I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Toward Relationships and Romance by Joshua Harris Paperback

This is a great book to open your eyes to another view of dating. But read it with wisdom, being prayerful about how you should apply it to your life. You may adopt only a few ideas, or you may adopt all. If you’re a believer, compare it against God’s word for confirmation. If you don’t believe in God, you will still find eye-opening truths within. Enjoy!

The author has publicly repented for writing this book and has apologized for the way he harmed many people. A quick google search of Joshua Harris will reveal this.Harris had been home-schooled and had no practical life experience when he wrote this at age 21. He had no idea how harmful his ideas would be and has since tried to make amends to the many people who have told him how his book was "weaponized" against them to create shame and a sense of unworthiness. The book perpetuates bad theology, such as the idea that we need to "earn" God's love and so can't be distracted by relationships while single. Harris is now divorced and recognized that he was also harmed by a purity culture that encouraged him to marry while very young and to have unhealthy attitudes toward his own body and natural sex drive.

This book is no longer in print. The reason being is that the author came to realize, later in his spiritual journey, that the words he spoke at such a tender young age, were filled with inaccuracies, very little grace, and an idea that you can earn God’s “best life” by sacrificing yourself and your needs. I’m not necessarily advocating for sexual promiscuity, however, there are much healthier, and much Godlier views out there to choose from. Dating is not a sin. Kissing before marriage is not a sin. The more you sacrifice before will not lead you into a happier relationship later. Shame for having needs or desires is not what God desires for us.

This book changed my life, it teaches you God's principles to live a healthy, God centered single life. Teaches how to have healthy relationships with others, grow, & prepare to meet the person God has for you.