I really don’t know, but there may be exceptional circumstances granting the freedom to cautiously discuss ANR with people we don’t know too well, in an effort to raise awareness and better understand it, but we should first ask ourselves: would that be adding more grace to their lives or are our purposes ultimately selfish?
If we’re deeply honest and introspective, I think the answer is usually the latter. I know I find myself often deceived. My research has certainly misled me in the past.
I have discussed ANRs with people I didn’t know too well and it went okay. But that hasn’t always been the case. I’ve mentioned permanently infuriating some ladies by bringing it up too soon.
If we don’t draw concrete boundaries, we’ll become desensitized, and ANR discussion will soon become illicit ANR sessions, which will become fornication, which just might become falling away from the faith.
I still think there’s nothing wrong with a Christian, with strong guards in place, undertaking academic research of sexual intimacy among peoples, in the same way many anthropological professionals research human cultures. But I stress the fact that we must be willing to draw concrete, immovable boundaries. Personally, I thought of a boundary to my research and ANR curiosity. Don’t become ANR-curious about anyone to whom you’re not married, or considering marrying. Let’s move towards grace, and away from temptation.
Let’s abide in Christ. Let’s practice intentionality in speech. Abiding deeply in Christ has time and again brought me tangible physical and experiential joy, so strong my physical desires were miraculously rearranged. Trust me, it works. Christ gives spiritual meaning and perspective to our physical desires.
Also read The Line
Christ-centered ANR 