I hate the word absitinence, not because I dislike the concept but because it's such an ugly word. It implies a joyless repression which is not what it's about. I am dedicated to my belief that sex should be enjoyed within marriage, but I don't wear a ring. At the end of the day, I know that when I get married, I'l be the only person that my husband has ever slept with and vice versa. If I got pregnant it'd be a cause for celebration not anxiety. I wouldn't get any stds because we'd be totally monogamous. That's why it doesnt matter about the stat that you're a third less likely to use a condom, you've nothing to catch (+ if you get married you are more likely to use longer term contraception).

So many people get hurt by committing themselves to a sexual relationship and having it torn apart again. I know that when I end up having sex, it will be with someone who deeply cares for me and who is committed to my happiness. I don't see much wrong with that.

Rachel, Birmingham,

So once again a religious brigade, preaching that all men (and womeon) are irretrievably evil, says we should repress all knowledge and people will be good again. It doesn't work, it never worked and it never will work.

Education, education, education - the only answer to the benighted cause of repression!

KR, Stockport,

I think Terry Virgo, Newfrontiers and the Silver Ring Thing would all agree that men and woman are equal in value, though not in role.

As for what these people / organisations would say to men, it might be something like: treat women with respect and protect their purity at all costs, put their wellbeing before your own, and if you want to have sex with them, then commit yourselves to them in marriage.

I personally think that shows a great deal more respect and valuing of women than our society currently does! Casual sex is hardly a demonstration of deep respect for another person. Taking the most intimate part of a person in a brief and meaningless act is hardly respectful. But waiting for marriage demonstrates the ultimate valuing and respect for another person.

Toby, UK,

Let's tackle the root of the problem of unwanted pregnancies and STDs including HIV, cervical cancer which is a sexually transmitted disease or having sex with a promiscious partner, herpatitis C which leads to liver cancer, genital warts, genital cold sores, pubic lice, glandular fever to name a few. The answer is not safe sex (if there is such a thing) esp. when drugs or alcohol is involved, the brain is elsewhere, but total abstinence until marriage to a life long partner.is. I know that sounds like the dark ages and most people esp. the young wont agree, but that is 100% assurance to avoid the unpleasant side effects of casual sex. Let's not forget about the emotional damage as well. God has created sex for the purpose of creating life, relationship, bonding, mutual respect and not the benefit of self but the giving of self to a loved one. No wonder there are so many depressed youngsters esp. those who are sexually active, they feel depraved, worthless and unloved.

mia, Brisbane, Australia

Another unexpected side effect of these abstinence movements may be people marrying younger than they should, basically mistaking lust for love.

LB, London,

Teen pregnancy and stds mm well speaking from the dark ages we were told how bad getting any kind of "clap" was bad for you so, I went to reasonale lengths to decrease my chance of getting any kind of "clap" the fact young people are getting lots of unwanted pregs and std is not suprising to me overhearing what could be termed conversations or looking at their mannerisms and general facial expressions indicates STUPIDITY and nothing can save you from that.

Greg Lyons, Sydney, Australia

As a little boy I thought this would happen. When I grew up, children would be told off by adults for being too conservative.
The last thing a sexually active female teacher wants is for most of her teenaged pupils to be virgins. The silver ring thing is a big threat to them.

Attagirl Lydia.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

What shame that the school/s cannot spend more time and effort stamping out the very largescale bullying that is going on in many schools rather than worrying about pupils wearing rings that promote an ideal ,chastity, that the school should be getting behind and encouraging !!.

Sergei, London, UK

Complementarianism, Terry Virgo, New Frontiers & The Silver Ring Thing - nuff said! Oh, praps not. Just in case you don't know - Mr Playfoot believes in complementarianism - that means men and women are UNequal - yep - unequal. ie men are the leaders of & 'superior to' women in all things......

Sarah, Leeds, UK