On February 14th, youth around the world will celebrate the third annual Day of Purity. The Day of Purity, a project of Liberty Counsel, is designed for youth of all ages who commit to remain sexually pure until marriage.

The Day of Purity is designed to encourage youth to remain sexually pure and counter the popular message that they should have sex early, often, and with many. One ninth grade health textbook tells students that "testing your ability to function sexually and give pleasure to another person may be less threatening in your early teens with people of your own sex….You may come to the conclusion that growing up means rejecting the values of your parents."

During the first two years of the Day of Purity, youth from thousands of schools joined with hundreds of organizations across America in celebrating sexual purity. The Day of Purity quickly spread to several foreign countries. A list of some of the supporting organizations is posted at DayOfPurity.org.

More than 3 million American teenagers are infected each year with sexually transmitted diseases. Nearly one million teenagers become pregnant each year. Twenty percent of the 1.3 million abortions performed each year in America are performed on teenagers. The Day of Purity presents an opportunity for millions of youth to stand up for self-respect and purity.

The Day of Purity offers youth the opportunity to counter that message. The Day of Purity web site, DayOfPurity.org, allows anyone to download a planning manual along with informative flyers on a variety of topics, order a Day of Purity T-shirt, review startling statistics concerning the effect of early sexual activity, and link to other valuable resources. On the Day of Purity, youth are encouraged to wear a Day of Purity T-Shirt or white clothing to symbolize sexual purity. Call 407-875-1776 for more information.

Mathew Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, said: "The majority of America's youth want to be respected for who they are instead of being viewed as sexual objects to be used or discarded at will. Millions of young people yearn for a culture that encourages sexual purity and self-respect. America may be morally challenged, but the level of depravity as portrayed in the media and dictated by judges who have turned from the moral traditions of our country is not an accurate reflection of the state of our country. The Day of Purity is an opportunity for young people to stand together in respect for the human dignity and worth of each individual."