The name of this group is the “Kansas Abstinence Network,” herewith identified as KAN
Purpose
The purpose of the KAN is to assist the independent and autonomous organizations forming the KAN to fulfill common goals. The KAN gathers for the purpose of engaging organizations in taking a proactive role in promoting a positive image toward the provision of abstinence education, to establish channels of communication among abstinence organizations, and to develop relations with the media in an attempt to secure accurate reporting. The general function of the KAN is to meet on a regular basis to exchange information and ideas, develop common strategies to preserve the integrity of the definition of abstinence until marriage, promote community mobilization for abstinence education and defend the availability of abstinence education to adolescents, teens and young single adults.
Statement of Principles
The KAN shall be composed of organizations which subscribe to the following principles:
1. A commitment to creating and providing abstinence resources that adhere to and do not in any way violate the following core principles:
- the exclusive purpose is to teach the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity
- abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;
- abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems;
- a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity;
- sexual activity outside of the contest of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects;
- bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child’s parents, and society;
- young people need to receive skills to reject sexual advances and knowledge about how alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances; and
- teach the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity.
2. The belief that civil government is obliged to acknowledge and safeguard the right to health of the whole person for every child and young adult and to accord each person protection under the law for the same. Consequently, we cannot support laws which, in the name of education, health, toleration or other, put the health of children and young adults at risk.
3. A commitment to the total well-being of children and young adults and a commitment to the use of age-appropriate and accurate information that promotes risk elimination and builds the capacity of youth to make healthy decisions.
4. A respect for the diversity of religious, ethical and philosophical belief and opinion which underlies the commitment of our associated organizations and their adherents.
5. A commitment to multiplying our efforts in order to achieve common goals through teamwork and place a higher priority on raising the influence, education and participation of a group over the power of any individual or organization.
|
