lol
Hi!
Actually, some peoples reactions are what makes me question it. But, no, I dont think its wrong...
Thanks for your response!

I agree. As a full-time professional bellydancer, I see nothing wrong with celebrating this beautiful artform. Once people are educated that it is not a dance of seduction, but joy & celebration, community and is a respectable art form as much as Ballet, Jazz, Tap, African, ballroom etc.

Dancing has been around for thousands of years, from the ancient Egyptians, to the Persians, Roma's, Greeks, Turks, Africans, Moroccans, Indians, Thai's, etc. Dance has been used for celebratory purposes from marriages, births, harvest, & worship. All are valid & beautiful ways to express our love of life and a way to give thanks for all we have. Dancing is just one of the many gifts from God.

I grew up studiying classical ballet for many years, tap, jazz, & more recently classical Indian (Kuchipudi) & now Raks Sharqui (the oriental name for belly dance). I also for many years while in school was a Liturgical Dancer at my church for many celebrations. Those memories are some of the most beautiful I have had from church. Not to mention my vocal solos that at times have brought people to tears & helped them reach a higher level of prayer (so I am told). There is nothing that can compare to that gift that is freely given. That is a reflection of God working in me to help others.

As for my bellydance, every performance I do is "Family Friendly" and suitable for children to grandparents. I work with numerous private parties & in restaurants & the people are from many cultures and all of them get their children up dancing and the grandparents dance too! As a professional I also understand that some cultures/people are more conservative than others, so I adjust accordingly. Be it the music, costuming (I can be fully covered if necessary) or I can be in a beautiful 2 piece costume (bedlah) with the stomach exposed. Every performance is customized for my clients & great care & dedication to representing this artform comes first. There are so many misconceptions out there about bellydancing, that it's our inherent resonsibility to educate others & help to elevete this artform to those more "recognized" by the populous. And yes, I've even done shows at chuches at the pastors/Ministers request!

I am a Christian and have a healing prayer mnistry and I have been a belly dancer for over 32 years now. I see nothing wrong with this.
Maybe we should have another thread about what kinds of hobbies other Christian ministers have.
The currant paster at my parish uesd to race cars. Yes a priest racing cars. Great image!