When you write about pole dancing on your Jesus-y blog, you kind of imagine it’ll be a one time affair. And yet, here we are again: Pole dancing for Jesus. (But not. So very not. In fact, not at all. — Hang on, I’ll explain; I’m just a little skeeved out right now.)
Ever since I wrote about my coincidentally simultaneous adventures in vacation bible school and pole dancing, search engines have graciously handed me numerous seekers, eclipsed in number only by those looking for boobs. I can’t be sure, but I like to think they’re not totally disappointed: As a recent search claimed, “tamaraoutloud gives good blog.”
So when Carlos Whittaker shared a news clip about “Christian pole dancing” and asked his readers’ opinions, I gave mine along with what I consider to be my marginal success story: I write about things that people are already searching for– which, clearly, happens to include to a large degree boobs, pole dancing, and wet t-shirt contests– and use my blog to try to show them the one thing I’ve found worth searching for.
Since I commented on Carlos’ post, several of his readers have popped over to, presumably, see just what in the hell is going on around here. So I decided the prescient thing would be to explain: I think you should pole dance all you want. But for the love of God, please don’t do it for Jesus.
One of his readers suggested that if you wouldn’t do something for Jesus to see, you probably shouldn’t do it all. Much as I appreciate the sentiment, I can’t help thinking that there are just some things you don’t need to expressly invite Jesus to oversee. Bikini waxing comes to mind, for one. You do it for yourself, and maybe your husband benefits. Sure, you know Jesus is omnipresent, but you don’t get the feeling He’s up in your business. Same with the dancing.
Another reader noted that pole dancing “for Jesus” was akin to doing it for your daddy. And although she meant her comment as a condemnation of pole dancing altogether, I will wholeheartedly meet her halfway: The qualification makes it beyond awkward and maybe a little inappropriate.
But as a form of exercise, I think pole dancing is great, and as it happens, I have a standard of comparison. Long before I ever attempted so much as a Corkscrew, I was a ballet dancer. And let me tell you, if you think pole dancing is risqué, put down the pointe shoes right now.
In ballet partnering, there is all kinds of grab-action. There are lady backs pressed up against man fronts, bodies lifted by palm-on-butt, hands firmly grasping inner thighs. And no one gives a shit. In fact, they watch.
So, I don’t see the big deal about a grown woman dancing with a pole as a partner; I also don’t see why it needs to be “for Jesus,” though I think He really can use anything to work good in the world.
Take, for example, my writing about these oft-searched topics on my Christian-ish blog. I’d like to say it’s because I’m terribly crafty, bait-and-switching all those unsuspecting boob-seekers. But the truth is, that’s just the kind of stuff that sneaks into my brain– that it might have ever worked out for any kind of good is what grace is all about.
So if Jesus wants to use my modest skills, great. And if my mind has a bent for the inappropriate, at least I can use it to give good blog.
What’s your opinion on “pole dancing for Jesus?” What other unorthodox methods of evangelizing or worship have you seen? And at the risk of becoming inappropriate, have you ever taken ballet?
