Introduction
In 2009, the religious folk of rural
Georgia began to question the American ideals of Valentine’s Day. Their leader,
Governor Sonny Purdue, sought to distance Georgia from the secular practices of
modern America and sent a legation to Baptist leaders about Georgia’s deeper
movement into the Baptist sphere of influence. Letter 14, sent back to Governor
Purdue with several churches’ pastors, records the leaders’ responses to the
Georgians’ questions and problems. Indeed because of the format of the
responses, this letter seems to offer a relatively undistorted look at the
problems that the Georgians themselves thought celebration of Valentine’s Day
posed to their culture and specific aspects of the new traditions about which
they were curious. It is therefore a priceless document for the study of the
process by which Georgia became severely more religious in the early 2000’s.
The
Text
Not much needs to be said to your
inquiries nor have we considered it necessary to pause long over each question,
since we, God willing, are going to send
to your state and to your glorious Governor, our beloved son, our fitting
messengers, who will instruct you concerning the details, insofar as time and
reason dictate.[1]
Chapter
1.
To begin, your questions refer to the
way that all peoples must
appropriately celebrate Valentine’s Day, but it is important to note that religious
propriety is determined by the age and gender of the peoples in question, for
young people must understand Valentine’s Day differently from those who are old
enough to engage in romantic relationships. Thus, Christian children’s
celebration is defined separately from that of adults’.
You claim that the secular Americans
told you the tradition of giving Valentine’s Day cards is universal to all ages
and sexes, but they have neglected to mention the specific differences required
of the types of cards given between children and given between adults. Children
who attend school may celebrate by giving cards and candy to those who attend
the same school and classes, but they must give equal gifts to every member of their class so as to
avoid looking as if they have romantic interests towards one particular person.
As well, their cards must not refer to love, other than the love of friendship.
Adults may give Valentine’s Day cards to
their romantic partners as long as the card expresses love and not lust. The
bible’s view of adultery still holds on Valentine’s Day and in is in our view
that any man or woman who gives a romantic Valentine’s Day card to more than
one person has, in fact, committed adultery in his heart.
The type of card is also important in
both instances, as some cards are considered more secular than others. Hallmark
cards, in particular, are best avoided as they cost considerably more than a
card ever should, and thus flaunt status, making the purchaser appear more
concerned with worldly standing than with his immortal soul. However, a similar
card from Walmart or even a hand-made card is proper. It is important to note
that the receiver of such a card, especially if the receiver is a woman, may
equate the price of the card with the extent of the love of the purchaser. In
this instance, one would do well to remember that women are the weaker sex, and
thus should be forgiven if they do not appreciate a cheap card. It may also be
necessary to remind the woman that the immortal soul is in jeopardy if an
expensive card is bought.
Chapter
2.
Other gifts are acceptable on
Valentine’s Day, should the giver be an adult man, the receiver a woman, and
their relationship romantic. Chocolates are a traditional gift, though the
state of them is to be considered carefully. Due to their weak nature, women will
not appreciate cheap chocolates, and it is suggested that they be reminded of
the importance of the immortal soul over worldly possessions if they do not
accept the gift. Flowers are a far better option, as they do not differ in
quality as severely as chocolates, but still convey the same message. Yellow
flowers are best avoided as they are said to be for sick grandmothers, not lovers,
and a lover will think romantic intentions insincere if the flowers are yellow.
In all instances of gift-giving on Valentine’s Day, be wary and make sure to
express love, not lust, as the bond
between people is sacred, but lust is sinful. For example, flowers delivered to one’s
workplace or home is a suitable expression of love, whereas petals strewn
around a bedroom are a clear indication of lust, and should not be a part of a Christian’s
celebration of Valentine’s Day.
Chapter
3.
Secular Americans have informed you
that couples are expected to go on romantic dates to celebrate Valentine’s Day
as well, and while we do not condemn dates, we do urge you to use caution. As
with gift giving, you must be sure that the date is not an expression of lust.
For this reason, dates should be reserved for married couples to keep sin from
happening. Should an unmarried couple feel the need to go on a date, it should
be in public and the two should not end the night in each other’s arms, for it
is better not to have a date than to burn. We will not go into more detail, as
our messengers will explain more thoroughly upon their arrival.
We have given these responses to
your questions and the issues that you raised regarding Valentine’s Day,
insofar as the Lord has given them to us, not as much as we could but as much
as we thought could satisfy you for the time being. But when, with God’s
concession, our messengers have arrived, they will teach you everything they
know that pertains to the holiday, and others if you wish. May God, Who has
worked the greatest salvation among you, bring your understanding of His will
to completion, make it solid, and stabilize and strengthen your faith to the
very end. Amen.[2]
[1] Halsall,
Paul, Medieval Sourcebook: The Responses
of Pope Nicholas I to the Questions of the Bulgars A.D 866 (Letter 99) (Fordham
University, October 1998), 1. The wording is directly taken from the source listed,
with obvious changes made to adapt to the situation of this fictional essay.
[2] Halsall,
Paul, Medieval Sourcebook: The Responses
of Pope Nicholas I to the Questions of the Bulgars A.D 866 (Letter 99) (Fordham
University, October 1998), 1. The wording is directly taken from the source
listed, with obvious changes made to adapt to the situation of this fictional
essay.
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