May Christians Dance? by E. E. Emenheiser

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Sep 5, 1912

May Christians Dance?

By E. E. Emenheiser

E. E. EMENHEISER

THE question is often asked, Is it wrong to dance? Why not ask, Is it expedient? Is it better to dance than not to dance? I think all will agree that dancing is not an essential virtue; for many of the best people never danced. You can not add anything to the worth of your character by dancing. You can not add anything to your Christian life and influence (not even in the eyes of the world) by dancing. If it is not an essential virtue, if it adds nothing to our Christian character and influence, it is certainly not a good thing for Christians to engage in; for the aim of every Christian ought to be to live a virtuous life, to build up a strong Christian character, and live a life that will influence others for good.

A young woman gave the following reasons why she quit dancing:—

“1. I can make better use of my time. The young man or young woman whose highest aspiration is to have a good time, has a very low conception of life. God has endowed us with extraordinary powers of mind and heart, and placed within reach of each one of us the means by which we may develop these powers, and thus fit ourselves for life. The Christian religion means more than church-membership; it is more than a profession; it is a life,—a life that demands every power of mind, and every power at its best. We owe the world not only the best we have, but also the best we can acquire. Does not my time belong to God? If it belongs to him, then it ought to be given to him, and not to the pleasures of the world. Many young people spend more time training their feet than they give to the development of their minds? If I am God's child, and am a member of the Christian church, having pledged my allegiance to Christ and his cause, I can not consistently give my time to the pleasures of the world.

“2. Because I can not take Jesus with me to the dance. A young woman asked Mr. Moody the question, ‘May I dance as a Christian?’ Mr. Moody’s reply was: ‘Ask Jesus to go with you; if he goes with you, go; if not, you had better stay away.’ She never attended a dance after that; neither will any other Christian that makes it a matter of prayer, and then follows the leadings of the Holy Spirit. Christ said: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ Think of a Christian shining in a modern ballroom! Every time Christians get ready to attend a dance, they ought to ask themselves Pilate’s question: ‘What shall I do then with Jesus?’ What will you do with him? Will you say, ‘Master, I am going to the dance; I know it is not a fit place to take you, but I am going for a good time; when I come back, I want your company and fellowship again’? I always have a great deal of sympathy for the Christian who has to go to the ballroom for enjoyment. I never yet knew a fully consecrated Christian who wanted to dance. A true Christian finds joy in the study of God's Word, in the prayer-meeting, in doing good. Think of a Christian preferring the ballroom, with its immoral atmosphere and degrading influence, to the Christian church, where God's name is recorded, where his honor dwells, and where he delights to meet with his people! Think of the Christian who would rather go to a dance than to prayer-meeting; rather dance than help to save lost souls! Do you want real enjoyment? Learn to sit at the feet of Jesus, and drink in the word of truth and life; go with him on the mount of transfiguration, and heaven will come to greet your waiting soul, and glory will crown the mercy-seat. If you have Jesus, he will be your all in all. He will give you joy unspeakable and full of glory; an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Go to the dance for joy and pleasure?—No; not while God is my Father, Christ my Saviour, and heaven my prospective home.

“3. Because dancing leads to immorality. Dancing is not only a waste of time that should be used for self-improvement and in Christ’s service, but it is demoralizing and degrading. Bishop Meade said: ‘Dancing is not among the neutral things which we may do at pleasure, not among the things lawful, but not expedient; but it is in itself wrong, improper, and of bad effect.’ An ex-dancing-master says, ‘Two thirds of the young girls that are ruined, fall through the influence of the dance.’ Two hundred girls, inmates of the brothel, were personally interviewed as to the cause of their downfall, and from their frank admissions the following figures were obtained: By dancing-school and ballroom, 163; through drink, 20; wilful choice, 10; poverty and abuse, 7. The modern dance, in its very nature, tendencies, and results, is dangerous to social purity. However much we may dislike to tell the truth on this point, we ought to tell it for the good of the young people who are in danger of the damaging influence of the dance. Men take liberties on the dancing-floor that are allowed nowhere else in reputable society. The very poise suggests impurity. The central source of attraction of the modern dance is sex; and I care not what the amusement is that depends upon sex for popularity, it is dangerous to society. Did you ever see man dance with man, woman with woman, for hours at a time?—No; there is no attraction, no fascination, in that kind of dancing. Why do so few young men who dance go to the ballroom for a wife? Why do young men who dance and who have respect for their sisters, want them not to go to the ballroom?

“ ‘But,’ says one, ‘they danced in Bible times; we read quite frequently about dancing.’ Those who appeal to the Bible in justification of the dance should take their Bible and look up every reference

on dancing. They will find that dancing was a religious act; that it was an expression of joy for God's mercies; that dances were always held in daytime; that men and women never danced together; that dancing for amusement was regarded fit only for the low classes; and that there are only three instances given in the Bible of dancing for amusement: The wicked families that Job speaks of, the daughter of the wicked Herod, and the lewd fellow.

“May I dance?—Yes, if a consciousness of my sins forgiven, and if communion with Christ my Saviour, and a hope of heaven and eternal glory, fill my heart with joy, then I may dance before the ark in the house of my God.”

— Religious Telescope.