? I’ve dated several evangelical girls so far and they were just as horny as any secular girl I dated. Actually, they were more horny. The only difference was that they strongly believe sex is reserved for the marriage bed. That’s why they want to get married so bad, so they can have sex 24/7. So if they’re waiting for a husband, does that make them repressed?
December 8th, 2005 at 12:55 pm
Thanks Adam!
Is it just me, or does the word “horny” make anyone else laugh too? I must be in the third grade.
December 8th, 2005 at 8:24 pm
Did you get some good advice from the master herself for your wedding night and marriage?