Apology for Praise Dance Videos

DeaconJungleCatPoles started this discussion · 4/14/2009

Let me take this time to apologize to anyone who became offended at my praise dances. I wasn't aware that my actions would cause so much controversy on youtube. I'm so sorry that some Christians found my dance (in there words "blasphemous") as a deeply spiritual follower of Christ myself, that pains me on many levels. It was my fault for using poor judgment and not being more discreet about my posting. The emotions I feel when I praise dance are deep rooted and genuine. It is a testimony of my life's journey. I'm saddened that while I intended to bring some joy and light into the hearts of others through dance and praise my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, while some good did come out of it, I inadvertantly upset quite a many people and caused quite a stir. Although I have no regrets about what I done, if there is anyone who believes that inspirational music and pole dance shouldn't go together, I do however respect your opinion and I will attempt to make wiser choices about the material I post in the future. Thank you so much for you time and energy. Jungle Cat 🐱

21 replies

Veena · 4/14/2009
I thought your dance was beautiful, and you weren't hurting anyone, if they don't like it they can stop watching! It was just you expressing yourself and THAT its welcomed here!!....no need for an apology. 😉
untamedshrew · 4/14/2009
"If you don't get offended every now and then, you're not living in a democracy". You were expressing yourself honestly with no intention to insult anyone's beliefs. Those who find that offensive and insult you- I say screw 'em! 😈 You shouldn't have to tolerate intolerance! 😜
Foxy_Rei · 4/14/2009
I'm Christian too and I wanted to do some pole dances to some worship music myself! I haven't seen the vids yet, but I will... I'm sure they weren't as bad as they made them out to be. "OMG THERE'S A POLE!!! THIS IS HERESY!!!" I honestly was thinking during the Easter service if it was possible to put my pole up on stage and do a dance, but the ceilings are rather high. Not to mention I go to a traditional Baptist church where they still use nothing but an organ for music... I used to go to a Christian college out in western NY where (at the time) dancing was banned on campus. Yes, that meant you could not dance there - at all. It was a joke among the students that dancing made babies and that's why it was banned 😂 However, a frequent appearance in the chapel services, (chapel was 3 times a week) was a girl who did what I think they called "color guard". She was up at least once a month... She basically did interpretive dance using flags, but it was embraced as a beautiful way of expressing praise. But it was DANCING no matter what they tried to say. Substitute those flags for a pole and you're talking the exact same thing. The college since I transferred also approved some forms of dancing, like group choreography (they did a remake of a dancing scene from Hairspray or something like that for a show). I just can't get over how narrow-minded people are! Pole dancing is not evil, sinful, slutty, skanky, or remotely bad in any way! The only bad thing is the source! (no offense to the club dancers once again) As a Christian I don't approve of the idea of getting naked in front of men and causing the lustful thoughts, but I see nothing wrong with dancing and doing a performance. Yeah you can make it sexy but there's nothing wrong with that. I'm sorry if that seems contradictory, but I'm hoping you know what I mean... in a sentence, would I go to a club and go up on stage and dance, yes; would I take my clothes off and tease the heck out of the men, no. Why can't people just separate those things in their minds??? I bet you if I took one of those color guard flags and started humping it people wouldn't see the flag as the source of the behavior... why can't people see that a pole isn't the bad thing in this equation? As always, no offense to any of the girls that work in clubs... I really don't want to upset any of you and I don't see any of you as bad, I just don't like the profession...
Nikkita · 4/14/2009
Don't apologize. You did nothing wrong! Im very surprised that there is controversy. I thought the vid was different, tasteful and beautiful. I liked it! 👍
adamseve · 4/14/2009
I practice being a Christian every day that the Lord graces me to see, and for the life of me I can't understand some people who profess to be a Christian yet do exactly the opposite of what Christ did while on Earth. For one, does anyone remember the harlot at the well who gave Christ water? Did He one time beat her over the head with her sins? No He did not. Not only did He not bring up her sins to her, but He also took the water she drew for Him and He drank. Yes, He did tell her what she needed to do to enter the Kingdom, but He never, ever put her down nor her praise. If Jesus, the only perfect man ever to walk this Earth could accept this woman at face value knowing everything about her, but never using it against her, who are any of us to judge anyone or their praise? Here's what I'm saying: DO NOT LET A FEW PEOPLE STOP YOU FROM POSTING YOUR PRAISE & DANCE VIDEOS on YouTube or any where else for that matter. God knows your heart and that's all that matters. If this is how you choose to praise God that is up to you and only you. I can't believe that your praise dance would stumble anyone who is truly a Christian and practices doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. That goes for also respecting their praise even if you don't understand it. Heck, it's not for me to understand your praise as it is not intended for me. It is for GOD to understand your praise. Jungle Cat, you don't know who was feeling down and out, but happened upon your video and you stopped them from taking their life or someone else's life. Or maybe they were about to beat their partner and/or children and your praise stopped them because they couldn't believe the beauty of your dance. If you take that video down then you give someone else power to stop your praise. The Devil always throws things at us when we praise and someone else is changed to either follow Christ or even listen to His teachings. He knows that if one sees, hears, feels, etc enough they WILL receive the Holy Spirit. So, don't you dare take it down. You keep on praising and expressing your love for Jesus and His Father the way that is most authentic to you. If you ever feel convicted that this way of praise is wrong then you take it down because that's what God has put on your heart. Tracey aka Adam's Eve
Foxy_Rei · 4/14/2009
AMEN to adamseve!!!! You know what, I think I'll make a video tonight of me doing a praise dance, too, and post it to here and YouTube. My question is if these people are so "christian", why are they watching videos of pole dancing in the first place???
Gsylass · 4/14/2009
Hear hear! 🫡 (from another Christian)
RoxyPink · 4/14/2009
You should never ever ever apologize for your beliefs!!! I think it is fantastic that you made those vids! There is nothing wrong with mixing two things that you live for!! 😀 PS. I'm catholic so booze, sex and bingo are all good to me!:)
azriel · 4/14/2009
I didn't get the chance to watch those vids, but whatever the music and dance, you do NOT need to apologize just because some people are closed-minded! I'm not saying that everyone has to like it or agree with it, but you do have the right to express yourself in anyway you wish, as long as you're not hurting anyone, and everyone should accept at least that! People can choose what they watch. In my opinion, They're the ones who should be apologizing for leaving rude comments and making you feel bad for being kind enough to share with others something that is so meaningful to you, and for innocently expressing your faith in a way that is personal to YOU and helps YOU.
azriel · 4/14/2009
ps i just watched one and it's absolutely beautiful.
Sparklie · 4/14/2009
Your dancing was beautiful. One thing that I can say, and others may agree is, don't let those that don't understand how to interpret dance tell you that you shouldn't dance because they can't see. There are some of us who can only bare our souls when we dance. It is hard not to let those that don't understand how spiritual dance can be cloud our judgment and stop us from dancing. Because of these thoughts dancers will stop dancing and, in a way, your soul dies everyday from the lack of freedom in movement. With topic I can go on extensively, but I think the point is clear enough... dance until they can see the beauty of dance for what it is... emotion, expression, freedom, love, and life through simple movements of artistic creativity.
Rouge_LAmour · 4/15/2009
Jungle_Cat Sweetie, as an atheist, I don't believe, but that's my choice as much as your faith and belief is yours, and living in a democracy allows us to be able to practice our beliefs freely and with acceptance and respect for each others views. (well, usually... ) faith and belief is personal. Jesus was a humanist, an activist for bettering the human condition. The records show he did exist and was considered a nuisance. Nowadays, if he was around, he'd be called a terrorist / anarchist and imprisoned. 😈 If you choose to use dance and a song commemorating this exceptional person who tried very hard to help people's lives over 2000 years ago, then go for it. I believe one of the things he tried to change was the narrowmindedness and reluctance to accept those who were different, I'm sure he would be very dismayed and ashamed by many out there who purport themselves to be Christian - and he'd hang out with those that they look down upon. Dance is a form of worship that goes back further than Christianity; belly dancing is an ancient form of worship to the fertility goddess, so are many other forms of dance (Bollywood is derived from Classical Hindu). Therefore, do not consider yourself a bad person for choosing to express your faith in dance. So sweetie, you keep dancing in that beautiful way you do and ignore those who tell you it's wrong, choose your songs as they appeal to you. Don't listen to those who demonise you for making choices that speak deeply to you, if they're trying to emulate living like Jesus and his actions, they're failing miserably! I like this site because we can put aside religion, beliefs, gender stereotyping and other bad things that our society has out there. Here, we are all equal, and that's a really good thing. BTW: I'm not trying to beat up on religion, however, the world has too many issues going on in it right now because of fervent, misguided belief. 🙁 Let's just appreciate and respect everyone and not be guided by the media of those who tell us who or what we should be. Edit: I also wanted to thank you for having the courage to apologise for a perceived offence to others. That kind of behaviour is really positive and takes a very strong, respectful person. I wish more people would behave this way, including myself sometimes.
Foxy_Rei · 4/15/2009
Rouge your post reminded me of this graphic I found: http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i81/Namara_the_Roatian/sample_jesus_liberal.jpg BTW Jungle... I did a praise vid just for you - I hope it cheers you up! I'm waiting for it to load...
Trena · 4/15/2009
Jungle Cat your praise videos were beautiful so please ignore the hypocrits who left negative comments. 😠 We love you xxx
Christa · 4/15/2009
The only thing you need to apologize for is apologizing! That dance was beautiful & graceful & God appreciated every second of it. Unfortunately, Christians sometimes make the biggest hypocrites. How you choose to praise God is between you & God! Noone else! Now if you had dragged your pole up in the middle of church & started booty poppin' on it in a rhinestone jock-strap while the church ladies made it rain Easter eggs, then maybe they might have had a right to say something. But you did that in the privacy of your own home with good intentions in your heart & God knows that. That is all that matters. It was out of the goodness of your heart that you chose to share it with others. If they didn't like it, they didn't have to watch! If they can't open their minds to see that there are other ways to praise besides hollerin' & faintin' in church (& there's nothing wrong with that either, whatever floats their Christian boats), then they should keep their opinions to themselves. To each their own. Whatever brings you close to God & moves your spirit, you do it to the best of your ability! If God didn't want you spinnin' on that pole, he wouldn't have made you so damn good at it!!!! STUDIO VEENA...CAN I GET AN AMEN?!?!?!!!!! 😀 🤸 😂 😁 🌸 ☀️ 🥂 Now smile, Jungle, cause we love you! Now go make 10 more praise videos & post all of them!!!
Poledancefan · 4/15/2009
I see pole dance as being like any other form of expressive or interpretive art. Such forms of creativity can vary immensely in their content and purpose. Photography is a perfect example--ranging from its commercial use in advertising, to artistic portraiture, still life, nature photography, yearbook snapshots, and even pornography. Criticizing the entire field of pole dancing because some pole dancing is sexual and erotic is like banning high school yearbook pictures because they are taken with the same kind of 35mm lens used to take the pictures in Playboy! I think there is a time and a place for everything. I certainly enjoy sexy, club style pole dance (although I haven't visited a club yet)...but I also get into the gymnastic "tricks" videos, and the ladies who style their performances more in the tradition of ballet or jazz dancing. I admire the tough ladies who dance in clubs--I think that takes the kind of sheer guts and confidence that I wish I could muster up in certain situations in my own life! I am not a formally religious person, but I was raised in the Christian tradition and respect everyone who seeks the Divine in any way that is serious minded and respectful. I saw Jungle Cat's vid a few minutes after he uploaded it. I found his movements in the dance projected a feeling of strength and contemplation. He set just the right tone to match the Gospel music playing in the background. In my second comment uploaded to the re-posted video, I made reference to another poler who has courageously used pole dancing to acknowledge serious events and personal grief--Shelly of ExDiva69 Channel. She has done an awesome tribute to the victims of 9-11 and also done a few videos marking some VERY difficult personal tragedies--the worst thing you could ever imagine-- in a way that has been tasteful, uplifting, and moving. Joel
Former member · 4/15/2009
i didn't see that EXACT video jungle, but you shouldn't apologize for being yourself and expressing yourself. if someone has an issue with a youtube vid or whatever, it's THEIR issue, not yours. you keep on doing what you've been doing honey, we love you here- there's no reason why you should have to defend yourself over someone elses close-mindedness.
bertysbooboo · 4/15/2009
It makes me really sad to hear that. 🙁 Dancing is an expression of yourself that comes from the soul. Happy, sad, in love, thankful for your salvation through Christ............ You should not have to apologize for any of that. The dance was beautiful and I didn't see anything that could be taken as inappropriate. You need to keep rockin the pole and dance to anything that moves you. No ones opinion counts except yours. You know where you stand with Christ and MANY people in the bible danced to give praise to him. This is just a different style of dance. I think he is proud of you and the beautiful way you express your love for him. I am posting this on the videos comments as well. I want others that are not in the forum to hear my opinion on the matter.
Trena · 4/16/2009
Criticizing the entire field of pole dancing because some pole dancing is sexual and erotic is like banning high school yearbook pictures because they are taken with the same kind of 35mm lens used to take the pictures in Playboy! Joel this is my favourite quote about pole dancing so far! Well done! 😉 And Christa, I loved your post!! 😀
Charley · 5/7/2009
Jungle - I didn't see your vid however being a christian I would have enjoyed seeing it. Let's face it - When yoga was big a lot of Christians were against it because of it's past steeped in Eastern Relgion however Christians cam to embrace it and use the exercise both physically to improve themselves and the meditation to connect with God. I did a praise vid myself and received no comment - I dedicated it to my Dad and a good friend who has always been there spiritually for me. They inspire me to pursue my relationship with God and be a better Christian. I didn't feel as if anyone should be offended in anyway Iw as expressing my joy for having a loving God in my life and His blessing of people who support that. God is praised through Dance (see 1 Samuel) and song (Psalms) Go to Exodus and read about how the Israelites danced and praised God as they were freed from hard bondage. Art is beautiful and favored by God - consider this - look around the planet - not only does God love to create but he has a sense of humor (duck bill platypus anyone?) The author of the universe CREATED us, CREATED the birds who sing and GAVE US THE ABILITY to likewise create and procreate. It's sad that the church as a whole - as the body of Christ (all religions) feel the need to fight amongst ourselvs and judge rather than realizing that we all have something to be held accountable. We've all sinned. Read Mathew - if you have an issue with your brother you are to speak with him about it. God gives us the rules of how to deal with someone in the flock that may be doing something wrong/unhealthy.sinful. Even if these people felt you were being sinful - should they not have taken you aside and privately spoken with you about it and given you the oppotunity to explain. Bashing someone isn't being a Christian and it isn't letting your light shine. No matter how someone feels about pole dance as Christians we are REQUIRED to handle things in a Godly manner and sort them out with help of the Holy Spirit. Jungle - I think you should continue to include God in every single aspect of your life. Once we start cutting Him out of things in our life we begin to fall away from Him and lose our connection. I think you should continue your praise of God in a joyful manner as you have. Who knows? Maybe God is using you and your praise pole dance this very second to inspire someone who may not otherwise have thought of God today. 😀
Notradaya · 6/20/2009
It's been a while since I popped into the SV forum, and I'm glad I came across this thread! JC, I posted on one of your vids on YT already, but I admire you for standing up for your beliefs, and I agree with everyone else here when i echo the sentiments that you should NEVER apologize for praising Christ!!! I really was happy to see all the other Christians on this forum... sometimes in the world of pole I can feel quite alone in that respect... like I'm the only spirit filled Christian out there poling... And I too have wanted to pole to worship or praise music but I've kinda felt like combining those two parts of my world is not okay. 😳 I guess what saddens me there is that I know that my faith does not just sit on a shelf and only come out on Sundays... so why should I not think that it's all intimately involved in EVERY aspect of my life... including pole!? I also was encouraged by Foxy when she said that it's okay to make it sexy and there's nothing wrong with that. I struggle with that sometimes b/c I love the sensuality of pole too... I embrace all aspects of it... but my vids on YT are not intended to turn men on, or make anyone stumble in their walk with Christ... I don't intend for them to be that way, and I guess that I struggle with posting them b/c I don't want them to have that effect, but I really do love to share what I love, so I do. I can't wait until I can comfortably have my Fiance come to my pole performances and not worry that I'm making it harder for him as we wait until we're married to explore what God has gifted to us with our relationship. That's another hard area... I want him to see what I love, and I certainly love performing with him, but I don't want to feed his sumo sex drive unnecessarily right now. (If anyone's read "Every Young Man's Battle" you'll get the Sumo reference- Great book by the way for the guys and girls trying to keep the God perspective on relationships and sex). So that said, my pole has been a struggle when it comes to tying it into my beliefs, but this thread and Jungle Cat, you've all inspired me to do some praise dance... if i can comfortably tie it together that way I think it will go a long way to helping me embrace all that pole is meant to be in my life. Thank you for that!!