Strip Tease at the Y

No, this entry is not going to be a silly or embarrassing story from inside the YMCA's women's locker room. Although...

Rather, this morning's excursion to my local YMCA, where I have a membership, resurrected in my mind a debate that took place at the end of this past winter. To understand this debate you must understand two dynamics.

1. This "Y", far above others that I know of, remembers well the "C" in its abbreviation. Bulletin boards support the local churches and post their latest news items. All Christian holidays are observed, while the same cannot be said about the other religious holidays. Headlines on the bulletin boards read "Praise the Lord" and "Hallelujah". Refreshing I must admit.

2. The "Y" offers free, one-hour classes in its upstairs gym beginning at 8 a.m. and carrying through, without a break, until 8 p.m. Gospel Aerobics, Therapeutic Aquatics, Tighten N' Tone Abs... The classroom is surrounded by large windows where passersby can stop and observe the workout. (Great P.R. move, I might add.)

This past winter a new class was introduced. "Introduction to Strip Tease" As you can imagine, quite the controversy arose despite the classes rapid (attendance) success. Some argued strip tease is a great thing in the context of marriage and that more classes should be held in this sexual regard, where women in the Church can feel comfortable exploring their sexuality. Others, begged to differ, stating that such an argument may have clout if there weren't windows around the perimeter of the classroom and if the class wasn't held during after-school hours. As it were, kids of any age, men and women of any age, could watch the class just as if it was "Gospel Aerobics". Covering the windows was, of course, a fire hazard.

For the first time in awhile, I did not form an immediate opinion. Or, rather, I would always play Devil's advocate with those who tried to impose their opinion on me.

I very much agree that there is a glut in the number of classes held for women - Christian women - where they can feel safe to explore their sexuality and even bump the bedroom excitement up a notch. And, I didn't feel the "C" in YMCA was jeopardized simply by the installment of such a class.

But, the fact that any man and any child could observe this class substantially changed the argument. And, I feel, does immediately jeopardizes the "safe" aspect of the course.

Needless to say, I just picked up the Fall schedule of courses at the "Y" and guess what class is not on the list?

If your local YMCA offered this course, what stance would you take?