compromise

Yes Nick, I agree with both of these points.  The couple definitely should use some sort of protection, and definitely should be in love trying to get their relationship to that next step.

Compromise

I think I can definitely agree with some points that you made in that last post, Spence. Sex is definitely the most intimate act a couple can share. It's definitely something that is going to make an impression on both people, especially if either/both are virgins. Society right now perceives sex as some trivial act. This is a problem that needs to be fixed. Sex is something that should be carefully considered by both people.

I think the things that we can both agree on are as follows:
1. The couple should be in a loving, committed relationship, and
2. If premarital, some form of birth control should be used.

Basically, just THINK before you have sex with someone! It's a decision that can affect the rest of your life.

To Have

That is a good point Nick.  I'm not trying to have any little Benton's running around but condoms aren't the only thing to help prevent having a child. There is also birth control, one of the best inventions made.  But I do agree with you Nick.  I also want to wait to have a kid, so I can afford and support him/her. But I believe that premarital sex will better prepare me to support the kid with a stronger family.

Say I am dating a girl now and have been for a while.  We love each other and want to take it to the next step and get a feel for that deep intimacy.  The two of us don't feel that we are ready for marriage, so what do we do?  We have sex.  We experience everything together.  I know this sounds bad, but sex is a big part in relationships.  Girls don't like to admit and neither do some guys, but if the sex is bad, a relationship or in this case, a MARRIAGE, it won't be as strong.  That is why some refer to it as "making love."  If the sex is bad, all the couple will be doing is breaking love instead of making it.  Experience the sex now before disaster strikes later. 

Not to have

If the chance of getting an STD isn't a good enough reason for you, what about the chance of having a kid? You mentioned condoms, which are fantastic, but they're not 100%. Find me a contraceptive that guarantees to be 100% effective, and I will concede this debate right now.

Back to the original point. The chance of having a kid should be enough to deter anyone from having sex before marriage. I know I'm not ready for kids. People that are married are more ready to take that chance. By making a commitment to each other, they have already started a family, and it has been proven many times that children raised by both parents are in a better position in life than children raised by only one parent.

I know I want the best for my kids, so that's why I'm going to wait until I'm in a committed relationship to even take the chance of bringing a kid into this world.

To Have

Nick, sexual disease is a great point, but not good enough.  For all those people that caught something while engaging in sexual activity failed to use protection.  There is a thing rubber layer of protection now days called a condom that keeps all the diseases from spreading while having sex.  

Back to burning only 200 calories.  This is the least amount that can be burnt from a sexual activity.  It all depends on how much movement is made and also who said it only happens once a day?  

My second argument of why people should have premarital sex is because now days marriage is different than what it use to be.  In the past men married multiple women to show ownership and to claim their territory.  The sons of the married would inherit their fathers wealth. (www.libchrist.com)   A married man was not to commit adultery with a married woman, but a man was allowed to have sex with concubines.  Marriage has change since then.  Instead of being married for inheritance purposes, now people are being married because of insecurity reasons.  Why should people have to sign a piece of paper and say they are in love, when really all that is keeping them together is the sex?  People should not have to marry to have sex.

Not to have

Sex as a work out may seem like a good reason, but think about it... 200 calories? It's really not that much if you think about it. 200 calories is just a tenth of a 2000 calorie diet. It's even less for say, an athlete, who can easily have a diet of 3000+ calories.

Here's a reason not to have sex before marriage: STDs.

The clap. Herpes. HIV. Lice.

A study by the CDC reported that over 1 million NEW cases of chlamydia were reported in 2006.
At the beginning of 2003, the CDC estimated that 1.1 million people had HIV, and that a quarter of them didn't know it.

I don't know, Spence... I think I'm gonna spend 10 more minutes on the treadmill to burn those extra calories.

To have

A lot of people always look at reasons why we shouldn't have sex before marriage, but there are also a lot of reasons why we should have sex before marriage.

My first argument of why people should have sex before marriage is because sex is a great workout.  According to www.forbes.com, an average sexual encounter can burn 200+ calories. 

What is a better way to lose wait while also getting a pleasure out of it? Sex also increase testosterone levels, making your bones and muscles stronger and healthier.  If people start having sex earlier, there will be a better percentage of people that are healthy and more in shape.