Article March 13, 2006 Issue

What we've been thinking ABOUT IT

with contributions from BRANT ARTHUR, ARIANA HERLINGER, JUSTIN BYRD, ELLEN HAMMOND

When the Sentinel decided to discuss the subject of sensuality in a cover feature, we wanted to hear from young people who had already thought and prayed a lot about this topic. So when we met up with BRANT ARTHUR, ARIANA HERLINGER, JUSTIN BYRD, and ELLEN HAMMOND, twenty-something staffers at The Mother Church's newly formed department, TMC Youth, we asked if they might have some leads about people we could talk to for this issue. After a lively discussion, we realized they had a lot of wonderful ideas to share.

The four of them sat down at their computers one night and spilled their thoughts on a subject they realize is not just for young people to sort out, but one many adults also struggle to make sense of. The next morning, we got back these inspired and honest insights.

In high school, I was usually thinking sensual thoughts in one way or another. I felt that sensuality was a dirty old bad thing, and I started into judging other people, as well as myself, for having sensual thoughts. I looked down on people for the very thing that I myself felt so confused about. Did I want to be loved? Was sensuality something inside of me? Did I feel I should be doing all the physical roughhousing that my culture told me I should be doing? All I know is that I felt hollow and alone, without an outlet for my love.

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