Read your comments

Thank you very much for all your messages following American Virgins, broadcast on Sunday, 25 January, 2004. Unfortunately we are not able to publish any more of your comments.

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The comments published on this page reflect a balance of views we received.

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At last, a programme promoting a Christian viewpoint of abstinence. How sad that nearly all the images aimed at teenagers are sex sex sex. No wonder they find it hard to resist the popular image. Christians need to reclaim the great gift of sex that God gave us for within marriage and ensure it is promoted as a positive virtue.
Alan, Scotland

I think the Silver Ring Thing is excellent. I am a teenager and I think the ring thing should come to England. It carries an amazing and definitely worthwhile message.
Rebekah Hyde, Luton

As a 17-year-old I was disgusted by the attitude that not teaching people my age about contraeption was the correct thing to do. I believe that everyone should at least be educated about contraception before choosing whether to have sex or not. This the type of thing you hear about in Third World countries, not the type of thing that should be happening in a democratic country with as much power as America has.
Lucy, Gloucestershire

I am a 26-year-old married Christian who is very glad that I waited until my wedding night until I had sex with my husband. What a fab wedding gift to give to your partner! Thank you for such a balanced programme.
Viki, Scotland

We're not fools and we have our own minds Hannah, Hampshire

Reading through the comments I realise how people stereotype us teenagers. We're not fools and we have our own minds. I thought that the Silver Ring Thing was an exellent support system for teens.
Hannah, Hampshire

Brilliant! I was delighted to find this programme on TV last night. The presentation was excellent and informative, and whilst I'd never heard of the Silver Ring Thing before, I think the concept is great, and would love to see it brought in over here in the the UK. I believe we need to encourage the promotion of wholesome programmes like this where fair debate and discussion are presented. Keep up the good work BBC.
Joseph Naggie, Kent

What happened to a persons individual right to freedom of choice? How are children to grow up with this freedom if their sexual education is to be restricted to abstinence-only preaching? I would have thought the whole aim would be to ensure that our teenagers are making informed decisions for themselves, and in order for us to empower them we need to provide them with ALL the options.
Karen, UK

It is important that children are taught all of the facts about sex so that they can make informed decisions for themselves Juliana, UK

I was pleased that you allowed the broadcast of the Silver Ring Thing on the BBC. I could tell by the programme that you attempted to remain balanced, and that is greatly appreciated. As a minister, husband and father, I was thankful for anything that promoted the sexual purity issue and gave an alternative to the wholesale sexual "freedom" that so many of the schools, like the one my children attend, promote. Thank you for showing the programme.
Rev. F. Lunde, Devon

I think what the Silver Ring Thing is doing is excellent and would love to join up. Unfortunatly I live in England which is so unfair!
Bex Acton, England

It is important that children are taught all of the facts about sex so that they can make informed decisions for themselves. I left school just a few years ago having been taught about the "mechanics" of sex without being provided with any information about STD's or contraception. Combined with the fact that many parents are reluctant to discuss sex with their children, it is little wonder that high rates of teenage pregnancy result. It is important to educate children about methods of contraception, with abstinence being one option, so that they know how to protect themselves should they choose that path.
Juliana, UK

Forget fear tactics, there are many sensible health reasons to abstain from sex until marriage. I thought it was a good programme and the issue was well thought out. Life would be a lot simpler and a lot easier if people waited until marriage before they had sex. The best condom in the world is the answer, "No".
Andrew Larkin, England

I am horrified that all this money is being used to try and brainwash young adults Dani Dennington, UK

Why on earth was this God-fearing man practicing golf by aiming and actually hitting ducks. Is Bush being influenced by people like him?
Ken Ross, Scotland

Not everyone wants to get married. Gays, lesbians and bisexuals can in some countries never be married. Therefore this policy of abstinence is fundamentally flawed.
Mark, Northern Ireland

Sensible, empowered adults who strike at geese with golfclubs in the name of the Lord - very adult indeed. Educate children, but don't let Bush make these choices for you. Good luck!
Rodion, Holland

I am horrified that all this money is being used to try and brainwash young adults. Education is the key and our young people are much better served by supportive education, not dogmatic religion. Empower all the children, not just the white middle classes, by providing an education that gives them the information they need to make their own decisions. Trust them!
Dani Dennington, UK

The religious fervour in this programme was a massive turn-off, and the amount of government money channelled into a programme which clearly is focussed solely on the Christian community is grotesque.
James Walton, England

It was excellent to see a programme putting the abstinence view on TV Rose, Hants

This programme has enforced my fear of radical Christian right who use scare tactics and political contacts to indoctrinate the vulnerable youth into their faith.
Alex W, England

It was excellent to see a programme putting the abstinence view on TV. I wish this input had been in schools when I was a teenager. It may have helped avoid some of the mistakes I know I made.
Rose, Hants

Great programme, great message. So much hurt, pain and shame is avoidable. It's not easy, but it is possible to keep yourself pure.
Donald, Scotland

I am a Christian. I am 26-years-old and married. It would be great if our government would start supporting some abstinance programmes like the ring thing in this country. Well done BBC for giving the church some good press for once.
Peter Hall, England

I lost my virginity at 16 when I was in love, in a long-term relationship that lasted three years, and any suggestion that it was a mistake is ridiculous. Nor was it a sin.
Jo M, UK

As a Christian, I am a fan of abstinence. I am a young adult and I have a steady girlfriend. Not having sex is by no means an easy thing to do, but we believe that sex should not control how much we love each other. There is a much purer love that has brought us together and when we get married, sex is a wonderful thing that I hope we share together in that love.
Peter, UK

I'm tired of feminist and liberal stances that seem so damaging to our community Victoria, UK

How refreshing to be a young person given the "validation" that abstinence isn't just for the wierd or ugly. Speaking for myself, I'm tired of feminist and liberal stances that seem so damaging to our community.
Victoria, UK

These people are crazy! To preach abstinence as the only option is asking for trouble. Sex is probably the most powerful driving force in all humans. Teenagers WILL have sex - there's nothing that can be done to completely stop those perfectly natural urges. If they have sex without vital knowledge and the genuine facts of sex education then the inevitable result will be unnecessary teenage pregnancies and an increase in sexually transmitted diseases.
Ronnie Van Peters, Sweden

As for US government money being used to fund this type of thing, it just makes me glad I dont pay my taxes in America!
Amy, England

Personally I don't regret any of my sexual encounters with my partners of times gone by. I think its a vital and important step in a teenagers life, it taught me many things, and most importantly what it's like to be a human being. I pity those people who miss out on this very important part of growing up. Face the truth, being human is not about being "pure".
Anonymous, England

There's nothing wrong with teaching people to use willpower and good judgement to make educated choices about who become their sexual partners. However, the mixture of dodgy science, religious threats and shame combine to produce a new kind of peer pressure that will push those who think they have failed to the fringe of their community. Lets just stick to proven secular science and the honest facts whether they support abstinence or not.
Ewan

I cannot agree that they should receive no other sex education Mags, UK

There seems to be a trend for kids to have sex at immature ages. However closing eyes for sex and not debating with children what sex is will not help.
Christian Vogel, The Netherlands

It's all very well to talk about teenagers experiencing peer pressure to have sex, but forcing beliefs on them and pressuring them not to is just as bad.
Charlotte, England

I agree that abstinence for teens is a good thing, but cannot agree that they should receive no other sex education.
Mags, UK

I think in this modern day and age you can't stop people having sex before marriage, and why would you? It's the most natural quality we have so there should not be limits on it. As a teenager you should experiment and learn your way in the world before you commit.
Anne

We need to teach our kids that it's their choice. Tell them the pros and cons of both sides of the story, let them make up their own minds. When given all the facts, not just half a story, most kids will realise that it's better to wait to sleep with someone. When will we not realise that as soon as you tell a child ,especially a teenager, no, they will go right out there and do it!!
Karen W, England

I think it is very worrying the amount of money the US Government is ploughing into this type of paranoia-based propaganda.
Iain, Scotland

All you need is willpower if you truly want to wait to have sex until you are married.
Dominic, England

Having sex before marriage is dangerous and irresponsible Darryl Adie, England

I think that we should wait to have sex. Having it before marriage is dangerous and irresponsible. STDs and STIs are becoming out of control. Teenagers need to hold onto their morals and be safe.
Darryl Adie, England

A very scary television programme, based fairly in the twisted world of the religious right. How many of these kids are being pushed into relationships where they lack sexual empowerment and end up with sexually incompatible partners? Not only that, but the programme discourages condom use, pushing up teenage pregnancy rates and pushing the issues of teenage sexuality underground where support isn't available.
Andrew Livignston, United Kingdom

The teens who do manage to stick to their pledge will be OK, but what about the ones who don't then have unprotected sex because they are so incredibly uninformed? This is the most short-sighted religious nonsense I've heard for a long time, and what a suprise that Bush is supporting it!
Wendy, UK

I can't believe the audacity of these people to thrust their views onto young minds. They are quite transparent as being a cult who, at the top level, are centrally money-minded and motivated by government funding. And as for being Christian and advocating love for one another, the "leader" was aiming golf balls at geese and actually hit one on camera - unbelievable!
D Watkins, Wales

The concept of abstinence education may be relevant to some people, but not the majority in today's society. What about a happy medium? Its your choice. Be careful, obviously, but lets differentiate between marriage, long-term relationships, and a one-night-stand, and between one person and 20.
Sarah, UK

I think it's important to remember that we are in a world which bombards us with images of sex. Jonathan Mayer, UK

Sexual abstinence is something I have had no problems with, and I live in the happy knowledge that I haven't given or received a sexual disease. With condoms only I would not know this. The fact that many abstinence programs are religous based isn't really a problem. Without the churches doing this job of pushing abstinence, very few would or could.

It's great that the stupid "free sex" thing that happened in the 60s and 70s is finally being countered before this huge problem gets even more serious.
Jonathan Mayer, UK

I think it's important to remember that we are in a world which bombards us with images of sex. The religious group teaching abstinence stands accused of brainwashing kids, but surely they are just showing another side to the coin. Kids learn casual attitudes to sex every day. If they are brainwashed by anyone then it is the media which promotes the idea that if you aren't having sex, there is something wrong with you.
Phil, UK

Safe sex is great and the American government should be giving federal dollars to Planned Parenthood and outlawing abstinence programmes.
Dave Sanction, UK

Isn't trying to get teenages to agree to no sex before marriage for religious reasons, which is behind all of this, pushing religion on people. Isn't it better to fully educate people about sex, so that they can make an educated decision for themselves. I believe that sex should definitely be between two people that love each other, but not neccessarily be married. I waited until I met the right guy.
Emma, Wales

Having lost my virginity at 14, it is one of my biggest regrets Veronica, USA

While I have no issue with a person waiting until marriage to have sex, I firmly believe that this so-called abstinence campaign is ignoring the reality of teenage life today. Young people are going to have sex; this has been true throughout the ages (though especially for young men in ages past). By ignoring this fact and not teaching safe sex, the abstinence movement is being both arrogant and dangerous.
Vicki and John , England

How much better to enter into a physical relationship when one is mature and old enough to even know what is going on. Having lost my virginity at 14, it is one of my biggest regrets.
Veronica, USA

While not all wait until marriage, the age at which teens who are part of this scheme lose their virginity, is notably later than that of their peers. It encourages teenagers to take more control over their own destiny which helps them in a whole range of activities throughout life. There will be some who will dismiss the idea as unworkable or just the work of the religious right, but these kids grow up to be sensible empowered adults.
Nick W, Wales

I am so happy to know that the West is changing its values regarding free sex and opting for a safer lifestyle.
UmSarah, US

I think it's a good virtue to wait until you marry, so now these virgins have done their part it's up to the government to support them.
Bernard Martins, England