Even Christian Kids Have Sex.*

“Look, this development will actually be positive for the most part with evangelicals. First they hear that Sarah Palin chooses the life option even though she had a Down syndrome baby and once again the family (and Bristol, 17) has chosen the life option in this recent case. That’s a double “ca-ching”. Let’s call this the Evangelical daily double. If anything, this whole situation will probably make more people around the country relate to her and her family. It makes them more real. Will there by some turned off by the whole pre-marital sex thing? Of course but this type of story doesn’t sink her at all with Evangelicals.” **

In an Eagle Forum Alaska questionnaire filled out during the 2006 gubernatorial race, Palin said she would fund abstinence-only education programs in schools. “The explicit sex-ed programs,” she added, “will not find my support.” The stance, which reflected the priorities of the GOP, nevertheless led to an incredulous editorial in the Juneau Empire.

“Abstinence may be a laudable goal, but failing to educate teenagers about how to protect themselves from disease or unintended pregnancy is tragically misguided. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, abstinence-only programs do not reduce sexual activity, teen pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. Every day 10,000 U.S. teens contract a sexually transmitted disease, 2,400 get pregnant and 55 contract HIV. Unintended pregnancies happen to Republicans, Democrats and people of all faiths.”

Worse?: Once, aboard the Straight Talk Express, McCain was asked if he supported the use of contraception or President Bush’s abstinence-only education program to stem the spreading of AIDS.

“After a long pause, he said, ‘I think I support the president’s policy.’ Does he believe that contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV? After another long pause, he replied, “You’ve stumped me.”

What choice is “abstinence-only”? By the look on Bristol Palin’s seventeen-year-old expectant mother’s face, no choice at all.

Obama’s national sex ed program>

Photo: Bristol Palin and her brother, Trig, in Dayton, Ohio, on Friday. Jim Wilson/The New York Times

*or, Ummmm, You Taste Evangelical.
**David Brody, Christian Broadcasting Network